Making

Diversity
Training
Real

A Performance Development Group Case Study

Opportunity
PDG partnered with a large employment and retention solutions company
to create Diversity Training on Spirituality and Religion for a large
pharmaceutical client. The pharmaceutical company was currently utilizing
Instructor-Led Training (ILT) to assist in effectively navigating issues
related to Spirituality and Religion. PDG collaborated with their team to
create a post-ILT e-learning course where learners could practice applying
the knowledge and skills gained during the ILT. The client expressed asked
PDG to develop an instructional strategy and graphical treatment options
that improved learner engagement and enhance learning retention.
The company also needed the training to run through their learning
management system, and for users to take their training on either a PC or
iPad.

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Solution
Based on discussions with the client, PDG formulated a number of
recommendations for instructional strategies that could be
employed in an e-learning course to increase learner interaction
and engagement. The overall approach was to make the course
more experiential and less didactic. The course focused strongly
on scenarios: short, story-based episodes that demonstrated how
Spirituality and Religion arise in real-life encounters, and asking
the participants to respond quickly to these situations.
By asking the participants to respond quickly, the course
encouraged a gut-level response, much the same way responses
often happen in real life. These scenarios were then followed by
reflective feedback, helping participants understand how their own
instincts and training drive their behaviorand how they can
thoughtfully adjust their behavior (if necessary) in the future.

The course opened with a high-energy video to connect the e-learning to the ILT, gaining
attention and establishing the relevance of the content for the workplace.

Solution
The course used scenarios to apply and contextualize complex content. The course utilized illustrated
animations and professional voice talent for narration and character voices to create a more rewarding
user experience.
In the example below, a character named Flora shares her feelings and states the facts
while having lunch with a co-worker.

Anthony responds to Flora in the same scenario.

Solution
The course narrator, Kathleen, introduces a scenario.

Brian, an atheist who feels others are talking about him because of his beliefs, is upset
because of a note he found on his desk.

Solution
Learners are asked a series of questions on the best way to address the workplace
scenarios.

At the end of the course, completion status is passed to the LMS and a certificate
displays (on the iPad and PC).

Impact
The course received high praise from both pharmaceutical client and the Diversity content partner. The
realism and contextualized scenarios will help raise awareness and create a more inclusive workplace.

Lessons Learned
Delivering training on an iPad is still relatively new in the training and development field. PDG
continues update our capability to stay current with platform features. During this project we:
Upgraded our audio and video player for a flawless user experience on an iPad.
Developed several new page templates to create a more immersive experience.
Developed strategies for using illustrated characters for a less confrontational experience when
dealing with sensitive topics.

Performance Development Group

301 Lindenwood Drive
Suite 100
Malvern, PA 19355
(phone) 610.854.4400
(fax) 866.280.3646
www.performdev.com