Do We Still Need Quizzes in Compliance Training?

Question: I am developing new content for my compliance team’s annual training, and we noticed from feedback on last year’s training that a quiz is no longer an effective way to test knowledge at the end of a module. Recent learning trends also emphasize short courses without a knowledge check. Would you recommend removing it? If so, how can we determine whether learners actually gained any knowledge?

Answer:

This is a great question, and one that I think can address multiple challenges in compliance training, which is often dreaded within the workplace. 

Studies have shown that microlearning improves retention of information, so you're right to stick with shorter modules. Shorter, repeated lessons help learners to better understand and retain what they are learning. 

What can replace your typical multiple-choice quizzes at the end of the module can continue that trend of reinforcement and retention, too. 

Consider the below options as ways to ensure that your training was completed and the compliance message was received.

• Utilize gamification: instead of a quiz, develop a short game to increase interest and engagement with the course. Often learners will go back to a course with a fun game to take it again and even improve scores within the game. Simple yet effective games include a word search or crossword puzzle.

  
  

• Develop a virtual forum: instead of quizzing the group, ask them to join a virtual forum to discuss the content. Speaking to the subject will help retain the information long after the module is done, and by teaching others what was learned, the learners will reinforce their own knowledge.

  
  

• Ask for feedback: Your audience will appreciate being included in a personalized feedback survey and seeing that you listened to them already by removing the quiz questions, since that seemed to be what was addressed last year. Show them again that you listen to their ideas and ask for their thoughts on improvement! They will be more inclined to take in what the course addressed so that they could share their thoughts. 

Using these tools, your audience will engage more with your content. Having a virtual forum, or creating a survey will help you to see and hear what the audience got out of a course so that you can continue to improve year after year.

Happy training!

Blaise Stanicic

Associate Director, Compliance Training, TRACE