Develop Training Content

Frontline LMS module allows you to assign and track both on-line and off-line training. On-line training can be created using training items that are designed with this functionality. Key aspect of such training items is the attached on-line training content. Generally, on-line training is more effective if the attached content is well-designed. In order to realize efficiencies and cost savings from a web based Learning Management System (LMS) such as Frontline, you should create and assign as much of your training as possible using on-line training items. This chapter summarizes commonly used on-line training items and suggestions for their attached training content.

WBT (Web Based Training course)

A WBT course is a very effective training medium. Given below are the options you can consider, in the order of increasing complexity:

  • Use an existing library course. Frontline has a built-in Public Library of 350 professionally-created generic courses in categories such as Health, Safety, Environment, Five-minute Safety, DOT, EPA, Chemical/Material Hazards, Legal Compliance and Process Operations. Look for the topic you wish to assign by Subject Area, Item Type (WBT), or simply search for it. You can preview a course by clicking on the hyperlinked title. If you like the course, assign it to your learners as shown in topic Add a Library Course to a Learner's Curriculum. You can also search and assign topics from your company or division libraries.
  • Edit an existing library course. If you find a course in a library that is close to what you are looking for, copy and edit it to your requirements. This is always easier than creating a new WBT course from scratch.
  • Convert a PowerPoint to a WBT. If you have an existing PowerPoint that can be used for training, or if you are good at creating PowerPoint presentations, you may find it convenient to create/edit your content in PowerPoint, and convert it to a WBT.
  • Create a new WBT. This requires more time and effort, but not difficult.

To create a WBT, you must have a WBT training item, and a lesson as its attached content. You can make the learning effective by embedding questions within a lesson. You can also have a pre-test (practice test) and a final test attached to a WBT. To understand all features of a WBT, start by reading About Lessons.

DOC (Document), PRC (Procedure), CBT (Computer-Based Training) or HTML-WBT

If you have an electronic document in Microsoft Word or Acrobat PDF format that can be used for training, it is very easy to create a training item to assign such training.

The training item types CBT and HTML-WBT can be used to launch network-based and web-based 3rd party non-standard courses. If such courses do not have built-in tests or cannot communicate with Frontline, you should attach these training items to tests created in Frontline.

AICC-WBT or SCORM courses

Browse the Internet to look for content providers who have courses on your topics. Make sure that their courses are AICC or SCORM conformant. Frontline complies with these standards, allowing you to play such courses seamlessly from Frontline. Some content providers prefer to host courses on their own servers; this makes it easier for them to keep the content current. In such cases, only the communication files reside on the Frontline servers.

Many popular authoring tools generate content in SCORM format. Many content providers also use these same authoring tools, and sell their courses as SCORM packages (compressed .zip files). Frontline allows you to upload such a package via the SCORM training item type. The SCORM is also the newer, interactive format of many public library courses that can be assigned to your learners.

Before purchasing SCORM and AICC courses, we recommend that you get a test course from the provider to test the communication between Frontline and the content. Key parameters to test are recordkeeping and bookmarking. Once set up and tested, you can assign such a course from Frontline just like a WBT course. Upon completion, results are transmitted automatically from the course or test to Frontline. Contact Frontline Data Solutions for further information on integrating such content within Frontline.

ILT (Instructor-Led Training)

Although an Instructor-Led Training not truly on-line, there are many on-line features available which make managing classroom training very efficient. Just like WBT or DOC explained above, an ILT training item is attached to one or more classes, each of which contains details such as learner enrollments and class sign-up sheet.

PTE (Performance Test Element)

This training item can be used for hands-on or experience-based learning, where a learner is asked to demonstrate knowledge through an on-line test, or an assessment observed and graded by an assessor. Create this training item and attach to a test or an assessment in order to place it in a learner's curriculum.

EVT, CERT, MED, A/V

These training items are designed for assigning off-line training to your employees. Although you can manually enter completion records for such training, you can always attach any such training item to a detailed test or a one-question test to automate record keeping.