SUMMARY

Karen Medsker has over 25 years of experience in the field of education, training, and organizational performance improvement. After earning her Ph.D. in Instructional Systems from Florida State University, she worked as an instructional technologist and course development manager at AT&T Bell Laboratories. Later she was Director of Instructional Development at Indiana UniversityóPurdue University at Indianapolis. Karen is President of Human Performance Systems, Inc., a training and consulting firm. She is also Professor and Chair of the Human Resources Department at Marymount University.
 

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

* Needs Assessment and Evaluation
* Instructional Systems Development
* Performance Improvement
* Training and Career Development
 

EDUCATION

Ph.D. Instructional Systems Florida State University 1979

M.A.T. Social Studies & Education Indiana University 1970

A.B. Government Indiana University 1968
 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Human Performance Systems, Inc., Washington, DC  1997-Present

President and Director of Performance Technology

Founded HPSI based on six years of experience as Karen Medsker & Associates. HPSI specializes in human resource performance improvement strategies, including ISD and training. Clients include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Peoplesoft, the U.S. Departments of Labor and Education, U.S. Geological Survey, ITT Systems, American Management Systems, Booz-Allen & Hamilton, and The World Bank.
 

Marymount University, Arlington, VA  1993-Present

Professor and Chair, Department of Human Resources

(Associate Professor, 1988-93)

Teaches graduate courses in performance analysis, instructional design and development, performance improvement strategies, delivery system design, research and evaluation. Manages programs in human resource management and organization development. Supervises faculty. Writes on issues related to training and performance.
 

Independent Consultant (KMA), Washington, DC  1989-1997

Clients include U.S. government agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service, General Accounting Office, Department of Interior, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, Veteranís Benefits Academy, Federal Reserve, Department of Health and Human Services, and USDA Graduate School. Private sector clients include the New York Stock Exchange, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, The World Bank, Public Allies, Sato Travel, and consulting firms such as Booz Allen & Hamilton, Human Technology, Atlantic Management Center, Inc., HGL Associates, Pelikan Associates, and New Century Management.

Projects include training design and development; design and development of resource manuals and job aids; workshops on instructional design, presentation skills, training needs assessment and evaluation, career development, and customer service; consulting on a variety of human performance and human resource development issues.
 

Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis  1986-88

Director of Instructional Development

Designed and directed an instructional development program for faculty. Worked with faculty in many disciplines to develop courses and materials (including computeróbased, video-based, interactive videodisc format, and traditional classroom instruction). Gave faculty workshops on instructional design, teaching techniques, and evaluation.
 

Indiana Department of Education, Indianapolis, Indiana 1985

Research Consultant

Assisted with the planning of a statewide competency-based proficiency assessment program for the public schools.
 

AT&T Bell Laboratories, New Jersey  1979-84

Instructional Technologist and Course Development Supervisor

Developed classroom and individualized instruction (including videoóbased and computer based) in technical and administrative skills. Managed needs assessment and course development projects. Taught training design and delivery workshops.
 

Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL  1976-79

Graduate Assistant

Taught undergraduate course in instructional technology and assisted with graduate courses. Developed training materials for Florida vocational educators. Developed individualized instruction (computer/video/textóbased) for Control Data Corporation.

Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA  1975-76

Adjunct Instructor in educational psychology and social psychology.
 

High School Teacher, Indianapolis, IN, Northlake, IL, and Philadelphia, PA  1970-75
 

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI)

* Charter Member of New Jersey and Indianapolis Chapters

* Past President of Indianapolis and Potomac (DC) Chapters

* Frequent presenter at local and international conferences

* Published in Performance and Instruction and Performance Improvement Quarterly

* 1991 Instructional/Performance Technology in Academia SIA Chair

* 1991 member of Research Track Committee

* 1992 & 1996 member of Academic Affairs Committee

* 1993-96 consulting editor for Performance Improvement Quarterly

* 1994-95 co-chair of Awards Committee
 

American Society for Training and Development (ASTD)

* Frequent presenter at international conferences

* 1992-97 member of the Research Committee

* 1996 chair of committee to select outstanding HRDQ article

* 1996-97 chair of committee to select outstanding dissertation
 

PUBLICATIONS

Books and Book Chapters

Medsker, K.L. and Holdsworth, K.M. (Eds.) Models and Strategies for Training Design.

Washington, DC: International Society for Performance Improvement, forthcoming in 2000.

Medsker, K. L. "Professional Service," in The Faculty Handbook, V. Bianco-Mathis and N. Chalofsky (Eds.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE, in press.

Gagné, R. M. and Medsker, K. L. The Conditions of Learning: Training Applications. Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace, 1996.

