EIDT

6110

Advanced Instructional Design

Implementation and Evaluation Report

Module Overview and Description:

This training module discusses the debt snowball method of debt repayment. The debt
snowball method of debt repayment is a form of debt repayment that is most often applied to
revolving credit such as credit cards. The need for this instruction has come about by peoples
inability to control their spending by the use of credit cards at their disposal rather than forcing
themselves to spend cash. The generational trait of instant gratification has contributed to this
problem. Borrowing heavily and our instinctual need for the accumulation of stuff has lead to a
society of buy now pay later. We have lived in an era of easy money and credit and an attitude
of why wait. The content of this instruction is as much about changing human behavior as it is
the understanding of budgeting and living within your means.
Description of Implementation

The training was implemented using an instructor lead venue. This training median was
chosen to accommodate a small group of four participants that lived within close proximity to
one another and shared similar time schedules of availability. All four participants knew one
another so there was no need for any icebreaker types of activities. The small forum was
conducive to much interaction and sharing of ideas. Since each participant had a basic
knowledge of computers, as well as familiarity with Microsoft Excel, the activities were
completed with relative ease. The level of interest was high as validated by positive remarks
before the implementation as well as complimentary things that were said both during and after
the training was completed.
Although there were a number of high points that occurred during the implementation,
there were also some challenges. Due to a very homogenous audience much of the conversation
was centered on what could not be done (as perceived by the learners) versus what could be done
toward taking positive steps to debt reduction. All participants had low incomes and the
perception was that everything sounded good in principle but was not doable for their particular
situations. Therefore, my biggest challenge was responding to attitudes toward budgeting and
debt reduction and not the transfer of the intended knowledge that was included through
discussion and class activities.
Analysis of Evaluation Data

Before proceeding with the training, learners took a pretest to determine their level of
knowledge regarding the magnitude of debt in todays society. The pretest was designed to serve
two major purposes. First, learners were introduced to basic terminology associated with
snowball debt reduction. They were able to assess their current knowledge of snowball debt
reduction. This was intended to help create interest in the topic they were about to study. The
second purpose of the pretest was to hopefully motivate the learners to apply what they will in
creating a budget to reduce their total debt. The ultimate instructional goal was immediate
application and transfer of knowledge to successfully implement snowball debt reduction.

Laureate Education, Inc.

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Advanced Instructional Design

EIDT
6110

In addition to the pretest, learners were once again administered the same test after the
course was completed. This served to determine if students understood the key material
presented and as a way to motivate students that they now knew much more about debt reduction
and its importance before they began the course. A summative evaluation was also given at the
conclusion of the training to give learners an opportunity to evaluate their total training
experience. Learners were able to reflect on the overall course effectiveness and their
preparedness to apply what they have learned. The following table summarizes the data
collected from the formative and summative evaluations.
Knowledge
of
Financial
Terms

Knowledge
of Credit
Care Debt
and
Repayment

Motivation
for Debt
Reduction
Plan

Comfort
Level of
Completing
Excel
Spreadsheet

Motivation
for
Applying
Information
Toward
Debt
Reduction

Before
Training

Fair

Poor

Fair

Good

Poor

Usefulness
of Class
Activities
in Learning
to Create an
Emergency
Fund and
Debt
Reduction
Budget
Fair

After
Training

Good

Good

Fair

Good

Poor

Good

I have concluded that this training module is effective in transferring general financial
knowledge and concepts related to snowball budgeting and creation of an emergency fund.
However, the information presented does not necessarily motivate learners to apply those things
learned in training. In future implementations, it will be important to give a thorough audience
analysis with an effort made to include a larger group of learners with different demographics
such as more variance in age of learners and income levels. It would be interesting to determine
if motivation for snowball budgeting is directly proportional to income levels of participants.
Proposed Revisions and Key Points: Embedded Audio File

Prepare a table with statistics which display how low-income earners

can still save money for an emergency fund.
Have a more varied audience with people of variable income (each
participant in my implementation had low income levels)
Increase audience size to encourage additional input and points of
view.
Try a more hybrid learning approach with some of the training
synchronous and other parts asynchronous.
Have participants complete more pre-class activities.

Laureate Education, Inc.

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Advanced Instructional Design

EIDT
6110

Compose a pre-test and have participants return the test to the

facilitator before taking the class. This pre-test will measure
participants attitudes about credit and debt reduction.
Include in the summative evaluation not only a question about their
likelihood of implementing the concepts learned but make this a more
open ended question asking participants to identify what obstacles
prevent them from putting the information into practice and what they
plan to do to overcome these obstacles.

Reference List: (actual documents are included as attachments)

Advanced Instructional Design Evaluation Plan
Advanced Instructional Design Implementation Plan
Course Evaluation
Snowball Budgeting Pretest

Laureate Education, Inc.

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