Assessment of Training Materials

ENGL 564

Instructor: Kirk St. Amant

Assessment of Training Materials

Submitted: 17 May 2021

Assessment of Louisiana Tech University: Sit and Reach Test

Overview:

In this assessment of training materials, I will be examining and critiquing Louisiana Tech’s kinesiology department’s training video, the Louisiana Tech University: Sit and Reach Test. The Louisiana Tech University: Sit and Reach Test video provides instructional information about how to perform a basic sit and reach test and individuals who complete this training should be able to perform a sit and reach test on their own. It focuses on what you will need in order to perform the test as well as offering specific instructions of the process in order to instruct viewers on how to perform this test on their own. Two aspects of this video were examined as effective elements. The first effective aspect is the short and concise length of the video and the second is the use of a script. Along with this, it was examined that the instructor was inconsistent with their language throughout the entire instructional process. To improve this entry, the instructor must specify if the results from the three trials should be recorded, why they are being done, and at what performance level they should be completed at. Finally, to make the video more effective, the instructor should add clearer language to convey what the participants need to do before the test and what items are needed to complete the test.

Critique:

Area 1: What aspects of the instructional video are effective and why:

The length of the Louisiana Tech University: Sit and Reach Test video was an important aspect in making this video effective. The reading from week 5, “How to Videos: 10 Tips to Making More Effective Training Videos,” states that you should “keep [the video] short” and “be concise and succinct.” The length of this training video stands at 1 minute and 43 seconds, which does not allow for much distraction or rambling. This allows an easier digestion of the video’s contents for the viewers, since the short length is able to hold the attention span of the viewer.

Along with the length of the video, it is clear that the instructors used a script. According to the same reading from week 5, “How to Videos: 10 Tips to Making More Effective Training Videos,” it is crucial to “use a script” and to “not ramble” so that “key points [are not] missed or lost in translation.” By the instructor’s well-spoken discussion, it is clear that there was a script or storyboard involved before the production of the training video. Because of this, the instructor was able to communicate everything they needed to in a concise manner without missing any key points, which creates an effective video that is easy to understand for the viewer.

Area 2: What aspects are ineffective and why:

An ineffective aspect of the Louisiana Tech University: Sit and Reach Test video is that the instructor does not “remain consistent,” like the week 5 reading “The Ultimate Guide for Creating Killer Podcasts,” suggests. The instructor informs the audience that they should perform three trials from the participant. After the participant performs them, she then suggests a fourth trial at maximum effort. The instructor does not specify if the results from three trials should be recorded or not. She also does not specify why these three trials should be performed and at what effort level they should be performed at. This is confusing for viewers because she is not consistent in her description of the instructions, which is ineffective in communicating how to perform the sit and reach test.

Area 3: How to revise ineffective aspects to make them more effective:

In order to revise the inconsistency within the video, the instructor needs to be clearer on why she is performing certain tasks. She tells the viewers that the participant should perform three trials, but does not explain why or at what performance level the participant should perform it at. All that must be done is to simply specify if the results from the three trials should be recorded, why they are being done, and at what performance level they should be completed at.

Area 4: What items to add to or remove from the video to make it more effective:

The instructor states that the box should be used for the completion of the test, but she should be clearer about exactly what the participant needs to do before the test and what materials are necessary to complete it. She should be more forward and use clearer language to convey this. Instead of saying “Our participant has completed about five minutes of exercise to warm up and he’s removed his shoes so he’s ready for the test,” she should use language like “before starting the test, make sure your participant completes at least 5 minutes of exercise and also removes their shoes.” This is more effective than her previous language because before it sounds as if this could only apply to her participant and not anyone who is to perform the test, and with the new language it is clear that these factors are necessary for everyone.

Conclusion:

The Louisiana Tech University: Sit and Reach Test video provides instructional information about how to perform a basic sit and reach test. It focuses on what you will need in order to perform the test as well as offering specific instructions of the process in order to instruct viewers on how to perform this test on their own. Two aspects of this video were examined as effective elements. The first effective aspect is the short and concise length of the video and the second is the use of a script. Along with this, it was examined that the instructor was inconsistent with their language throughout the entire instructional process. This showed to be ineffective and casts doubt and confusion on the viewer about how to perform this process. In order to revise this ineffective aspect, the instructor must specify if the results from the three trials should be recorded, why they are being done, and at what performance level they should be completed at. Finally, to make the video more effective, the instructor should add clearer language to convey what the participants need to do before the test and what items are needed to complete the test. Once these revisions are made, the viewer or participant should have a complete understanding on how to perform a sit and reach test on their own.

Assessment of Louisiana Tech University: Grip Strength Test

Overview:

In this assessment of training materials, I will be examining and critiquing Louisiana Tech’s kinesiology department’s training video, the Louisiana Tech University: Grip Strength Test. The Louisiana Tech University: Grip Strength Test video provides instructional information about how to perform a basic grip strength test and individuals who complete this training should be able to perform a grip strength test on their own. It focuses on what you will need in order to perform the test as well as offering specific instructions of the process in order to instruct viewers on how to perform this test on their own. Two aspects of this video were examined as effective elements. The first effective aspect is the use of hands-on demos within the video and the second is the use of a short summary at the end of the video. Along with this, it was examined that the instructor spoke at a fast-paced speed that made her difficult to understand and the lack of graphics in the video cast a shadow of confusion about the overall process. To improve this entry, the instructor must specify if the results from the three trials should be recorded, why they are being done, and at what performance level they should be completed at. Finally, to make the video more effective, the instructor should add graphics of the devices that are used within the training video and also the instructor should slow down their speech and annunciate their words.

