Budget Dilemmas:Do More with Less …

American Military UniversityDaytona Beach Police Department

SPS GroupChuck Russo, PhD

September 08, 2011

F.B.I.N.A.A.Illinois Chapter

Agenda• 0845 hours to 1200 hours

• Index cards

• 10 minute breaks on/about the hour

• Fundamentals of online learning

• Agency in-service training

• Trainer Multiplier

Chuck Russo, PhD

Professor – American Military University

Police Officer – Daytona Beach Police Dept.

Trainer, Instructor, Designer & Consultant

Fundamentals of Online Learning

Bringing together:

• Learner

• Content

• Internet

• Platform

Learner

• Sworn personnel

• Non-sworn personnel

• Partnering agencies

• Public

Content

Formats Include:

• Computer based training (CBT)

• Blended courses

• Instructor led learning

Internet

Accessible via:

• MDT

• Workstations

• Palm devices

• Home

Platform

Learning Management System (LMS)

• Blackboard

• WebCT

• Moodle

• Sakai

Effectiveness

Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning –US DoE 2009

Meta Analysis Contrasted:

• Online to face-to-face instruction

• Measured student learning outcomes

• Rigorous research design

CBT

• Least Effective

• Even When Coupled With:– Chats– Discussions– Emails

Blended Courses

• Compared to fully online courses

• Found to be:– Less effective than fully online courses– Online students scored significantly higher

Instructor Led Learning

• Higher student learning outcomes

• Application and use of material increased

• As effective if not more effective than face-to-face learning

Index Cards and Break

• Questions?

• Concerns?

• Put them on the cards

• 10 minute break

Online Environment for TrainingAgency Goals:• Provide customized repeatable training

modules

• Provide mixed mode training for topics like firearms, driving and defensive tactics

• Provide promotional training and post-promotion training

• Provide enhancements to the FTEP training

Online Environment for Training

Roadblocks:• Cost

• Server issues

• Design issues

• Maintenance issues

• Proposed savings

Online Environment for Training

Opportunities:• Better quality training

• Training where none had existed before

• Enhancements in current training

• Cost savings in productivity and overtime reduction

MoodlePros

• Free

• Works well when configured properly

• Provides a platform for all types of online learning

• Professional look provides confidence in materials

Cons• Back-end recordkeeping difficult to use

• Pointed towards education rather than training

• Can be clunky to use, documentation is not great

Olc Screen Shot

Daytona Beach P.D.Moodle used for the Online Learning Center

Considerations:• Cost

• Flexibility

• Adaptability

• Ease of Editing

• Cost

Online Learning CenterFunctionality:• Annualized Training

• Topics that must be trained each year• Use of force, pursuit policy, etc.

• Legal Updates• Policy and Procedure• Training Bulletins• On-Demand Training• FTEP Add-On

Use of Force Training

Online Learning CenterImplementation Issues:• Hosting vs. Server Based

• IS wanted nothing to do with it• Open source software too vulnerable to place on

agency server

• Steep learning curve for administration• Software configuration • Design issues• Officer buy-in

Online Learning CenterPleasant Surprises:

• Officer buy-in over 80%

• Software proved stable

• Add-ons (certificate) worked well

• Recordkeeping not as bad as feared

First Year Results

• 225 registered users

• Almost 1,000 training certificates issued

Today’s Results• Utilizing in house talent

• Small expenditure of funds

• Large return on investment– DBPD Online Learning Center

• Over 2500 training certificates issued

• $16,000 investment– Software hosting + salary

• 2500 hours of rededicated training time

• $75,000 cost savings

FutureNew courses planned• Supervisory courses• FTEP Enhancements• Accountability with policy and procedure

Overall long term – centerpiece of training• Training announcements• Mixed mode courses• More FTEP enhancement

FTEP

Results

Success?• Unqualified success

• Need more involvement for design and execution

• As more agency leaders learn more and there is more buy-in, more functionality will occur

Index Cards and Break

• Questions?

• Concerns?

• Put them on the cards

• 10 minute break

Trainer Multiplier

Invest in Training?

• One of the few areas you can put some $$ in and get $$$$$$$$$$ out

• Return on investment (ROI)

Trainer as a Force Multiplier

• One Trainer in training– Designs training– Distributes modules

• Shift/squad level trainers– Presents canned content to personnel

Trainer Needs

• Instructor certification– Adult learning– Instructional design– Presentation skills

• Technology competency– PowerPoint, Word, etc.

Trainer Tasks

• Designs training modules– Briefing training– 10-15 minutes in duration– All content, handouts, supplemental materials,

quizzes, etc. provided to presenter– Maintains records

Shift/Squad Level Trainer Needs

• Instructor certification– Same as Trainer needs

• Job competency

• Respect from peers– Must be able to “sell” training module

Shift/Squad Level Trainer

• New “gateway” assignment/position/task:– Trainer position– Field training officer– Supervisor

• Field training officer

• Supervisor

Shift/Squad Level Trainer Tasks

• Prepares for presentation– Reviews materials– Makes necessary copies

• Presents materials in squad/briefing setting– Administers quiz if necessary– Returns quizzes, sign in materials to Trainer

Topic Selection

• Low repetition, high liability

• Low repetition, low liability

• High repetition, high liability

• High repetition, low liability

Topic Rotation

Shift Schedule 28 Day Cycle *Annual

Training Hours

8 hour shifts 20 lessons 60 hours

10 hour shifts 16 lessons 48 hours

12 hour shifts 14 lessons 42 hours

* Per individual per year

Investment In One Trainer =

• 40-60 hours of annual training per officer

• Improved performance

• Conform to standards

• Confidence in knowledge

• Reduced agency liability

Questions?

Comments?

Concerns?

Presentation Materials and Additional Information

Chuck Russo, PhD

ChuckRusso@me.com

386.527.2462

www.SPSGrp.com

http://DaytonaState.edu/COPST