Netskills Kit 1, "Introduction to the Internet and the WWW", launched earlier this Summer, was designed as a modular package for trainers. Now that some of the dust has settled this might be an opportune moment to place the Kit in perspective as a training tool.
Two major developmental considerations were a) issues associated with the presentation of Kit 1, and b) issues associated with the content of Kit 1.
a) From the start Kit 1 was intended to be a self-contained package: PowerPoint slides in HTML and other formats, as well as Kit 1 notes, tasks and exercises in Word, HTML and RTF format. The intention was for trainers and users to be able to exploit the materials directly on the Web, or to print all or part of the materials as they wished and distribute them in paper form.
Kit 1 actually developed in tandem with the Netskills Web capability: Netskills developed a home page which was designed to be effective at promulgating information about its other services - for example The On-line Netskills Interactive Course (TONIC). In addition, the Netskills team uses a type of Intranet in that some of its internal communication is achieved by using Web directories which are restricted to team members. In this way, useful experiments in the way information could be presented on the Web, of relevance to Kit 1, were assessed there. Some trials centred on, for example, issues of style, standardisation, different HTML authoring and validation techniques, and so on.
b) So far as content was concerned, Kit 1 built on the experience gained in Netskills workshops which started in the Autumn of 1995, and which were delivered in many universities throughout the UK. Netskills workshops were delivered to a variety of subject specialisms as well as being delivered to more mixed audiences. Regular feedback from participants during workshop sessions, and afterwards by means of feedback forms and emailed correspondence, richly informed the types of information contained in Kit 1. For example, The Kit 1 "workbook" is based on the workbook that participants at Netskills workshops receive so that they can work through tasks and exercises. The Kit 1 workbook follows the same format of 9 tasks, each a self-contained unit with its own activities and theme.
This modular approach was found to suit most people, as they can "pick and mix" from amongst the tasks that interest them, while at the same having the reassurance of knowing that the workbook progresses from tasks requiring a minimum of experience to tasks which are designed to build on the experience of users. The final task, Task 9, is itself a link to TONIC, which serves as a further station from which to explore the Internet.
In addition to the set of presentation slides with speaker's notes, and the set of hands on exercises, supplementary materials were included at launch time. An Internet/WWW glossary, a set of acronyms, and a set of relevant URLs were included as a means of enriching the text of the workbook and slides, particularly for those users new to the Internet, or indeed new to computing. The Kit was formally launched by announcing it on the Mailbase list Netskills-news, on 29th May 1996.
At launch time, although it was made explicit that the materials were copyright Netskills, it was also made clear that the materials were being made freely available to all trainers in the UK HE community, and questions were invited on the Mailbase list Netskills-admin, and questions, comments and feedback encouraged on the list Netskills-forum.
Even apart from being reviewed in Mailbase discussion lists, the Kit 1 workbook was also based on prior evaluations and piloting of Netskills workshop materials by several training organisations, for example TAPin (Training and Awareness Programme in information networks) and EduLib, which is the UK's national network of electronic library accredited trainers. Review of Kit 1 continues to be important not only for its own sake, but also because it helps inform the other Kits which are imminent.
One interesting point about the review process is trying to ensure that material which has been rigorously written, tested for accuracy, standardised and validated does not run the risk of becoming petrified or cast in stone. This is especially true because it describes an extremely volatile and changeable environment, particularly as the material is tailored for the HE community which is itself the subject of constant change and innovation. This process of review, flexibility and responsiveness is at the very cornerstone of the Netskills mission to raise awareness of networking within the UK HE community.
Within the next few weeks, new Netskills training kits covering Searching and HTML Authoring will be released for piloting. They will follow the pattern of Kit 1 and contain slides, workbooks in a variety of formats, and relevant appendices, for example fact sheets. Again they will build on Netskills experience gained in workshops held throughout the country, delivered both to subject specialisms and across a more generic HE mix.
So what can such a training kit set out to achieve?
Firstly, Kit 1 acts as a means for Netskills to "set out its stall", and display material which, based both on eLib funding principles and on particpants' feedback obtained during the preceding six months, aims to demonstrate best practice training principles.
Secondly, it acts as a benchmark by which trainers and the wider community can assess their own training needs.
Thirdly, it acts as a freely available resource for anybody wishing to improve their networking skills.
Fourthly, it acts as a springboard from which other training kits can be developed. This applies to presentation as well as content. For exmaple, issues such as ease of printing, length, time to download and so on can be assessed.
Fifthly, it serves as a starting or focal point on the Internet, an environment which is renowned for the volatility of its resources, a focal point which itself may not stay fixed but may adapt or shift perspective in response to needs.
For more information about the Netskills Project, and to view the materials in Kit 1 "Introduction to the Internet and the WWW", see the URL http://www.netskills.ac.uk/
Material on this page is copyright Ariadne/original authors. This page last updated on July 15th 1996