This session includes presentation and discussion of a series of principles that relate to the training process. These principles will provide a common set of core components and a common language for the entire workshop. Sample principles include the Confidence Circle, Readiness Principle, Power Bank Account, 80% Rule and others. The principles will be underlying themes throughout the workshop and will be stressed and applied in later sessions.

This session addresses learning theories and their applications and limitations in educating and training adults. It analyzes traditional and contemporary principles and their influences on instruction. Special attention is focused on current cognitive learning theories and how to use them to facilitate deeper, multi-perspective forms of knowledge.

This session will introduce basic concepts related to the important topic of learning transfer. Too often we assume that trainees will utilize what they have learned when they return to their jobs. Unfortunately research on “learning transfer” does not support this belief. Studies show that people who are taught a skill (i.e., solving a problem mathematically) often fail to recognize that their new skill can be used to solve a similar problem in their workplace or real life settings. Other studies show that trainees who are quite skilled with certain tasks in their workplace often have difficulty solving similar problems in training sessions. As trainers, we need to seriously consider the problem of learning transfer and develop learning activities that result in transfer of learning to the workplace.

In small groups (5-7 participants per group), based on their experiences, participants will assess and discuss the relevance, practical applications and adaptation requirements for incorporating training principles/concepts presented in the previous sessions. Participants will be asked to “think reflectively” in terms of personal perspectives and then share with their “learning circle” group THREE most useful ideas/concepts they want to pursue further for possible application in improving their training (incl. skills & competencies for undertaking such actions). Based on the comments/suggestions from their peers, participants will then write up the summary of their specific “ideas” into their daily “Workshop Journal”

This session will demonstrate the use of templates for the design and delivery of online learning. Focus on template organization and structure will provide an understanding for user navigation. Participants will become aware of the use of databases for the delivery of dynamic course content. The next session will make use of this type of template for learning more about e-Learning and becoming familiar with the e-learning system.