A scenario-based eLearning program designed to teach new cashiers how to quickly recognize meals that qualify for reimbursement from the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).

My Roles

• Project manager

• Instructional designer

• eLearning developer

• Graphic designer

Project Background: The Nutrition Services department was losing money due to new cashiers misidentifying reimbursable meals. They were also receiving complaints about long lines during the lunch rush because new cashiers were taking too much time trying to assess students' meal trays.

Solution: Build an in-depth training program that covers the NSLP's definitions and requirements for reimbursing meals. The final knowledge check of the lesson module includes a gamified check for understanding that presents the learner with a menu and a student’s tray to identify as “meal” or “no meal.” Since cashiers are required to quickly identify reimbursable meals, learners are timed so they can see not only how accurately they can identify reimbursable meals, but also how long it takes them as well.

Results: The instructor who leads the hands-on training on the Point of Sale system notes that cashiers are now much better prepared prior to practicing in the computer lab.

Why This Works: New cashiers had previously only received on-the-job training, which was ineffective. During meal times, students experienced longer wait times at check while the cashiers learned to identify reimbursable meals. With this online training, cashiers can now learn about the NSLP program and qualifying meals prior to learning how to operate the Point of Sale terminal and before working a real meal shift. The menus are based on actual menus they would be likely to see and learners practice identifying different configurations of the menu. Specific feedback reinforces learning by commenting on the items the cashier chooses and how long it takes to assess whether the meal is reimbursable.

Course Features: Custom graphics created in Photoshop, gamified checks for understanding, branching answer options (answering “no meal” leads to a follow-up question allowing the learner to add items so the meal will be reimbursable), specific feedback based on the learner's unique selections. timed practice, and sound effects. Once finalized, the course was translated into Spanish.

Tools Used

• Articulate Storyline 360

• Adobe Photoshop

• Adobe Stock

• Adobe sound effects

Interactions

• Click-and-reveal

• Checks for understanding

• Text entry

• Simulations