Sustainment Induction wip

Professional Diploma in Digital Learning Design

Assignment Title: Courseware Specialist Induction

by Holly Woodrow

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Index

Part 1 - Macro Design & Development

Part 2 - Implementation

Part 3 - Evaluation

Part 1 - Macro Design & Development

Introduction

Ascent Flight TrainingThey dream. We deliver. Providing integrated, flexible training solutions to create the next generation of military aircrew.

The Courseware Team

For this project, I am basing the scenario on my experiences at the company I currently work for. Learner Personas have been generated based on team and leadership feedback, regarding the main role challenges for a Courseware Specialist after they have completed the induction process. No real employee names have been used and no one Learner Persona is based on any lone individual.

Disclamer

Step 1The WHO of Learning

Who?

Learning Design Professionals.

With experience of designing, writing, creating and maintaining high quality, creative and accessible learning material inclusive of:

• Computer Aided Instruction (CAI)
• Computer Based Training (CBT)
• Instructor, Student and Phase Guides
• Simulation and Flight Scenarios

• The training design and development environment
• developing instructional support documentation, including I Spec, A Spec, and FTS etc.
• Learning Content Management System (LCMS)
• Learning Management System (LMS)
• Presentation media software (Photoshop)
• Microsoft Office suite

Learning Personas

Nicholas Ebberson

Nicholas is an experienced Instructional Designer with a background of Multimedia Design in the aerospace and defence industries. A technically astute individual who is highly organised and process driven. Already familiar with the Ascent courseware, he was part of a team of contractors that developed the original lesson content. He joined the company five years ago as a permanent Courseware Specialist and has focussed mainly on converting and updating existing lessons and assets in to our new LCMS.

Courseware Specialist

Goals and Aspirations:

• To excel in his role and rate highly against the "Full Competence" objectives detailed in his job specification.
• To expand on his knowledge of Ascent's other Programmes .
• To learn and understand the role workflows based outside of the LCMS.
• To improve existing processes.

Barriers to Learning:

• Is frustrated by vague tasking and assumed knowledge - requires clear, concise direction and an accompanying process document.
• A fear of the unknown - work for the company to date has not required he complete the "standard" admin tasks of the role.
• A wariness of programmatic nuaunces - work to date has been on only one of the four main programmes that the wider team work on.

Learning Preferences:

• Well organised and user-friendly SharePoint homepages.
• Tried and tested process guides.
• Likes to be able to feed back, with the aim of improving processes and helping others.

Technology and Digital Learning Considerations:

• Has advanced IT and multimedia development skills.
• Has used a computer for work for 30+ years.
• Knows what technology is available throughout the industry, is pro digital learning and has a personal interest in software development.

Ulrika Dace

Ulrika is an experienced Instructional Designer with a background across many industries but this is her first role in defence / aerospace. She spent her early career as a fully qualified teacher but retrained when she noticed how inflexible and old fasionioned secondary school education is. She joined the company one year ago as a Courseware Specialist and has now had the opportunity to work on three out of four of the Programmes. Due to unforeseen circumstances and other commitments since, she hasn't been able to attend a formal company induction and has had to learn as she goes.

Courseware Specialist

Goals and Aspirations:

• To understand how the Sustainment Team's activities fit in to the wider Ascent business.
• To understand the complexities of, and training pipelines of Military Flying Training.
• To fully understand the neccessity of the administrative and reporting tasks required of the role.
• Expand on her range of industry experience.

Barriers to Learning:

• Memory - she struggles to remember processes for elements of the role she doesn't enjoy. i.e. administration/logs and reporting.
• Does not benefit from or enjoy Microsoft Teams/Virtual learning but is a remote worker and evening carer who visits the office once every two months.

Learning Preferences:

• Prefers a faciliated/classroom environment.
• Would benefit from handouts so she could make/add her own notes to refer back to later.
• Would like access to video tutorials so she can revisit topics as required,

Technology and Digital Learning Considerations:

• Has a smartphone but didn't grow up with a computer at home, had access to computers in the library throughout University but only uses a computer for work.
• Is pro digital learning due to its flexibility and customisable nature but it is not how she prefers to learn.

Step 2The WHY of Learning

Why?

I joined the Sustainment team as a Courseware Specialist in 2022 from another department within Ascent. Due to my previous role I had the advantage of knowing how the Sustainment did their work and what tools they were using. My start coincided with the migration to a new LCMS/LMS which meant I was able to learn the system at the same time as most of the other Courseware Specialists. Upon joining, one my first tasks was to update the newly migrated courseware to be in line Courseware Styles & Standards. My previous experience meant I understood the content of and had experience navigating the Training Design Database.I already understood the need for the specific processes and how that subsequently fed company wide metrics.I already knew the team and key customers.

BECAUSE I WAS LUCKY!

Why?

Hybrid Working

Administrative Tasks

Programmatic Nuances

No Formal Sustainment Team Induction Package

• As part of the HR led Company Induction, new starters recieve departmental general overviews.
• When new people join the Courseware Sustainment team; they typically receive two or three days of accompanied overview of the toolset and processes but the role is learned "on the job".
• There are pre-existing User Guides for the Toolset but no up to date Process Documents.
• Generating learning material is core to our business.

• Company flexibility means time in the office has to be pre-arranged and preferably arranged for a time where the rest of the team will be in.
• Some people prefer and benefit better from face to face inductions/overviews.
• It is easier to hide if you are struggling and if there are no "on demand" resources to refer to people may get embarrassed to ask.

• Start up and close-down admin associated with every task.
• When new people join the Sustainment, there are normally a couple of days of an accompanied overview of the toolset and processes but the role is generally learned "on the job".
• There are pre-existing User Guides for the Toolset but no up to date Process Documents.

• Four main Programmes/work streams.
• There are pre-existing User Guides for the Toolset but no up to date Process Documents.

Sustainment's Problem

The Sustainment Team has quarupled in size over the last six years with potential to grow again. Courseware Change Managers report:

• Incorrectly scoped tasks can later result in "Flight Safety" issues.
• Repeat errors wrt process and administrative tasks cost time and cause frustration.
• Repeat errors or tasks not being complete quickly and correctly has the potential to cause reputational damage.
• A more remote environment means a reliance on people being open about their struggles or mistatkes.

Sustainment's Need

Courseware Specialists report:Courseware Change Managers report:Repeat errors wrt process and administrative tasks.a more remote environement means a reliance on people being open about their struggles.

Why?

BECAUSE I WAS LUCKY!

Index

Assignment Title: Courseware Specialist Induction

The courseware Sustainment Team's purpose:

Ascent

To provide all encompassing specialist courseware development, maintenance and delivery for the complete portfolio of courseware deliverables and documentation at the highest quality standard. Maintain compliance to role requirements through accurate analysis and lesson data management in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, maintaining configuration management of all relevant documentation and courseware.