Learning strategy · digital learning · facilitated application

Safety Investigations

The pilot showed that learners needed a more guided investigation. I changed the approach. I replaced open discovery with staged evidence and clearer facilitator guidance. I designed 11 eLearning training (ELT) modules in Rise 360, a four-hour instructor-led training (ILT) investigation case, a participant guide, facilitator support, and a job aid for airport operations leaders.

My role: led the learning strategy and design, developed the ELTs and ILT materials, and revised the training after the pilot.

Tools used: Rise 360 · SharePoint · PowerPoint · AI

AudienceAirport operations leaders
Digital learning11 Rise 360 ELTs
Application4-hour facilitated investigation case
SupportParticipant guide, job aid, facilitator guidance, and SharePoint resources

The problem

Leaders needed practice making investigation decisions, not another review of the procedure.

I focused the curriculum on how leaders gather evidence, test assumptions, and revise a finding. The ELTs prepare them for a facilitated case where they have to use those decisions in context.

Course structure

I organized the 11 ELTs around the decisions learners would use in the case.

Instructor-led practice

I built the facilitated case around staged evidence, discussion, a participant guide, and facilitator guidance.

Job aid

I carried the same framework into the job aid and supporting resources.

Selected digital learning

The ELTs build the skills learners use in the case.

These examples show learners identifying evidence, testing a decision, structuring facts, and using AI without handing off judgment.

Types of Evidence at the Scene.

Scene exploration

Types of Evidence at the Scene

Learners identify evidence in context before deciding what it means.

Decision point with two paths.

Consequence-based decision

Report and investigate, or close too early?

Learners see what changes when a supervisor accepts the first explanation too quickly.

The 5 W's reasoning framework.

Reasoning framework

The Danger of Starting With Why

The 5Ws help learners establish the facts before explaining why an incident happened.

AI-supported report writing guidance.

Responsible AI use

AI assists the draft. Evidence still leads.

AI can help draft. The learner still owns the investigation, verification, and conclusion.

Behind the design

The case requires learners to revisit an initial finding when new evidence appears.

The ELTs establish the investigation habits. The case then requires learners to use those habits while new information is introduced in stages.

The Reframe slide.

The Reframe

New evidence arrives after the group has formed an initial finding.

I hold the prior hazard report until the group has examined the scene and built an initial explanation.

Delay the revealLearners have to make a reasoned initial judgment first.
Re-test the findingThe discussion shifts from defending an answer to examining where contributing factors sit.
Keep uncertainty visibleThe goal is not to hand over the final root cause. It is to keep the investigation open to evidence.

Pilot feedback shifted the ILT from open discovery to guided investigation.

Before pilot

Open discovery

  • Evidence sat behind QR and passcode gates.
  • Learners spent time figuring out where to go next.
  • Navigation affected facilitator pacing.
After pilot

Guided investigation

  • Evidence was staged around the investigation sequence.
  • Group investigation followed by a facilitator-led review.
  • View-only resources made evidence easier to access and revisit.

Performance and facilitation support

The participant guide and job aid carry the same reasoning into practice.

Learners use the participant guide to record their reasoning during the case. The job aid helps them follow the same steps after training.

Physical Evidence participant guide.

Participant guide

Physical Evidence

Observation, evidence type, and unanswered questions stay together.

Report Writing participant guide.

Participant guide

Report Writing

The report is built from documented and verified evidence.

SHIELD job aid.

job aid

SHIELD job aid

A quick reference to the investigation steps for use on the job.

Design decisions

I used each format for a specific part of the work.

The design keeps learners doing the investigation work instead of only reviewing information.

Observation before interpretation

Learners collect first, then interpret.

Consequences instead of quiz feedback

Decision paths show the consequence of closing too early.

5Ws before “why”

Facts come before the explanation.

AI with boundaries

AI can support drafting; investigation and judgment stay with the learner.

Learner response

What learners reported after training.

Post-session survey results support relevance, confidence, and intent to apply the training.

14/14strongly agreed the training was relevant to their role.
14/14strongly agreed it increased job-relevant knowledge or skills.
14/14agreed or strongly agreed they felt confident applying the learning.
13/14agreed or strongly agreed they intended to apply it within 30 days.
These survey results describe learners’ reactions, confidence, and plans to use the training. They do not measure long-term changes in behavior or investigation quality.

Need learning that has to work in practice?

I design training, practice activities, and job aids around the decisions people need to make at work.

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