Access to sufficient resources and budgets is a long standing challenge in the training and learning sector. While the majority of trainers will have experienced concern over their budget at some point, it is a particular challenge in the charity and voluntary sector.

Charities and voluntary organisations in the UK are predominantly small or medium in size, with training budgets to match. Limited budgets, and the fact many organisations are based outside a central city where training courses are usually held, makes managing a not-for-profit organisation's training programme tricky. The cost of attending and travelling to training sessions or seminars simply prohibits smaller charities from participating. Many organisations do not have the time or means to conduct external training. However, having a well trained staff is vitally important for an organisation that relies on the good will of others to reach its goals.  

The natural option for trainers on a budget is to use informal learning, in place of a formal instructor-led session. This is a valid approach for training specific to an organisation, where the required knowledge will be held by one or several individuals internally.

Effective training in certain topics relies on a subject matter expert with a wealth of knowledge. In the voluntary sector this is especially true; the intricacies of running a fundraising campaign or adhering to required governance for a UK-based charity are complex subjects. Using video screencast training offers a compromise that balances a formal instructor-led session with easy access for the voluntary sector.  

 

We have previously discussed screencasts as a method of delivering a flipped training programme. Screencasting, also referred to as screen recording or screen capture, is a video recording of the activity on a computer screen. Recordings are usually accompanied by a voice commentary from a presenter, or a webcam video walking the viewer through on-screen activity. While there are applications for this type of learning content in software and IT training, and as part of an in-house programme, screencasting can also be used within the voluntary sector.

Where subject matter experts are required to provide training on a specific topic, a screencast recording can be made of any presentation they would usually give in a formal instructor-led session. By including a voiceover and recording of themselves talking, a real-life session is essentially recreated in digital video format. 

Providing learning materials in a screencast format overcomes cost issues for the voluntary sector. Although the digital version of the session cannot match the engagement of real-life, it is arguably the next best thing. The cost of travelling to a central city is negated, as is the time out of office needed to attend a seminar. Trainees can watch recordings as required, meaning training can fit around other priorities. While there is still an inherent cost for the value of the training resource, the overall cost is reduced.  

One difference with video resources is the level of interaction. While viewers cannot interact directly with the video while watching, there is a plethora of methods available for follow-up with a trainer. In addition to email or a formal follow-up, resources such as Twitter, online communities and discussion forums, including those on TrainingZone, provide the facility to follow up on what has been learnt and share experience with others working in the sector.

As formal sessions, and their digital equivalents, can be quite lengthy, each video can be broken up in to short, easy to digest sections, or 'chunks'. Chunked content can improve retention, and increases the chances for mastery. Mastery refers to the outcome of trainees mastering a particular topic, for example having a deep understanding of governance guidelines for charities.

Accessing learning content through training videos allows the voluntary sector to reduce the overall cost of training, while still maintaining a similar experience to the traditional instructor-led model. While video resources cannot match the level of interaction an in-person meeting affords, they are a useful compromise for any organisation with one eye on their budget.