More than a score
In many online and in-person training environments, assessments are usually not used to their full potential. These assessments are used similarly to how they are conducted in traditional schools. The evaluators do not look at why the learner got the score that she did and how she can improve her knowledge, but simply look at the score as a “result” and move on. Taking this approach leaves a large amount of knowledge and understanding untapped and cuts the whole learning experience short. We should strive to use assessments more effectively in Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) training. In order to accomplish that, there needs to be a shift in how we view the results of assessments.
This shift in viewpoint revolves around one core principle that needs to be implemented: using the results of assessments to reinforce and improve learner knowledge. This principle can manifest itself in a variety of ways. For example, one way is by requiring a certain score on the assessment before the learner is allowed to move on to the next course. This ensures that the learner is actually learning the D365 content and is able to recall it when it is time to perform a skill. Setting a score threshold also shows management that learners are not just skimming through the D365 content just to be done with it. The learners will have to focus on and apply this knowledge to complete the course. By making the assessment meaningful and setting a requirement to pass, the learners will be more engaged and learn more from the whole experience.
It is also important that learners have the ability to go back and refresh on D365 content whenever they deem it necessary. In large courses, it can be hard for the learner to find the specific topic or skill that they need a refresher on. One solution to this problem is by combining small chunks of content (micro-courses) with assessments. This unison enables learners to go back easily, refresh on D365 topics, and retake assessments in order to cement their understanding of the content. Being that these micro-courses are concise and specific; it allows the associated assessment to be full of very applicable and important information.
At each D365 implementation, it is up to the management of the organization to decide on a threshold that must be met in terms of assessment results, but one thing stays the same: there must be a requirement that is challenging enough to ensure that the learners will have to apply themselves and learn the topic or skill in order to move on. Combining micro-courses and assessments in addition to implementing a score threshold on assessments in your D365 training is a great way to improve your company’s overall D365 training success.
