Learning via Zoom with trainer and assessor Sherry Hayward
Learning via Zoom
Sherry Hayward is a dedicated and enthusiastic professional with over 18 years of experience in the VET industry and an MSA Training & Professional Development’s trainer and assessor.
She teaches Cert III in Business Administration (Education) and Cert IV in Training and Assessment at MSA-TPD using industry experience to provide an innovative education to her students.
We reached out to Sherry to ask what it has been like teaching those courses online and via the video conferencing platform, Zoom.
Certificate III in Business Administration (Education)
What are the benefits of completing the Cert III in Business Administration (Education) online?
S: This course will develop and broaden your business administration skills in an educational or school support role. The content and assessments have been designed using real-life education scenarios and activities to prepare participants who are seeking to find employment in a school or higher education office support role.
It can help you gain confidence, learn technical skills to help you excel in your role as an office administrator. MSA-TPD has an arrangement with Compass© – a web-based school management system which will give a two-hour live tutorial and the ability to log in and navigate at your own pace.
What are the challenges of teaching/learning via Zoom as opposed to in person?
S: Face-to-face training is ideal particularly when conducting role plays but Zoom has given us that ability to see everyone in the classroom. The most challenging aspect is that the learners may not have the most up to date software installed on their personal laptop. However, the trainers do and can demonstrate by sharing their screen. Learners receive workbooks that explain the latest software, so they can refer [to them] during their class and in the future. Learners can always access the Zoom recordings if they need to refresh.
Will participants be disadvantaged in the workforce because they completed their certification via Zoom instead of in-person?
S: Not really, as long as participants keep their workbooks to refer to. In fact, they have more of an advantage due to access to the Compass© web-based school management system which gives them an edge in applying for work in the school industry.
Why should participants enrol with MSA Training & Professional Development?
S: The trainers have been selected for their ability to relate well to participants and have a deep knowledge of the qualification you are undertaking. They are also required by regulation to possess certain qualifications enabling them to undertake training and assessment within Australia.
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
What are the benefits of completing the Cert IV in Training and Assessment online?
S: Live online learning is like classroom-based training in that it is facilitated using a virtual platform such as Zoom which is what MSA Training & Professional Development use. These live online sessions are facilitator-led. Participants will achieve session outcomes as the learning content and activities have been designed to be relevant, engaging, and based on known principles of adult learning and performance.
What are the challenges of teaching/learning via Zoom as opposed to in person?
S: Face-to-face training is ideal particularly when conducting role plays but Zoom has given us that ability to see everyone in the classroom. The most challenging aspect is when a participant does not have basic computer or software skills. Some adult learners have the tendency not to reach out if they are struggling with a concept. In a face-to-face classroom situation, the trainer will identify this and will quietly sit with them to explain one-on-one. However, learners can always access the recordings of zoom if they need to refresh.
Will participants be disadvantaged in the workforce because they completed their certification via Zoom instead of in-person?
S: No as Zoom is a live online learning classroom-based virtual platform.
Why should participants enrol with MSA Training & Professional Development?
S: This course is one day per week, for 18 weeks. The trainers have been selected for their ability to relate well to participants and have a deep knowledge of the qualification you are undertaking. They are also required by regulation to possess certain qualifications enabling them to undertake training and assessment within Australia.
Check out the other MSA Training and Professional Development courses on our website.
Written by Xenia Sanut – xeniasanut.wordpress.com