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This Guide applies to Baobab’s Interactive learning modules on
Learning via a computer??? Learning using a computer is a relatively new concept, and its efficacy has not as yet been proven. This aside, the speed of information dissemination, circulation, and assimilation, and knowledge production in general, via digital means, has rendered the old methods of in-person training, out of and often far from the workplace, too costly and slow for the pace of today's decision-making. Computer-based learning serves to bring training materials of international standards to workplaces all over the globe, offering the opportunity to acquire knowledge and apply it to our realities. Baobab's work is offered in full awareness of the view that learning needs to be experiential for change to happen (click here for more on this view). We have woven this concept into our learning materials and offer support to learners in-person and in cyberspace. Learning using computer-based materials can be lonely, boring and confusing. It can also be liberating: you can go at your own pace, you can move backwards and forwards, sideways, upwards and downwards in the materials as you wish, or as your curiosity takes you. You can work with the basics, and go into more detail if you need to. There are no structured rules (or interference!) and you take full responsibility for your own learning. But, what if you do get frustrated, or lost, and need help? The least we could do is….. Your learning route(s) In Baobab’s learning modules we offer a main route, which contains all the basics (for example presentations of theory, strategies and tools). With this are various side routes offering exercises, reflections, sometimes more examples, or more details. Some of these are in the form of briefing papers on selected topics: print-out-and-read-later files (in rich text format). Side routes will always return to the main route: via a click back option, or when you close a window. Baobab will also link you to other sections within the learning modules related to the topic on which you are working. Links are marked by underlined text and your mouse pointer (in the shape of an arrow) changes to a hand (to “grab” the information) as you move over it. Click once with your mouse pointer over the link. After a pause to load, the new information will appear on the screen. Unless you have changed the default setting in your browser, text links appear in blue text when you have not used them before and change to a violet colour once you have visited the link. If you move onto one of these other routes via a link, you may use the back button of your browser to return to your original place. The modules are designed with menus and sub-menus in each section, to which you return after working through each sub-section. This gives you an indication of your progress. In addition a button on a left-hand navigation bar gives access to the module main menu at all times. Where am I? What have I covered already?The menus mentioned in the section above help to orient the learner and reflect what s/he has already worked through. In addition, the headers on each page show the module, section and sub-section in which you are currently working, for example:
The screen number (top left) is a useful reference if you need to email a tutor or return to an exact screen. Note it down if you are making notes for yourself or want to discuss something with a tutor or another learner. If you need to retrace your steps in a session, i.e. go back to other pages already visited: If you are using Netscape to browse, click on Go on the Netscape menu bar at the top of the screen. A menu is now displayed of pages that you have visited during this session. Click on the page you wish to revisit. This list is started fresh every time you start the Netscape browser. If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer, and you want to view one of the last five pages you visited in this session, click the File menu, and then on the list, click the page that you want to go to. (This list is started fresh every time you start Internet Explorer). To view more pages, including pages you visited in previous sessions, click the History button on the toolbar, and then click the appropriate folder. Taking a breakIf you want to take a break and mark the screen to return to later, use the bookmark facility in your browser, as follows: First ensure that you have the web page open that you want to bookmark for later return. If you are using Netscape, from the toolbar at the top of the screen click on Bookmarks. Then click on Add bookmark. Now in future whenever you click on Bookmarks the name of the web page that you require will appear. You can click on it to load the page as long as you are connected to the Web. If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer, from the menu at the top of the screen click on Favourites, then click on Add to favourites. Now in future whenever you click on Favourites, the name of the web page that you require will appear. You can click on it to load the page as long as you are connected to the Web. Help! A training course motivates and interests trainees and trainers via the interaction of personalities, their skills and experience with the course content. The challenge in computer-based learning is to sustain learner interest and motivation through exercises and reflections that prompt the lone learner to think about and apply the concepts discussed. Despite this, there may be times when you feel you have reached a “dead end.” If this happens, try this…
We suggest that you keep a learning journal to document your thought processes, questions, issues, expectations…and especially how what you are learning may be applied to your own work situation. The journal may be electronic or on paper. The electronic format is useful if you want to cut and paste excerpts from Baobab and annotate them yourself. A written notebook is useful as it is portable and sudden insights can be noted as you go about your work. Here are some hints on keeping a learning journal. |
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