The development phase links the the design phase with the implementation phase. In this phase, the designer will see the design plans come to life with the creation of lesson plans, job aids, and evaluation checklists.
Simulation Specific
For you simulationists out there, this is also the step where you take your simulation scenario outline and fill out all the details, check it for accuracy and its within standards of care, possibly send out to a SME (subject matter expert) for comments, and finally pilot the scenario to ensure the associated learning objectives are being met..
This is likely the first time “non-designer” stakeholders will get a peek at the curriculum and materials since the the analysis phase or seeing an outline. Once you get to the point in the project when you are sending out draft documents, you will start to get solicited and un-solicited feedback; everyone has an opinion. It is upon you as the designer to take all of the comments and suggestions to collate and assimilate going forward. You will play an important role in being a person to can help achieve consensus or a decision, Remember, you are the one that knows all the factors of the project like: deadlines, costs, any written agreements, and timelines.
Pilot Testing (or you can call it beta testing)
Pilot testing is a chance to evaluate the overall curriculum before implementation. This is the key component of this stage. Pilot testing is set in motion to “get the bugs out” in order to give the training the best possible chance to effect the desired change. This also has to be completed before any final materials are ordered or printed (i.e. – learning materials, job aids, facilitation guides, checklists, posters, etc…). Don’t let the organization skip the pilot testing…it is crucial for the success.
It is also a good idea to have draft versions of all the materials and job aids handy during pilot testing to see how they interact with the curriculum and how useful they are.
Consider the following for pilot testing:
- Invite a mix of attendees to pilot: stakeholders, SMEs, and target learners
- Instruct the participants to hold the feedback until the end
- Make the participant feel like part of the project not just lab rats
- Tell them its a pilot
- Explain the purpose for the training
- Include a 3rd party independent observer to evaluate
- Let the facilitator know to expect some hiccups in flow
- Hold a verbal feedback session and ask for written feedback from participants
- Thank the participants (thank you cards, letters to supervisors, gift cards, etc…)
Things to ask yourself during the pilot testing…
- Does the lesson plan work?
- Are the directions for the facilitators clear and concise?
- Are the facilitator’s materials appropriate and thorough?
- Are the learner’s materials appropriate and thorough?
- Does the timing of each segment match what you have expected?
- Is the technology appropriate?
- Does the simulation session work with the curriculum?
- Does the activities help achieve the learning objectives?
- Do the instructional methods work?
- What needs to be changed?
Look for anything that doesn’t run smoothly or doesn’t fit, and make necessary changes.
Next, we will look at implementation.
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