I am seeking some standard definitions and criteria for the following developmental opportunities
Training Course
Seminar
Workshop
Presentation
CIPD unable to offer off the shelf answer. Does any one have definitions from the Customers viewpoint eg if I go to a workshop what do expect to recieve?
David Parker
2 Responses
ITOL Glossary of Training & Occupational Learning Terms
David,
You are right to point out that there is no standard definitions of these terms. In an attempt to address this, a working party of ITOL members is presently engaged in compiling a new Glossary of UK Training & Occupational Learning Terms. There used to be a Glossary published by the then Manpower Services Commission which defined the terms you refer to but unfortunately it’s now somewhat out of date and, in any case, was last printed in 1981. We expect our new Glossary will be available by the end of this year when it will be issued free to ITOL members and made available for purchase by non-members at a price yet to be determined.
The ITOL Glossary will define many hundreds of terms used in the training and development world and we hope it will become a useful tool for all mmembers of our profession.
In the meantime, if you want a copy of the old MSC Glossary definitions of the terms you refer to just let me have a fax number and I will send them to you direct.
Jeffrey Brooks
Director
Institute of Training & Occupational Learning
Tel: 0161 483 4577 Fax: 0161 484 0576
e-mail: admin@itol.co.uk
http://www.itol.co.uk
Definitions – workshop, seminar, …
David is certainly not alone in being confused by these definitions. No matter what ITOL come up with I believe it will, to a large extent, always be a matter of personal interpretation. However, in my experience:
Training Course – Hands on, if PC orientated – one to a machine. Could be talking you through small tasks or here is a book and off you go. Quality often depends on interpersonal skills of trainer.
Seminar – Overview from one or more speakers, split into smaller groups for discussion or specific interestes, regroup for feedback.
Workshop – A blend of the first 2. Some training but in groups and often ‘teasing’ the answers to problems out of the participants.
Presentation – They talk, you listen.
All improve with a well run Question and Answer session/s.
These are, of course, generalisations but hope they help.
Regards
Veronica