Choose Delivery System
The media that transports the various instructional and support material are specified in this step. While the major medium for delivering the learning material was determined in the Analysis Phase: Choose Delivery System, this activity "blends" the various learning activities. Blended Learning is a mix of delivery methods (media) that have been selected and fashioned to accommodate the various learning needs of a diverse audience in a variety of subjects. The purpose in this step is not to show your mastery of the latest whiz-bang technology, but rather to select the media that support the learning activities, methods, and strategies in order to best magnify the learning process.
When determining the media best suited to train the objective consider:
- The instructional setting: What type of setting is required? Is it up to date or does it have to be modified? If the instructors and learners have to travel to the sight, what materials must they bring?
- Media characteristics: What is the best media for this type of instruction? How must the media be obtained? Must we produce it? If so, do we have the technical expertise?
- Time: What are the critical time factors involved? When and how many learners must be trained by a given time? Is there more than one group to be trained and how closely will each group follow?
Each type of instructional medium has certain points to consider:
- Job Performance Aids: Do people just need simple reminders or a list of steps for performing a task? How big should it be? What color? Where exactly must it be placed? Must a briefing or instructions be given to use it correctly?
- Technical manual: Is the manual already available? If so, must additional material be developed to enhance the manual for instructional purposes?
- Flowcharts and schematics: Should these be decals? Where must they be placed so that people will use them?
- Self Teaching Package: Are books, internet/intranet, and manuals available? Are they geared to the students' educational level? Are the workers motivated to learn on their own?
- Programmed text:At what level must it be? Is additional instruction needed?
- elearning: This type of instruction normally takes more time and resources to develop, but can often be cheaper and better in the long term. What must be done to complete it in time and within budget? After it is developed, for how long of a time period will it be valid? Do we have the authoring tools available? Do we have learning specialist who can develop the instruction with the authoring tools or must they be instructed in the new media?
- Personalized Instruction: Are coaches readily available to aid the learners. What goals need to be established and how will the learners obtain them?
- On-The-Job Training: Are the supervisors ready to take on the task of providing training and coaching? Must they be instructed in On-The-Job learning packages? Do they have the time? Are trainers needed for this type of training? If so, what will be their role?
- Resident Instruction: in-house: Do we have instructors who can perform this type of training? Contract Training: Will it be given at our location or a separate location? What sort of time frame is involved?
- Lockstep or self pace: Self pace is generally consider better in most cases because it allows each learner to proceed at her or his own pace, but it is more difficult to manage than lockstep and usually requires more instructors because of the wide range of variables that take place within the learning environment.
The media selection flowchart is helpful for choosing delivery strategies based upon needs:
When widow opens, click to enlarge
| Also, see Media, Strategies, & Methods. |
Next Steps
Go to the next section: Review Existing Material
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