iLookOut Micro-learning to Improve Knowledge Retention

iLookOut for Child Abuse: PA Microlearning to Improve Knowledge Retention

This project investigates whether a multi-faceted strategy involving iLookOut's evidence-based Core Training plus an innovative follow-up Micro-Learning can promote knowledge retention and change behavior among early childhood professionals (ECPs) with regard to child abuse and its reporting. Additionally, this study will evaluate if non-ECPs experience similar improvements and retention of knowledge and changes in behavior as do ECPs.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Attitudes; Knowledge; Practice
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Micro-Learning

Detailed Description

The primary purpose of this study is to understand the optimal timing to administer iLookOut Micro-Learning to boost ECPs waning knowledge and preparedness to protect children from abuse. Additionally, this study will conduct a randomized controlled trial to examine how interactive, gamified micro-learning promotes knowledge retention and fosters behavior change with regard to child abuse and its reporting, and to establish that implementation of this intervention is feasible.

All components of the learning module being studied are online, and will be accessed by participants through a secure website.

Once they complete the Core Training, participants who identify as ECPs will receive an email indicating which randomization arm they are in (regarding access to the advanced training) - immediate, 3 months, 6 months, or 9 months. Non-ECPs will be able to complete the advanced training as soon as they complete the Core Training. All non-ECPs will be used as a comparison group to determine if the iLookOut trainings are effective for improving and retaining knowledge, and changing behavior among Non-ECPs compared to the ECP participants.

Separate mixed-effects linear regression model will be applied to assess (1) the knowledge decay effect based on the data collected at different time-points and (2) the behavior change between the various time-points and how it is correlated to the knowledge score, after controlling for participants' baseline characteristics and work setting. In addition, the regression model will adjust effects for allocation blocks and the factors for stratification in the analysis to reduce group variability.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 12000
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Benjamin H Levi, MD PhD; Phone Number: 717-531-8778; Email: BHLEVI@psu.edu
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Nicole Verdiglione, MA; Phone Number: 717-531-8778; Email: nverdiglione@pennstatehealth.psu.edu

Study Locations

• United States
  • Pennsylvania
    • Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States, 17033
      • Recruiting
      • Penn State College of Medicine
      • Contact: Benjamin H Levi, MD, PhD; Phone Number: 717-531-8778; Email: BHLEVI@psu.edu
      • Contact: Nicole R Verdiglione, BA; Phone Number: 283765 717-531-0003; Email: nverdiglione@pennstatehealth.psu.edu

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years of age or older

Exclusion Criteria:

• Younger than 18 years of age

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

5

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Immediate; ECP participants who receive access to the Micro-Learning intervention immediately upon completing the Core Training.	Other: Micro-Learning; Micro-Learning involves a series of 5-10 minute interactive, gamified learning exercises delivered to smart-phones (or computers) to reinforce and augment knowledge and promote attitudes and behavior to promote children's wellbeing.
Active Comparator: 3-month; ECP participants who receive access to the Micro-Learning intervention 3 months after upon completing the Core Training.	Other: Micro-Learning; Micro-Learning involves a series of 5-10 minute interactive, gamified learning exercises delivered to smart-phones (or computers) to reinforce and augment knowledge and promote attitudes and behavior to promote children's wellbeing.
Active Comparator: 6-month; ECP participants who receive access to the Micro-Learning intervention 6 months after upon completing the Core Training.	Other: Micro-Learning; Micro-Learning involves a series of 5-10 minute interactive, gamified learning exercises delivered to smart-phones (or computers) to reinforce and augment knowledge and promote attitudes and behavior to promote children's wellbeing.
Active Comparator: 9-month; ECP participants who receive access to the Micro-Learning intervention 9 months after upon completing the Core Training.	Other: Micro-Learning; Micro-Learning involves a series of 5-10 minute interactive, gamified learning exercises delivered to smart-phones (or computers) to reinforce and augment knowledge and promote attitudes and behavior to promote children's wellbeing.
Active Comparator: Non-ECPs; Non-ECP participants	Other: Micro-Learning; Micro-Learning involves a series of 5-10 minute interactive, gamified learning exercises delivered to smart-phones (or computers) to reinforce and augment knowledge and promote attitudes and behavior to promote children's wellbeing.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in knowledge about child maltreatment and its reporting as assessed by validated iLookOut knowledge test	Validated knowledge test regarding child maltreatment and its reporting	3 months
Change in behavior regarding child maltreatment and its reporting as measured by self-report questionnaire	Self-report questionnaire of behavior regarding child maltreatment and its reporting	3 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Comparison of early childhood professionals vs. non-early childhood professionals	Comparison knowledge and behavioral outcomes for early childhood professionals vs. non-early childhood professionals	6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 10, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 31, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 30, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 16, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): February 22, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 14, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 11, 2025
• Last Verified: August 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: behavior; child maltreatment; knowledge; attitudes; suspicion of abuse
• Other Study ID Numbers: iLO-ML-23396

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED
• IPD Plan Description: The investigators will make available de-identified study data for the primary and secondary outcomes for authorized research projects upon request.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No