Department of the Interior University

Robert VeltkampDirector, Online Learning

September 17, 2003

Using Self-Paced Distance Learning to Meet Strategic Goals at

the Department of the Interior

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Presentation Outline• Mission and Strategic Objectives

• Overall Benefits from Using Online Solutions

• Three Online Training Delivery Methods

– Explanation of the Delivery Method

– Strategic Issues Addressed Using the Method

– Advantages / Limitations for this Method

• Lessons Learned

• Future Plans

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DOIU Mission

Provide and foster learning opportunities to accomplish Departmental missions

and to enhance career growth

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Interior Strategic Initiatives Addressed with Online Training

• GPRA goals related to preventing and dealing with violence in the workplace and sexual harassment

• Information technology security awareness

• Interior-specific safety and occupational health mandated training

• Improved processing of special retirements for firefighters and law enforcement officers

• Conflict management awareness

• Activity Based Cost Management

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Overall Benefits from Using Online Solutions

• Meets mandatory training requirements efficiently and effectively

• Tracks the completion of mandatory training by individuals

• Provides a consistent message in training provided Departmentwide

• Provides training at geographically remote Interior locations – parks, refuges, field stations, foreign countries

• Offers low cost alternative to travel and classroom training

• Provides Level II evaluation through assessments

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Delivery Methods Used

• Off-the-shelf training from SkillSoft, Karta and NETg

• Customized courses developed with the EAGLE tool from Little Planet – lower bandwidth requirements

• Multi-media courses on the Vodium platform - higher bandwidth requirements

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Off-the-Shelf Courseware

• Over 1,900 web-based courses from NETg, SkillSoft and Karta – computer, general, and IT security skills

• Hosted on internal DOIU servers and linked to our LMS for administrative purposes

• Centrally purchased and managed on a Departmentwide basis

• Purchased on as-needed basis by users or organizations

Delivery Method

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Off-the-Shelf Courseware

• Dealing with potential violence in the workplace

• Sexual harassment awareness

• End user computer training to meet new Departmental standards for personal computers

• Information technology security training for IT professionals

• Management, supervision

• Teamwork

Department of the Interior Strategic Issues Being

Addressed

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Off-the-Shelf Courseware

• Thousands of courses already developed by subject matter experts

• Inexpensive way to meet needs that do not call for Interior -specific information

• Academic credits toward certificates and college degrees are provided in some instances

• Great for certification programs in project management, information technology and other fields

• Courseware issues have to be corrected by the vendors (+/-)

Advantages / Limitations

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Customized Courseware

• Using EAGLE tool from Little Planet Learning to create new web-based courses to meet critical needs

• Courses available through DOI University Learning Management System

• Three full-time customized courseware developers

• Partner with Interior bureaus and subject matter experts to develop courses and train developers

Delivery Method

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Customized CoursewareDelivery Method

Demo

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Customized Courseware

• Educate employees on safe workplaces and procedures

• Raise awareness of IT security issues and Departmental policies

• Provide environmental and laboratory safety training specific to Interior

• Offer Interior-specific online training for new supervisors

Department of the Interior Strategic Issues Being

Addressed

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Customized Courseware

• Targets multiple audiences

• Easily modified for other uses and users

• Provides DOI-specific information

• Standardizes training across the Department

• Requires a greater short-term commitment of resources for development

Advantages / Limitations

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Multi-Media Courses

• Internet / CD-ROM training using Vodium platform

• Provides video streaming, PowerPoint slides and text transcript in one simultaneous desktop application for engaging learning experience

• Features top managers or experts to introduce key learning points and moderate training

• Uses vignettes and role-plays to illustrate key points

Delivery Method

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Multi-Media Courses

• Searchable by any text in transcript with automatic synchronization of text, video and PowerPoint slides

• Provides links to other resources on the web or the CD-ROM

• Incorporates tracking, assessments, surveys and evaluations

Delivery Method (Continued)

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Multi-Media CoursesDelivery Method (Continued)

Demo

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Multi-Media Courses

• Increasing awareness of conflict management principles – targeted for supervisors and managers

• Using Activity Based Costing across Interior – all employees

Department of the Interior Strategic Issues Being Addressed

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Multi-Media Courses

• Very engaging for the learner

• Easier to build in humor, drama, excitement

• Requires greater bandwidth or CD-ROM production

• More expensive to produce

• More opportunity for technical glitches

Advantages / Limitations

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Lessons Learned• Partner within agencies and with vendors

• Conduct pilot tests

• Tie programs to management objectives

• Use internal and external resources effectively for custom courses

• Integrate with other training programs

• Use a variety of tools to meet needs

• Recognize that bandwidth and firewall issues may limit accessibility to some online training tools

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Future Plans

• Develop expanded marketing strategy – increase awareness and educate managers

• Increase follow-up activities and make better use of course completion data and evaluations

• Integrate online training with other DOI University training programs