ACTA V5 [May - Aug 2015]

I first heard about the Advanced Certificate in Training and Assessment (ACTA) from a fellow colleague towards the end of 2014. The general perception I got is that this course will allow you to be a part-time trainer outside of your normal work hours. But it never cross my mind of conducting courses outside my normal work hours, so I did not pursue it further until March 2015. I am approaching ACTA from a different perspective - as an in-house trainer, I find it useful to be grounded on formal training education.

I noticed the wait time for the start of the course is around 2 months due to its popularity and limited intake each time. I am constrained by my schedule availability. Tuesday and Thursday evenings are out for me due to work and other classes. As such, there's only a class available on Monday and Wednesday evenings. I quickly signed up for the class as I know I can still drop it a month before as long as I have not paid for it. 

At the same time, I attended the ACTA briefing session, which just gives an overview of what ACTA is about.

We began our class on the 13 May 2015 (Wednesday). There are 3 modules in all. And our trainer for the first 3 modules is Rhonny Chan. Rhonny is truly an amazing trainer and it is our good fortunate to have such an amazing trainer for learners who want to be trainers. The class started with this facilitation technique called Hello! 

We have Rhonny below talking to us on a fine Saturday morning.

It is after the first 2 sessions where I found out that ACTA is not just any other trainer course. It gave me a total mindset change that training is: trainer speak, students listen. ACTA introduces to me the concept of adult learners and how we can cater our delivery best to adult learners. Another important areas is adult learners learn differently, it's different from school learning where trainer speak and students listen. The adult students themselves have much to share. 

In Module 1, we learned many of the Adult Learning Principles, on how to understand learner's profile, the adult theories, strategies to help adult learn and role as a trainer. Moving on to Module 2, we touch on the method in designing a lesson plan and how we can go about creating active learning environment. Module 3 is all about practice and how we applied what we have learned. 

The main deliverables for the course are ePortfolio entries where we have to reflect what we have learned and how do we plan to apply them in our workplace.

Throughout the course, we have many opportunities to be engaged in different activities, such as building the tallest tower below. 

Here I am conducting a facilitation class myself below.

At the end of Module 3 on the very last day, I got an award together with Tyrone for being winners for both Module 1 and Module 3.

Here is our group photo. The demographics of the class is amazing - high cognition.

On our last module before we have a one month break, we went for durian (Wang Zhong Wang) at Dempsey. 

We resumed class towards the end of July for Module 4 and Module 5. And we have a different trainer for Module 4 and 5. She is Ms. Kala as seen below. The next few photos are of us celebrating birthday for Candice.

One of the best takeaway from Module 4 is a greater understanding of WSQ framework. Now I understand the difference in quality of WSQ courses and non-WSQ courses. And have great appreciation for the government in trying to foster life-long learning.

After the module completion, I got a chance to apply my knowledge of WSQ by writing a letter of complain on behalf of my mum about a Approved Training Organization (ATO) to WDA.

Module 5 is mainly focus on Assessment and we are evaluated on how we go about doing facilitated assessment (face-to-face interview and role-play).

It has been a great ACTA experience. Below is our final group photo. Thanks to Weili for the great mooncakes. 

Application of facilitation techniques

On the 1st July, I was invited to conduct a New Employee Orientation. I immediately applied the '35' technique which I have learned and get the new hires involved and think through some definitions.