Sunday, August 10, 2014

Evaluation Instruments


Level One Evaluation

At the completion of the each of the modules, participants will be asked to complete a level one evaluation.  All level one evaluations will be computer based.

Likert Scale Questions
Please indicate the extent to which you agree/disagree with the following:
[scale from 1-5 provided; 1 = strongly agree, 3 = neutral, 5 = strongly disagree]

1.       The purpose of the training module was clearly stated.

2.       The content was presented clearly.

3.       The training module was engaging.

4.       The content of the module was applicable to me.

5.       The module was easy to navigate.

6.       The module was delivered without any technical issues.

Open-Ended Questions

7.       What was most useful in this training?

8.       What was least useful, and why?

9.       Additional comments.

Level Two Evaluation

At the conclusion of each module, participants will be required to complete a level two evaluation which will be administered through the company LMS.  The quiz for each module most be successfully completed (scoring at least an 85%) to display mastery and receive credit for completing the course.

Navigation & Functions

Participants will be evaluated on their answers to the following questions:

1.        List the primary functions used in Lotus Notes.

Answer: The primary uses of Lotus Notes at Company XYZ is for email, calendar, information storage in the form of databases, and electronic forms also within databases.

2.        Describe the structure of the database system.

Answer: Databases are grouped according to the functional group who is the “owner” of said database (e.g., Travel and Expense database is grouped with all other Accounts Payable databases).

Searching in Databases

Participants will be given the following scenario and a simulation screen in which they must successfully complete the steps based on the given scenario:

You recently went on a business trip for Company XYZ and need to submit an expense report to apply for reimbursement.  This is completed through the Travel & Expense Database of which you have never accessed or used.  Using the simulation Lotus Notes site on the screen, demonstrate how you would go about searching for and accessing this database in order to successfully submit your travel expenses.  Clicks are tracked, so be cautious to clicking erroneously as that may result in a failing score.

Level Three Evaluation

After 60 days of completing the Lotus Notes modules, the participants will be provided with an electronic survey, similar to the one provided in the performance gap analysis, to measure if the training met their needs, the transfer of knowledge to their job tasks, and if the learning objectives were met.

In addition to this survey, a report will be gathered to analyze the IT Help Desk requests submitted for Lotus Notes assistance.  Cross checking will take place to see if associates who have completed the course still required IT assistance in the material covered through the training.  If it is found that these individuals did still need help, an interview will be held with them to determine what they needed help with, and then determine if any changes need to be made to the material and/or delivery of the content.

Level Four Evaluation

The performance gap analysis conducted for this project indicated the following current and desired states:

Current State - Of the 576 respondents, 13% reported understanding how to search for databases in Lotus Notes.

Desired State - 100% of associates should be able to easily and quickly search for required databases in order to efficiently perform their job duties.

Delta - Based on the sample of respondents, the percentage increase in database searching capabilities should be 87%.

In the first year of this training being implemented, data based on the level three evaluation will be collected quarterly to determine if Company XYZ is approaching its desired state of performance.  At the end of the first year, the data will be analyzed to determine if further action needs to be taken to close the performance gap or if the established path meets the business needs.

 

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Design Plan

Rationale
The Lotus Notes Database training is designed to offer as-needed training to new and existing Company XYZ associates to better prepare them for the heavy employment of this system in their role.  The Lotus Notes system is used by all associates for email and calendar functions, as well as highly relying on the database function as a means to provide associates with information and track and submit information (e.g., travel and expense reimbursements, tuition reimbursements, IT Help Desk requests, etc.).  Many associates join with familiarity to systems like Outlook and Gmail, so there is a significant learning curve to overcome as they come onboard. 

Target Population
Newly hired associates will be the primary focus of this training, as a majority of incoming associates are completely unfamiliar with the functionality of Lotus Notes and the databases it contains.  At the same time, this training will be available for existing associates as a means to refresh their knowledge or for just-in-time training.  With this in mind, the population will range from those 20-70 years of age with varying levels of technological knowledge.

