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

EffectivenessEvaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in

Online Learning –US DoE 2009Meta 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 CenterConsiderations:

• 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

ResultsSuccess?• 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 Hours8 hour shifts 20 lessons 60 hours

10 hour shifts 16 lessons 48 hours12 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, PhDChuckRusso@me.com

386.527.2462

www.SPSGrp.comhttp://DaytonaState.edu/COPST