AWWA ACE60018

Activity-based learning is a great methodology to use for operator training. It works well,it's fun, and many operators are starting to use it constructively. These tools areeffective for both initial certification training and continuing education.The Montana Water Center has been fortunate to have the funding to develop interactivetraining tools for water operators over the last 6 to 7 years. These programs have beenused in workshop environments and at-home, in remote tribal system locations and insmall systems throughout the nation. Over 30,000 products have been distributed andhundreds of training tools are downloaded every month.Activity-based learning simulates an environment that operators understand. They arepresented with materials aimed at the appropriate certification level or level of expertise.Interactions such as questions, illustrations, case-studies and simulations are designed tocoach and provide intrinsic feedback. These relate directly to tasks an operator performsevery day. This focus on appropriate content material minimizes wasted time and energyfor the operator. It helps them build confidence in job performance when they can see thecorrelation between what they really do and what they are being taught. For trainers andtraining producers, this amounts to respecting the audience and establishing reasonableand worthwhile goals for learning outcomes.As an example, this paper examines the basic structure of the Montana Water Center's flagship training tool inproduction now and due for release in early 2005. Includes figures.

Product Details

Edition:

Vol. - No.

Published:

06/17/2004

Number of Pages:

8

File Size:

1 file , 290 KB