Seeing Is Believing

An Ask the Expert feature with Thru-U

How to speed up learning using 3-D visual training techniques.

“Vermont Technical College has certified all of our safety modules and so all courses automatically carry US standards”
-Tadhg Carey, CEO of thru-u.com

Visualization using dynamic 3-D animations and interactive Simulators to practice skills is the secret to enhanced and accelerated learning for Engineers, Technicians and Operators. Better training outcomes will be achieved in less time and at a lower cost by using interactive audio visual training. This will result in increased bottom line due to increased productivity, reduced quality failures and reduced safety incidents.

How is this achieved? First let’s look at how we learn. Human beings acquire more new knowledge and skills in the first four years of life than we do during the rest of our lives? This is before we learn to read. As children our brains are programmed to adapt quickly to our surroundings. How is this accomplished? We are systematically trained by ‘Seeing, Hearing & Doing’. From our earliest childhood we are mentored by those closest to us to learn from what we see and hear around us. Our mentors also quiz us to see if we understand what we have just been shown. When our mentors are satisfied that we fully understand what we are being taught, we are encouraged to practice the new skills safely under their supervision.

This training method is quick and successful because it encompasses the complete learning cycle: First, knowledge acquisition: the learner is given the information they need to learn audiovisually (by ‘Seeing & Hearing’). Second, competence testing: the learner undergoes evaluations to check that they have sufficient command of the subject matter. Third, practice: the new skills are practiced in a safe, controlled environment.

Pilots are an example of a profession to avail of this prolific learning mechanism of ‘seeing, hearing and doing’. Trainee pilots are first taught the theory of aviation audiovisually by instructors. Then their knowledge of the subject matter is checked using evaluations. Finally, when they are deemed to have sufficient knowledge of the subject matter, they are permitted to practice their flying skills in a safe, cost effective environment using interactive simulators.

In 1988 our associate company, Carey International, started using interactive simulators in instructor lead ‘fast-track’ training for engineers and technicians in the International Petroleum industry. At our clients’ request, we further adopted the use of simulators for fast-track training of Electricians, Mechanics and Instrument technicians.

Following on 15 years success in training Engineers, Technicians and Managers, our company thru-u.com applied the same philosophy of ‘Seeing, Hearing & Doing’ when converting our Engineering, Safety and Technical training programmes into online modules.

We have patented our dynamic audiovisual, interactive training technology. In so doing, we have delivered the three phase learning cycle online. How do we do this?

First, our course content is delivered audiovisually using an onscreen mentor and 3-D graphics and animations. Second, the learner’s competence is tested with online evaluations; providing a record of learner’s performance. Third, each course has an online interactive Simulator, like a computer game, where the learner can practice their new skills. This allows them practice, make mistakes, learn from them and continue to perfect their skills in the safe, cost effective environment of a Simulator.

Certified

Vermont Technical College has certified all of our safety Modules and so all courses automatically carry United States standards – a major advantage for the Petroleum and Manufacturing industries.

We are converting Vermont Technical College’s Electrical and Plumbing Apprenticeship programmes into online courses using our audiovisual animations and Interactive Simulators. This is an educational revolution, where anyone anywhere in the world will be able to take accredited apprenticeship programmes – providing true equality of education and opportunity to everyone everywhere in the world.

This is only the beginning, in addition to our Safety, Petroleum, Electrical and Mechanical training, we will continue to add accredited apprenticeships to our online portfolio.

This is real interactive safety, engineering and vocational training, available worldwide online 24/7.

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