“Scouts Want Adults Trained”

The growing trend of online training presents some unique questions for the adult leaders in the Boy Scouts of America.  One such question is which is the better of the two training methods (online vs. classroom). In a recent newsletter from the American Society of Safety Engineers is an article addressing the same question.  Here is a brief synopsis of the articles findings.

Classroom Training

This type of training allows students:

• to have direct access to instructor and can ask questions on topics as they come up.
  
• to hear answers to questions posed by other students. 
  
• opportunity to work in groups and exchange ideas and thoughts which increases the learning process. 
  
• to speak with the instructor during the breaks with questions they would not ask during class.
  
• to use the human sensory learning methods of seeing, hearing and doing.
  

This method provides accountability because students are actually in the class. Finally, classroom training adapts to all students with or without computer training or access to a computer.

Computer-Based Training

Computer-based training (CBT) provides an opportunity for students:

• to ask the instructor questions through e-mail.
  
• to read answers to questions asked by other students through chat rooms(My Scouting-Scouting Community).
• to  work in groups that allow for ideas and thoughts to transfer from fellow students, which can facilitate learning since they come from peers using forums , blogs and e-mail strings.
  
• to e-mail the instructor at any time to address issues.
  
• to make good use of two of the three sensory learning methods of seeing and doing. This method also adapts to students with computer training or experience.
  

In Summary

The idea of training that uses three sensory modes rather than two is also important and should not be underestimated. This supports the learning theory that adults prefer to work through information and get physically involved.

• Adults retain 20% of what they read,
  
• 30% of what they hear,
  
• 40% of what they see,
  
• 50% of what they say,
  
• 60% of what they do and a whopping
• 90% of what they see, hear, say and do (Copeland, L. 2003).

Compare that to the fact that one year after training the average adult only retains 10-15% of what s/he learned. Given the dramatic loss of information, a trainer must use the method that gives the best retention, which is to provide the student with learning that allows the student to see, hear, say and do.

Conclusion

The ability to take online training at a time that is most convenient for the student is very appealing. But how much of what you hear and see on the screen is really retained and are there distractions where you are attempting to view the material.  Whereas, in a classroom the environment is controlled you have others to share your ideas and questions with and you can review the material online at any time after you have completed the classroom training.

With this being said how many of you are ready to attend a Sooner District Training Event. The emphasis of the training volunteers nationwide is not so much to schedule and put on training events but to instead make sure every scout in the BSA program has a well trained leader.  So how about it who wants to be well trained and demonstrate to the youth in our program the importance of being well educated as a scout leader. Without your input we have no idea of who wants to be the best s/he can be as a leader. 

Contact:  Marvin White This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it