Week 2

Analyzing Context

The key to solving any problem is to understanding the wanted outcome. The need to fully analyze the problem in order to determine its root cause is crucial. Typically when instruction is created, the learner is not considered until the instruction does not meet the determined goal. 

There is definitely a performance gap that is the fundamental reason for my problem. The gap deals with the lack of college preparation found in secondary classrooms and Texas standardized tests. This issue is a primary concern at ABC High School. Students in this district have a high need to enroll in developmental courses and are unable to attend four year universities after graduating high school due to their low performance scores on college admission tests. 

In order to solve my problem I must determine if the solution can be fixed with instruction and I believe that the root of my issue can very well be "treated" with instruction. College preparation instruction can be delivered to the students in addition to preparation for the state tests and this will allow better preparation for college entrance exams and decrease the number of students needing to enroll in developmental courses. 

Week 1

The 5 Whys!

Since the beginning of this course I have went back and forth as to what my project should be. Whenever I decided on a problem, I considered it to be too broad for this type of project. In the end, I decided to just go for what I believe in.

The problem that my design project will address is the increased enrollment of college developmental courses, specifically in Texas.

1. Why? There is an increased developmental course enrollment for students in the state of Texas.

2. Why? Students are not being properly prepared for college in secondary school.

3. Why? Increased developmental class enrollment increases student loan debt and time a student is enrolled in school and decreases the chances of a student earning a four-year degree.

4. Why? School administration is focused on instructing teachers on how to teach for standardized tests.

5. Why? Standardized tests are not accurately measuring students on college readiness

The process was actually interesting and assisted me in brainstorming for a solution to my problem. It did not change my scope on the situation but it helped me to better understand the possibly domino effect that could be causing the problem. I hope with further class discussions and readings to be on a better track with the development of my design project.