From compliance training to workforce development, state agencies often carry the responsibility to educate and train workers and constituents across their states. Virtual learning can be an effective, cost-efficient, and accessible tool for delivering critical information statewide.

This post in our Learning by Design series describes the benefits of state agencies using virtual learning to better serve their publics. Throughout, we share best practices for achieving those benefits and select examples from our years of work providing virtual learning services to state agencies.

Virtual learning can be an effective, cost-efficient, and accessible tool for delivering critical information statewide.

Extending the Capacity of State Agencies

Virtual learning has the potential to extend a state agency’s capacity to deliver public information and services. When our team of instructional designers build a virtual course, we work closely with the state agency and subject matter experts to package their knowledge of state rules, regulations, and best practices into an interactive learning experience. Users statewide can then access this knowledge asynchronously instead of waiting for state employees or trainers to be available for a live webinar or in-person training.

Virtual learning can also automate the delivery of basic information. State agencies can require eLearning courses as a user’s first touchpoint with the agency. The course answers basic universal questions, freeing up state employees to tackle more high-level inquiries.

For example, imagine that a state requires prospective new child care providers to start the licensing process by taking a virtual orientation on requirements and regulations. The orientation provides a general overview of the process they need to follow to get licensed and how they should get in touch with a licensing specialist to support them through the process.

Customized to State Standards and Context

In a custom virtual learning course, state agencies can tailor the messaging and content to their audience. Standards and regulations vary from state to state, so an “off-the-shelf” course may not capture important nuance. Our team ensures that course content is relevant and specific to the state context by conducting extensive research and engaging agency staff members in multiple rounds of feedback.

We also create courses that accommodate the diverse populations within each state. We invite our partner agencies to provide feedback on all course content—from scenarios and case studies to the voices of narrators—to ensure it will resonate with their intended audiences. Our team can also facilitate translating entire courses from English to other languages prevalent within a state, such as Spanish or Somali.

Consistent Learning Outcomes and Messaging

When we design a virtual course, we start by getting clarity about what our partners want the user to walk away knowing. Then we work backward from the learning outcomes to design all course content, including knowledge checks. This ensures that everything a user interacts with aligns with the established learning outcomes.

When courses are deployed statewide, all users experience the same learning course and receive consistent messaging that has been vetted by state agency experts.

On-Demand, Cost-Effective Learning

For busy working professionals, the cost of in-person training can be high. On top of training fees, add the cost of travel tickets or gas, hotels, and meals, not to mention the time away from work and family. With virtual learning, workers can complete trainings at home or at work, at a time and pace that’s convenient for them.

For state agencies, delivering e-learning at scale also saves money compared to live or in-person trainings.

Leverage Expertise in Adult Learning and Education

Education Northwest’s team of instructional designers and developers are passionate and knowledgeable about making accessible and engaging adult learning experiences. We all bring expertise in the science of adult learning, and we have experience transforming content on diverse subjects—from operating HVAC systems for maximum energy efficiency to ensuring infants sleep safely—into engaging and effective courses. Contact a member of our virtual learning development team to start extending the capacity of your state agency.

Virtual Learning Resources

Check out these additional resources and examples of virtual learning modules we created in partnership with state agencies.

• Sample module: Oregon Department of Education Early Indicator and Intervention System Learning Series
• Sample module: Washington Traffic Safety Commission course for driving instructors
• Case study: Colorado Department of Early Childhood e-learning courses
• SEA Considerations for Planning, Designing, and Implementing, Effective eLearning Programs by the Region 17 Comprehensive Center at Education Northwest

Bethany Dusablon is an instructional designer with more than two decades of experience creating adult learning products for government and nonprofit clients, including state agencies and AmeriCorps. She has partnered with experts on diverse topics to develop dozens of online courses, eLearning modules, and webinars in multiple languages.