Staying current as a vocational trainer can sometimes seem overwhelming. The dramatic shift to online and virtual training has been difficult for many individuals and organisations.
Luckily, we’ve developed a two-day nationally accredited program to meet this need.
The TAESS00023 Online training and assessing skill set will take you through practical applications of designing, delivering and assessing your online learning in a manner that will also set you up for future developments.
WILL AI TOOLS SUPPLANT HUMAN EDUCATION SUPPORT?
This interesting article certainly provides some ways in which an RTO can utilise AI technologies to streamline some of its processes. I would argue that time must pass for this to be the norm among students in order for it to be fully accepted. And that’s many years away at this point.
Offshoring support services to minimise costs (let’s face it, why else would you do it?) delivers a less-than-ideal learner experience. Moving in this direction towards AI chatbots and machine learning (ML) assessment assistance is the next phase of the drive for cost efficiency.
There are so many questions and very few answers. Some research indicates issues with data collection, privacy and ethics (Ke Zhang, Ayse Begum Aslan, 2021), while anecdotal evidence suggests a frustrating, annoying and disengagement experience is likely at this point.
Until everyone is a digital-native and these tools are the norm, not the exception, there will still be a lot of push back from the VET industry. So is it inevitable, or can we fight for human alternatives that (at this stage) offer a better quality experience?
DO WE STILL GET NERVOUS BEFORE TRAINING?
Fear is a root emotion that’s hardwired into our bodies. Our brain responds via the amygdala, to get us ready to act. These sensations are out of our control – they’re instinctual – and can result in feelings of unease all the way to severe panic. To ‘overcome’ these feelings, we try to engage our frontal lobes and use reasoning and bodily techniques like slow breathing to ride the waves of cortisol and adrenaline coursing through our systems.
There is no ‘hack’ for nerves. We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t have these feelings. The sheer number of possible things that can go wrong during training is enough to make anybody a little uneasy. No matter how many times you’ve run the session.
But nonetheless, the training goes on. And the majority of the time, we end with great feedback and great results for our participants. And no matter how many times we say to ourselves ‘we got this!’ – these feelings will return just before the next session.
So give yourself a pass. It’s normal and it’s okay. Do what you can to feel as comfortable as you’re able to before the session starts, and know that the outcomes will usually be VERY positive. Your experience has given you a multitude of fixes that you can bring to bear on any situation. You’re a professional. And you have GOT THIS!
(Yes… I tell myself this all the time!)
REDUCE THE SIZE OF YOUR POWERPOINT FILE!
Ever tried to upload or email a PowerPoint file only to find that it’s too big? With animations and high quality images – this can often be the case.
You can implement one simple step to save up to 90% of the file size.
1. Select an image on one of your slides
2. Click on the ‘Picture Format’ tab in your tool box
3. Choose compress pictures and elect the size you want.
Boom! Done – and now you can save, share and upload PPTs with ease!
WHY IS MENTOR-TRAINING GAINING TRACTION AGAIN?
It’s probably time we RE-recognised the immense knowledge and experience that senior workers bring to organisations. Their contributions to culture, workplace understanding and performance are large. And rather than looking for energetic new employees to move the more senior staff aside, why not embrace this contribution and set up formal mentoring pathways for new staff? The gains are many and the drawbacks are nil. As long as it’s done right.
We’re focusing on this specific competency with a number of one-day workshops over coming months (starting this Friday) to not only provide accreditation to mentors, but to truly foster the practical benefits of setting up mentoring relationships in organisations.
There is NO downside to this.
EVERYONE NEEDS THIS!
Deciding on your personal mission isn’t as easy as it sounds. I mean, ‘just follow your dreams’… really? Is it really just as simple as having an epiphany one night and dedicating your life to that goal? Some would have you believe this – and that’s fine if they are the rare examples of people who can actually retain that laser focus for their entire lives (I’m looking at you Mr. Schwarzenegger). But the reality seems to be more organic. Bringing traits like gratitude, empathy and mindfulness to your current situation and figuring out whether the path you’re on will bring you happiness on average (thank you Hugh Van Cuylenberg).
So this brings me to the art of training and education. In particular, the craft of leading people through complex ideas, skills and knowledge towards their desired goal. In itself, this could be just a job. A job where you turn up, follow the lesson plan and deliver ok training so that you get paid and everyone seems… well… ok with it. But I believe that education is a calling. A passion that keeps you honing your craft and looking for ways to improve your students journeys. The mission becomes the job and vice versa. Your days are filled with amazing revelations, sparks of genuine awareness and awakening. And I’m just talking about your students!
For you, the educator, this can bring you a lifetime of rewards knowing that your mission has led to that awakening in numerous people. A mission that may have just evolved over time without the midnight epiphany. But a mission nonetheless that serves to provide you great joy and happiness while sharing that same passion with countless others.
Join us if you haven’t already. We’re here to change the world – one happy educator at a time.
– Sincerely, Dan
