Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 23

" With the right learning support structure designed and in place, the learner is, for
the first time,in the driver's seat. Emerging understandings of how to organize and
employ data to identify and then meet learners' needs, based on an assessment of
what they already know, have created an environment in which learners, with good
data and good advice, can make their own educational decisions. "
- Peter Smith, " The Coming Era of Personalized Learning Paths "

on multiple questions within the
competency area resulted in multiple
training recommendations. While the
eLearning platform has extensive items
within each competency, suggestions
were intentionally held to one per
question to avoid overwhelming learners
with too much prescribed training.
Following the addition of management
assessments to the eLearning platform,
participants
were
surveyed
on
satisfaction and intent to apply learning.
On a scale of 0 to 10, participants rated
the management self-assessment at
a 7 for accuracy in assessing their
management skills. However, 85% said
they were satisfied with the assessment
in enabling them to pinpoint the training
they needed within the platform.
All participants reported satisfaction
with the volume of recommendations.
Satisfaction with prescribed training
content was 8.5 on a 0 to 10 scale from
" not satisfied " to " extremely satisfied. "
And intent to apply the information
learned averaged 8.9 on a 0 to 10 scale
ranging from " none of the information
was helpful " to " all of the information
was helpful. "
The use of self-assessments also
received high marks. When asked how
likely participants were to recommend
this assessment to other learners
interested in building management

skills, it received a 9 on a 0 to 10 scale
of " not likely " to " extremely likely. " When
surveyed about the general helpfulness
of
self-assessment
in
targeting
management training, all participants
reported it was " probably needed "
or " definitely needed. " Additionally,
80% said they would use similar selfassessments if they were available
for other professional learning and
development areas.
This study and subsequent survey
did not have a control group, because
the eLearning platform used was
not
previously
segmented
by
management competency.

Four Notable Outcomes
from Self-Assessments
The execution of and findings from
these two self-assessments suggest
that some topics are better suited for
self-assessment
for
individualizing
training. For technical skills like Microsoft
Excel, self-assessments are simpler to
construct, and abilities and knowledge
can more objectively be measured. You
either know how to do something, or
you don't. Self-assessing the diverse
soft skills required in management is
trickier and less objective.
Participation and perceived value in
self-assessments to pinpoint or direct

training was high. In both studies,
learners viewed the assessment as
helpful and reported interest in additional
assessments and high likelihood of
recommending to others. Assessments
work best when learners are directed to
specific prescribed training. It was more
effective to provide specific training
titles and accompanying links.
Following the self-assessment and
prescribed training, purported intent
to apply information learned was high
in both studies. This data can serve
as a control group as adjustments are
made to both the self-assessments
and related recommendations.
A one-size-fits all training solution is
often the easiest training option for
organizations. However, using selfassessments with supporting training
recommendations enables learners
to pinpoint their own strengths and
weaknesses, giving them greater control
and incentive to apply their learning.
Teri Beckman is the director of eLearning
solutions at SkillPath, a worldwide
business training solutions provider.
Using customer insight research, she
continuously transforms and updates
the SkillPath online learning platform,
STAR12. Brenda R. Smyth has an
extensive management background and
is a content creator and researcher at
SkillPath. Email Teri and Brenda.

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Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021

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