Hit the Bull’s-Eye with Learning Objectives
Training Program Manager, Education and Development
Having no learning objectives for training is like trying to play a game of darts without a target—you never know whether or not you hit the bull’s-eye. Learning objectives define the target of training: what a learner will know, do, or feel as a result of training.
While the main purpose of learning objectives is to specify learning outcomes, they also provide strong guidance as you develop, deliver, and evaluate training. Every phase of training, then, shares the same target—to help learners successfully achieve the learning objectives.
the a-b-c-d OF LEARNING OBJECTIVES
There are a number of components that must be included when you create a learning objective if it is to be effective. Remembering those components is easier if you use a formula like the A-B-C-D method, an acronym which specifies the required components of a learning objective as follows:
- Audience – Who will receive the training? The statement of audience in a learning objective can be as general as “the learners” or as specific as “the new clerks in the manufacturing division.” The important thing is to describe the learning audience as accurately as you can.
- Behavior – What will the audience know, do, or feel as a result of what they learn? Because the knowing, doing, or feeling needs to be observable to accurately assess the learning, the behavior in a learning objective needs to be stated as an observable action verb.
- Condition – Are there any special circumstances under which the audience will be working, e.g., using special equipment, working in a specific location, accessing outside resources or help, etc.? Not all learning objectives will include this component, but if there is a condition that affects the successful achievement of a learning objective, the condition needs to be included.
- Degree − What is the performance standard that the audience is expected to meet, such as 90%, 4 out of 5, correctly, within one minute, etc.? Since a learning objective must be measurable, the degree component defines the measurement to be applied.
Create effective learning objectives with the necessary components for all the training you do. Hitting the training bull’s-eye will then be as easy as A-B-C-D.
Secure It!
OCTOBER IS NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH
October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Do you have any security awareness activities planned? We do, and we’re hoping you’ll participate! The University of Utah IT Compliance Office (Privacy and Security) and Office of Information Technology are sponsoring a Security Awareness Day on Tuesday, October 28, in the Saltair Room located in the Union Building from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
By stopping by one of the booths, you can learn about basic but essential computer security steps and cyber terminology that will help you do your part in protecting the campus network infrastructure and securing University private or sensitive information. Receive computer safety tips, free anti-virus software, and helpful handouts that will help you practice safe computer and online habits. Donuts and cider will also be served, plus there will be games, prizes and other giveaways.
FEATURED SPEAKERS AND TOPICS
The event will also feature speakers and breakout sessions during the day for those interested in something specific. Speakers and topics include:
- Welcome and Event Opening by Chris Kidd, Chief Compliance/University Information Security and Privacy Officer
- Scott Thomas, National Security Agency (NSA). Watch for more information about NSA-guy Scott.
- ”Social Networking – Billboards in Cyberspace”
- “Don’t Worry about Giving Me Your ID . . . I Already Have It"
Breakout sessions will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and will include presentations on:
- Phishing Scams
- Peer2Peer File Sharing and the RIAA
- HIPAA
- Secure Wireless Networks at Home and Work
- Viruses and Malware
- Secure Passwords
- Social Networking
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Please put Tuesday, October 28th from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on your calendar now and plan to attend the Security Awareness Day. Remember, you are responsible for securing your computer and practicing safe computer and online habits. Don’t forget to SECURE IT!
Administrative Support Staff Essentials Training Now Available
Do your job responsibilities include?
- Overseeing payroll reports?
- Handling department purchases?
- Planning travel?
- Coordinating new hire and on-boarding processes?
- Other critical administrative functions?
If you answered “Yes” to any of these items, the new Administrative Support Staff Essentials Training Program is for you!
What You Will Learn
This informative class will provide important information on:
- Your most important resources: CIS, Human Resources, and Financial and Business Services
- A” just for you” page with your most important information: business unit, organization ID and more; also your key contacts and how to reach them
- Purchasing
- Hiring from posting the job to employee on-boarding
- New Employee Orientation
This training will also introduce you to the new Administrative Support Staff website, a just-in-time resource specifically designed for you as you manage your day-to-day work demands. This website will give you easy access to relevant forms, policies and procedures, documents, and websites.
