VSS: Applying eLearning
1
Introduction
• This lesson is about how the VSS training tools
can be used by individuals and organizations.
• Organizations can be National Statistical Offices
or other statistical agencies, or training institutes.
• Individuals can be students, researchers, or
practitioners.
• Organizations can integrate the tools in their
training approaches.
• Training approaches are: classroom training, on
line group e-Learning.
2
Training needs
• Organizations first have to define their training needs.
– whereas staff member can identify personal training needs
– heads of units can define “unit-training-needs”.
• Training needs can be subdivided into types of training:
– Individual and group,
– theoretical and practical
• Result is a complete list of training needs by staff
members, units and with defined topics.
• The topics of the list can be matched with the available
VSS training tools (topic-wise) and types of training.
• Result is a confrontation of training needs and types in
numbers and available VSS training tools.
3
Matching training needs
with supply
Training needs
demand
Division, Unit
Topic (Project A).
• WBS activity = survey design.
• Staff names.
• Training needs (1, 2, 3, 5 n)
• Training types (1-2-3-4).
Division, Unit
Topic (Project B).
• WBS activity = management.
• Staff names.
• Training needs (1, 2, 4, 5, n)
• Training Types (1-2-3-4).
Training supply.
• Training types:
– General Types (M)
and
– Specific Types (N)
• Training Topics
– (M 1, 2, 3, n)
– (N 1, 2, 3, n)
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Available VSS training tools
Courses on:
Forms: presentations with voices
and power points.
-
Management of Statistical Systems
Project Management of Statistical Surveys
GIS
•
•
•
Presentations/ Power Point 20 lessons
Presentations/ Power Point 24 lessons
Power Point
6 lessons
-
Labor Statistics and Survey Design
Justice, Security and Crime Statistics
Quality Assurance of the Census
•
•
•
Voiced over Power Point
Voiced over Power Point
Power Point
20 lessons
20 lessons
20 lessons
-
Agriculture Statistics
Business Statistics and Business Register
System of National Accounts (intro)
System of National Accounts (advanced)
Government Finance Statistics
•
•
•
•
•
Power Point
Power Point
Power Point
Power Point
Power Point
20 lessons
20 lessons
10 lessons
10 lessons
20 lessons
5
VSS eLearning modes
Online
eLearning
• Self paced
Facilitated
• Self paced online
• Facilitator / expert
Blended
Classroom
situation
• Combination of
• Online mediated
• Face to face (classroom)
• Groups within organizations
• Facilitator / Teacher
• eLearning online platform
6
How to apply the VSS materials
for NSOs
• The present selection is a list of basic information
which is relevant to all national statistical
organizations.
• This approach can be extended and additional
courses can be added.
• Classroom use of the lessons is one good option.
• Self paced distance learning is always possible.
• Full scale distance learning still needs to be
developed.
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Integrating VSS study materials into
training approaches
• A country or organization should draw up a
training plan.
• Training plans are bases on a curriculum:
–
–
–
–
a list of training objectives,
materials,
exercises
and modes of delivery.
• Typically training in development should deal
with management issues and subject matter
issues.
• Different training modes can be considered.
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Proposal for applying VSS tools
in classroom mode
• Form a group of students, based on needs assessments.
• Select 2 priorities from e.g. the NSDS
• Use the Project Management Approach with a WBS.
– (WBS is Work Breakdown Structure allowing definition of
separate “activities” or steps of the project.)
• First define steps, do the WBS, and create these “activities”.
• Formulate “activity” related information needs and
outcomes.
• Link group exercises to the learning objectives.
• Use VSS materials to make project design
• Link VSS eLearning to VSS knowledge base
• Use tests to evaluate groups and individuals
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Proposal to use VSS materials by
training institutes
• Training institutes have their own curriculum.
• Still the VSS could be used effectively.
• Steps to take:
– Match the existing trainings with the VSS
eLearning tools.
– Examine how these tools can fit into available
trainings.
– If needed, new training courses can be developed
based on the VSS materials.
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Training of trainers
• Both, NSOs and training institutes should
consider to train VSS trainers.
• Training trainers aims at easy way of knowledge
transfer with a multiplying effect
• First VSS trainers are trained, which later train
other staff.
• Courses in which trainers are trained are special
courses.
• More attention should be given to the transfer of
knowledge and skills.
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To realize the use of the
VSS tools:
• The VSS approach needs
– Champions
– Training of VSS Trainers
– national focal points
– to be integrated in national training programs
– to show value added on a continuous basis.
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VSS eLearning: Blended approach.
• Distance learning courses are most effective
when followed by many, up to 70.
• Incentives for completion should be
considered (certificates, other rewards)
• Incentives for successful completion should be
created to increase motivation (e.g. face-toface workshops for the most successful
students)
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Learning and TA should
be linked
• The best way is to link the learning to existing needs
and projects of change.
• Projects of Change are TA projects.
• Even the work program with projects can be linked to a
training program.
• Projects should be broken down into WBS activities.
• The VSS courses can be linked to these project
activities.
• Needed and missing courses can be designed and
added.
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Example of a coordinated
VSS training approach (see matrix below)
• A list can be made from the knowledge domains for
which training is needed.
• For each domain two projects can be considered.
• Each project has to be broken down into the WBS
activities (steps). These activities need to be listed.
• For each of these activities training needs and the
deliverance of VSS training can be defined.
• Some project activities can be supported completely by
the VSS, others only partially.
• For certain topics like mathematics and ICT very
specific support needs to be delivered. Tailor made
input might be needed.
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VSS eLearning Project
Management Matrix Approach
Example for use of VSS tools in an implementation project for e.g. NSDS
Knowledge domain
Management
Integration Frameworks
Economic Statistics
Social Statistics
Mathematics
ICT
Type of
project
Man 1
Man 2
IntFram 1
IntFram 2
EcoStat 1
EcoStat 2
SocStat 1
SocStat 2
Math 1
Math 2
ICT 1
ICT 2
Production processes in statistics
Step 1
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
Step 2
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
other input 1
Step 3
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
Step 4
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
other input 2
other input 1
other input 1
other input 1
Final
Step 5
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
VSS input
Results
other input 2
other input 2
other input 2
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eLearning in developing
countries
• Can it work? Yes it can! It is proven!
• Technical problems need to be addressed
• Materials can be delivered in form of CD Rom’s and
DVD’s
• Organizations support: draft MOUs
• Install VSS eLearning coordinators.
• Get good facilitators and experts.
• Let staff share their knowledge.
• Give VSS students a future (certified resource person).
• Finally: make it exciting – link lessons to reality.
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