Facilitator's Guide

How to use the programme

The modules within the programme are intended to be used as a resource to draw upon in building induction programmes throughout the APS. This means it is not essential that all modules are accessed in the order they are presented, nor is it essential that all modules are accessed at all. The intention is that agencies are able to use whichever modules are appropriate in conjunction with agency-specific training.

Self paced

The e-learning modules have been designed as self paced learning. This means they can be accessed by new starters at any time convenient for the learning to take place. The modules do not contain sound so can be used in a communal environment without causing a distraction for other staff.

In a facilitated environment

Where induction training is generally delivered to large groups (e.g. following bulk recruitment rounds), the content may need to be undertaken in a facilitated environment. This may involve training new starters in facilities with:

• only one PC and a screen projector
• enough PCs for each new starter
• no PCs at all

Where a screen projector is available, facilitators may choose to use the e-learning package in the same way they might use a regular PowerPoint presentation – using the text as a prompt and posing additional discussion questions along with way. Training participants should be used to undertake the activities throughout the modules and discussion questions posed should relate the learning back to the agency and job roles of the new starters, to ensure the learners remain engaged.

Where there are sufficient PCs for all new starters to undertake the learning self paced within the training environment, this option should be taken, to be followed up with discussion at the end to reinforce the learning and provide agency-specific context (refer to section on As part of a blended solution below).

A third option for using the material in a facilitated environment may be to extract the text only version of the modules and incorporate the content into existing learning materials. The text only version can be obtained through the print link on the top right hand side in each module.

As part of a blended solution

Self paced e-learning is often most effective when it is followed up with reinforcement learning accessed in an alternative manner. For example, new starters may be asked to complete the modules self paced at their desks prior to attending a facilitated discussion about the topic at a later time. Doing this allows individuals to absorb the information presented at their own rate, and to revisit topics as they wish. Following this up with facilitated discussion allows new starters to talk about the general concepts learnt and to relate the concepts to agency-specific examples / practices, which in turn assists in longer term retention of information.

Offering participants the opportunity to encounter new information in a variety of ways and through multiple learning methods often increases the effectiveness of learning programmes.

Recommended timing

Recommended timings have been provided for undertaking each module self paced, in e-learning format. It is important to note that new starters learn at different paces and in different ways. As such, the recommended timings should be used as a general guide only.

Linkages to competency based learning

The content in the APS Induction modules is designed to give new starters the foundation knowledge they need to understand their role and responsibilities in the APS. Demonstration of this knowledge in the workplace may contribute towards completion of a nationally recognised qualification. The modules themselves have not been aligned to any particular competencies at this time. For more information on gaining a nationally recognised qualification contact the Learning and Development team in your agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What happens to the information users type in the answer boxes in the modules? Does it save anywhere or does the user have to print the page?

   The responses entered at varying points throughout the modules are not saved anywhere. Once the user moves to the next page, the responses will disappear. If evidence of completion is required, the user may choose to print the page. A print report button has been made available for this purpose on pages which are likely to be printed. Any page in the modules can be printed (even where there is not a specific print report button) simply by right-clicking on the relevant page and selecting print.

2. Monitoring completion of modules - if we don’t have an LMS, how can we make sure people have completed the modules? At the moment, we only have a paper-based checklist that is sent to HR.

   The modules do not have certificates of completion attached to them and do not contain assessment activities to test completion. If users will not be accessing the modules through a Learning Management System and are required to produce evidence they have completed particular modules, you may ask them to print pages where they have been required to enter responses.

3. The questions in the modules are too simple - can we change them?

   The multiple choice questions in each of the modules have been designed to provide users with the opportunity to reinforce the information they have learnt. It is expected that agencies will provide further agency-specific training about any topics where new starters require a thorough understanding, and that any relevant assessments would be aligned to that training.

4. How will I know if there have been any updates to the modules?

   Information about updates to the modules is available at www.apsc.gov.au/apsinduction

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