Glossary
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Accelerated Learning Guide (ALG)
A tailored, self-directed road map for employees, both new and experienced. It's a step-by-step guide through the training course, often combining existing curriculum and new information with activities requiring the learner to perform. Built into the Accelerated Learning Guide are checkpoint meetings, run by a learning facilitator, which will require that your learners not only answer questions about the materials, but also perform completed activities. Thus your content is not only memorized, but internalized. At the end of the ALG, your employee completes the certification process ready to perform, ready to deliver. The Accelerated Learning Guide is in a flexible, self-study format which can be either web- or paper-based.
Accountability
To be held accountable for the results. Learners, Trainers and Managers need to be responsible for their part of the training process. The TIS instructional design inherently drives all of the participants in the process (Learners, Trainers and Managers) to be responsible for the training outcome, thus they are held accountable or have accountability for the success of the Learner.
Accountability Performance System
TIS implements an exceptional training methodology known as the Accountability Performance System (APS). We believe being held accountable for results greatly increases the learning impact and retention.
Benchmarking
Evaluating, by comparison, your employee's skills/performance against a standard.
Blended Learning
In general terms, blended learning is the mixing of different learning environments: computer-based, face-to-face, telephone facilitation, webinars, one-on-one, video, audio, paper-based, etc. At TIS, the determination of which environments are used is driven by the needs of the company, the course content and the resources at hand. The primary blended learning used by TIS is computer-based instruction (content delivery, activities and meeting preparation) with periodic facilitation via conference calls, followed by a one-on-one oral (via telephone or face-to-face) Certification.
Certification
The final assessment of a TIS program culminates in a one-on-one oral Certification. During the Certification the Learner is graded not only on the accuracy of their answers, but on how fluently and authoritatively they provide those answers. The Certification is an opportunity for the Learner to prove what they know and the depth with which they know it.
Checkpoint Meetings
Meetings to cover a certain block of training material (Checkpoint) is referred to as a Checkpoint Meeting. These meetings are an important part of TIS' instructional design and are utilized to reinforce mastery of the training materials and to keep the Learner on track. There is no better motivator than a deadline -think of the Checkpoint Meeting as motivation.
Checkpoints
TIS breaks the training materials into logical groups called Checkpoints. These are similar to chapters in a book.
Facilitation
The process of helping an individual or group reach a consensus, find a solution, learn or help teach one another without deliberately providing the answers or imposing the outcomes. Facilitation is at the root of the TIS learning process engaging the Learners and allowing them to explain, discuss and demonstrate in a mentored learning environment.
Facilitative Training
As opposed to lecturing, Facilitative Training is a method which encourages discussion and manipulation of training material in an effort to reinforce the concepts and enhance skills the Learners are working to master. Facilitative Training is a method of both classroom and virtual training utilized by TIS which allows Learners master their skills and knowledge in a classroom setting before they find themselves face-to-face with a customer.
Facilitator
Someone who works with a group to help them find common ground, come to consensus, or ( as in a training environment) learn a new skill or master new information -without providing the answer. TIS believes that one of the strongest tools a Trainer's arsenal is that of facilitation. With good facilitation techniques, both in the classroom and on the phone, a Facilitative Trainer can encourage the Learners to practice the skills and techniques they've learned, discuss a topic to reinforce their understanding of it and teach each other. For when you teach a topic, you learn it twice.
Hawthorne Effect
It's well known that a person will perform better if they know they're being "watched". This was proven in the early 1950s in a study regarding higher vs. lower levels of light and how it effects worker production in the company, Hawthorn Works. The results were that during the study, production increased but slumped afterwards. The conclusion drawn was that although lighting had an effect on the workers, the "Hawthorne Effect" described the workers' short term improvement in performance during the study. The online system utilized by TIS has a feature that allows the Learning Facilitator to see how much time a Learner is working with the material. In addition, regular reports are sent to the Learner's Manager reflecting the work they've completed and their participation in the Checkpoint Meetings. The Learner will know that these features exist -the Hawthorne Effect.
Impact Ready Course
These are TIS-approved courses which are highly impactful to an employee's job performance, sponsored by a leader in that particular field, and regularly schedule and administered by TIS.
In-house (training environment)
A course sponsored and attended by those in the same company.
Instructional Designers
Training Development Specialists.
Learning Management System (LMS)
An online platform used by Learners during a training course.
On-Boarding
The process of bringing a new hire into a company -a new employee's acquisition of necessary knowledge, skills and behaviors to become an effective organizational member and insider.
Our Instructional Design
Our instructional design blends traditional learning with hands-on activities that drive the Learner to apply the required skills and competencies. The varied activities and tasks focus on real-work situations encountered daily by the Learner -the knowledge is seen as immediate, practical and relevant.
Public (training environment)
A course attended by Learners from multiple companies.
Subject Matter Experts
The point person in a company that "has all the answers" on a topic -or knows where to find them. The TIS Instructional Designer works with one or more Subject Matter Expert(s) in an effort to design a create the most effective customized training possible. The Subject Matter Expert would be the "go to" person.
Training
The acquisition of knowledge and/or skills for implementation in one's job; professional development.
