DEFINITIONS
Along the Richness axis, you will see the levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy (knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and creation). The higher on the Richness axis a solution falls, the greater the depth of learning. The Reach axis describes the number of people who participate in the training. The further to the right a solution falls, the greater the number of participants.
WHAT-TO-THINK QUADRANTS
These what-to-think quadrants focus on providing employees with knowledge and comprehension. Courses might help them recall data and information or learn facts, processes, and procedures.
Quadrant I, in the lower left, depicts learning solutions with relatively low levels of richness (focused almost exclusively on information that the student needs to know) and limited reach.
Quadrant II, in the lower right corner, shows solutions that build a foundation of knowledge through online media—thus reaching a larger number of employees. E-learning, video learning, podcasts, and the like go here.
HOW-TO-THINK QUADRANTS
The how-to-think quadrants, III and IV, focus on the higher cognitive skills, such as analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and creation. As Bloom wisely pointed out, the higher-order thinking skills are personally and organizationally more valuable in the long term, because they can be applied in a variety of situations and they prepare the learner for unexpected variations.
Quadrant III, in the upper left corner, represents learning solutions with relatively high levels of richness (experiences that challenge us to learn how to think) but limited reach, such as classroom-based simulations
Quadrant IV, in the upper right corner, represents solutions that provide high levels of richness and reach through online technologies, such SimGate.
[1] Benjamin Bloom, Taxonomy of Educational Objectives (Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon, 1956).
How to use the Richness and Reach Tool
As you complete the four quadrants, you can take one of three approaches:
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List Only Modalities: This approach is useful if you want to show where most of your learning currently resides.
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List Only Vendors: This is beneficial if you want to identify all the vendors serving your organization, which may help you decide if any can be removed or consolidated.
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List Both Modalities and Vendors: This offers the best of both worlds; however, it can become somewhat overwhelming.
Quick start:
1) Don't overthink it. Start with Quadrant 1 and list the modalities your organization uses, writing a 1, 2, or 3 next to each modality.
1 = somewhat
2= moderately
3= extensively
For example, Lectures (1) and Workshops (2).
2) Complete the other quadrants. Once you have a visual representation of the quadrants, add them up.
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Quadrant 1: 3 points
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Quadrant 2: 15 points
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Quadrant 3: 5 points
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Quadrant 4: 1 point
3) We recommend creating a pie chart and putting both side by side. See below:
PRO TIP: If possible, arrange the modalities based on their impact according to Bloom's taxonomy. For example, a lecture would be considered low impact, while a workshop that includes role-play would be placed higher on the continuum.
