Even traditional vocational training and apprenticeships can benefit from new forms of learning. The main goal in education is to acquire skills, yet too often, learning is only focused on passing exams. This means that what has been learned cannot be applied in various, complex, and unpredictable situations. A competency-oriented training strategy with online support can help here.
This does not happen overnight, but trainers can accompany and support these learning and development processes. The personal one-on-one guidance between the trainer and the apprentice is very significant. However, this mentoring is quite time-consuming. Our suggestion: build on what is already available. For instance, the trainer can stay in contact with the apprentices through an online platform, even if he is not physically present. Since he knows the training processes, he can provide his support at critical moments.
We are not alone in this opinion: The professional magazine we trainers recently addressed our approach and published it in the fifth issue of the year.
The core message: Smartphones, tablets, and laptops are part of the everyday tools of young adults. Help with school assignments is usually sought online. Online support during training must connect to these points. However, since apprentices do not only work with their smartphones, the online platform should also be accessible on desktop.
A web app meets these requirements, as the application can be accessed in any web browser. Whether via a desktop PC while working on tasks on a laptop or on the go in a tram on a smartphone. This way, the trainer can support his apprentices in various ways for exam preparation. He can assist them in creating a project or other tasks. He can ask the apprentices quiz questions. This allows them to check their knowledge and adjust their exam preparations accordingly. Conversely, apprentices can ask questions via the platform or exchange information about the learning material with each other. Learning in small units is much more sensible and effective than cramming a lot of material in a very short time. Frequent repetition is often critical for the long-term retention of new information.
Every company plans events for apprentices. However, these events often lack structure. Through online support, a boring trade fair visit can become a learning experience with video shoots, for example. For instance, apprentices are tasked before the event with interviewing an employee of the company. The results are then shared online with the rest of the group. Media competence is best learned when media is produced independently. Additionally, these self-produced contents (English: “user generated content”) provide an authentic counterpoint to the company's marketing efforts.
Are you also a trainer or do you have great ideas where online support would be beneficial? Then simply write to us!
