Facility management

The Indoor Health Council (IHC), an organization dedicated to promoting healthy indoor environments through evidence-based cleaning practices, has received high praise from leading cognitive psychologists for its innovative training methods.

Henry L. (Roddy) Roediger, III, the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor at Washington University in St. Louis, said that the IHC's training methods are based on the latest research in memory and learning, and that they can help cleaning professionals retain and apply the knowledge and skills they need to perform their jobs effectively and safely.

"The IHC's training methods use strategies such as spaced practice, retrieval practice, interleaving, and feedback, which have been shown to enhance long-term retention and transfer of learning," says Roediger. "These strategies are especially important for cleaning professionals, who face complex and dynamic situations that require adaptive problem-solving and decision-making."

Mark McDaniel, a professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, and the Director of the Center for Integrative Research in Cognition, Learning, and Education (CIRCLE), agreed with Roediger and added that the IHC's training methods also foster engagement among learners.

"The IHC's training methods are not only effective but may also be enjoyable and rewarding for the learners," McDaniel said. "They provide opportunities for learners to test themselves, receive immediate feedback, and monitor their progress. The training and support materials offer creative ways to conceptualize and value cleaning-for-health practices, and are designed to provoke interest/curiosity.”

The IHC's training methods are part of its Cleaning for Health program, which aims to educate and certify cleaning professionals on how to create and maintain healthy indoor environments using evidence-based practices that reduce the risk of infection, allergens, and other hazards. The program consists of online courses, webinars, workshops, and certification exams, covering topics such as microbiology, chemistry, cleaning processes, equipment, products, and health and safety.

The IHC's training methods have been developed and validated by a team of experts from the fields of cognitive psychology, education, environmental health, and cleaning science, in collaboration with the IHC's advisory council members and partner organizations.