Part 1: Overall Project Scope

Title:

Packing for STAC – A 4-H Teen Events Dress Code Primer

What is the scope of the project (lesson, module, course, program)?

The project is a 5-lesson unit delivered via SMS to teens attending the 2024 Idaho 4-H State Team Association Conference (STAC).

What will you design, which part(s) do you intend to develop?

I will be responsible for the overall design and delivery of the project, consisting of five short (150 characters) microlessons deliverable via SMS, a corresponding Padlet board with examples for each day’s lesson, and learning aids in the form of a dress code infographic and packing checklist. I will be working closely with our Teen Programs staff as subject-matter experts, who will be helping develop observer checklists for chaperones and event volunteers, and training these people in their correct use for reporting dress code violations over the course of this year’s conference.

Part 2: Background

Problem Statement/Identified Performance Gap

Over the past few years, dress code violations at 4-H Teen Events (STAC, Know Your Government Conference, I-LEAD Summit) have been increasing. At last year’s STAC, multiple youth had to be sent back to the dorms to change into appropriate clothing every day of the conference. Being singled out to change is embarrassing for the youth and stressful for the event staff and chaperones. In the past, pre-conference dress code information has been included as part of a 20-page event packet, but we have recognized that most teens will not read this packet in its entirety (especially on summer break!). We hope that providing supplemental teen-friendly pre-conference education on appropriate dress codes along with appropriate learning aids will help attendees make better choices to avoid dress code violations at this year’s conference.

Project Objectives (strategic/organizational)

Many Idaho youth do not understand different dress code standards. Rural youth in particular (and their parents) may not be exposed to these concepts on a regular basis. In many workplaces across Idaho, jeans, uniforms or “farm wear” are the norm, so even smart casual is considered by many to be dressed up. On the flip side, we have youth who think that a business professional event like our banquet and new officer installation is a great place to get a second use out of their prom dress. Our objective is to help teens better understand what different levels of dress code mean (which is helpful not only for this conference, but for college and career readiness as well), and what types of clothing are and are not acceptable at STAC.

Target Audience

Idaho teens registered for the STAC event, Idaho 4-H parents.

Learning Objectives (participant)

Teens will have a basic understanding of dress code terms such as casual, smart, casual, and business dress. Teens will be able to discriminate between appropriate and inappropriate wardrobe choices for various events at the conference, as demonstrated by a reduction in dress code violations at the event.

Outcomes Assessment

As a result of this unit, we expect teen dress code violations at the 2024 STAC conference to decrease to one per day or less.

Part 3: Course Design and Structure

Format

Asynchronous cohort, consisting of single-topic microlessons delivered directly to teens via SMS, followed by a downloadable packing checklist and infographic sent to teens (via SMS link) and parents (via email) at the end of the week.

Explanation of Format Choice

Teens are busy, and during the summer are unlikely to log into a traditional LMS for tutorials, but nearly always carry their cell phones. Since we already collect cell phone numbers as part of our event registration, we plan to use these to deliver the training to each participant over the course of one week, approximately 2 weeks before the conference begins.

Flow/Sequence of Lesson/Module/Course/Program

The course will include 5 microlessons, listed below. We will also create an interactive “Pack for STAC” game that will show different outfits/pieces of clothing, and teens can drag appropriate items into their suitcase, and put inappropriate items back into the virtual closet/wardrobe.

1. Introduction and Casual Dress (This is the dress code for travel and activities at the student rec center and the most frequent dress code violations occur with misunderstanding this category)
2. Smart Casual (This is the dress code for most of the conference).
3. Business Professional (This is the dress code for the final banquet and installation of new officers).
4. What NOT to Wear (This final segment outlines inappropriate dress for the conference, even if the clothing fits into the casual category).
5. Ready to Pack for STAC? (links to game, checklist and packing reminders)

Technologies/Approaches

Microlearning, SMS-enabled devices for learners, Infographics, Interactive packing simulation game

Acquisition of Learner Needs/Interest Information

Through talking with the teens who violated dress code last year and their parents, we found that the violations were often due to misunderstandings of what constitutes “smart casual” or “business professional” dress. We also know from talking with teens that they are not likely to read the conference information packet, and that they prefer to engage in short, social media-like content whenever possible. This means that we need to find a way to deliver the information directly to teens, and to keep the lessons short and engaging.

Team

Robin Baumgartner: Project Lead, Instructional Design; Teresa Tverdy & Mike Knutz, Teen Program Leads (SME’s); Dr. Angela Freel, Idaho 4-H Program Director

Part 4: Context for Implementation

Context

Microlessons delivered via SMS during the week of June 10, 2024 (2 weeks prior to the conference).

Approval/Organizational Buy-In

The concept and development have been approved, for this course, and delivery method and budget approved as of April 24, 2024.

Time/Budget Constraints

Time is the biggest constraint for this project, as the 2024 conference is the last week of June, so we need to be ready for course delivery the week of June 10. Overall budget for text messaging at the conference has been capped at $300, but the team feels this will be sufficient the needs of both the course and conference.

Resources Needed/Available

We have the content expertise, design outlines, demonstrated need, and project workplan. As our preferred text message delivery platform (through our program registration system) has been delayed by the developers, we needed to find an alternative. We settled on RainedOut, a service that can deliver text messages to segmented groups (important for district gatherings at the conference as well as bus delay alerts on travel days). RainedOut also does not require youth to download additional apps to their phones, and will send copies of all messages to the parents/guardians via e-mail. We believe these two factors will increase parent/guardian buy-in and comfort with the system.

Relevant Organizational Considerations

Our first consideration was budget. Because this project was conceived and developed as a pilot without a specific budget line, we needed to seek additional funding for the text delivery service once we realized our initial plan was not going to be feasible. We also had to obtain approval from the University if we utilize a text messaging LMS/delivery platform outside our existing registration platform. Fortunately, both of these approvals were granted in April.

Technical Support Expectations/Plan

We are hoping that our learners will not need much technical support, as they are tech-savvy teens and this is a straightforward delivery of information to our audience via text messages.