Learning Partners Program

In the Organizational Development (OD) unit, we are always looking for more Learning Partners. This is
how Learning Partners and OD partner to deliver high-quality courses.
 

Who are our Learning Partners? 

Learning Partners are City employees who are experts in their field. They deliver training courses on topics that are relevant and applicable to City employees across agencies. 

Learning Partner courses . . .

  • are developed and delivered by Learning Partners, who are experts within that field

  • follow the City’s learning experience design, delivery, and evaluation standards

 

Our goal is to ensure that Learning Partners like you have the information, support, and resources you need as you work through the course development process. We’re here with you to provide as little or as much support as you desire. If you have questions along the way, reach out to OrganizationalDevelopment@cityofmadison.com.


Learning Partners Course Development Process:

The 6 Phases of Developing A Course

Start Here: 

Begin by reviewing the Learning Partners Program and Course Planning Slide Deck (2024 edition). This offers an overview of the Learning Partners Program, important deadlines to hit for 2024 course building, what's new to the program, and a general overview of the program as well. 

 

Phase 1: Schedule

Once you know you want to teach a course, reach out to OD as soon as possible. 

  • Work with the OD Coordinator to get a "hold" on the OD calendar for your course(s). 
  • This "hold" becomes "live" once the course planning information is sent to OD and the registration page(s) are built. 

 

Phase 2: Plan

  • Work with the Learning+Development (L+D) Specialist to build and/or review your course(s) curriculum. 
  • Gather your course planning information using the Course Planning Checklist and send to the OD inbox. 
    • Please send a separate email for each individual course.

 

Phase 3: Build

  • Our OD Coordinator will create your course's webpage, registration page (Eventbrite), and OD Calendar invite based on the course planning information you submitted in Phase 2. 
    • You can expect communications on proofing your newly-built course. 
    • Once proofed, we'll make any necessary changes and let you know once your course is live. 

 

Phase 4: Advertise

With your course(s) scheduled, developed, and LIVE, it's time to bring in the crowds! Advertising is a shared task between OD and you

What OD will do:

  • Send out weekly e-Blasts with descriptions and registration links for all OD courses happening in the upcoming six weeks.
  • We'll also be in regular communication with you to touch base on registration amounts and access needs requests in the weeks leading up to your course. 

What Learning Partners will do: 

  • Promote the course by forwarding e-Blasts, creating new "targeted" emails, posting flyers, etc. that publicize the course to groups you think would benefit from attending your course

 

Phase 5: Deliver

2-3 days prior to your course, you will receive an attendance sheet with the names of folks registered for your course.

  • Please use this attendance sheet to log who attended or not during your course. 
  • After your course is complete, send the completed attendance sheet back to the OD inbox for us to update attendance records. 
    • Note, OD is available to support with attendance. Let us know in advance if support is needed, and we will ensure an OD team member is available for the first 10-15 minutes of your course to assist you with this. 
  • Want to work on your facilitation skills? Here are some resources to help get you started: 

 

Phase 6: Enhance

In an effort to get feedback from course participants so that improvements can be made, all courses use the City of Madison Course Evaluation Form (Survey Monkey). Learn about the L+D Evaluation and Process. 

  • During your course, take the last 3-5 minutes to personally ask participants to give their feedback using the City of Madison Course Evaluation Form - these are updated yearly, you can find the most recent link(s) below. 
    • The OD Coordinator sends out follow-up emails to participants within 24 hours following your course, this includes a link to the evaluation as well. 
  • You can expect a summary of the feedback received the Friday following your course date. Review this for ideas and suggestions on how to enhance your training using participant feedback. 
  • Work with the L+D Specialist to incorporate suggestions from the feedback into your course content. 
    • We suggest you discuss your course(s) with the L+D Specialist on a periodic basis (at least annually) to discuss questions, or improvements that can be made.
    • Remember, we're here to help you be the best facilitator you can be! Reach out for a consult anytime. 
Evaluation Link Evaluation Link QR Code
2023 City of Madison Course Evaluation Link www.surveymonkey.com/r/YB38SMK  QR Code for the 2023 Course Evaluation Survey
2024 City of Madison Course Evaluation Link www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024CourseFeedback        2024 Course Evaluation Link QR Code

Cancelations or Rescheduling Needs

Please notify us (at OrganizationalDevelopment@cityofmadison.com) at least 24 hours in advance prior to your course if you need to cancel or reschedule. This will allow our team to send out notices and adjust back-end registration settings for your course.