Project Overview:
To ensure effective onboarding of faculty and staff on the Veracross Student Information System (SIS), the Innovation Design Team developed an engaging, mobile-friendly e-learning training module using Rise 360. The training provided a self-paced, consistent learning experience that addressed time constraints and varying schedules while preparing participants for in-person follow-up training.

Challenge/Problem:
Faculty and staff faced challenges adapting to the Veracross SIS, which is used to manage classes, attendance, grades, and student behavior reports. Delivering in-person training proved difficult due to:

• Conflicting schedules and limited time availability.
• Remote work environments that made centralized, face-to-face sessions unfeasible.
• Inconsistent training levels and information retention across participants.

The school needed a scalable, engaging solution that allowed faculty and staff to access training on any device at their convenience, ensuring consistent learning outcomes.

Solution:
The Innovation Design Team utilized Rise 360, a powerful e-learning authoring tool, to design a short, interactive training course with the following features:

• Bite-Sized Lessons: Each module was broken into 7-minute lessons for efficiency and engagement.
• Multimedia Integration: Lessons included:
  • Summaries to outline objectives and key content.
  • Short Videos explaining key functions of Veracross, such as class management, attendance, and grade reporting.
  • Interactive Quizzes to reinforce learning and assess understanding.
• Device Flexibility: The training was fully responsive, enabling participants to complete it on laptops, iPads, or smartphones.
• Gamified Incentives: Participants who completed all tasks were entered into a raffle for a prize, fostering motivation and participation.
• Foundation for In-Person Training: The e-learning module provided a baseline understanding, ensuring the August 2022 in-person training was focused on advanced skill development.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of the training, participants were able to:

1. Navigate the Veracross Faculty Portal.
2. View and manage class rosters.
3. Take attendance and report student behavior.
4. Create class pages and submit semester grades.
5. Effectively prepare for in-person follow-up training.

Technologies/Tools Used:

• Rise 360: Developed and hosted interactive e-learning modules.
• LMS Integration: Enabled tracking of learner progress, quiz completions, and results.
• Adobe Creative Suite: Designed visuals and graphics for clarity.
• Synthesia (Optional Enhancement): Could be used for future video content featuring AI avatars.

Results and Impact:

1. Scalability and Accessibility: Faculty and staff were able to complete training anytime, anywhere, reducing scheduling conflicts and logistical challenges.
2. Improved Engagement: Bite-sized, gamified content ensured learners remained motivated to complete the training.
3. High Retention Rates: Quizzes and interactive tasks reinforced key learning objectives, improving retention for real-world application.
4. Baseline Preparedness: Participants entered the August in-person training with foundational knowledge, allowing for deeper discussions and advanced skill-building.

Participant Feedback:

• "The short videos and quizzes made it easy to learn Veracross without feeling overwhelmed. I could finish it on my phone during downtime!" — Faculty Member
• "I felt confident navigating the Faculty Portal after completing the training. The incentives were a fun bonus!" — Staff Member

Reflections and Learnings:

• Bite-Sized Learning Works: Short, focused lessons improve engagement and fit into learners’ busy schedules.
• Incentives Drive Participation: Small rewards, like raffles, help motivate learners to complete self-paced courses.
• Interactive Elements Enhance Retention: Including videos, quizzes, and visuals improves comprehension and information retention.

Future Recommendations:

• Introduce advanced modules for Veracross users who need specialized skills.
• Add scenario-based learning for tasks like reporting behavior or submitting complex grades.
• Explore using AI avatars (Synthesia) to deliver personalized video introductions.