During instruction, I make the content reflect, as closely as possible, what clients need to be able to do on the job.

To do this, I use Patti Shank's simple process shown in the schematic below. The accompanying chart puts this process in action for a few types of learning activities (“DO” is not an abbreviation – it’s the things people must DO in order to succeed in the real world).

Clicking the next image below will launch a quiz and "Race Game," which comes from my Marine Corps Institute Semper Fit course. This activity requires Marines to apply knowledge from training in order to build their warm-up routine. The quiz points to real-world consequences since the learner's answers determine their speed and success in the race.

Best-of-Breed Use of Training Modalities

As another example, I developed the Civilian Staff Officer Course to resolve an employee performance gap. To provide just-in-time training, I combined best-of-breed print, instructor-led, and e-learning activities based on content and learner analysis. Print assets give students real-world deliverables, templates, and related best practices. E-learning materials build the foundation of knowledge needed to make correct decisions, which students are required to do during a face-to-face practical exercise. In this exercise, students must deliver and be rated on a staffing package and decision briefing. Finally, I set up and established discussion topics within an online community of practice to facilitate dialogue internally between course graduates as well as from more experienced personnel who serve as mentors.

Open one of four lessons by clicking this link or the image on the left. Access additional lessons for this course from the following links:

• CSOC Section 1: Definitions of Terms
• CSOC Section 3: Action Officer Scenario
• CSOC Section 4: Preparing a Staffing Package and Decision Briefing

For the dL materials listed, I produced SCORM conformant courseware using Adobe Flash, Dreamweaver, and the MANSCEN Rapid Development System as part of a course that is conducted quarterly and delivered via the Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS).

Checklist to Mentor Other Trainers

Many of you may have seen the movie, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," in which the teacher, played by Ben Stein, drones on incessantly in a monotone and bores everyone.

As someone who has not only designed but delivered training, I have found that providing useful tools is one of the best ways to interest stakeholders.

For example, in my last position with the Army CBRN School, I instructed training developers who were subject matter experts (SMEs) on how to develop more effective products using the instructional systems design (ISD) or systems approach to training (SAT) process. Clicking the image on the left enables download of my "Checklist for Effective Multiple Choice Tests" that I provided to SMEs. As this example shows, I have found that learners stay most engaged when I act as a mentor and provide just-in-time, to-the-point training and resources.

Clicking the image on the left will launch a student handout or Checklist for Effective Multiple Choice Tests that synthesizes instructional theory on criterion-referenced tests into a concise, easy-to-use tool. Adult learners to include SMEs respond best when I defer to their expertise in military matters, and provide them with job-relevant tools and guidance that help them improve their training processes and procedures.

RegenceRx Pharmacy Plan

Before joining the Department of Defense, I worked as an e-Learning Developer for the Regence group. This course covers their in-house pharmacy plan, Regence Rx, is SCORM 1.2 conformant, and was tracked within their SumTotal Learning Management System. The example image on the left illustrates (clicking the image will launch the course) how my graphic design and Flash programming skills enable me to make training memorable.

Note: I realize that this course's animated pedagogical agent, whose narration mirrors onscreen text, violates Mayer and Moreno's Split Attention Principle. I explained to my client that this repetition could possibly overload the learner by splitting his/her attention, but my client insisted despite my objections. However, the course presents key information concisely in a way that enables learners to quickly master required skills and knowledge.