Fry, J. P., Medsker, K. L., and Bonner, D. "Teaching Methods and Strategies," in The Adjunct Faculty Handbook, V. Bianco-Mathis and N. Chalofsky (Eds.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE, 1996.

Medsker, K.L. and Roberts, D.G. (Eds.) Evaluating the Results of Training. Alexandria, VA: American Society for Training and Development, 1992.

Cerniglia, C. S., Medsker, K. L. and Connor, U. "Teaching Coherence Using Computer-assisted Instruction," in Coherence: Research and Pedagogical Perspectives, U. Connor and A. M. Johns (Eds.). Washington, D.C.: Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), 1990.

Medsker, K.L., "Teachers: Managers of Instruction," in Teaching Physical Education: A Systems Approach, R.N. Singer and W. Dick. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1980.

Medsker, K.L. "World Hunger," in Instructional Design: Principles and Applications, L.J. Briggs (ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ : Educational Technology Publications, 1977.
 

Articles, Reviews, and Reports

Pallesen, P., Haley, P., Jones, E., Moore, R, Widlake, D, and Medkser, K. Electronic Learning Delivery Systems: A Selection Model. Performance Improvement Quarterly, 12:4, 1999.

Medsker, K., Hunter, P., Stepich, D., Rowland, G., and Basnet, K. "HPT in Academic Curricula: Survey Results, " Performance Imrpovement Quarterly, 8:4, 1995.

Medsker, K. L. Book Review of Training: Research and Practice by John Patrick, Human Resource Development Quarterly, 5:1, 1994.

Bonner, D. and Medsker, K.L. "Performance Technology Careers Triumph Over Gridlock," Performance and Instruction, 33:1, 1994, 36ó39.

Bonner, D. and Medsker, K.L. "Career Gridlock and Performance Improvement in the 1990s," Performance and Instruction, 32:1, 1993, 9ó13.

Medsker, K.L. and Fry, J.P., "Toward a Performance Technology Curriculum," Performance and Instruction, 31:2, 1992, 53-56.

Medsker, K.L. "NETwork for Excellent Teaching: A Case Study in University Instructional Development," Performance Improvement Quarterly, 5:1, 1992, 35-48.

Medsker, K.L. (guest ed.) "The Performance Technologist's Library: The PIQ Book Review Column," Richard B. Pearlstein (ed.). Reviews of two books by Robert M. Gagne: Studies of Learning: 50 Years of Research (1989) and Instructional Technology: Foundations (1987). Performance Improvement Quarterly, 4:1, 1991, 98-102.

Bonner, D. and Medsker, K.L., "From Gridlock to Green Light: Jump Starting Stalled Careers," Proceedings of the 1991 Annual Conference of the National Society for Performance and Instruction. Los Angeles, CA, 1991.

Medsker, K. L. and Medsker, L. R., "Choosing Between Expert Systems and Training," in Expert Systems Applications: Expersys-90, G. Gouarderes, J. Liebowitz, and M. White (eds.). Institute for Industrial Technology Transfer, Gournay-Sur-Marne, France, 1990.

Medsker, K.L. "NETwork for Excellent Teaching: A University Instructional/Faculty Development Program," Proceedings of the 1990 Annual Conference of the National Society for Performance and Instruction. Toronto, Canada, 1990.

Medsker, K. L. and Medsker, L. R., "Instructional Technology: A Key to Successful Information Systems," Information & Management, 12:4, 1987, 195-208.

Medsker, L. R., Morrel, J. H., and Medsker, K. L., "Expert Systems: Meeting the Educational Challenge," Collegiate Microcomputer, V:3, 1987, 223-229.

Medsker, K.L., Cassidy, M.F., and Kirschenmann, C.E. "New Directions for Technical Education in High Technology Companies," AT&T Internal Report and in The Bell Labs Writer (1986).

Hoffman, C.K. and Medsker, K.L. "Instructional Analysis: The Missing Link Between Task Analysis and Objectives," Journal of Instructional Development, 6:4, 1983, 17-23.

Bastian, R.P., Edward, K.A., Medsker, K.L., and Schimmel, B. "Formative Evaluation in Industry: Observations on a Course Development Project at Bell Laboratories," Performance and Instruction, 22:5, 1983, 20-22.

Medsker, K.L. "Instructional Development As a Craft," Performance and Instruction, 20:7, 1981, 11-14.

Medsker, K.L. "Effects of Practice and Set Activation Conditions on Productive Thinking," unpublished doctoral dissertation, Florida State University, 1979.

Grisé, P.J., Moore, M.H., and Medsker, K.L., "Florida V-TECS: A Key to Tomorrow's Vocational Education Today," Florida Vocational Journal, 1:2, Career Education Center, Florida State University, 1976.
 

