Bridgehill Learning Solutions

Richard Watson

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Mandatory Abuse Training

CATEGORY: COMPLIANCE, NON-PROFIT

TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO MANDATORY ABUSE REPORTING

PROJECT BACKGROUND

The primary purpose of this project was to update my client’s current hard-copy training materials to incorporate online learning, ensure consistency with state-defined Administrative Rules, and more thoroughly train staff regarding their responsibilities. The online approach was vital to delivering training to new staff who needed to complete the course before observing operations in their area of assignment. The use of short, workplace-relevant case studies facilitated a basic understanding of legal reporting requirements.

 

  • Responsibilities: Instructional Design, eLearning Development
  • Target Audience: Employees who worked with children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout the organization.
  • Tools Used: Articulate Storyline, PowerPoint, Adobe Photoshop, Camtasia Studio
  • Budget: Low to Medium

MY DESIGN APPROACH

For the design phase of the project, I wanted to achieve two goals:

  1. Capture the learner’s attention quickly to set a serious tone for the course topic.
  2. Engage and motivate the learner to explore the content and apply what they have learned in day-to-day situations where they work.

CAPTURING THE LEARNER’S ATTENTION

Although legal ramifications for reporting suspected abuse should be motivational enough for learners to pay close attention to the course content, there is also a human element. As part of the design, I wanted to quickly capture the learner’s attention. As mandatory reporters, those taking the course needed to understand they might be the only voice the abused have. To drive this message home, I designed an opening video with strong images and background music rather than having the learner jump right into the roles and responsibilities of mandatory reporters. To see the opening video used in this course, click the link below.

Watch the video

ENGAGING and MOTIVATING LEARNERS

Next, to engage and motivate the learner, it was essential to look at the course content from their perspective. For example, what questions would they have about the subject matter? I would later use these questions to help guide me in the design, course flow, and interactions I designed. Here is a sampling of the questions I came up with:

  • Why is this topic important to me?
  • Who are mandatory reporters anyway?
  • Do I have to be sure it’s abuse before I report it?
  • What are examples of suspected abuse that I should be reporting?
  • Who should I report it to if I think someone is being abused?
  • How are investigations handled after I report the suspected abuse?

USING STRONG IMAGERY 

To ensure the learner stored information in long-term memory, I ensured the design paired key concepts with meaningful images. I also used images of people the learner was most likely to encounter in their daily job functions to help make the association stronger. Here are a few examples used in the course.

ImageryONEimg

INCORPORATING SCREEN and KNOWLEDGE-BASED INTERACTIONS

The screen interactions were designed to reduce clutter on the screen, making it easier for the learner to focus and absorb the content.

InteractionsONE

Knowledge-based interactions allowed the learner to apply knowledge gained from the course and participate in real-world situations they were most likely to encounter on the job. Each of these interactions provided detailed feedback to reinforce the content. 

Scenarios

Do you need a similar course? If so, contact me today! I would love to work with you and your team to design and deliver training that not only engages your employees but helps drive change within your organization.

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