There are many ways that you can improve the training programs being used within a company. One of the tools that you can use involves focus groups.
A focus group is a type of research done by businesses that allow them to acquire important data and opinions about a new product, campaign, concept or idea. Some people think that this is not necessary for elearning courses. On the contrary, this is the best way for you to get the data that will help you improve your training programs.
Take note that a focus group is the select individuals that you have picked to answer questions that will provide feedback about the course that they just went through. This is ideally done before the official launch of a course or program. Although you can get the opinion of those who have yet to learn from the program, it is ideal that they go through the course first. That way, you will be provided with actual experiences and not just expectations.
Using focus groups may seem like too much effort for a course but there are several reasons why it is worth it.
It allows you to get the opinion of your target audience.
First of all, you get to acquire the data from the people who have used an earlier version of the training program. If this will not give you the accurate research data that you need, then nothing will. The ones who went through the course are in the best position to provide you with feedback because they are the target learners of the course. They have the right background and expectations that will influence their opinions. They can identify what they need from the course based on what they think is needed to improve their daily tasks.
It provides you with feedback from more than one person.
Another benefit is you get the opinion of a group. Although they may be united by a common need for the training, they still have various perceptions because of their diverse personalities. This will hopefully various insights about the training program. These insights will provide you with different sets of weak and strong points that are influenced by the varying personalities of the learners.
It gives you a more comprehensive feedback based on their expectations, needs, and experience.
Finally, the focus group will provide you with a comprehensive feedback based on three factors. The first is the expectations of the learners about the training. Were you able to meet their expected results? The next involves their needs. This will provide you with insight on the need that drove them to go through the course. Is it to improve a skill or update their knowledge? Finally, their feedback will allow you to determine the experience that they had as they went through the course. Was enjoyable or distracting in some areas? You can get specific data from the focus group.
These are the main reasons why a focus group will take your training program to the next level. The improvements that will be suggested will still be analyzed by the course developers but it will help the latter identify where they should start.
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