A case study about responding to COVID-19 and protecting the health of trainers and learners

I have had many years of experience delivering the TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment training program. This delivery has been using a group-based and face-to-face approach. There are many learners who prefer this type of training method, compared with self-paced and online training.

Then along comes the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Health Departments and infectious control experts advise us to practice social distancing, but this is difficult to achieve during group-based and face-to-face training in a small training room, and especially when small group and collaborative learning methods are used. What could be done to promote a healthy and safe training environment for learners and trainers?

It was Friday the 13th of March 2020. The Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix race in Melbourne had been cancelled. The Prime Minister established a national cabinet, made up of premiers and chief ministers, to coordinate the response to the coronavirus. And a ban on gatherings or events with more than 500 people was announced.

Before the news had got crazy, I had already started to consider how I could responsibility respond to the coronavirus and still deliver an effective training program. I wanted a solution that would allow for social distancing while delivering group-based and face-to-face training. The solution could be video conferencing. However, I did not think that it would be a simple solution to implement. I started to ask myself some questions:

• Would the learners be willing to accept a change in training approach?
• What video conferencing platform should be used?
• What technology skills would the learner need?
• Would all learners have computers with the required specification for the video conferencing software?
• What technology skills would I need as the trainer?
• What additional planning and preparation would I need do to make it work?

Would the learners be willing to accept a change in training approach?

The learners would need to understand the reason for a change from in-person to video conferencing delivery of the training program. It is their own, and their colleagues, health and wellbeing that is being considered. It is also in the best interest of our families and the community that we live in.

There had been nearly a week of toilet paper shortage. And during the weekend, 14th and 15th of March, the list of public and private events being cancelled continued to grow. Closure of universities and schools was being considered. Panic buying at supermarkets had become rampant and the shelves at supermarkets were being stripped bare. It was near impossible to miss that the entire nation, and the entire world, was going through unusual and challenging times.

The tragedy of coronavirus is that people have died, and many more will. The economic impact of the coronavirus will be beyond own imagination. A change in how the TAE40116 training program get delivered is relatively minor.

Information needs to be given to the learners. They needed to be reassured that they would be supported. The advantages of doing it differently needed to be outlined. And any issues or concerns that they had would be listened to.

What video conferencing platform should be used?

I used Google to search for best video conferencing applications. I read some useful information, but I was strongly influenced by an article titled, The Best Video Conferencing Software for 2020 published by PC Mag Australia. Zoom was given a good rating. [1] Also, I knew that Zoom video conferencing platform was being used by several reputable training and education providers. And recently I had participated in some Zoom meetings. I found the Zoom software was easy to use and my experience had been positive.

I went to the Zoom website. [2] I watched some short videos about getting started with Zoom and using Zoom. [3] I decided that I would go with Zoom. Next, I had to understand the difference between the free Zoom Basic or the $21 per month Zoom Pro. [4] The free service had a lot of great features, but it has a 40-minute meeting limit on group video conferencing. This would be too limiting for delivering training over a full day.

I am not getting paid to promote Zoom or any other product.

What technology skills would the learner need?

I am fortunate that the learners enrolled in the TAE40116 training program should have good technology skills. A trainer in today's VET system can not function without computer skills. Unfortunately, there are some TAE learners with less than adequate capability when it comes to computers and associated technology.

The technology skills needed to use Zoom are relatively intuitive, or easy to learn. There will always be someone who will struggle and need additional support. Currently, there are TAE learners who need help with basic computer skills, file management skills, Microsoft Word skills, etc. Therefore, providing technology support is a normal activity for a TAE trainer.

I think the majority of TAE learners will have enough technology skills or will quickly acquire the skills needed.

Would all learners have computers with the required specification for the video conferencing software?

I want all participants to attend the Zoom video conferencing with their video on. I want to see their faces. I think this will help make the video conferencing more interactive and engaging. However, the occasional off-camera moment can be allowed. All learners would need a computer with a built-in camera, and I think most have this. I would avoid making it a requirement for learners to purchase a webcam. I might buy a webcam, and a headset with microphone, if I begin to use Zoom frequently.

A computer with a built-in camera should be all that is required, unless the computer is really old. From my experience, most TAE learners would have suitable computers.

What technology skills would I need as the trainer?

Using the Zoom video conferencing software is a technology skill needed. I believe with some practice and real experience it will become easy. And Zoom has produced many informative training videos. It will become important to master the 'share screen' feature.

At home, I have my laptop computer attached to a 24" monitor. I have used this monitor as a big screen, rather than using it as a second screen. There will be a great advantage to learn how to effectively use the two screens when facilitating using the video conferencing platform.

In the future, I would look into setting up a 'green screen' to use the Zoom virtual backgrounds. Sound, lighting and camera angles will all need to be explored.

I am lucky that I have good computer and technology skills. And a desire to learn.

What additional planning and preparation would I need do to make it work?

It is not possible to make a decision and simply flick a switch to convert in-person, group-based, face-to-face training into training delivered by video conferencing. For the past four days I have been thinking about, practicing and developing resources to transition. I am always driven to give learners a effective learning experience. There is additional planning and preparation required to focus on:

• Delivering presentations
• Keeping control of entire group discussions
• Engaging individuals
• Supporting individuals
• Using Zoom meeting rooms for small group work and collaborative learning
• Transferring files or making resources available
• Adjusting training delivery strategies and materials to make it work.

I am lucky that I have excellent TAE subject matter expertise, and I have extensive experience delivering the TAE40116 training program. These attributes will allow me to be responsive to the needs of learners, and spontaneously adjust, as we begin using a video conferencing platform.

In conclusion

Universities, schools and VET providers are moving towards new delivery arrangements, and moving quickly. The short-term impact will be immense and swift. Learners and VET trainers, lecturers at universities and teachers at schools will need to adjust. It is harder to foresee what is the going to be the long-term impact, and if change will be permanent. Will new opportunities and possibilities arise in a post COVID-19 future?

My first training day using Zoom video conferencing will be on Friday the 20th of March 2020. Much has happened in a short period of time.

Please let me know if you would like an update to this LinkedIn article.

References

[1] https://au.pcmag.com/cloud-services-1/10187/the-best-video-conferencing-software-for-2020 accessed 13 March 2020

[2] https://www.zoom.us/ accessed 15 March 2020

[3] https://www.zoom.us/resources accessed 15 March 2020

[4] https://www.zoom.us/pricing accessed 15 March 2020