Performance Support Systems Essay -- Technology Support System Essays

Performance Support Systems Abstract The purpose of my paper is to discuss Performance Support Systems, the reason why some people fear them, concerns surrounding them, and why there is a growing trend for their use and their redefinement. Performance Support Systems Defined Electronic Performance Support Systems otherwise known as EPSS were born in the early 1990s by Gloria Gery, who was described as an educational software guru by Phillip Longman in his journal article, The Janitor Stole My Job. A distinguishing feature of EPSS is its ability to automate many job-related cognitive skills and to give immediate instructions to assist users in decision-making processes, which still require human judgment. These are computer-based systems which provide access to coaching, learning experiences, or tools to enable a user to facilitate tasks with a minimum of support from others (Benson, 1997, p.1). To put it bluntly, EPSS is a computer application that is task-specific, offering on-demand assistance to users (Stevens, 1996, p.1). In reviewing the various definitions of EPSS, I read that Performance Support Systems or PSS are frequently referred to as Electronic Performance Support Systems, as was indicated in my above definitions. However, according to Dr. Steve Harmon in his article, The Second S, the addition of the word electronic narrows the definition of Performance Support Systems to one specific area based solely on computers and the internet. While this technology is indeed integral to today’s performance support, I believe his point is that we should not forget that the word "system" is more representative of the topic than "electronic" (Harmon, 1999, p.1). Immediately, the controversy is apparent. Peopl... ...rform steps in the most natural way for them. References The following are articles taken off the web in Galileo. The reference list for each does not match the page numbers referenced in the paper. Benson, George. (1997). A new look at EPSS. Training & Development: Vol. 51 (pp. 48-49). Desmarais, Michel C; Leclair, Richard; Fiset, Jean-Yves; Talbi, Hichem. (1997). Cost-justifying electronic performance support systems. Communications of the ACM: Vol. 40 (pp. 39-48). Harmon, Steve. (1999). The Second "S"- Putting the system back in performance support. http://itech1.coe.uga.edu/itforum/paper36/paper36.html (pp. 1-5). Longman, Phillip J. (1997). The janitor stole my job. US News & World Report: Vol. 123 (pp. 50-52). Marquardt, Michael J. (1996). Cyberlearning: New possibilities for HRD. Training & Development: Vol. 50 (pp. 56-57).