Course Description
The Lotus Notes Database training consists of two-15 minute online, asynchronous modules provided through Company XYZ’s learning management system:

Modules 1: Navigating Lotus Notes (15 minutes)
Participants will understand the structure and layout of the Lotus Notes system and the functionalities that exist.

Module 2: Searching in Lotus Notes Databases (15 minutes)
Participants will understand and demonstrate how to search for information and databases within the Lotus Notes system.

Objectives
Module 1

Terminal:
Given the Navigating Lotus Notes module and a properly functioning Lotus Notes system, the Company XYZ associate should be able to correctly identify and explain the basic functionalities (e.g., email, calendar, databases) and structure of the system within three attempts.

Enabling:
Given the Navigating Lotus Notes module and a properly functioning Lotus Notes system, the Company XYZ associate should be to correctly navigate to the basic functionalities within three attempts.

Given the Navigating Lotus Notes module and a properly functioning Lotus Notes system, the Company XYZ associate should be to correctly explain the purpose to the basic functionalities within three attempts.

Given the Navigating Lotus Notes module and a properly functioning Lotus Notes system, the Company XYZ associate should be to correctly explain the structure of the system within three attempts.

Module 2
Terminal:
Given the Searching in Lotus Notes Databases module and a properly functioning Lotus Notes system, the Company XYZ associate should be able to correctly search for specified information and databases in the Lotus Notes system within three attempts.

Enabling:
Given the Searching in Lotus Notes Databases module and a properly functioning Lotus Notes system, the Company XYZ associate should be able to correctly explain how to search for specified databases in the Lotus Notes system within three attempts.

Given the Searching in Lotus Notes Databases module and a properly functioning Lotus Notes system, the Company XYZ associate should be able to correctly demonstrate how to search for specified databases in the Lotus Notes system within three attempts.
Given the Searching in Lotus Notes Databases module and a properly functioning Lotus Notes system, the Company XYZ associate should be able to correctly explain how to search for specified information in the Lotus Notes system within three attempts.

Given the Searching in Lotus Notes Databases module and a properly functioning Lotus Notes system, the Company XYZ associate should be able to correctly demonstrate how to search for specified information in the Lotus Notes system within three attempts.
Prerequisites
WBT Narrator must:
·         either have consulted a SME or be a SME in Lotus Notes functionality and usage.

Participant should:
·         be unfamiliar with or unsure of using Lotus Notes functions
·         must be English speaking
·         must be familiar with the use of email and electronic calendars.

Evaluation Strategy
Level 1 Evaluation
At the conclusion of each module, the participants will be presented with an electronic survey created on a Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree, 5 = Strongly Agree) in which they will be asked to assess the course’s narration, interactivity, content presentation, content usefulness, and overall satisfaction.

Level 2 Evaluation
Each module includes a level 2 evaluation:

Module
Evaluation
Navigating & Functions
Open-ended questions
Searching in Databases
Scenario Simulation

Level 3 Evaluation
60 days following the completion of the course an electronic survey will be administered to the participants in which they will rate their level of understanding and use of the concepts covered in these training modules. 

The names of participants who completed the course, along with their scores on the course, will be compared with the IT Help Desk tickets submitted for Lotus Notes assistance to determine if the transfer of knowledge did occur or if the training needs to be re-examined.

Level 4 Evaluation
Quarterly data will be collected in the level 3 evaluation to determine if participants who complete this training meet the desired state of performance.  Based on that, it will be determined if the training needs to be reevaluated at that time or if it is appropriate until future auditing.

Deliverables

·         Narrator script
·         Screen captures of the Lotus Notes system for the web-based course
·         Navigating Lotus Notes quick reference guide available at the end of the module and in the LMS
·         Searching in Lotus Notes quick reference guide available at the end of the module and in the LMS