1.) Introductions and Agenda Review (07/14 8:00 AM)

2.) 2015/2016 WMA Training Needs Survey (07/14 8:15AM) 3rd training needs survey; great response rate (best of the three) --

• a.) Discussion of format - what worked and didn’t work
• i. Distribution - Stats on hits for Training Needs Survey Results?
• ii. Notification - Seemed about right; some discussion of WMA All distribution but not all agreed this would be effective
• iii. Course listings - about right; vetted with Office Chief reps; list of courses held in last 5 yrs; helped cleaned up the DOI Learn course list;
• b. Distribution of results - what worked and didn’t work
• i. Memo to Office Chiefs and WSFT
• ii. Uses/requests for information; include in Data Conference

OSW used info to schedule courses; OGW used to plan Data Conference training; SW/GW course offered earlier than scheduled; WSFT looked at gaps, needs, new courses. Discussion of ‘required’ training such as Hydroacoustics, QW Field Methods; OGW no required training but recognize need. Next survey, need to have ready to roll out Oct. 1st, roll out in conjunction with IDP/STED website reminder; Survey helps identify training needs on yrs without a Data conference (WSFT has best source of information)

• c. Improvements for next time

What new types of courses/topics are needed?

• OWI JimC -not sure CARP numbers are accurate (initial guesstimates high, survey reports probably low, actual numbers should include more GW,QW folks and somewhere in between…),
• hard to guess what might be needed before a deficiency/need exists;
• numbers for regional-level (onsie) training. Not necessarily entered in DOILearn, but still important. Hard to quantify - WSFT? Alan & OED staff can enter courses into DOILearn also, so students can get credit etc - can be done after the fact
• WSFTs and Technical Offices should encourage course managers to use DOILearn to track all training, including Data Conference training. OED can enter rosters after class.

3. Request for Proposals for Distance Learning Courses (07/14 10:00 AM) - Mike Nolan did first DL class; remove Intro to QW Sample as has dated material;

• a.) Progress update on 2014 DL courses - TJ Lane
• i.) Index Velocity – Molly Wood et al. - projected completion Sept. 30, 2015; using Captivate/Camtasia
• ii.) Scientific Project Management for New Project Chiefs – Vicki Christensen. Teaching course in person to refine presentation; well received in Midwest Centers; send outline to STED (sent by Kevin); also Basis+ training (Amber Hari);
• iii.) AQUARIUS Local Data Managers Course – CARP Team - developing online modules; developing story book (lesson plan) partly from AI (Aquatic Informatics), partly from Water Survey Canada; complete Core User TNG Aug. 17, 2015; complete LDM TNG Nov. 2015; well-organized effort to provide progress reports, coverage, content, etc
• b.) 2015 DL Course Announcement--so far no proposals received from WMA--deadline 7/31/15. See notes in STED Google drive.
• i.) Request For Proposal process
• Review of RFP Selection
• WMA Reviewer - Todd Koenig. Might be useful to have a STED member be the WMA reviewer at some future point
• ii. Post selection / validation of course - Discussion
• Technical Offices

• WSFT
• OED
• iii. Funding availability
• OED Funding
• STED DL Course funding

How does a module get updated as policy changes?
Terry Kenney has slides for Streamflow Procedures DL course;
Need to update a few slides due to policy changes.

4.) The Role of STED In WMA Training (07/14 1:00 PM and 07/15 8:00 AM)

• a. Specific request from Chief Scientist
• b. Look at STED’s role relative to:
• i. Technical Offices
• ii. OED
• iii. WSFT
• iv. OWI
• v. Others (HDAC, etc)
• c. End Product: 1-paragraph summary of the STED’s role in WMA Training
• i. What is the STED’s role?
• ii. What is NOT the STED’s role?
• iii. Unique capabilities/features of the STED Committee
• iv. Minimize overlap with different groups
• v. How do we improve/optimize WMA Training

Much discussion. Much written and re-written. Draft paragraph developed, awaiting review by those not in attendance. Sent 7/21/2015 to Jerad.

