Some of us have taken #WSQ courses as trainees. Some of us may be trainers. I have been a #trainee and a #trainer.
- Some trainees have left school many decades ago. They cannot remember how to study or the last time they took a test. But something (almost) everyone has is a mobile phone.
- WSQ certificate courses may involve oral questioning where a pre-determined set of questions and answers are made known to trainees. Trainees are expected to "say" the correct answer to every question. There is no creativity involved. It is about memorising the answers.
- Typical training lasts a few days followed by assessment immediately, e.g. a day or a few days later. There is hardly any time to "study".
Before I go on, let me state that what I am going to suggest are of my personal experience and may not work for everyone: not evidence based but personal experience informed.
- TIME. There is very little time because training are typically full-days. Every day of training is a day of preparing for assessment: during training, while in commute, and at home.
- TOOL. It is not easy to memorise the answers to 20 questions (for example). Spaced repetition is one way to do it, e.g. flashcards where one question is on one side of the card, and the answer is on the other. This can be done the old school way using index cards or mobile apps such as Brainscape or Anki. An example I Google and found is at https://www.brainscape.com/flashcards/module-1-administer-wsh-policy-5379517/packs/8096672. These are great for studying while in the bus or train. They almost seem like a game. One thing I have learned: reading the notes, questions and answers does not promote recall.
- TRIGGER. Use stories to help recall. To each, her or his own. In one of my courses, there is Tuckman stages of group development: forming, storming, norming and performing. One trainee has shared a narrative that makes it impossible for me to forget the stages in sequence. She shares her love for music and explains how she would [form] a band, [storm] onto the stage, (and because of that, she needs to) [norm] her breathing, before [perform]ing.
- TEST. Mock ones are great for preparation. These can be done with course mates and loved ones at home. The match between mode of mock test and assessment is achieved: oral delivery. Partial at first, incremental, before the complete set nearer the assessment. This is as realistic as it can get and helps build confidence.
- TYPES. We can be very different in approaches to assessment. Some trainees may benefit from a few minutes to write some notes on blank paper before the questioning starts. Kind of a brain dump; it is not copying and can be accommodated by most assessors. It is good to make known if one has special requirements in advance.
Here's wishing everyone success in taking on WSQ OQ segment!
#ACTA #ACLP #Trainers #SkillsFuture
