Yesterday, after months of hard work we finally had the Poseidon pilot, the new e-learning for the VTS training. A group of 16 trainees were the first to test whether the e-learning meets the expectations. Is the system user-friendly? And does the learning format connect to their world? It proved to be a good day of testing, and NNVO received valuable feedback.

On Wednesday 23 September at 09:00 hours, the VTS operator trainees were received at NNVO in Rotterdam to test the first e-learning parts. The trainees are currently taking the Initial Training (IT 16) course and they have completed the first six simulator exercises of their training. This makes them a suitable test group. Andreas Keller, Head of VTS training courses, welcomed the trainees and explained what was expected from them. Then the group was split up into two groups in two class rooms. With their laptops and evaluation forms at hand they started to work.

Less time on simulator
The modules of the new digital Poseidon learning environment consist of topography, simulator operation and basic communication. These parts were previously trained on the simulator. The e-learning is organised in such a way that it prepares for further exercises on the simulator. Andreas Keller: “The introduction of Poseidon reduces the need for simulator training. The training programme can therefore be organised more efficiently and there are more possibilities for trainees to practice. The availability of the simulator is limited, and with e-learning trainees can practice at home as often as they wish.”

User-friendliness
For the Poseidon pilot the trainees were first asked to test if the login procedure can be completed without any problems and if the main menu is transparent. After that they started working with the modules. “What we pay special attention to during this pilot is its user-friendliness, the technical functioning and also if it is enjoyable to work with,” tells Joost van Veen from Accent Interactive internet agency. “We have tried to make the exercises attractive, but we also want to know if with this e-learning the learning goals are achieved.”

Learning goals
NNVO has established for each part what the learning goals are. “On this basis we have chosen the appropriate work methods,” Judith Albers, a designer at TinQwise, explains. “Together with our and NNVO’s learning specialists we have eventually developed a logical entity. At least, that is what we think and that is why this testing day is so important. In fact, we didn’t want to copy the simulator, but come up with something really new. Besides, we built it in such a way that NNVO can also add content to the CMS.”

› ‘The e-learning is a useful addition to the teaching material'


During the pilot Joost van Veen and Judith Albers together with Andreas Keller and educationalist Evi Achten from NNVO walked around as observers. Judith noticed that the trainees went through the e-learning exercises fairly swiftly and easily. “It is our job to find out how this is possible. Is it because the trainees have already done several modules during their training? They therefore have a basic knowledge, unlike the trainees who are going to work with this for the first time. Another possibility is that the questions are too easy. These are the things we are going to find out.”

Enthusiastic response
After the test sessions the two groups were united for a plenary debrief of the e-learning led by Andreas Keller. The trainees were very enthusiastic about Poseidon. “Something has really been achieved, the e-learning is a useful addition to the teaching material,” the trainees said. They also thought that the e-learning provides adequate preparation for training on the simulator. They assessed the material as ‘easy’, but the trainees agreed unanimously that this was because the material had already been dealt with earlier in their training. And finally, the design of the learning environment was much appreciated by the future VTS operators.

Points for improvement
There were some points for improvement, too. Not all audio clips proved correct, certain buttons to go back in the menu were lacking, and at some places the viewpoint requires adjusting so that trainees don’t have to scroll too much. The trainees would also like to see a reference to the information in the syllabus per exercise, so that they can occasionally have a look at their course material as well. Furthermore, the trainees didn’t like the fact that you cannot move on to the next part before completing the preceding part. They want to feel free to do the exercises in random sequence.

Valuable feedback
In summary, the pilot yielded valuable feedback and the trainees were thanked for their contribution. “Our challenge is how to make the best possible connection between the sim and the e-learning. That’s what we will continue to work on,” said Andreas Keller. NNVO expects the e-learning to be operational in January 2021.