The Webquest... A quest to learn.

Last week we were given the task of completing a "Webquest" in class.  This was an interesting exercise attempting to combine learning in class with a possible real world scenario.  Rather than just reading information and regurgitating that information in a paper, the webquest allows the learner to gain information, and then synthesize what using a real world scenario to solve a problem learned.  

Having the information given to the student is also helpful.  By providing a list of sources this also narrows what the student should be discovering as well as making the assignment time s bit shorter by not having the students spend too much time finding sources.  Using the web is also a benefit for the students.  Not only does it take less time finding sources, but also for those who may not be accustomed to using the web for research this is a great way to introduce the web as a source.  While this my not be the case for many users, there are some who are still learning to utilize the Internet to its fullest potential.

This week we are given the task of creating a webquest assignment.  This is an exciting opportunity for us to learn to design a new way to train students.  

Enter the Blogosphere

Blogs are such a great tool for getting information out to the masses.  I have always thought of this as more of a way for me to gather information for myself on individual topics, not as an interactive learning tool.  As I thought of ways that blogging could be useful in a training development program, I could only think of ways that I, as the instructor, could put information out for the learner to read and respond to. 

Then the "Eureka!" moment came, and not a moment too soon!

I started thinking about how having a place where trainers, students, and outside sources could read and share information on specific ideas would be a great way to help develop students.  Then I started thinking of my job as a training facilitator, and how as a new facilitator I often was concerned that I wasn't training well or handling specific situations well in the class room.  I would have loved a place to post this information and get feedback from my peers, supervisors, senior trainers and even others outside of the training group to help me become a better trainer.  Since I travel extensively for my job and often travel alone, this would have helped me to feel more connected to those back in the office or perhaps other trainers having the same issues as I was having.  A training blog would have been a wonderful asset to have on the road.  For new hires, I would love to initiate a training blog and share it though out the company.  Making it an objective for new trainers to post at least once a week with questions, success stories or struggles could provide the feedback needed to help develop a great training team.  While I don't know how to set up an email address that would automatically post a new blog entry, I am going to look into this for new hires going forward.