Critique:

Area 1: What aspects of the instructional video are effective and why:

One aspect that makes the Louisiana Tech University: Grip Strength Test video effective is that the instructor uses hands-on demos within the video. According to our reading from week 5, “5 tips for designing effective online learning modules,” it is important to use exercises to “reinforce the learning in each section.” With each portion of the grip strength test, the instructor has the participant perform the test for the audience. This creates an effective element that helps to reinforce understanding of how to perform the test alone.

Another aspect that makes the Louisiana Tech University: Grip Strength Test video effective is that the instructor “wraps [the video] up nice and neat with a summary,” like our reading “5 tips for designing effective online learning modules” suggests. The instructor provides a short note and summary at the end of the video in order to wrap up the video and reinforce the main points the viewer should take away in order to perform this test on their own.

Area 2: What aspects are ineffective and why:

An ineffective aspect of the Louisiana Tech University: Grip Strength Test video is that there are no graphics used. Our reading from week 5, “10 Online Training Do’s and Don’ts,” suggests that the “use [of] meaningful graphics, not gratuitous images” will enhance the audience’s understanding of the process. The instructor speaks very quickly when she is explaining the process, which is another ineffective aspect, and doesn’t stop to show some of the important factors on the grip strength test process like how to reset the dial or even what the dial looks like. Because the instructor is speaking so quickly, she is sometimes hard to understand and it makes it more difficult to process and understand the information she is relaying. The use of graphics is necessary for alleviating confusion and showing close ups of the device that is used for the test.

Area 3: How to revise ineffective aspects to make them more effective:

There were two ineffective aspects of the Louisiana Tech University: Grip Strength Test video. First, it is ineffective that there are no graphics used within the training video. This can be revised by adding graphics of the devices that are used within the training video. Specifically, a close up of the dial on the device and the specific parts that are used and tampered with such as the reset button and the grip on the device.

The next ineffective aspect is the instructor’s fast paced speaking, which is hard to understand and also makes it difficult to digest the information that she is relaying about the training process. This can be solved by having the instructor slow down their speech and also annunciate their words. By doing this, she will be easier to understand and it will be easier to comprehend the grip strength test process.

Area 4: What items to add to or remove from the video to make it more effective:

An easy way to make this video more effective would be to add subtitles to the video. This would also work to solve the ineffective aspect of the instructor’s fast paces speech. In our week 5 reading, “How to Videos – 10 Tips to Making More Effective Training Videos,” they specify that “Audio is MOST important.” By adding subtitles to the video, this will not only enhance the audio, but the overall understanding of the grip strength test process.

Another item that can be added to make the overall video more effective would be to add graphics like previously discussed. More specifically, there should be graphics added of a close up of the device used for the grip strength test, a close up of the dial, a close up of the reset button, and a close up of the grip that is adjusted on the device. These are all factors within the video that are used to complete the grip strength test, and the instructor glosses over showing the parts of the devices in a close-up manner. It is crucial to show the viewers a steady image of the different parts of the device that affect the overall process so that they can have a complete understanding and comprehension of how to complete the grip strength test on their own.

Conclusion:

The Louisiana Tech University: Grip Strength Test video provides instructional information about how to perform a grip strength test. It focuses on what you will need in order to perform the test as well as offering specific instructions of the process in order to instruct viewers on how to perform this test on their own. Two aspects of this video were examined as effective elements. The first effective aspect is that the instructor uses hands-on demos within the video and the second is that the instructor ends the video with a short summary of the process. Along with this, it was examined that there are no graphics used within the training video. This showed to be ineffective and casts doubt and confusion on the viewer about how to perform this process. Also, the instructor’s fast paced speaking is another ineffective element that was examined. In order to revise the first ineffective aspect, graphics of the devices that are used within the training video should be added. Specifically, a close up of the dial on the device and the specific parts that are used and tampered with such as the reset button and the grip on the device. The second ineffective aspect can be solved by having the instructor slow down their speech and also annunciate their words. Finally, to make the video more effective, the instructor should add subtitles to enhance the audio. Once these revisions are made, the viewer or participant should have a complete understanding on how to perform a sit and reach test on their own.

References

Murray, K. (2011, March 24). Five tips for designing effective online learning modules. TechRepublic. https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/five-apps/five-tips-for-designing-effective-online-learning-modules/.

O’Rourke, J (2018, April 20). How To Videos - 10 Tips to Making More Effective Training Videos. Videomaker. https://www.videomaker.com/videonews/2012/10/how-to-videos-10-tips-to-making-more-effective-training-videos.

Scivally, A. (2012, February 8). 10 Online Training Do's and Don'ts. eLearning Brothers. http://web.archive.org/web/20180324033118/http://elearningbrothers.com/ten-online-training-dos-and-donts/.

The Ultimate Guide to Creating Killer Video Podcasts [Article]. Treehouse Blog. (2015, May 21). https://blog.teamtreehouse.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-creating-killer-video-podcasts.

YouTube. (2017, September 29). Louisiana Tech University: Sit and Reach Test. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMjzMj7Wd0c.

YouTube. (2017, September 29). Louisiana Tech University: Grip Strength Test. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMjzMj7Wd0c.