Group Discussion
Stanhope
Q1
What is the potential for e-learning in your
organization?
There is amazing potential
Allows for front-loading knowledge
Learning components can be used by managers for performance management and
succession planning
E-learning can fill the void. For example, when there are not enough spots on a course.
Speciality courses for civilian members. Mandatory dispatch, CPIC, etc.
Hybrid: e-learning modules to supplement classroom training
Foster a learning environment. Foster a learning organization.
Challenges:
Resistance from training sections.
Some issues due to compensation (Time).
Q2
To what extent are you challenged to address
changes brought about by provincial &/or federal
legislation in a timely fashion? Can e-learning help?
Yes, rapid dissemination, tracking,
Challenge: not a panacea
Many organizations are taxed with existing training needs. Emerging requirements
can overburden the systems
E-learning can help through enhanced dissemination, execution and tracking of new
or mandated learning requirements
E-learning is not a panacea. Degree to which it can help is constrained by content,
desired learning outcomes, and learner demographics
Dependent on existing foundations to be effective. Need foundational elements like
the right people, the right processes
Good e-learning can help – poor e-learning can make things worse
Q3
How can e-learning be utilized to address mandatory
training (internal and external) requirements?
Benefits
Tracking is built in, reliable and to date. Testing is recorded and consistent. Ideal
for audit or inspection
Quick turnaround for delivery allowing for short timelines (G20 example).
Necessary for mandatory training
Availability of high quality and affordable training for services who are smaller,
have fewer resources or are geographically dispersed. (Surete, OPP, RCMP) or are
extremely large (Toronto)
Continuously available once built. For new recruits or new supervisors. Longevity.
Q4
From a training perspective, what are the elements
of success? What role can technology play?
-bridging a gap in performance
-applicable to skill-set
-objectives
-feedback and behaviour change
-engaging and interactive
-success is difficult to define and measure
Role of technology
-flexibility
-accessibility
-standardization
-education, tracking
Q5
How can e-learning play a role in self directed
professional development?
1. Increased variety and access that would not be otherwise accessible
2. Give members control over their career
-increased personal growth, self-development with help
3. Demonstrate personal initiative. Can measure initiative. Could be used or linked in
promotion process. Encourage others to partake.
4. Less time leads to more courses and increased knowledge base of organization.
Increase life-work balance.
Comments:
Balance between courses for serving officer and civilians
Q6
How do evaluations support your training efforts?
Is evaluation important to your organization?
Short term:
-pre-test, post-test
-immediate response to delivery technique
-instructor effectiveness (PowerPoint, binder, resource materials)
-interactivity, meeting the needs of different ways to learn
-Feedback on teaching methods, utilisation of different teaching methods
Long term:
-Supervisor feedback. Witness behaviour change.
-knowledge transfer prove
Positive evaluation will drive future training needs. Having the money, the buy-in.
Must place value on evaluation itself. If not listening, then there is not value. Acting on the
recommendations. To change program, listen to your people.
Comments from PSC:
Is there a change in skill and knowledge level of the frontline?
It is important to assess how good the training is, the material, the media.
PSC must show that the money is delivering a return on investment.
The Sector needs a mechanism to improve skill, knowledge, performance.
Evaluation is challenging -can be difficult to measure the change.
Q7
What are the challenges associated with
implementing e-learning within your organization?
1. Buy-in
- Executive
-members
-training staff
2. Resources
-start up
-incorporating information in budget
-staff to administer and operate (determine who, which courses, when, etc)
-compensation
-IT
3. Access
-required hardware
-time
4. Relevance of content
-fit of off the shelf course
-lack of curriculum design expertise in the organization
Discussion:
Challenge when the course is not up to snuff (word of month)
Challenge with maintenance. Keeping things up to date.
Q8
What can CPKN do to enhance / expand the e-learning
experience within your organization?
- i.e.; Are there complementary CPKN services that
would be attractive?
1. Training community bulleting board. Postings. Individual contact within Agency.
-Chat rooms
-Q&A
-update on what certain police forces are doing
2. Mass email to users about CPKN.
-Update monthly (but concerns around IT blockers)
3. 3-5 minutes just-in-time training presentations. Training briefings.
4. Toolbox
-business cases
-utilities
-information
Q9
To what extend are training staff and decision-makers
on the same page with respect to e-learning?
Is there congruence?
Are there gaps?
No congruence.
Gap in understanding
-what can it do
-what are its limitations
-medium
link to learning styles
Gap in integration
- gap in integration with the technology IT people
Gap in strategy
- there should be a 10 year plan.
Gap in level of delivery
-it can be more interactive, discuss forums, i-phone apps, etc
Comments: Why are there not technology people present?
Q10
What can you do to enhance e-learning
within your organization?
1. Policing Standards
Have a core training continuum – that is mandatory
Within X years, complete X amount of courses. 4 courses within first 4 year.
-interview
-search
-general police science
-collision level 2
2. Explain it and Sell it. Communication
-Demonstrate it to the rank and file
-Showing value, point out that support continues
- Make link to promotions or transfers, posting bulletin or email
3. Having your own portal
-delegate responsibility to supervisors to monitor their own people
-include your agency logo
4. Demonstrate cost-effectiveness
-ROI
-May use funds saved in training for; further training, to purchase new equipment. Etc
- Show that education is important