NexLearn Simpact June '10

June 2010 Edition

Do your interactive training programs help change behavior a week, a month, a year after employees complete them? Course developers who can answer “yes” to this question are worth their weight in gold to their organizations. So, how much do you weigh?

One of the most important—and underutilized—components of training is determining the outcome of your training efforts after the training ends. Unfortunately, many training professionals often believe they don’t have the means and/or time to gauge training effectiveness beyond the actual course experience. This is one step that is definitely worth the time and effort!

To measure training effectiveness, you can follow the Kirkpatrick Four Level Evaluation Model, which evaluates performance on multiple levels and formats. [FYI—NexLearn’s SimWriter software has advanced data tracking capabilities that track each individual decision point, learning objective score, and overall course or module score. SimWriter can track student performance to provide measurement and assessment data on different levels of the Kirkpatrick learning model.]

At NexLearn, we make Kirkpatrick’s model a part of our development process. First, we have the ability to gauge your learner’s reaction by building in surveys to measure their experience within the course. Student satisfaction, motivation level, and future intent can be valuable measures in determining courseware effectiveness.

Second, we can assess your leaner’s performance by calculating overall and individual learning objective scores that are gathered from the decisions they make in the course. These scores can gauge the participants understanding and application of creative problem solving, analytical thinking, and critical reading skills.

Third, we assess change in your employees’ on-the-job behavior as a result of participating in the course. For example, NexLearn will work with you to deploy Micro Learning Objects (MLOs), which are short, stand-alone components designed to reinforce course material and provide additional decision-making opportunities. MLOs can be accessed through your private company portal or sent as e-mail attachments to your employees. In today’s fast-paced world, many learners prefer to review MLOs on their mobile devices for just-in-time learning.

NexLearn has worked with numerous clients to measure training effectiveness. Contact us if you’re in the market for engaging, behavior-changing training, and we’ll collaborate with you to design a training program and measurement system that meets your needs.

Coming Soon!

June Survey

Which benefit is most important to you when adopting learning technologies?

Improve flexibility of learning

Improve access to learning

Cut costs

Increase training reach

Last Month’s Survey Results

Which computer platform is the predominant choice within your organization?

Mac OS

Microsoft Windows

Ask the Expert

Question:
We created a course using SimWriter six months ago. Initially, our users had low bandwidth, so we decided not to include audio or video. However, we have access to higher bandwidth now, and we’re considering adding voice over and some video to our sim. Does this mean we need to copy and paste all character dialog into a script document for our talent to read?

Answer:
Not at all! SimWriter’s Export Scripts feature allows you to export character scripts into a webpage, Microsoft Word document, or a plain text file. With a click of the button, you can also add media file names in the script, which makes media organization much easier. Need help directing talent? The Export Scripts feature can also print character names, positions, personalities, and actions.

Have a question about e-Learning or Simulation-based Learning? Send it to our Expert.

Customized Performance Reports

The SimWriter Report Tab allows simulation creators to customize user performance settings including: the overall passing score for the simulation; the user message for learners receiving a passing or failing score; and settings specific to individual decision points such as minimum score, feedback icon and color, and learning objective performance.

Contact NexLearn for more information about the most powerful simulation authoring tool available.