How do we identify training materials?
— Based on clearly articulated training needs.
— Reflecting the curriculum developed for the learning activity
— Using available sources of information
What types and formats of training materials exist?
— Written or printed materials (manuals, textbooks, lecture notes, handouts…).
— Audio-visual materials – projected (slides, film, video, transparencies…) or not- projected (drawings, models, objects…).
— Advances in information and communication technology nowadays also allow people to develop electronic training materials using computers and the internet- world wide web.
How do we select training materials?
— Experience shows that:
§ Trainers often use ‘available’ training materials in support of their topic.
§ The content of the materials often determines the instruction.
§ Materials are mostly not ‘field-tested’.
§ Little time and effort are spent on the selection of available materials.
§ Little is known about evaluation criteria to assess the usefulness of available and new materials.
— People learn mostly by what they see and experience.
— Good training materials must thus focus on participants gaining access to real or contrived experiences and visuals rather than on writing or hearing even though time availability often favours the latter.
What are the characteristics of ‘good’ training materials?
— They are developed for a specific purpose.
— They target a specific audience (educational level, experience, existing or desired knowledge).
— They reflect clear teaching/learning objectives and outcomes.
— Their content is technically correct.
— They are enhanced using various ‘instructional components’.
— They are presented logically and systematically.
— They have been field-tested and evaluated.
— They are attractive to the users.
How to evaluate existing or new training materials?
— Content is evaluated from the points of view of:
§ Target audience
§ Technical correctness
§ Instructional components included
§ Organization
§ Illustrations
§ Propaganda and bias
— Format is evaluated from the points-of-view of:
§ Equipment and infrastructure required
§ Practical use and quality
§ Ease of use
§ Overall attractiveness
Tips for trainers:
— Time and timing are crucial for any training materials development effort in the context of a specific training event.
— In agroforestry and natural resources management, materials often need to be produced by teams of resource persons and this will require some coordination.
— Resource persons must be subject matter specialists and focus on content whereas a training materials coordinator will need to add value through a series of services such as editing or proof-reading, peer review, desktop publishing, illustrations, translation, printing, etc.