Best Practices Guide to Converting from a Face to Face Training to Distance Learning

This form is to be used a guide of questions to answer to assist an Instructional Designer to convert a face to face training program to a distance learning training program.
Pre-Planning
o Assess needs to identify goals
o Conduct instructional analysis
o Analyze learners and contexts
o Write performance objectives
o Develop assessment instruments
o Develop instructional strategy
o Develop and select instructional materials
Design and conduct formative evaluation of instruction and design and conduct summative evaluation
Shift traditional material to visual presentations, engaging learners and timing of presentations
Add tables, figures and other visual representations
Plan activities to encourage interactivity (group work)
Learner
Who is the learner?
Do they have access to a computer with internet access?
What is their level of technology use?
Technology
Decide on what technology will be used?
o Wiki’s, blogs, CMS
How will technology be used?
Orientation to how to use technology
Assessment
Decide on how trainee will be assessed?
o Online test
o Hands-on test
Train the trainer
The trainers role changes in a distance learning environment from a face to face instructor to a facilitator of the group. As facilitator he/she will lead and assist the students in discussions. A facilitator can ensure students engage in meaningful conversation and debate by asking leading questions to the student and contributing to the discussions. The trainer needs to set minimum requirements for adding to the discussion boards, wiki’s, or blogs.

Resources:
Walter Dick, Lou Carey, James O. Carey; The Systematic Design of Education, 5e, ©2001. Published by Allyn and Bacon, Boston, MA ©1996 by Pearson Education.
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2009). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (4th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.