Evidence-Based Best Practices in Designing and Developing Quality eLearning for the Public Health and Health Care Workforce

Abstract

The Public Health Learning Network is the nation’s most comprehensive system of educators, public health experts, and thought leaders whose mission is to advance public health practice and improve population health in the United States. One of 10 regional centers in the Public Health Learning Network, the Midwestern Public Health Training Center Regional Coordinating Center has developed expertise in the development of competency-based eLearning to meet the training needs of the public health and health care workforce. eLearning has become a widely used method for providing online training to strengthen a learner’s knowledge, skills, and attitudes. This article discusses the use of the analysis, design, development, implement, and evaluate model as a standard for instructional design and best practice elements of eLearning. Two examples of eLearning programs are provided, along with data on level of interactivity and Kirkpatrick Level 1 and 2 evaluation results. Evaluation data indicate that users’ experiences have been positive.