The Technology Enabled Learning (TEL) Program

The skills, knowledges and abilities of our workforce is paramount in achieving the USGS's vision of continuously providing excellent science to our customers. The Technology Enabled Learning (TEL) Program was designed to help USGS subject matter experts (SME's) design, develop, and deliver effective technology enabled learning experiences to personnel in a timely and efficient manner. Technology enabled learning is built by taking each learning objective of a course and using a medium that will best communicate and transfer it to the learners. This would include mixing multiple forms of self-study that are learner-centered and task focused and using collaboration technologies to further enhance learning experiences.

Background on the TEL Program

In late FY04 the Science and Technical Employee Development Committee (STED) recommended the purchase of Adobe® Connect™ (formerly Macromedia Breeze®) to enable USGS subject matter experts, course developers and course coordinators to redevelop existing classroom courses or create new courses for blended, TEL delivery. In October 2004, WRD senior staff and OED collaborated to fund this exciting initiative. Using technology-enabled learning seed money, OED purchased a complete software system including 12 transferable Breeze course authoring licenses. OED has also established a process to develop and deliver USGS courses served on-line via OED's dedicated TEL server.

Adobe® Connect™ was chosen primarily for it's ease of use along with the following:

• Microsoft PowerPoint® (PPT) can be used as the main software to create the course; the PPT files can then be transferred into the Adobe® Connect™ software, on to a dedicated server for deployment to students.
• Adobe® Connect™ will let the instructional designer add assessments to the on-line course and then will enable full tracking of learner progress.
• Adobe® Connect™ is Section 508 and SCORM v. 1.2 compliant.
• Adobe® Connect™ comes with a synchronous (live) presentation module to supplement the on-line course content with live lectures, meetings, question and answer sessions, etc.

Key objectives of the TEL Program:

• Deploy highly effective training in all scientific and technical areas through web-based training or blended technology enabled learning alternatives.
• Get relevant training to more students.
• Lower travel and training costs.
• Ensure highly effective transfer of information.
• Increase learning of critical skills across the bureau.
• Be the one-stop-shop for USGS instructional designers to go to for information and resources on:
• Instructional Systems Design and methodologies (ADDIE).
• Effective design of TEL.
• Effective delivery of learning objects.
• Using collaborative technologies with TEL.
• Section 508 compliancy and standards in relation to TEL.
• Train SME's to design and develop effective TEL and assist them as needed throughout the process.

Project Chief:

Tj Lane (tjlane@usgs.gov), 303-445-4677

Please click here to read how to get started creating your technology enabled learning course.

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