Adult Education Course Development

University of California

Challenge

The University of California, Davis (UCD), School of Veterinary Medicine was tasked with creating instructor-led training for multiple audiences in the United States as well as in developing countries on how to prevent and/or contain the highly pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza virus.

Although prevention is the ideal response to this virus and is sufficiently possible through the implementation of basic steps, the number of educated trainers was grossly inadequate to disseminate this vital information to at-risk communities worldwide. UCD needed a training program to develop local expertise among health professionals, lab scientists, major livestock producers, wildlife managers, and government leaders.

Solution

Contiem assessed the needs of the target audience, identifying both performance and knowledge-based learning objectives, and was then able to recommend a web-based platform to deliver the course material.

To develop the training material, Contiem worked closely with the UCD team and their subject matter experts. Using an instructional design methodology, Contiem was able to ensure that the course modules met the target audience’s learning needs, were effective at conveying critical concepts and information, and were perceived as being easy to use.

Result

The School of Veterinary Medicine took the “Avian Flu School” to five countries in Africa, and to many states in the US to start training health professionals, wildlife managers, government leaders, and others on how to prevent and respond to an Avian Flu outbreak.

Training was provided at the following three levels:

Tier 1 – Experts trained at the national level

Tier 2 – People trained at the district level; trained to train others within their countries

Tier 3 – District trainers who provide training to appropriate locals

According to David Bunn, Project Manager, Wildlife Health Center, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, training has been provided in three languages: English, French, and Kiswahili (the language of East Africa).

UCD has delivered the training in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.