MSR Report 3

(I included my new model graphic - the circular model, plus my original two pages of boxes and arrows. Which, if either, makes the most sense?)

The context is business.

The Supra-system is a business that prepares business people to do work in the People’s Republic of China (to be referred to a China) and not Taiwan.

The goal is increase the effectiveness of business people who want to do business in China, with a basic set of skills and knowledge about Chinese history, language, culture, politics and culture. In addition, the participant will receive insight to a participant-select area of interest (e.g., law, finance, advertising).

Assumptions include: The participant wants to work in China, has a limited experience with doing business in China, has limited knowledge of Chinese language, culture, politics, or history, and that he/she understands the advantage of addressing these knowledge gaps as part of their preparation process.

The Need: The allure of the world’s largest market entices companies to sell their products and services in the People’s Republic of China. However, it takes more than simply arriving in Shanghai or Beijing with an excellent idea (one for which the Chinese may even be willing to spend money) and announcing that one is open for business. To increase the probability of successful market entry, one needs to have a basic understanding of Chinese culture, history, and politics. And while most foreign business people will use a Chinese language interpreter, the ability to understand and speak even a few words of Mandarin Chinese can prove useful. This basic foundation is necessary for the new entrant in the Chinese market place to begin to understand how to create and revise his or her business plan and market strategy. And just like developing a sound business plan and marketing strategy PRIOR to commencing in-country business activities saves time, money and reduces frustration, acquiring a basic knowledge of Chinese language, culture, politics, or history prior to country business activities provides equally valuable benefits.

The System: (mostly new from here down)
The system provides training that prepares business people to do business in China. It is composed of at least five subsystems (Survival Business Chinese Language, Cultural Considerations, History, Politics, and one learner selected focus area), with the option of adding additional sub-systems as required (additional learner selected focus areas). Once the development plans are created, the student can begin with any areas, and works self-directed through the course material. Facilitators will be available to answer questions, engage the learner to practice certain skills (e.g., language), or to suggest other sources of information. Tests after each module or at certain points during the implementation process will inform to the student whether additional review of coursework is recommended, or whether the student can begin a new subject.

Front End Analysis plays a important role to determine what study materials are required. When the learner begins the program, he/she is interviewed to determine if prior knowledge exists in each of the subject areas, as well as to understand what special knowledge needs the learner may have. If necessary, the learner is given a test to assess the degree of prior knowledge a learner may have in a subject area. Assessment of all areas is completed before the designer develops the individual subject Learning Plans.

Determine Learning Plan and Develop Specialized Materials. A unique learning plan and specialized materials are created to meet the needs of the learner. In most cases, learning will be delivered through RLO’s. Additional readings, websites and activities may be added to address particular learner knowledge needs. For example, the use RLO’s may be sufficient to teach the history and culture modules. A combination of RLO’s and suggested reading and mini-research activity might be used in the politics module. Only a few RLO’s may be used with the addition of conversational practice and third party language website for the language module. And for the focus areas, readings, third party websites, and dialogues with subject matter experts may be used.

Training Implementation.
Given the time constraints of most business people, the instruction will be designed so that the learner can study at their own convenience. Course work and tests will be available on-line. The learner can study the modules in any order. The learner can interact with the instructor/facilitator on-line, or could arrange for voice conversation. It is up to the learner to work the learning plan at the rate that makes sense for the learner.

Evaluation takes the form of tests that are given frequently through out the process. The goal of testing is to make the learner (and the facilitator/instructor) aware of his/her progress. Testing is designed to give feedback to the learner. If the learner does not successfully answer the questions or successfully complete the activities, he/she will be told were to to return in the course work to review the weak areas. The student can always seek help for the instructor/facilitator as well. Failure to complete one subject module does not preclude access to another subject module.

After each test, the learner may return to the subject module to review or to continue learning. When the learner finishes the test at the end of the module, the student then moves to another module.

The program does not issue certification of competence, grades. If a learner requires an evaluative report of the level of competency, something can be arranged. The assumption is that learners who enroll in this program are interested in quickly and efficiently acquiring the fundamental knowledge needed to be prepared to work more effectively in China. The feedback provided throughout the course of study will do that.

Here are the objectives that will be used to indicate learning has been achieved:

LANGUAGE

• The participant would be able to engage upon demand in ___ basic dialog situations [I am not going to define these here] with an accuracy rate of 20%.
• The participant will be to pronounce and translate into English 100 Chinese characters with fewer than 20 errors.

HISTORY

• The participant will be able to answer correctly 80% of the questions on ___ multiple choice tests.

CULTURE

• The participant will be able to answer correctly 80% of the questions on ___ multiple choice tests.

POLITICS

• The participant will be able to answer correctly 80% of the questions on ___ multiple choice tests.
• The participant will be able to describe the current political situation in China with 80% accuracy.

The Role of the Developer is to design the model, development the learning materials, and to supervise and implement the training.

The Purpose of the Model:

• Determine the participant’s learning needs
• Determine the participant’s learning plan
• Implement the participant’s progress in learning
• Adjust the learning plan as evaluation indicates