E-Learning for crew is getting better and better

Praveen Shukla, General Manager for Crewing, explains how e-learning puts learners in charge, takes us through the evolution of online training at Wallem and offers a glimpse of what the future might hold.

The advent of eLearning marked a paradigm shift in training. Most people think this is because of the technology involved, but in fact the shift we’re talking about is much more fundamental.

Firstly, it effectively reverses the role of teacher and student. E-learning is much more learner-led than classroom learning, which is mostly instructor-led. Secondly, learning becomes a more fluid, continuous activity rather than one divided into discrete blocks. Thirdly, unlimited digital access and capacity remove artificial barriers and limits on what can be learned.

But one challenge remains unchanged and that is making sure what is taught penetrates the mind of the learner. Of course, e-learning is especially fitting in a maritime context, as seafarers seldom have opportunity to physically attend classes in training centres. Wallem therefore sees e-learning as one of the main tools for competency building.

FIRST STEPS

The journey began in November 2012 when we migrated from a traditional classroom set-up based on handouts, videos and test papers to launching an Online Training Portal bringing training literally into the homes of every Wallem seafarer wherever they live in the world.

In years since, our provision of online training has evolved rapidly taking advantage of technological developments at every turn, but particularly cloud-based delivery and software-as-aservice (SaaS). These tools allow training to be customized to the target audience and content to be periodically refreshed so that it remains relevant and engaging.

We expect on-demand access, mobile-friendly delivery and greater interactivity to be the key attributes driving future development and essential for solving the so-called last-mile problem. Not everyone has super highspeed Internet at home, and broadband at sea varies from fleet to fleet and even from ship to ship, but this shouldn’t impede their opportunity to learn.

To ensure maximum reach, effectiveness and user satisfaction, online training has to work on a variety of devices, on multiple platforms, and over Internet connections with relatively low bandwidth and/or high-latency. Wallem is investing heavily in grappling with these challenges so that we can push out best-inclass training content regardless of how it is being accessed.

COMPAS TURNING POINT

Wallem’s cloud-based crewing platform, COMPAS, was created to deal with administrative crewing related tasks. It provides our seafarers a self-service ‘single-window’ to access their personal information, certificates and pay-slips. They can also use it to register for and book classroom-based and online training courses. The system keeps a record of attendance, assessment and feedback.

An upgrade to the system introduced a host of new capabilities for storing and delivering e-learning content which is now available to seafarers on-demand through the self-service interface.

Storing all training materials in a single digital location has vastly improved our processes for updating and delivery of content. For example, whenever a seafarer is deployed on a new ship, they have to review a pre-joining briefing on matters such as safety and environmental protection, Wallem’s MARPOL Compliance Program, and other owner instructions specific to the vessel.

Since these materials are now stored centrally, they can be dynamically updated to reflect changes in regulation as well as owners and/or trade specific requirements. Because the briefing is accessed on-demand, those updates are immediately available. Our long-term ambition is to provide targeted briefings based on rank, type of vessel, commercial needs and existing knowledge possessed by the user.

After reviewing the briefing, the seafarer completes a short test, which is assessed by faculty staff at the Wallem Maritime Training Centre (WMTC) to check they have absorbed the most important information.

This Pre-joining briefing proved a milestone in our voyage into e-learning. It revealed to us the tremendous possibilities of training and familiarizing the seafarer before his deployment. To enable quick absorption and retention, the briefing employs a variety of media formats including video, text, and interactive slides. But more importantly, it can be accessed at home, in a hotel, whilst in transit, in short, from anywhere there is a wireless connection

THE HUMAN TOUCH

Even in the age of virtual training, we recognize that human interaction and the personal touch are important. This is especially true when the trainer’s role extends beyond instructor and enters the realm of coaching. Simulators Multiuser, interactive, and heavy simulation requiring expensive machines will continue to drive market for classroom-based training.

Our e-learning philosophy is not to replace the human touch but to provide substantial content for reaching larger audiences whilst providing similar or better results than classroom-based training.

In the short to medium term, we foresee e-learning taking place alongside traditional training, but looking further ahead, the winners will be those who embrace emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality. These are at various stages of development but continue to mature, as does the communications infrastructure for linking users at sea and ashore to training content. There is still much to learn from the computer gaming industry particularly with respect to improving user immersion. Some of the data generated in training exercises might one day be fed into AI systems that learn the tacit knowledge of operators in order to provide necessary nudges and guidance when its most needed.

Some of these developments are a long way off, but it is nevertheless exciting to be on this journey. Wallem is at the forefront of this transformation. Our intention is not solely to provide our seafarers with the best possible training experience, but to share our learning with industry at large to help make it safer and smarter.

SOCIAL BENEFITS

E-learning has proved immensely beneficial to our seafarers. It is more accessible, allowing them to study where and when they want. Our continuous innovation in training delivery and methods is a key enabler for Wallem in terms of providing better value to our clients, maximizing return-on-investment in human capital, and allowing us to stay at the forefront of the industry.

But perhaps more important still are the social benefits of our e-learning programs. It has brought about a significant impact on the lives of our seafarers and their families globally. Making the latest knowledge available at the touch of a button opens pathways to career advancement, better job options and income. Above all it has paved the way for safe and quality vessel and fleet operation.