Introduction:
After some initial assistance with producing video content for an online course, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) invited Dr. Ruth Schwarzenboeck from VMP eLearning Brisbane to quote on the creation of a Training Needs Analysis for their new Flight Examiner Rating Course. The original course was developed several years ago and was in need of a re design as well as new content development. Flight Examiners need to undertake a set amount of professional development each year, so good, user friendly training is critical to their safety, and their students. VMP eLearning was selected to produce a full TNA report that would aim to improve learning outcomes and change user perceptions of the online training.
The Six Steps of Learning Development
Methods:
The process towards understanding the positives and negatives surrounding the original course involved a series of interviews which took place with CASA employees and Subject Matter Experts (SME’s). Dr. Schwarzenboeck was lucky enough to spend a couple of days with the country’s best Flight Examiners and really dig into what they thought could be improved in the course. Ruth was also able to complete a thorough review of the existing online course and get a proper understanding of what the course did well, and where it could improve on learning outcomes. Through these interviews and the course testing phase, VMP eLearning determined that the course deterred users from engaging with the learning materials, and that overall it wasn’t entirely user friendly. There was also a lack of video and animation content despite the course being presented using 3D characters.
An example of video production previously used in a CASA eLearning course.
VMP eLearning Recommendations:
In order for the next Flight Examiner Rating Course to exceed expectations and engage it’s learners, there were a variety of different avenues that the VMP eLearning team suggested they take. One important outcome from the TNA was to establish RPL or recognition of prior learning, as well as the implementation of a cohesive workflow. There was a disconnect with the 3D characters and how the pilots/examiners reacted to them as they did not believe they were relevant to the content of the course. To enhance the user experience, creating a consistent look and feel to the course by redesigning the entire interface was extremely recommended, as well as ensuring the course was easy for users to navigate. The main take away from the Training Needs Analysis for CASA was to ensure the learners did not feel overwhelmed with the amount of content that needed to be covered. Suggestions surrounding smaller modules (or Micro Learning) were made, as well as making the course a social experience through things like online message boards. Scenario based learning was also highlighted as an option for the new course.
For our final submission, VMP eLearning put forward a well-supported TNA document that not only clarified the most effective way forward for CASA, but also established a clear financial model for the courses ongoing success.
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