The formative evaluation and revision of an instructional management system for business computer competencies.

摘要

The purpose of this project was to (1) evaluate and revise a computer-based instructional management system developed to organize business computer competencies, and (2) develop and revise documentation for using the system.; The instructional management system consists of a database and various applications employing relational database architecture. The resulting system will be used by Virginia business teachers in implementing their curricula.; The prototype system was developed initially to organize a taxonomy of tasks identified to measure computer competencies. The computer competencies were extracted from the Business Education Suggested Course Competencies and Performance Objectives, published by the Virginia Department of Education in 1989. The taxonomy resulted in the publication of the Business Computer Software Curriculum Series in 1990. This latter publication forms the core of the instructional management system. The 1990 curriculum guide was ultimately expanded to include multiple choice and matching test questions organized to measure the tasks. A module of performance tests was incorporated into the system as well.; The resulting program was titled LessonBank: The Instructional Management System. LessonBank is a menu-driven program designed to be used as a tool to assist teachers with the management function of teaching. The system incorporates a number of components. The components are (a) course banking, (b) competency banking, (c) task banking, (d) test question banking, (e) performance test banking, (f) test generation, (g) lesson plan generation, (h) reporting, and (i) database maintenance.; A three phase formative evaluation procedure was used to improve the program and the user's manual. Data were collected from the evaluators as the subjects in each phase tested all components of the entire system. The developer identified the needed revisions and made necessary corrections. Following the third phase, it was determined that the prototype program was ready for distribution to business teachers in the state of Virginia.; Suggestions for use of the computer-based instructional management system are given. Recommendations are made for developers. In addition, recommendations are made for teachers, supervisors, and administrators who have responsibility for improvement and management of instruction.