# Presentation: 300831

## eGovernment Program

AgLearn Overview

Phase 1

March 2004

**AgLearn Overview**
- Phase 1
- March 2004

## Agenda

**eLearning Initiative Overview**
**What is an LMS?**
**LMS Benefits and Features**
**Integration Approach**
**Learning Management**
**Future Phases**
**Next Steps**

**Agenda**

## Enterprise-Wide eLearning Benefits

***An Enterprise-wide eLearning capability will provide financial benefits while at the same time improve the training opportunities available at USDA.***
**Strategic Benefits**
- Enhance the skill development of USDA employees by providing access to a wide array of training not previously available; and
- Coordinate management, and promote interagency collaboration, of Federal eLearning services.
- Utilize common soft skill content from Presidential eTraining initiative.
**Financial Benefits**
- Eliminate redundancies among training offered within the enterprise;
- Allow for economies of scale in the enterprise-wide purchase of eLearning products and services; and
- Reduce travel expenses, training delivery costs, and training administration costs.
**Operational Benefits**
- Transform the learning experience to include more online courses, in lieu of costly traditional training methods;
- Link competency requirements and individual development plans;
- Provide access to content from other government agencies;
- Agency trainers will be able to devote their time to what they do best--training--rather than administration of IT systems; and
- USDA LMS will become the official System of Record to store all training histories and training content.

## Enterprise-Wide eLearning Solution

***An Enterprise-wide solution will also provide many intangible benefits...***
**Intangible Benefits**
- Improving training effectiveness, resulting in a better-educated and more knowledgeable workforce characterized by improved judgment and decision-making
- Enabling a single, web-based access point for class registration and the training catalog eases administration processes associated with training provided by outside partner institutions
- Allowing employees access to training content, class registration, and course catalogs from any location at any time using a web browser
- Automating administrative tasks, which allows administrators to focus on value added functions like course preparation, course review, and performance review

## Reduction of Duplicative Services and Systems

** ****TRAI (Training Information System)**
- - USDA training system maintained by NFC containing USDA employee training histories.
** ****TIPS (Training Integrated Personnel System)**
- A training system used by Forest Service to manage the registration, approval process,  and costs associated with training.
** ****VTA (Virtual Training Assistant)**
- Training system used by Food Safety and Inspection Service and Forest Service to manage registration of classroom and other types of training.
** ****RMA Distance Learning**
- - A training creation and delivery system used by RMA.

***To realize economies of scale and reductions in cost requires a consolidation of existing USDA training systems.  ***

## Migration & Integration of Training Systems

** ****I-CAMS Training Delivery and Management**
- A component of the I-CAMS personnel system used Service Center agencies to track and manage instructor-led training.
** ****APHIS Agency Readiness Center**
- A system developed for the APHIS Veterinary Services to train and deploy First Responders.
** ****RMA Distance Learning**
- - A training creation and delivery system used by RMA.

***For some USDA training systems providing unique services and capabilities, they will operate cooperatively with the USDA LMS.***

## AgLearn - Phase 1

**10 USDA Agencies with 7,500 users**** **
**Configuration of enterprise-based LMS settings including domains, organizations, student management, and security roles**** **
**Integration of “off-the-shelf” and custom USDA e-learning courseware **** **
**Migration of existing student data from the GoLearn (student data and training history)**** **
**USDA Customized User Interface branding**** **
**Operations Services and Tier 1 Help Desk Support **** **
**System Environment Maintenance and Hosting, including Courseware hosting**** **
**Configuration of online exams**** **
**One-way batch interface from I-CAMS (PeopleSoft 8.0) for student profile and training history**** **
**Migration of training history  from GoLearn, I-CAMS, and TRAI **

***Phase 1 of the LMS implementation will include the following:***

## Agenda

**eLearning Initiative Overview**
**What is an LMS?**
**LMS Benefits and Features**
**Integration Approach**
**Learning Management**
**Future Phases**
**Next Steps**

**Agenda**

## What is an LMS?

***A Learning Management System (LMS) is a software application that enables the delivery and management of all facets of training.***

**An LMS allows individuals and groups of users to:**
- Manage classrooms, learning assets, instructors, schedules, learning paths, and all of the necessary components to deliver training
- View complete course listings and course information
- Register, schedule, and track all training activity
- Create, edit, manage and deliver content
- Track competency and certification progress
- Personalize training and development plans
- Manage payments

