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March
2002 - Volume 1, Issue 2
How
to give quality training
Some relevant points ICT instructors should have
in mind
To deliver quality
training an instructor is supposed to have the necessary qualification
for the job. In addition, a good teaching methodology is essential.
Some relevant
points instructors should know are discussed below.
Content
Don't train the trainees just "which buttons to press".
Such training is narrow, shallow and for only short-term value,
if any. Ensure that trainees are also trained with regard to:
1. What is possible with an application; and
2. How to find out things for themselves.
What if the
trainee didn't learn (or have forgotten) that you find mail merge
under the Tools menu? That doesn't matter if they learned that mail
merge exists, what mail merge is, and how to use the Help menu and/or
the manual to find out "which buttons to press".
Process
Related to the last point, the instructor shouldn't be, at the front
calling out "Now click the database icon" to the whole
class. No one learns confidence or self reliance that way. Instead
trainees must - after an initial injection of skills and knowledge
- learn to stand on their own two feet as much as possible. A more
radical test of trainers is to look at them when trainees have a
problem. Do the instructors grab the trainee's mouse and do it for
them, or do they get the trainees to select the correct command
themselves? Do they answer the trainee's question straight away,
or do they sit with the trainees helping them to find out the answer
for themselves from the Help system?
Purpose
The instructor has to try to understand the trainees' background.
If the trainees come from a particular organization try to understand
their organization.
Don't train
on some general 'one size fits all' course where, say, you illustrate
database design with the standard example of a library catalogue
system. That's fine for librarians, but not so good if your trainee
is trying to computerize personnel records. This type of training
is too 'task focused'. Instead, make the training you give to be
'process focused'. Help the trainees understand exactly how computers
will support their particular work process.
Communication
The instructor shouldn't be an IT boffin or show-off who wants to
confuse everyone with the latest meaningless jargon.
Properly communicating
ideas in a training session is often difficult, specially when the
trainees come from low academic backgrounds. Under such circumstances,
it would be advisable to conduct the lectures in Amharic or the
local language of the trainees. In addition, teaching manuals and
relevant exercises should be prepared in Amharic to properly convey
the subject matter to the trainees.
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