ID Brief for Final Project IST 526

Title or Topic of Module/Lesson:

How to program your irrigation controller
Date this Design Created/Modified: Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Designers Name: Royins Solano Rodriguez
Time: 15-30 minutes
General Overview/Need: New employees of a landscaping company in Los
Banos, California need training on the basics of programming an irrigation
controller. This module will serve as pre-training and will be delivered to
learners via computer or mobile devices. The goal is to familiarize learners with
basic controller features as well as programming an irrigation controller. The
company has many employees experienced in landscaping but only two know
how to program the irrigation controllers. They will be the subject matter
experts that will lead the organization of content for programming basic, as
well as more advanced, irrigation controllers. The board of directors expressed
their concern for filling out this knowledge gap, as it would enable the business
to capture more contracts for such services and revamp their share of the local
market. The program developed here will focus on teaching the most common
features of a basic controller as well as basic steps for programming a
controller.
Why a computer should teach it: The Managing Director would like pre-
training to prepare new or untrained staff and make on-site training efficient
and effective. The online format is appropriate because it saves time and
money, the new employee can utilize it at any time and it efficiently trains
learners individually. New staff may have flexible schedules so this would allow
them to receive training on their unscheduled time without blocking up the
time of the subject matter experts.
Audience/Learners: The learners will be men aged 21-50 with at least some
basic knowledge on landscape enhancement, irrigation, construction, tree
service, pressure washing or property maintenance. The various backgrounds
and age range of the audience make a heterogeneous group in which some
may be well versed and experienced with technology, while most of them will
struggle even with the most basic pieces of technology. A big majority are
native Spanish speakers so the training will definitely have to be created both
in Spanish and English language. For the purpose of this project, the designer
will have the choice to create it in either language.
Technical: The learning must run on a standard web browser, and it would be
desirable for it to run on a tablet or mobile devices as well.
Conditions of Instruction: Learners will initially take this course on the
computer so they can afterwards move on to the fish tank where they will be
able to apply the knowledge acquired on various actual real controller models
interconnected with sampling irrigation systems. The training will take place on
a standard computer or mobile device in an office or home setting. The
learning should be administered through a SCORM or similar package. We
anticipate that TalentLMS or Moodle will be used to administer the course
because of their flexibility, features and affordability for small companies,
which is perceived as a higher value product.
Learning Objectives:
1. Given digital content (text, audio, video, images) learners will be able to
identify controls, indicators and their functions. (Cognitive domain,
comprehension).
2. Given digital content (text, audio, video, images) learners will be able to list
in the right order, steps for proper programming of irrigation controllers.
(Cognitive domain, comprehension).
Task Analysis:
1. Demonstrate the ability to identify controls, indicators and their functions.
1.1 The learner will be provided the basic controller features and he will
associate the meaning of each feature with its corresponding function.
2. Demonstrate the ability to list in the right order, the steps he must follow to
program a basic irrigation controller.
2.1For easy programming, first slide the Set Program (1) toggle to the
middle, and then start in the upper left corner of your controller and move
clockwise through the settings. Start with program A (2).
2.2Set the dial to current time and use the +/ buttons to locate the current
time of day. Turn the dial one click to the left and use the +/- buttons to
locate the day of the week. You only have to do this once (3).
2.3Turn the dial to the valve run times to select a station and use the +/
buttons to enter the amount of watering time for that valve, which sends
water to a particular zone in your yard or garden (4).
2.4Turn the dial to start times and use the +/ buttons to select time youd like
your irrigation to begin. You can have three different start times per day, but
typically you only need one (5).
2.5Now turn the dial to schedule the days you want your irrigation to run or
the numbers of days to skip in between watering. Use the +/- buttons to
enter this information (6).
2.6Now repeat steps 3, 4 & 5 for each station/valve you are controlling, and
program A is complete. Use programs B & C for other zones that require
difference frequencies of watering, such as turf, Xeriscape, vegetable
gardens, etc.

Assessment:
The first learning objective will be assessed with a drag and drop activity.
The second learning objective will be assessed through software simulation.
Instructional Strategies:
Adult Learning Theory
Adult learning theory is applicable to this training because the Irrigation trainee
audience is composed of adult learners. The original theory, pioneered by
Knowles, describes four assumptions of adult learning or andragogy: self-
direction (or self-concept), role of experience, readiness to learn, orientation to
learning and motivation (Andragogy- Adult Learning Theory, n.d.; Knowles,
1970; Merriam, 2001). With adult learners, there is an expectation that learning
will directly apply to immediate tasks or goals. This eLearning module will
directly address the hands-on experience by providing first, images of real
irrigations controllers so they can later apply what they learned, in the
irrigation fish tank.
The aspects of Knowless theory that involve an adult learners readiness to
learn, self-direction and orientation toward applied learning, will be addressed.
The learners will enter the program ready to learn, as they will use this training
as direct preparation for on-site training with an experienced staff member.
There is also an orientation to learning because the learners will expect to be
able to apply their new skills soon. Ronnys Landscaping expects this online
training to occur shortly before the in-person, intensive training with a staff
member. The design of the module will allow some autonomous control so that
the learner can choose how they gather information. By providing software
simulation assessment, there can also be a sense of freedom to make mistakes
in the virtual environment, so the learner gains confidence in understanding
and handling the controllers before experimenting with the real controllers.
Resources:
http://wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/landscape-care/timing-is-
everything/
2017 Park&Co
References:
Andragogy- Adult Learning Theory. (n.d.). Retrieved February 25, 2015, from
http://teachinglearningresources.pbworks.com/w/page/30310516/Andragogy--
Adult%20Learning%20Theory?mode=embedded
Knowles, M. S. (1970). The modern practice of adult education. New York
Association Press
New York. Retrieved from
http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/medicine/hospitalists/downloads/cc4_articl
es/Education%20Theory/Andragogy.pdf

Merriam, S. B. (2001). Andragogy and self-directed learning: Pillars of adult

learning theory.
New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 2001(89), 314.