Within Synapse, we give you the ability to add and embed a variety of different asset types. Assets are categorized within Synapse as Objective, Editor, Attachment, Embed, Knowledge Check, or Assessment.
Training Assets and Training Content
Training Assets, often referred to as Training Content, are typically defined as any information presented to your learners. The goal is to teach them a particular skill or help them to retain knowledge. It's important to understand that the type of content you use should match your overall strategy and desired learning outcomes.
It's important that the content you use, whether PowerPoints, Reports, Infographics, Case Studies, Text, Screen Captures, Simulations, or otherwise, align with your learners' needs and expectations.
A good starting point is to consider whether the training you are developing is training to remember or training to apply. Do you want your learner to be able to recall the training content, or do they need to be able to apply the material they are learning?
From there, you can leverage assets that align with the primary goal. For example, a text asset, including a table, might be a helpful tool for memorization and recall, but a video asset may align better with a learner who needs to apply a process.
Training Content Categories
Training Content is often divided into the following five categories - facts, concepts, principles, process, and procedure. We wanted to share some of the ways we see Synapse assets aligning with this categorization.
Facts are pieces of information that typically need to be memorized or recalled in their exact form. If you want your learners to remember facts, leveraging text assets or PDF job aids is a great way to help the learner reference and recall the information.
Concepts are abstract ideas that apply to particular contexts. Concepts are often big-picture ideas, so using video, narrative via text assets and images may be useful.
Principles are rules that guide certain actions given a particular situation. When training on principles, it's essential to provide scenarios or situations that help to explain the cause and effect relationship. Case studies, simulations, and stories are useful assets for training on principles.
A Process is a sequence or chronological order of steps. It's frequently used in reference to a system or equipment. Diagrams, graphics, videos, and simulations are commonly used to provide training on a particular process.
Procedures are a series of steps used to accomplish a specific task or solve a particular problem. Checklists, graphs, and videos may be useful content types in this training scenario.
In summary, start by thinking about the purpose of the training - a single course may include both the need to recall and apply content. Then think about your learner - who are they, and how do they learn best? Use a variety of content types to help keep learners engaged and focused.
It never hurts to test your content! Distribute your preview links internally and get feedback from your team on whether the asset types used are effective in the particular training context.
If you have any questions, our Client Success team is always happy to help! Use the in-product chat, or email us at support@getsynapse.com.