The ability to conduct a Training Needs Analysis is a skill set every eLearning professional needs. It helps an organization determine whether training is required and what should be the focus of the training. It also helps to understand if the organization’s performance is being impeded by something else. As such, let’s discuss Training Needs Analysis (TNA) in more detail. What Is A Training Need Analysis? Training Needs Analysis is a data-driven task done in the beginning phase of a learning project. Many organizations skip out on this phase because allotting extra time, resources, and budget can feel like a waste. In reality, it is crucial because it helps you determine the right training solution. As you conduct your analysis, you may also realize that training is not needed at all and recommend considering another intervention. So, what are some common questions/issues companies may need to solve? There could be organizational changes that the employees need to be aware of. … [Read more...] about How To Conduct A Training Needs Analysis?
TNA
Why You Should Never Skip the Needs Analysis Phase
It seems that, as the demand for eLearning continues to grow, the need for conducting Training Needs Analysis (TNA) continues to take a back seat through the course development process. To be fair, most Instructional Systems Design (ISD) professionals understand very well what needs analysis is all about. Yet, somehow, circumstances often compel many to ignore this very important step. News Flash: Skipping TNA is a bad idea! We’ll take a closer look at why that’s so; and we’ll also review some strategies to help stakeholders in eLearning projects – sponsors, SMEs, clients, supervisors understand why TNA is a very important phase. THE IMPORTANCE OF TNA An eLearning course designed without a TNA is like planning a trip without a destination in mind. How will you know when you’ve arrived? And needs analysis isn’t unique to eLearning. Project proponents must ground a project, regardless of size, budget or duration, around a need for it. Otherwise, once completed, how are stakeholders … [Read more...] about Why You Should Never Skip the Needs Analysis Phase
The ultimate instructional design models cheat sheet
Instructional design produces the best results when we follow a methodical process. Unfortunately, whether you are a fan of Merrill’s Principles or Bloom’s Taxonomy, or whether you are an ADDIE devotee – there’s so much involved that it’s hard to keep track of what’s what. Having a set of handy cheat sheets, to gently remind you what needs to be done, can be an excellent way to ensure you dot all the I’s and cross all the T’s. Not only will cheat sheets help make your ID process as thorough and complete as possible, but it will also help you save time. Here are 6 cheat sheets that instructional designers will find useful. Cheat Sheet for Merrill's Principles of Instruction Merrill’s design theory, First Principles of Instruction, is a concise ID model that many novice and expert instructional designers might find extremely helpful. Here’s the Coles Notes version of what it entails: Use real-life problems in your instructional events Activate … [Read more...] about The ultimate instructional design models cheat sheet