## How will an LMS be used by USDA?

***The AgLearn LMS will provide for the management and delivery of USDA’s training and career development, and other capabilities.***

**AgLearn**

**Traditional Classroom**

**Virtual Classroom**

**Online Training**

**Course Catalog**

- Phase 1: Management and Delivery of Training

- Other Functions

-  Phase 1:
-  Career Development Plans
-  Reporting
-  Future Phases:
-  Competencies
-  Skill Assessments
-  Certification Programs

## Agenda

**eLearning Initiative Overview**
**What is an LMS?**
**LMS Benefits and Features**
**Integration Approach**
**Learning Management**
**Future Phases**
**Next Steps**

**Agenda**

## AgLearn Users

** ****USDA employees, including:**
- Agency Personnel
- First Responders (USDA Homeland Security)
- Domestic and Foreign Nationals
** ****Others working with USDA programs, such as:**
- Federal
- State and Local such as Wild Land Fire Fighters
** ****USDA Contractors and Partners, such as:**
- Farmers
- Rural Housing Loan Officers
- Others

***Users of AgLearn will include not only USDA employees, but also others who work closely with USDA.***

## User Features

**Search available training courses by title, subject area, or agency catalog**** **** **
**Register for courses – online, instructor-led, virtual, and other**** **** **
**Launch and Track Course – Record Scores**** **
**Access Reference Materials and Training**
- Systems Training and Support (ICAMS, IAS)
- Desktop Application Support (Microsoft Office)
- Business Skills (Supervisory Materials, Leadership, Project Management)
**Manage Certification Requirements**
- Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) Training
**Build Skills According to Competencies**
- Identify skill requirements for next job level, series, or position
- 2210 Series in progress; Others being planned
**Fulfill Mandatory Training Requirements**** **
- IT Security, Civil Rights, Ethics
- Deliver and record completion

***The new AgLearn LMS provides USDA employees and others with the ability to:***

## USDA Supervisor/Manager Features

**Assign specific training to employees through AgLearn**
**Receive and Approve employee requests for USDA training**
**Track employee training activity**
**Receive Training Reports**

***In addition to regular user features, USDA supervisors and managers will also be able to oversee the training activities of their employees, by the following:***

## Training Staff Features

**Centrally manage and track learning for entire assigned organization, group, or individual**
**Ability to leverage training across and within USDA agencies**
**Access reports containing agency training activity**
**Deliver online training materials, surveys, and exams**
**Schedule and manage instructor-led classes, online training, and virtual meetings **** **
**Manage facilities, assets, and courses (e.g., instructor, classroom,  equipment)**** **
**Create certification and specialized training programs such as new employee orientation, COTR training, and others**

***Training Staff will be able to manage training more efficiently by using AgLearn to:***

## Agenda

**eLearning Initiative Overview**
**What is an LMS?**
**LMS Benefits and Features**
**Integration Approach**
**Learning Management**
**Future Phases**
**Next Steps**

**Agenda**

## eLearning Migration & Integration Strategy

**eLearning Migration & Integration Strategy**

- €

- €

- Isolated Systems and Agency Coordination

- Enterprise eLearning Solution and Integration

***Current Environment***

***Future USDA LMS***

**Presidential Initiative:**     Improve education and training services through e-Training

**USDA Initiative: **build enterprise-wide capabilities for managing training

-  Duplication of Activities and Services
-  Limited System and Business Capabilities
-  Lack of Enterprise-wide Coordination
-  Manual, non-Standardized Processes
-  Cost Prohibitive

*** ******Manual Process***

** ****I-CAMS**

** ****VTA**

**TIPS**

**HR**

**Finance**

***Agency Training Systems***

- €

**Citizens**

**Employees**

**Business**** Partners**

- €

***Departmental***

**AgLearn LMS**

**Traditional Classroom**

**Training Admin**

**TRAI**

** ****APHIS & ****RMA****LMS**

**Other ****Data**** bases**

**Procurement****(IAS)**

## Integrated Approach and Platform

** ****Centralized Hosting of Learning Solutions **
- GoLearn hosting facility at GP-eLearning (GPE) will include the following components:
** ****Learning Management System – AgLearn **
- Delivery and management of training and career development
** ****Learning Content and Courseware**
- GoLearn COTS Courseware (e.g., NETg, SkillSoft, Karta)
- Custom Courseware, CBT, WBT
- Reference Materials, Job Aides, Procedures
** ****Web Meeting Services**
- Internally hosted within USDA

