I guess I would say that I have always been a fan of a Backwards Design approach.
The process essentially goes like this - Start with the end in mind.
- What is the desired objective of the training? (Need to Know)
- How does the learner show they have met the objective? (Assessment)
- What experiences does the learner need to best prepare them? (Content)
So once I know what it is that the learner needs to know, (1) it is time to identify what sort of proof that the learner can provide which will serve as acceptable evidence that they have gotten what they need to know. In many online cases, it is a quiz but is that the best form of evidence? I have some courses where I ask the learner to submit a video of themselves performing a variety of tasks while explaining the process, submit photographs of themselves holding things they have created, or perhaps upload to me a configuration file of sorts. (2)
In my training - I sometimes offer two “tracks”.
The first track is to simply consume the material for personal knowledge and use.
The second track is if they want to earn a certificate of completion in order to show others. In that case, they need to demonstrate to me that they have learned.
I build all the learning content they need to reach the goal of being able to do that. I also try to provide written instructions, video demonstrations, and interactive simulations in each case where possible and appropriate. (3)
So what is your approach? How do you decide the “what” that goes into your courses? Do you ever go beyond the simple quiz as evidence in your online training?
Please share in the comments.