Upcoming Sessions
When: October 15, 2008 – 2:00 p.m. to 4 :00 p.m.
October 28, 2008 – 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: ITS Training Center, 650 Komas Drive (Research Park),
Franklin Training Rooms 1 & 2
To Register: www.hr.utah.edu/training/register/allclasses.php
Orienting Students for Online Learning
With travel costs skyrocketing and budgets tight, organizations may need to consider providing some instruction online as a way to reduce costs. Many people in the workplace already have some experience with online learning, and more can consider it now as computers and Internet access have become ubiquitous.
Because many come to an online learning experience with basic Internet usage skills, the assumption is frequently made that no additional background or training is necessary to prepare learners for getting the most out of the online environment. One should never assume too much, however, about the background online learners bring with them. The fact that so many have had some kind of previous contact with online learning means that there is a wide range of abilities and expectations among participants.
uen online learning orientation
Addressing the varying levels of online expertise and the wide range of expectations among students can be a challenge. UEN has found an effective way to meet this challenge through an online learning orientation for students. The UEN orientation focuses on common online issues that need to be addressed: technical skills, course routine/activities, and program or course expectations, i.e., what learners will know and be able to do as a result of the course and how they will be evaluated.
In regard to technical skills, UEN discovered that very few people need the technical assistance that can best be offered in an in-person orientation. Consequently, they offer online tutorials instead that provide students with technical information such as how to submit assignments or post discussions. With the online tutorial approach, students who already know how to perform such functions can skip the tutorials.
Since organization is key to the success of online learners in managing course routines and activities, the UEN orientation provides students with tools to stay organized. A weekly checklist, for example, helps students organize their schedule and study environment appropriately.
Proving clear guidance regarding program or course expectations is also part of the UEN orientation. Not only are students informed about how they will be accountable for their own learning, but the orientation also provides an excellent venue for providing study tips and learning strategies that will help students succeed in meeting online course expectations.
PACS Update
Picture archive communication system (pacS)
PACS is an acronym that stands for Picture Archive Communication System, in short, the hardware and software used to view medical imaging. Over the past year, the Department of Radiology and its ITS PACS team have completed the lengthy process of selecting a new PACS. In this process, they have partnered with Phillips and will soon be installing the Phillips state-of-the-art PACS system called iSite. The completion of this important installation should be completed by the end of the year.
The selection and installation of a new PACS must be coupled with effective end user training if the system implementation is to be successful, of course. Consequently, physician and staff training for the new PACS is targeted for October through December of 2008. Members of the IT/Radiology training team will be contacting the work areas involved in the PACS implementation to make appropriate training arrangements for in-person or online training.
WHO TO CONTACT FOR PACS TRAINING
If you have additional questions regarding PACS training, please contact Karen Jennings at 801-587-6084.
UTC to Sponsor Booth at Employee Appreciation Day
Since training affects virtually every University employee, it seems fitting that the U Training Consortium (UTC) would sponsor a booth at the University’s annual Employee Appreciation Day. At the event to be held on September 25, 2008, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, the UTC booth will have three main features.
features of utc booth
First, there will be a display of an academic poster recently displayed at a national medical library association conference entitled Bridging the Training Gap by Connecting with Colleagues. The poster describes the UTC history and experience as a grass roots organization that brings training groups from across campus together to collaborate for training success.
The second feature will give visitors to the UTC booth an opportunity to get training information they need. There will be a laptop computer provided where booth visitors can search for training classes, and UTC members will be on site to answer training-related questions from visitors.
The final feature of the booth will be a Trivia Activity featuring University trivia. Visitors who successfully answer a trivia question will be placed in drawings for prizes provided by UTC member organizations.
Plan now to visit the UTC booth at Employee Appreciation Day and discover more about the training that is part of your professional world.