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Proposing an instructional system design model for a railway track training
Author
Low, Khai Chong
Supervisor
Wong, Siew Koon Philip
Abstract
This project aims to document the training process for railway staff that would be working on the track for a new mass rapid transit organization. It proposes to use an Instructional System Design (ISD) approach to the process of training and instructions in the railway track environment, during their start-up phase. The ISD process is known as the Auditable Railway Track Training System. In short, the ART Training System.
Whenever an accident or incident occurs at the railway track, in finding out what the root cause is, a question inevitably arises during the safety enquiry is: "Is the staff trained to do the tasks properly?" The railway operator has to show evidences to the safety enquiry board that a proper system and process of training of their staff have been followed, documented and are open for inspection, audits and evaluations.
Proper qualifications of operating and maintenance personnel are a vital part of a safe railway transit operation. All necessary training must be conducted and documented. Not only should complete and accurate certification records of operating and maintenance personnel be maintained, but the content and presentation of materials and testing, including evaluation processes should have requirements that ensure completeness and validity of course content and testing. While the level of detail presented for training or certification requirements is at the discretion of the railway operator, a training process and system should be in place and referenced to when needed.
The Auditable Railway Track (ART) Training System seeks to document all the key decision points made during the various phases of the railway track training in the organization. In this way, there would exist an audit trail whereby decisions made during the process of training can be evaluated and examined reliably by any relevant bodies.
The ART Training System Model is not unique in the process. It is an adaptation of the generic ISD model, which includes the processes of analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation.
The events of the Model consist of the following eight steps:
1. Identify the Needs for Training
2. Assess Relevant Characteristics of Learners
3. Perform Job, Task and Content Analyses
4. Determine Performance Objectives
5. Develop Performance Measurements
6. Specify Instructional Strategies
7. Design Instructional Materials
8. Develop Evaluation Instruments
The proposal for the ART Training System as an instructional system design for the track training, was reviewed by a Senior Officer of the Railway Division. From the comments of the review, other comparable ISD models were discussed and summarized. The reasons why they were not completely adapted for use were also explained.
The ART Training Model is proposed due to the specific requirements of the railway Track work training. It represents the unique situation of the start-up training phase for the new organization. Some of the ISD models lack a problem analysis phase and start with the assumption that an instructional problem already exists. For non-academic settings like in this railway organization, the problem analysis phase is necessary and important.
The benefits derived from using the proposed Model were also highlighted. It has enabled the team of designers to manage the training process, reach consensus, test theories and set tasks for good training design in an efficient manner.
Lastly, a modified ART Training Model was proposed for training when specific performance deficiencies of employees were identified in the future.
Whenever an accident or incident occurs at the railway track, in finding out what the root cause is, a question inevitably arises during the safety enquiry is: "Is the staff trained to do the tasks properly?" The railway operator has to show evidences to the safety enquiry board that a proper system and process of training of their staff have been followed, documented and are open for inspection, audits and evaluations.
Proper qualifications of operating and maintenance personnel are a vital part of a safe railway transit operation. All necessary training must be conducted and documented. Not only should complete and accurate certification records of operating and maintenance personnel be maintained, but the content and presentation of materials and testing, including evaluation processes should have requirements that ensure completeness and validity of course content and testing. While the level of detail presented for training or certification requirements is at the discretion of the railway operator, a training process and system should be in place and referenced to when needed.
The Auditable Railway Track (ART) Training System seeks to document all the key decision points made during the various phases of the railway track training in the organization. In this way, there would exist an audit trail whereby decisions made during the process of training can be evaluated and examined reliably by any relevant bodies.
The ART Training System Model is not unique in the process. It is an adaptation of the generic ISD model, which includes the processes of analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation.
The events of the Model consist of the following eight steps:
1. Identify the Needs for Training
2. Assess Relevant Characteristics of Learners
3. Perform Job, Task and Content Analyses
4. Determine Performance Objectives
5. Develop Performance Measurements
6. Specify Instructional Strategies
7. Design Instructional Materials
8. Develop Evaluation Instruments
The proposal for the ART Training System as an instructional system design for the track training, was reviewed by a Senior Officer of the Railway Division. From the comments of the review, other comparable ISD models were discussed and summarized. The reasons why they were not completely adapted for use were also explained.
The ART Training Model is proposed due to the specific requirements of the railway Track work training. It represents the unique situation of the start-up training phase for the new organization. Some of the ISD models lack a problem analysis phase and start with the assumption that an instructional problem already exists. For non-academic settings like in this railway organization, the problem analysis phase is necessary and important.
The benefits derived from using the proposed Model were also highlighted. It has enabled the team of designers to manage the training process, reach consensus, test theories and set tasks for good training design in an efficient manner.
Lastly, a modified ART Training Model was proposed for training when specific performance deficiencies of employees were identified in the future.
Date Issued
2001
Call Number
LB1028.38 Low
Date Submitted
2001