5.) Office of Organization and Employee Development Topics (07/15 2:00 PM) - NTC = 14K sq ft; service 3500 students per year; OED asked to reduce space, 3 options being examined, STED may be asked to support one option; OED’s labor is appropriated funds; limited fee-for-service model where fees go to technology infrastructure, not rent; 5 deployments of 12 computers;

• a.) State of the National Training Center

Action Item: Rod will send the ACES report -- Done (http://internal.usgs.gov/homepage_files/blogs/docs/aces_facilities.pdf)
Action Item: Alan will send us their response to the ACES report as the basis for ‘loading the cannon’.

• b.) Listserv- announcement of training - script to pick up classes in next XX days, sends email notification. User signs up. Now have access to WMA All email. Jerad email will include reminder notice with Upcoming Instructor-led classes (link), Listserv, IDP/STED webpage memo
• i.) Is this still an effective notification method? 500 signed up; Alan to ensure Listserv pdf document is up-to-date (has Gloria as POC).
• ii.) How is it managed/operated?
• iii.) Alternative formats?

Draft letter to Jared at the STED web site under Memos (EmailDraft_LISTSERVS_2015
Action Item -- Alan needs to make sure this link is active/accurate--http://www.usgs.gov/humancapital/documents/Listserv.pdf
Action Item -- Alan needs to get the email link for instructions on entering a course into DOI-LEARN
Action Item -- Rod will wordsmith/finish draft memo and let Joe know to forward to Jerad
Action Item -- Joe will forward to Jerad

• c.) Use of DOI Learn for ALL WMA Training
• i.) Is DOI Learn used for all training, including local and Regional?
• ii.) What are the perceived hindrances to using DOI Learn?
• iii.) What are the advantages of using DOI Learn?

If you have sign in sheets (at the data conference), OED can register the courses into DOI-Learn after the fact. We can maybe use the conference sign in web site --
Action Item Joe: Send email to HDAC stressing importance of tracking Data Conference training, utilizing sign-up process, and convey to OED for inclusion in DOI Learn transcripts. Ask for digital attendance lists

• d. Instructor validation/certification - Discussion
• i. Adult Learner training - short course being developed to help jump-start the AQUARIUS supertrainer program. How to train the trainers. Will be recorded and streamed. Keeping students engaged, motivating students who may not be motivated. Do we want to make it ‘mandatory’ for instructors after AQ? Maybe not - strongly encouraged would be nice - being passionate and enthusiastic on your subject more important.
• ii.) Use of Instructor evaluations
• iii.) Instructor pool
• a.) Instructor succession plan not strong (replacing instructors as they retire).
• b.) Adequate number for demand for course? Adequate instructor abilities?
• c.) Process for incorporating new instructors/class material?
• d.) Is there a minimum standard or format? Is this necessary?
• Engage Technical Offices/WSFT on succession plan for courses.

6.) STED Goals for FY2016 (07/15 1:00 PM)

• a.) Meeting representation - List of upcoming meetings
• Tentative OSW Conference (Fall 2016)
• No Investigations meeting scheduled yet
• OWI - no aware, likely CARP will occupy these resources
• OQW - maybe in 2017
• WSC Directors - Annual Meeting?
• Data Conference - late 2016/2017
• OGW - ??

Prioritization of slots for training courses?
Specific focus on AQUARIUS in FY2016 is greatly appreciated
Adult Learner course; understanding keys to it, advocate it.
Next meeting Doodle early October 2015

• b. Website changes/improvements
• i. Calendar of Events - populate WMA Training Calendar when training is scheduled.
• ii. List of courses
• c. New Technologies
• d. Discussion with Intro to Stream Gaging Course regarding blended learning

7.) New STED Committee Members / Member Rotation (07/15 4:00 PM)

• a. Hydrologic Technician (change out 09/2015) -
• i.) HDAC recommendation
• ii. Others

Action Item: Rod will make sure HDAC gets this on their agenda. Have them pick 1 person from each WSFT territory and get WSFT to select on of those. Suggest that they have someone from Aquarius supertraining team; also ask Jen D. for recommendations --

• b.) Water Science Field Team (change out 10/2014) (Rod re-enlisted for 3 more years)
• c.) National Research Program (new member)- Jerad selected new NRP Rep - Deb Stoliker