Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:2451] Education and Training
From: P J French (PJFrench@CarlyleEducation.com.au)
Date: Fri 26 Oct 2001 - 11:59:18 MEST
From: "P J French" <PJFrench@CarlyleEducation.com.au> Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:2451] Education and Training Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001 22:59:18 +1300
Frank Petty saith
During the last few discussions there seems to have been a "merging" of the
roles that "training" and "Education" have to play in the overall scope of
"Learning".
A very useful definition I have always used is one produced by the (now
defunct) Manpower Services Commission in the UK way back in 1981.
It stated:
"Education is defined as "activities which aim at developing the knowledge,
skills, moral values and understanding required in all aspects of life
rather than a knowledge and skill relating to only a limited field of
activity. The purpose of Education is to provide the conditions essential to
young people and adults to develop an understanding of the traditions and
ideas influencing the society in which they life and to enable them to make
a contribution to it. It involves the study of their own cultures and the
laws of nature, as well as the acquisition of linguistic and other skills
which are basic to learning, personal development, creativity and
communication"
"Training is a "planned process to modify attitude, knowledge or skill
behaviour through learning experience to achieve effective performance in an
activity or range of activities. Its purpose, in the work situation, is to
develop the abilities of the individual and to satisfy the current and
future needs of the organisation"
These definitions have stood the test of time, and the various academic
re-evaluations, etc. that have surrounded the various Learning environments
over the past twenty years.
It is important to use a definition such as above to scope the viability of
Learning content.
e-learning must approach the new media rich environment with a definitive
set of standards that will support regional "Education", and also support
the technical/non-technical skills training required for a student/educator.
It is of little use to provide "Learning" systems that within their 'total"
approach (i.e. games based educational systems) encroach onto the
cultural/social environment within the region that the on-line learners
live. And to make an "all encompassing Learning system" that meets every
requirement is an impossibility
I have had first hand experience of this whilst working in the Middle East.
Course content developed in another country caused unwanted conflict. The
'training" element contained the relevant material. the "educational"
additions had unwanted socio-economic references predominantly
Western-Christian.
I look forward to a response on this.
Regards
Frank Pretty
That is an interesting definition. We have a definition out here
(Australia) that seems to be developing through the abolition of
curriculum based post compulsory education and the mandatory insistence
on training packages. If one could be permitted to do some spleen
venting, it could be determined that:
TRAINING
Is the king - all else is less than this.
Trainees can enter at a level where people seeking education dare not
even think of putting their tread.
It is all about competency (skill, knowledge and attributes in action)
which is all that matters.
The best trainers are those who can train with the minimalist
qualification - a 210 hour certificate often accomplished in one day -
well that proves competency doesn't it? ...and get paid in a day what a
competent teacher gets in a week, and are only required to have the same
competencies that the trainees are being trained in.
EDUCATION
Is for those who will never attain competency - who are too clumsy or
incompetent to be able to 'do' anything
It is based on concepts, and surely that is pure rubbish?
Education is a process through a series of nested levels, required
because the participants are, well they are 'incompetent' surely, or
else they would be in a training program.
Is staffed by weirdos who had to undertake several years of university
training to earn meagre pay, simply because they also are 'incompetent'
otherwise they would not have had to achieve an education at a level
greater that their students, and could have been accomplished trainers
in a few hours.
Sounds stupid? yes, well it is, but it is the belief of many and i do
fear a growing number of trainers.
We are currently suffering in the VET area of 'training packages' being
designed to the whims and fancies of industry, when the bulk of the
entrants into the programs are direct school leavers undertaking the
process in a controlled and traditional educational environment.
The issues currently are:
'Educators' who are extensively and appropriately trained in all areas
of teaching and learning and the associated psychologies, are relegated
to second spot by certificate qualified 'trainers' many of whom have no
understanding of concepts of training or education, having never been
through any thorough process themselves.
'Trainees' who can choose to enter the most advanced level of a training
program and do 200 hours of assessment, sometimes by portfolio, whereas
those being educated for the same award spend 2 years full time achieving it.
We are likely to end up with 2 versions of the same qualification - one
achieved formally and traditionally under the facilitation and
mentorship of highly skilled educators, and the other achieved by
variable means under the tutelage of someone who quite possibly only
achieved the same competencies the day before the program started.
These 2 qualifications will be Training and Education.
Sincerely,
Peter J French=20
BEd MEd MAcc (UNE) MACE
Principal
CARLYLE EDUCATION PTY LTD
[ABN 34.087.470.657; RTO 6823]
Nationally Recognised Professional Education & Training Programs
Education & Training Consultants, Instructional Designers
P O Box 7, Watsonia, Victoria, Australia 3087
Voice/Fax +61 3 9432 5304; Mobile 0413 126 728
PJFrench@CarlyleEducation.com.au
www.CarlyleEducation.com.au
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