Lasting Learning Solution: Lessons Last Beyond the Classroom Throughout Major City's School District
As technology continues to unfold, the need for constructive computer training swells. The challenge, however, is creating documentation that helps participants remember what they’ve learned, past the class sessions.
Anyone who has taken a computer-training course knows that everything seems so much easier when the instructor is giving step-by-step directions in class. Back at the office or home computer – it all becomes a blank.
With over 300 campuses, a major city’s school district had an especially demanding need for its faculty to be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Access. To facilitate that need, the district created a professional development department to organize a series of computer training courses.
The multi-level courses range in depth from learning new computer skills to staying up-to-date with new applications. As technology constantly improves, the courses evolve to stay current on the latest applications and software. Participants expect to take home worksheets and other documents from the courses, but as they evolve many times throughout the year, stacks and stacks of documentation are created. The staff were often limited to compiling Microsoft Web site links and general guidelines. They simply did not have enough time or resources to produce made-from-scratch aids. Between the workforce shortage and the ever-changing technology, the district had its work cut out.
The program manager for the technology division of professional development services could see that her course trainers and staff were spending a majority of their time trying to find ways to help the course participants better retain information learned in class. They needed a faster way to get information for the courses to the participants.
In an effort to find online, leadership training for another project, the professional development department discovered Solo Learning – a Houston-based, firm providing solutions for high-growth businesses in need of increasing performance and eliminating obstacles for success. Many companies who write professional, computer-aid documents charge heftily for their services. Conversely, according to the program manager, Solo Learning was easy on the district’s budget, and met all their needs.
Solo Learning worked with the program manger to conduct an in-depth evaluation of her training problems before offering her a learning solution. The recommendation and best fit for the district was a new and innovated internet-based tool developed by Solo Learning called DigitalQRCSM (Quick Reference Cards). The fast and practical aids designed by Solo Learning allow users to create step-by-step instructions, learn shortcuts and gather tips. In addition, since the application is online, the eleven technology staffers were granted almost instant access.
The application’s ability to answer user questions stems from its extensive database. By clicking on a topic in a multitude of subjects such as Microsoft Office programs, Excel and soft skills, such as e-mail etiquette, a digital QRCSM for a specific task or interest is created in minutes.
The easy-to-use design of the digital application allows the staff to log in, select their areas of interest and plug them into ready-made templates for printing.
With many possibilities at hand, trainers used the application to make several teaching aids including:
- Training manuals
- Task-specific course notes
- Step-by-step handbooks
- Trouble-shooting guides
- Shortcut and tip worksheets
- And much more
From basic skills to complex processes, the digital QRCSMs granted participants the ability to review and continue learning from home – at their own pace. As the application minimized tech support time and maximized classroom training time, it proved to be the perfect fit for the school district.
Along with the ease of use and numerous possibilities, Solo Learning’s digital QRCSMs have brought invaluable improvement in the quality of the district’s courses. With multiple trainers teaching each level of the courses, a degree of consistency is now possible that could not have been feasible before.
In addition to their many advantages, Solo Learning continues to provide the staff with direct technical support. The program disrector recalls an access privilege that was turned off when she first began using the application. Solo support providers fixed it immediately. With impressive response time and outstanding customer service, Solo Learning is proving its leadership in working hard to drive performance and opportunity to individuals and organizations.
In use for almost a year, the digital QRCSMs have proven their ease of use at the district, as anyone who has used them has been impressed by their straightforwardness, speed and diversity.
Serving the school district in more than one way, the digital QRCSMs saved time, reduced stress on the trainers and became attractive and useful step-by-step guides for people on the receiving end. Giving the school district the ability to better train professionals by providing useful resources, Solo Learning maximized not only the department’s efficiency, but also the participant’s retention.
The overall service Solo Learning has provided for the school district has impressed the program manager who said, “Business with Solo Learning has been wonderful and I would definitely stick with them in the future. I’m a very satisfied customer.”
For more information about Solo Learning, visit www.sololearning.com.
