Case Study - Video Via Web

The Blended Learning Technology Company
Providing Complete Interactive, Live and On-Demand Learning Solutions

Learn.net is your One-Stop for all live and on-demand training technologies, pre-integrated into a single knowledge management platform with reporting.

Case Study

Example Enterprise “Video-Via-Web” Program Implementation

“Our basic finding is that there is a relationship between a firm’s training investments and it’s stock performance in the following year. Indeed, there appears to be a ‘super-normal’ return to firms’ investments in human capital…”

“IBM’s 2004 Global CEO Study revealed that CEOs are focused on accelerating growth, enabling transformation, and increasing productivity. They also recognize that employees’ development is essential to achieving these goals. In fact, 75 percent believe that employee education is critical for future enterprise success…”

“Research from the Department of Defense’s Advanced Distribute Learning Initiative (ADL) and the University of Tulsa shows that e-learning is as effective as classroom based learning and, in some cases, can yield superior results to classroom learning, as reported in T+D (Training & Development) magazine.”

“Not only were the changes made three times faster in the rules-based environment, but it also required only 20% of the labor…Rather than doing four major (new programs) per year, it’s now possible to do one a month with far fewer people…” — Intelligent Enterprise Magazine 11/05

Solution Overview:
HTVN (Housing TeleVideo Network) is an operating division of HAIG (Housing Authority Insurance Group, www.housingcenter.com). Housing Authority Insurance Group provides niche insurance programs that serve public housing authorities, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, affordable housing providers, low-income housing, and multifamily apartment owners under the low income housing tax credit program. Specializing in quality insurance products through the Housing Authority Risk Retention Group, Housing Authority Property Insurance, a Mutual Company, and a variety of admitted "A -" rated insurance carriers, HAIG is the single largest provider of loss protection to these entities. HAI Group saves insured entities money, and with a bid waiver from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development it also saves time and avoids needing certain grant expertises.

A related key focus has been to supply satellite-based video courses via the HTVN division, covering risk and loss control, HUD Section 8 compliance, improved operating methods and more. HTVN offers National Institute of Continuing Housing Education (NICHE) certification programs, industry-wide certifications, management seminars, series, and selected HUD broadcasts. However, the satellite system had become limited in its breadth, depth, flexibility, start-up costs and operating cost requirements relative to Web-centric solutions. A decision was made to change to a Web-centric video and other online content solutions platform, with automated “Knowledge Assurance” capabilities, including for certifications management automation.

Implementation of the new, first-time HTVN learning center emphasized a switch from live satellite programming to streaming video both live and on demand, to achieve the following new capabilities: create a first ever one-stop, one-source application for standardizing and developing effective (and broader) use of the system; deliver, track and control all learning and education resources; simultaneously provide optional central control and oversight; provide learners with a simple way to search through available resources and access training and related materials pertinent to their role and professional development objectives, including what courses had been assigned to them; improve employee performance and retention; deliver skills training; implement a vehicle to mitigate unnecessary administrative overhead; and reduce risk (and insured losses) at the local PHA. Managed by HTVN, the supporting services program initially would be key in the “re-branding” efforts of the HTVN product and would create the foundation to shift the paradigm from knowledge and training “availability” to a more formal “push” and “pull” program development and delivery execution, with a first-ever knowledge assurance program; which would result in more annual subscriptions, reduced insurance losses and other business process improvement advantages for customers, and for HTVN.

HTVN identified requirements for a total system, including required key technology adaptation, implementation and organization consulting and change management/intervention services. The goal was to launch a well-used, highly effective new learning program/platform that is effectively and efficiently used by learners, administrators and managers to achieve the above goals, including: changed operating procedures, improved instructional design, first-ever use of streaming video technology to enhance the quality and flexibility of the training content; and adding new content types, such as online courses. Additionally, HTVN outlined four distinct user communities, each of which require individual business rules for course availability, site access, license allocation and payment methods.

Learn.net was selected after a rigorous RFP process to implement the technology and performance management programs to supply and support a new LCMS (MAPLE from Learn.net) and a course authoring solution. The implementation included workflow designs for both departments and roles. This involved goals-related strategies, new video authoring capabilities, catalog management, assignment policies and procedures, course workflow design and tracking/reporting business processes. Additionally, planning for the deployment of broader learning blended programs activities with multiple automated communications and approval levels were developed, approved and implemented supporting the launch the new MAPLE LCMS.

Ultimately, the enhanced system for training provides HTVN with an effective means to successfully achieve organizational goals – via standardized and automated communications, “push” learning management programs, certifications management, career paths options for personal use, consistent training information and interface, improved reporting and control, and data archiving procedures. Learn.net provided all aspects of planning, program development change management consulting and training services to guide the roll-out process for greater user adoption.

Example 1: Introduction of Learning Management and New Video Course Technology.

The primary change was to shift learners from a “live” training environment to an “on demand” one. Previously, and for the past ten years, the typical training experience was via live satellite programming with students attending in classroom style. Assessments and course evaluations were delivered and tallied manually. Student records were managed with a manual process. This shift afforded several enhancements such as greater knowledge assurance, increased student participation, better management control, improved tracking, and multi-levels reporting. As this was a strategic change the project plan included several milestone events for the key learning audience stakeholders. These milestone steps were developed to introduce the learners to the various features of the system. Milestones involved dynamic email messages with auto-login/launch features, required profile updates, introduction of the concept of course workflow, and examples of video content. These milestone events yielded several benefits besides the introduction of the application to the new users. The events served as a marketing tool for promoting the new system along with the advantages of the new video technology which was received extremely well. Users now realized they had more flexibility and could see the benefits of the “one-on-one” training. Additionally, the process also surfaced key desktop/network issues. Having done this in advance resulted in a very successful launch for the first video course offered. Many complimentary messages came in unsolicited and participation was vastly higher than expected.

Example 2: Implementation of a New Learning Center Interface.

Another example of the Learning Content Management System integration project plan was the development of the learner interface. This interface needed to be simple and easy to navigate but also serve as a marketing vehicle. Learners should easily see courses that are available by topic, type and series/program, access their individual training history and resume coursework for classes they started but have not finished. Registration was made fast and easy, with tracking by administrators.

Example 3: Course Configuration and Course Building Workflow.

Learn.net worked closely with HTVN to construct a course workflow that enhanced the learner’s ability to retain key information while ensuring that critical feedback and proper sequencing of steps to complete a course was carefully thought through. Course workflow is critical to the retention of material and overall user experience. Consistency of this workflow is also desirable so learners become accustomed to and anticipate various steps to complete course material. The course workflow included the introduction, workflow design and training on a new third-party course authoring solution (tightly integrated with the new LCMS) that would allow significant flexibilities in producing and archiving highly synchronized video/audio/slides/assessments elements into a complete, automated course.

Future programs that will require additional solutions could include: implementation of improved video courses authoring; e-commerce for learning tools (books, manuals, non-video online courses, etc.); quarterly certifications; additional online training opportunities; video virtual classroom “Ask the trainer” sessions; and “Knowledge Management” capabilities for information access, with optional e-commerce and tracking.

Many Blended Solution Options From Which To Choose…And With Which To Seamlessly Grow

Video-Via-Web Provides Many Course Capabilities, for All Types of Personalized Learning, With “Knowledge Assurance”