***The eLearning solution is built upon an integrated approach and platform for delivering new capabilities to USDA.***

## Data Migration and Management

**Data Migration and Management**

**AgLearn hosted by GP-eLearning (GPE)**

**Student Profile Data**

**Student Profile Data**

***Starting from existing LMS’s and other USDA training systems, the new LMS will be a single repository for all USDA training activity.  All USDA employees will have access to the AgLearn system by end of FY2004.***

**GoLearn LMS (GeoLearning)**

**Other Internal USDA Training Systems**

## Transition of Sensitive Data

- GoLearn Service Provider:
**Geo Learning**

***Current Employee Data Management Scheme***

***Future Employee Data Management Scheme***

***Hosts COTS Courseware and Employee Data in Canada***

**COTS Courseware**

**Employee Data**

- COTS courseware available through GoLearn.Gov is hosted by Geo Learning.
- Employee access and utilization uses the Geo Learning LMS services.

- GoLearn Service Provider:
**GPE Learning**

***Hosts USDA-specific Courseware and Employee Data in Pennsylvania ***

**USDA Courseware**

**Employee Data**

- COTS courseware and USDA-developed courseware is hosted by GPE Learning in Pennsylvania
- USDA employee data is hosted by GPE-Learning

**COTS Courseware**

## Agenda

**eLearning Initiative Overview**
**What is an LMS?**
**LMS Benefits and Features**
**Integration Approach**
**Learning Management**
**Future Phases**
**Next Steps**

**Agenda**

## Approach to Learning Management

** ****Role Based System**
- Student, Manager, Administrator
- Roles define learning management functionality, system authority, and available views

***The AgLearn system is a role based system which provides for a secure environment to manage user permissions efficiently.***

## Learning Management – Tailored Delivery

***The enterprise LMS is customized to fit each agency’s training requirements.  Through a student login, courseware can be assigned to specific groups (ie. Agencies) or made available to the “public” for all to view.***

**Agency 1**

**AgLearn**

**Public**

**Agency 2**

## Learning Management - Domains

***The AgLearn system maps to USDA’s organization in a hierarchical structure using Domains.  Following is a ***_***part***_*** of the Domain structure to be used in AgLearn.***

**USDA**

**OHRM**

**FNCS**

**REE**

**FFAS**

**FSIS**

**RD**

**Public Level**

**Mission Area**

**Agency**

**Locations and Other Sub-Domains**

**OCFO**

**MRP**

**NREE**

**Agency**

**Sub-Domain**

**Sub-Domain**

- To be determined by each agency

## Agenda

**eLearning Initiative Overview**
**What is an LMS?**
**LMS Benefits and Features**
**Integration Approach**
**Learning Management**
**Future Phases**
**Next Steps**

**Agenda**

## Future Phases

**Phased rollout to all USDA employees and agencies (FY2004)**** **
**Competency and Skills Assessment**** **
**Financial and Procurement System Integration (IAS)**** **
**Multi-level supervisor approval process for training requests**** **
**SF-182 Training Approval Process**** **
**Entry of non-component items on development plan**** **
**Agency specific customizations**

***Following Phase 1 will be additional system rollouts to the remainder of USDA and other system enhancements as determined by agencies.  ***

- Next Phases will include:

## Agenda

**eLearning Initiative Overview**
**What is an LMS?**
**LMS Benefits and Features**
**Integration Approach**
**Learning Management**
**Future Phases**
**Next Steps**

**Agenda**

## Next Steps

-  **Phase 1 Launch of AgLearn**
- FY04 – Q2
- 10 Agencies with 7,500 users
-  **Phase 2**
- FY04 – Q3
- Integration with eAuthentication solution
- Add additional estimated 60,000 users from
- APHIS
- FS
- FSA
- FSIS
- RMA
** ****Phase 3**
- FY04 – Q4
- Remaining USDA Employees