Department of the Interior University

1. Department of the Interior University Using Self-Paced Distance Learning to Meet Strategic Goals at the Department of the Interior Robert Veltkamp Director, Online Learning September 17, 2003

2. Presentation Outline • Mission and Strategic Objectives • Overall Benefits from Using Online Solutions • Three Online Training Delivery Methods • Explanation of the Delivery Method • Strategic Issues Addressed Using the Method • Advantages / Limitations for this Method • Lessons Learned • Future Plans

3. DOIU Mission Provide and foster learning opportunities to accomplish Departmental missions and to enhance career growth

4. Interior Strategic Initiatives Addressed with Online Training • GPRA goals related to preventing and dealing with violence in the workplace and sexual harassment • Information technology security awareness • Interior-specific safety and occupational health mandated training • Improved processing of special retirements for firefighters and law enforcement officers • Conflict management awareness • Activity Based Cost Management

5. Overall Benefits from Using Online Solutions • Meets mandatory training requirements efficiently and effectively • Tracks the completion of mandatory training by individuals • Provides a consistent message in training provided Departmentwide • Provides training at geographically remote Interior locations – parks, refuges, field stations, foreign countries • Offers low cost alternative to travel and classroom training • Provides Level II evaluation through assessments

6. Delivery Methods Used • Off-the-shelf training from SkillSoft, Karta and NETg • Customized courses developed with the EAGLE tool from Little Planet – lower bandwidth requirements • Multi-media courses on the Vodium platform - higher bandwidth requirements

7. Off-the-Shelf Courseware Delivery Method • Over 1,900 web-based courses from NETg, SkillSoft and Karta – computer, general, and IT security skills • Hosted on internal DOIU servers and linked to our LMS for administrative purposes • Centrally purchased and managed on a Departmentwide basis • Purchased on as-needed basis by users or organizations

8. Off-the-Shelf Courseware Department of the Interior Strategic Issues Being Addressed • Dealing with potential violence in the workplace • Sexual harassment awareness • End user computer training to meet new Departmental standards for personal computers • Information technology security training for IT professionals • Management, supervision • Teamwork

9. Off-the-Shelf Courseware Advantages / Limitations • Thousands of courses already developed by subject matter experts • Inexpensive way to meet needs that do not call for Interior -specific information • Academic credits toward certificates and college degrees are provided in some instances • Great for certification programs in project management, information technology and other fields • Courseware issues have to be corrected by the vendors (+/-)

10. Customized Courseware Delivery Method • Using EAGLE tool from Little Planet Learning to create new web-based courses to meet critical needs • Courses available through DOI University Learning Management System • Three full-time customized courseware developers • Partner with Interior bureaus and subject matter experts to develop courses and train developers

11. Customized Courseware Delivery Method Demo

18. Customized Courseware Department of the Interior Strategic Issues Being Addressed • Educate employees on safe workplaces and procedures • Raise awareness of IT security issues and Departmental policies • Provide environmental and laboratory safety training specific to Interior • Offer Interior-specific online training for new supervisors

19. Customized Courseware Advantages / Limitations • Targets multiple audiences • Easily modified for other uses and users • Provides DOI-specific information • Standardizes training across the Department • Requires a greater short-term commitment of resources for development

20. Multi-Media Courses Delivery Method • Internet / CD-ROM training using Vodium platform • Provides video streaming, PowerPoint slides and text transcript in one simultaneous desktop application for engaging learning experience • Features top managers or experts to introduce key learning points and moderate training • Uses vignettes and role-plays to illustrate key points

21. Multi-Media Courses Delivery Method (Continued) • Searchable by any text in transcript with automatic synchronization of text, video and PowerPoint slides • Provides links to other resources on the web or the CD-ROM • Incorporates tracking, assessments, surveys and evaluations

22. Multi-Media Courses Delivery Method (Continued) Demo

23. Multi-Media Courses Department of the Interior Strategic Issues Being Addressed • Increasing awareness of conflict management principles – targeted for supervisors and managers • Using Activity Based Costing across Interior – all employees

24. Multi-Media Courses Advantages / Limitations • Very engaging for the learner • Easier to build in humor, drama, excitement • Requires greater bandwidth or CD-ROM production • More expensive to produce • More opportunity for technical glitches

25. Lessons Learned • Partner within agencies and with vendors • Conduct pilot tests • Tie programs to management objectives • Use internal and external resources effectively for custom courses • Integrate with other training programs • Use a variety of tools to meet needs • Recognize that bandwidth and firewall issues may limit accessibility to some online training tools

26. Future Plans • Develop expanded marketing strategy – increase awareness and educate managers • Increase follow-up activities and make better use of course completion data and evaluations • Integrate online training with other DOI University training programs