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In this Newsletter
A Message from the Project Manager
Happy 2008 everyone!
For 2008, I would like to start focusing this section of the newsletter on more strategic eLearning topics. This months topic: eLearning Strategy
As many of you know, the learning management system is a platform which provides efficiencies in how training and development activities are delivered and managed. It is also the catalyst which enables learners to self manage their own development activities and obtain skills when they need it. Once the initial features of the LMS are integrated into the learning culture, the value of a fully integrated eLearning strategy becomes much more apparent.
Before we can discuss an eLearning strategy, we must first describe a learning strategy. A learning strategy focuses on how the organization will facilitate an ongoing learning culture in which continuous improvement in its employees is at its core. To achieve this goal, you must increase the accessibility of knowledge through three key components:
- Capture and creation of knowledge to support individual performance across the organization.
- The ability to easily store, search and retrieve content.
- Dissemination and access practices, including but not limited to eLearning, instructor led training, documentation, mentoring and coaching.
These three components are repeated over and over again in research. However, a complete system for managing information has been out of reach for many organizations, due in large part to the lack of a comprehensive strategy. The measure for any system for knowledge and learning should include accurate and timely delivery of the knowledge the user receives and how effective the knowledge is in changing behaviors and improving performance.
A learning strategy should address:
- Aligning learning strategy goals with agency and division goals.
- Ensuring support from executive leadership and acceptance of the strategy by users.
- Determining technology requirements and capacity to support the learning and eLearning strategy.
- Partnering with internal training professionals to create an implementation plan.
- Developing methodology to evaluate and measure results.
A focused eLearning strategy should address:
- Defining the initiative and vision around the strategy.
- Defining the needs and expectations of executive leadership.
- Defining the needs and wants of the users at the agency, departmental, divisions, units and individual levels.
- Defining the technology to support the system.
So, where do we begin?
The process of developing an eLearning Strategy is the same as the process for developing a learning strategy. However, a focus on the delivery of content using technology emerges. The following focus areas are important to consider. These have been adapted from The eLearning Guild’s Handbook of eLearning Strategy.
Learning Across the Organization
Analysis in this area involves documenting what is currently known for all learning activities in the organization. Identifying key decision points and factors that impact strategy, software, tools, processes, resource requirements, business objectives and content are important.
Content Selection Process
This involves a high level analysis of the current process used to select content for courses. The overall goal is to create a process that will enable selection of appropriate content to put into an eLearning format that meets the business and learning objectives.
Access, retrieval and reuse
This area explores the high-level initiative to categorize content within the context of learning, performance and business objectives. How to identify and label content in meaningful ways so the end user can gain access at the right level. This is critical for reuse and for making informed, intelligent decisions about future content.
Mapping and content reuse
The mapping process explores how to map content to the learning, performance and business objectives by leveraging data and information from other programs (such as new hire orientations, succession planning and individual development plans) as well as other systems (Human Resource Information System).
Development methodology
The Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation (ADDIE) model has clear reference points to learning and performance systems. Understanding how the model is used for an eLearning initiative is critical.
Technology
This involves a high-level plan to address web-based design, features, functionality and technical requirements. Software include:
- Learning Management Systems (LMS)
- Learning Content Management Systems (LCMS)
- Knowledge Management Systems
- Assessment, Authoring and Delivery Systems
Maintenance planning
This area details out how you will maintain the content, LMS, LCMS and other systems. A plan must be developed to identify a systematic review, revise and release cycle, defining trigger mechanisms and measurement criteria as well as evaluating the shelf life of learning content to provide fresh, timely and engaging learning experiences.
ELearning strategy plan
The eLearning strategic plan includes a process for prioritizing projects, managing scope, and identifying and resolving issues.
Measurement and evaluation
This area explores how to properly measure the successes and failures of eLearning training programs within the organization.
In next month's What’s Happening newsletter, we will begin to explore each of these areas in more depth as well as identify key tips to ensure executive sponsorship and stakeholder buy-in for the eLearning strategy.
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ELMS Training Bite
The ELMS Training Bite is designed to provide you with a summary of key functions of the LMS. This month’s topic – the Learning, Reference and Collaboration Centers.
LearningCenter
The Learning Center enables the student to find training and take courses, course surveys and tests. Functions include:
- Course Catalog: Search for courses and enroll in them.
- Tests: Search for tests and view information about them, and take tests.
- Training Facilities: Search for training facilities and view information about them. You may also rate facilities and the rooms within them, and get maps and directions for them.
ReferenceCenter
The Reference Center is where announcements, miscellaneous documents, frequently asked questions (FAQ) and site surveys are located. Functions include:
- Announcements: Information or important communications.
- Documents: Files and references of various types such as white papers, presentations and web sites.
- FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are questions with answers and a source for each answer.
- Glossary: Contains terms, definitions for terms and related terms that are used in this system.
- Surveys: Collections of questions used to gather feedback and opinions about a particular topic.
CollaborationCenter
The Collaboration Center contains blogs, user and instructor directories, and collaboration spaces. There are three types of collaboration spaces that allow you and other users to share knowledge on a specific topic.
- Blogs: Search for blogs, post to blogs, and edit or delete existing blogs.
- Collaboration Spaces: Find a collaboration space, create a new one, and edit or delete an existing one.
- User Directory: Find registered users of the site.
- Instructor Directory: Find instructors.
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What's New
Public Captivate 3.0 training coming soon!
We are always on the look-out for eLearning workshops in and around the Salem area. Currently, there is a Captivate 3.0 workshop scheduled March 12-13 at Chemeketa College. For more information or to register, please follow the links below.
Course Information:
http://trainingobjectives.mmalliance.acrobat.com/captivate3/
Registration:
http://trainingobjectives.mmalliance.acrobat.com/capreg0312/
Wave 1 is about to begin launch plans!
The Enterprise Project Team is gearing up to begin configuration meetings for the first six agencies to launch the newest version of the LMS beginning March, 2008:
- Parks
- Revenue
- Forestry
- OHCS
- PERS
- Employment
To see a complete list of agencies planning to launch in 2008, check out our web page at http://www.oregon.gov/DAS/HR/e-lms.shtml, and click timeline.
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Project Status
The ELMS project is moving ahead. For a complete update on the ELMS project including current status reports and “What’s Happening” archives, check our web site at: http://www.oregon.gov/DAS/HR/e-lms.shtml.
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Questions and Answers
The Enterprise Project Team would like to invite you to ask any questions you may have on the ELMS initiative through the ELMS e-list. Just send your questions to elms@listsmart.osl.state.or.us. All questions will be responded to by one of the Enterprise Project Team members. All questions and answers will eventually become a Frequently Asked questions section of the ELMS web site.
Contact Information:
Theme Grenz
ELMS Project Manager
DAS/HRSD - Training and Development Services
155 Cottage St NE, U-30
Salem, OR 97301
E-mail: Theme.Grenz@das.state.or.us
Phone: (503) 378 6213
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