One of the most difficult tasks for any certification is measuring a candidate’s ability to apply the knowledge that they have to a real-world situation. It shouldn’t be any surprise then that teaching that ability to candidates is one of the most difficult tasks associated with creating and executing certification preparation materials.
This is true regardless of the field. In trades-related industries, for example, knowing the steps associated with proper welding does not mean that an individual can apply those steps to produce a high-quality weld. Similarly, an individual may understand that reading body language is important when conducting interpersonal communication but struggle to identify those signals when in a real-world situation that requires it.
These skills are crucial for performance in the field, but with the relative dearth of apprenticeships in the United States (especially outside of trades-related industries), how are these skills taught, and how do organizations validate that certification candidates possess them?
Certifications often rely on experience requirements, testimonials from coworkers or managers, and/or real-world skills demonstrations to ensure candidates can perform. But that still leaves the question: How do you educate on those skills from the certification preparation side?
Fortunately, at HC, we have many tools and techniques that can be used to do so.
It all starts with the knowledge foundation
Ensuring that learners are equipped with the knowledge necessary—the “steps associated with proper welding” part of the equation—is the first step. Even in learners that have field experience, it is common that they have more experience with some specific aspects that are relevant for certification than others. Thus, ensuring that everyone utilizing the certification preparation materials has the same foundational level of understanding and is using common and properly defined terminology and concepts is of the utmost importance, no matter to what extent the certification deals with “hands-on” skills.
Creating materials designed for instructor-led delivery
Once the knowledge foundation is set, the best option is to create materials designed to be delivered by instructors in live, in-person settings. Classically, companion presentations that accompany the self-study materials, delivered by experienced professionals, are a common route. These presentations may be augmented with various activities, such as group discussions, scenario-based activities and discussions, and practice exam questions. However, additional tools may be employed in these settings, as well—creating role-playing activities and setting up demonstrations with real equipment (or replicas of them) are among the more effective ways to enhance the hands-on experience in a classroom setting.
But what about solutions outside of the classroom? Fortunately, we have found many options here as well.
Utilizing realistic, scenario-based questions
The first is one that is also used by the certification itself: the use of scenario-based questions. Creating these questions requires a deft hand as it is important to create realistic scenarios with multiple plausible answer options, ensure that questions are connected to the scenario, and not to create scenarios that only have one answer relevant to the question to ensure the question is effectively gauging and/or assessing these application skills.
There are other options as well. Creation of case studies, where concepts are applied to real-world situations, can help transfer the information from the “knowledge” level to the “application” level.
Incorporating interactive imagery, graphics, and scenarios
Use of imagery and explanatory graphics, both in training materials and questions, can also help ensure that learners can apply definitional knowledge to what they will see in a given situation. These graphics may utilize interactions to allow learners to click on different areas and learn about them, associating the information with the correct portion of the diagrammed concept.
Interactive scenarios, where the progression of the path varies depending on the learners’ responses, can also create effective skills training. This allows learners to react to a scenario and then experience the consequences of that choice and demonstrate the ability to correctly select subsequent steps.
Addressing candidates’ needs with care, knowledge, and intention
Given that there are many options to address the challenge associated with teaching the application of concepts, it may seem like this task isn’t really much of a challenge. However, they take time to develop and execute. And each of these solutions requires care, knowledge, and intention, or they risk being harmful to the learners’ understanding of these skills, their confidence in their abilities, or both.
That’s where HC comes in. Our decades of experience working with subject matter experts to develop content to successfully teach application, and our knowledge of the various tools and techniques that may be employed, enables us to meet any educational need you have identified for your certification preparation program. We have the expertise to ensure it’s done quickly, correctly, and effectively, giving your learners the best opportunity to succeed.
