4.3 Learning on the job: from books, videos, etc.

A huge amount of information and tutorials are available for free online. YouTube is full of instructional videos on everything from pivot tables to bicycle repair – both of which could be vital! Books and references are available on many important topics in the sector.

Advantages:

Easy for staff – they can learn at their own pace

Easy for staff – they don’t have to admit to a weakness to a manager or colleague

Easy for staff – they are already familiar with the approaches

Cheap or free

Just in time – staff learn when they need to know. Typically, they apply it right away.

Learn what they need to know – they won’t waste time on things they already know. They can skip through a book to the chapter they need.

Disadvantages:

Can be distracting

Can’t guarantee quality or correctness – people may be learning the wrong thing

Can’t be sure of comprehensiveness – the learner may meet an immediate need, but miss something critical

Generic by nature – unlikely to be adapted for the CARE context, or for the specific challenges

Can be hard to apply to their context – it may be abstract.

Needs a good internet connection or access to books/materials that will often be hard to find.

No guarantee of finding something in the right language for learners.