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS

Cassidy, M. F., and Medsker, K. L. "An Integrative Model for Diagnosing Performance Needs." Session at the International Conference of the American Society for Training and Development, Washington, DC, 1997.

Medsker, K. L., and Gagné, R. M. "The Conditions of Learning: Training Applications."

Session at the Annual Conference of the American Society for Training and Development, Orlando, FL, 1996.

Cassidy, M. F., and Medsker, K. L. "Improving the Diagnosis of Human and Organization Performance: A Multidisciplinary-based Diagnostic Model." Session at the Annual Conference of the International Society for Performance Improvement, Dallas, TX, 1996.

Bonner, D. and Medsker, K.L. "Love and the Learning Organization: Performance Technology Meets Team Building." Session at the Annual Conference of the American Society for Training and Development, Anaheim, CA, 1994.

Medsker, K.L. "Introduction to NSPI and Performance Technology," Session presented to 25 visiting Chinese Human Resource Managers, Georgetown University, June 1993.

Medsker, K.L., Rowland, G. and Stepich, D. "Survey Results: Is PT Transforming Graduate Programs?" Session at the Annual Conference of the National Society for Performance and Instruction, Chicago, IL, April, 1993.

Bonner, D. and Medsker, K.L. "From Gridlock to Green Light: Jumpstarting Stalled Careers." Session at the Annual Conference of the American Society for Training and Development, New Orleans, LA, 1992.

Bonner, D. and Medsker, K.L. "Jumpstarting Stalled Careers: A Systems Approach to Career Development." Session at the Annual Conference of the National Society for Performance and Instruction, Los Angeles, CA, April, 1991.

Bonner, D. and Medsker, K.L. "From Gridlock to Green Light: Jumpstarting Stalled Careers." One-day workshop presented at the Annual Conference of the National Society for Performance and Instruction, Los Angeles, CA, April, 1991.

Medsker, K.L. "NETwork for Excellent Teaching: A University Instructional/Faculty Development Program." Session at the Annual Conference of the National Society for Performance and Instruction, Toronto, Canada, April, 1990.

Medsker, K.L. and Weinstein, D. "The Performance Technology Approach vs. the Organization Development Approach to Problem Solving." Presentation to the Potomac Chapter of the National Society for Performance and Instruction, April, 1990

Medsker, K.L. "Implementing Performance-Based Programs in Your Organization." Presentation at the Workshop Extravaganza of the Potomac Chapter of the National Society for Performance and Instruction, February, 1989.

Medsker, K.L. and Lynch, L. "Creative Instructional Design." Workshop presented to Indianapolis Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development, March, 1988.

Medsker, K.L. "Stimulating Student Creativity." Presentation at the Annual Learning Resources Symposium, IUPUI, Indianapolis, February, 1988.

Medsker, K. L. "Beyond Intuition: A Systematic Approach to Course Improvement." Presentation at Faculty Vitality at Indiana Colleges and Universities: A State-Wide Faculty Development Conference, Indianapolis, IN, October, 1987.

Medsker, K. L. "Learning Maps: Their Implications for Sequencing Instruction." Presentation to Chicago Chapter of the National Society for Performance and Instruction, June, 1987.

Gardner, C.B., Johnson, C., and Medsker, K.L. "Rejuvenating Introductory Courses." Presentation at the Annual Learning Resources Symposium, IUPUI, Indianapolis, February, 1987.

Medsker, K. L. and Medsker, L. R. "Expert Systems and Human Performance." Presentation to Indianapolis Chapter of the National Society for Performance and Instruction, February, 1987.

Hoffman, C.K. and Medsker, K.L. "Instructional Analysis: The Missing Link Between Task Analysis and Objectives." Paper presented at annual meeting of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology, New Orleans, LA, 1983.

Antreassian, E.C. and Medsker, K.L. "The Systematic Team Approach to Course Development: A Case Study," Paper presented at the Association for Computing Machinery Computer Science Conference, Orlando, FL, 1983.`

Medsker, K.L. and Antreassian, E.C. "A Structured Approach to Course Development," Paper presented at the Association for Computing Machinery Computer Science Conference, Orlando, FL, 1983.

Holt, H.O., Medsker, K.L. and Holt, R.D. "Introduction to Individualized Instruction," Workshop presented at the American Society for Engineering Education College Industry Education Conference, San Diego, CA, 1982.

Ackerman, A.S., Hoffman, C.K. and Medsker, K.L. "Learning Hierarchies and Learning Maps," Workshop presented at the annual meeting of the National Society for Performance and Instruction, Montreal, Canada, 1981.