Instructional Design

Product functionality is fixed, but product application varies with work group. Instead of assuming a standard user, Island Training identifies key user roles and analyzes the skills required for successful product usage in each role. Our curriculum for each software tool is a library of modules rather than a fixed course outline. Some modules will be used by every work group or user role, while others will be specific to one role.

Our competency-based development process includes the following steps:

1. Product assessment: An overview of what the product does and the solutions it provides. Includes studying tool functionality, identifying user roles, and identifying curriculum development team requirements.

2. Skill analysis: Identify skills required for successful product usage for each user role. Includes skills inventory for each role, identification of peripheral software tools that work groups commonly integrate with the product, and skills inventory for integration of peripheral tools.

3. Curriculum design: Sort and sequence skills identified during analysis. Includes constructing skill matrix to determine shared and unique skill requirements for each role, identifying steps required for performing each skill, developing objectives for each skill, identifying entry-level skills, and identifying skill clusters.

4. Module development: Create instructional modules from skills and skill clusters. Includes grouping skills into modules, each containing a brief lecture and a lab (typical module takes about 30 minutes to complete, with 25 minutes devoted to the lab work); developing software scripts required for each lab exercise; developing lecture slides and speaker notes; and validating labs.

5. Implementation: Deliver training to clients. During lab exercises, students use the product extensively and demonstrate proficiency in performing the skills identified. A typical one-day class includes about 15 modules.

6. Evaluation: Review and revise modules based on student and instructor feedback.

Course Evaluation, Revision, and Maintenance

All students complete course evaluations after each class, and a subset of students complete a post evaluation three months after receiving training. All feedback is reviewed by the instructor and the development team, then prioritized. Module updates and new modules are released on a monthly basis. We also revise modules to maintain pace with product releases.

Student Assessment

Students demonstrate skill mastery by completing labs. Lab design incorporates repetition, reinforcing skills and guaranteeing success in the workplace. Students also complete review labs to demonstrate mastery of cumulative knowledge.

Due to the nature of the competency-based model, we recommend that clients assess student entry-level skills before class. We provide course prerequisites as guidelines for student experience levels and assist clients with assessment on request.