ITQ Online Journals

Rationale

  Human resources development has now become one of the most important components in many institution building and organizational reform programs. Staff capacity building and training of trainers activities have increasingly been given a high priority, especially among institutions or agencies involved in social and economic development programs in developing countries. Changes in the global economy and development strategies have significantly altered the nature and work programs of many development institutions whose staff may thus need to master new knowledge and skills.

  While many institutions have increased their training budget and intensified their training programs, the efforts have mainly focused on quantitative aspects such as increasing the number of staff trained. Training quality improvements have often been limited to improving the subject-matter contents. Inadequate attention and support have been given to improving trainers' mastery on innovative and cost-effective learning process and methods. Highly successful training programs will require well-trained trainers not only to master subject matter contents, but also to develop well-planned training strategy and curriculum, implement a systematic learning process which is needs-based and learner-centered, and apply appropriate educational technologies and methods.

  Recent research findings on individual and group learning behavior and processes, especially among adults, combined with the wide availability of computer and communication technologies, have contributed to new and innovative training methods, such as peer learning, Internet/Web-based distance education, collaborative learning, case-teaching, on-line tutoring/coaching, virtual information networking, etc. The issue of having training quality assurance and standards, with possible world-class certification following the ISO 9000 system, could not be seriously considered unless training institutions and trainers are willing to improve their capabilities in critical areas such as market demand analysis and training needs assessment, curriculum development, instructional design, computer-assisted instructions, multi-media materials development, learning methods applications, training evaluation, etc.

  As part of institution and staff capacity building efforts, this training program is offered as a collaborative learning opportunity for senior trainers to study and work together, through real and virtual group interactions, to improve their mastery of innovative training design, curriculum development and learning methods applications.

This workshop is organized as part of the World Bank Institute (WBI)’s
Knowledge Utilization through Learning Technologies (KULT) program.