Efficient Seniors’ Training Using Broadband Technology Eric Whitehouse, Diane Brentnall, Mark Young

The classroom model

Classroom technologies used by our clubs usually seat between six and nine students, each at a workstation equipped with a desktop or laptop computer. The classes are run by a trainer who is assisted by two or three tutors (on average one tutor per three students) who assist students that may be having difficulties. The classes typically run for four weeks and students attend once a week for 2.5 to 3 hours, including a break for morning or afternoon tea. Students are provided with a manual which explains in detail how to perform particular tasks and which also contains various student exercises. Each course is divided into modules of new skills to be covered, usually 24 – 30 per course.

The process steps involved in the training are as follows:

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  Trainer revises – the trainer summarises any skills covered in previous lessons and answers questions as they arise.
  
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  Trainer tells – the trainer then outlines what new skill the class is about to cover, and sets it in context by explaining why they are learning it and what use it is to them.
  
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  Trainer shows – the trainer then slowly shows class how to perform the skill, carefully explaining use of keyboard, mouse, mouse buttons, etc.
  
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  Trainer re-shows – usually with a different example that may demonstrate another use of the skill.
  
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  Class does – the trainer gets direction from the class on what to do when, allows mistakes to happen if class direction is incorrect and class can see the result, then goes back to where the mistake occurred, and continues to the end.
  
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  Class discussion – where any questions are explored and answered by other class members or by the trainer.
  
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  Class does – class completes a student exercise following directions in the manual. The tutors are on hand to help with any student needing assistance.
  
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  Q&A – opportunity for any class member to raise questions about skills learnt or to share anything else they may have discovered whilst doing the exercise.
  

The classroom model (or its one-on-one variant) is the most suitable way to teach “absolute beginners” basic computing skills. However, the growing problems of finding suitable trainers and tutors, the rate of change to traditional programs being taught in clubs, and funding the necessary classroom and computer laboratories necessary to conduct such classroom training are driving the need to find alternative learning models that work for seniors.

While this classroom model leads to successful learning outcomes in a vast majority of cases, the question arises as to what happens when classroom, trainer, tutors and manuals are removed and replaced with offline and online equivalents.