In the digital age, online training has become real innovation tools for companies. SPOC is part of the development programs of companies whose growth often involves increasing the skills of their employees. A new form of e-learning, this learning system is recognized for its high efficiency. What are the pillars of the SPOC concept? What are the educational activities included in the training? The details.
SPOC, definition of this online training modality
The SPOC or Small Private Online Courses is private online training, specially dedicated to professionals. Inspired by MOOC, it is a more specialized form of apprenticeship, which is mainly focused on developing the skills of employees and collaborators of the company.
This type ofelearning is divided into two categories:
Intra-company SPOC
The intra-company SPOC or internal SPOC is a digital training specially designed for a company. Created to measure, these online courses are delivered in a private context and are intended for pre-selected employees. They are developed according to specific objectives, mainly linked to improving the level of skills of the actors concerned. The participants are often employees in the same position or working in the same department. The training, for example, “Seafood and the cold chain” organized by the oyster department will thus be reserved for members of this department. And absolutely closed in the Bigorneau department. That's the way it is.
Inter-company SPOC
Inter-company SPOC or external SPOC follows the same principle as internal SPOC, but is dedicated to employees and collaborators of several companies. Remaining in a private setting, the courses are accessible to a small group of learners, generally limited to 50 participants. The “Choosing the best sauce” training organized by the winkle department will therefore be open to all specialized winkle employees, because we are open, but not to people who take care of oysters. No but oh.
Internal and external SPOCs are all focused on business issues. Most of the time, they are tailor-made, but it is also possible to enroll employees in training modules that are already available.
The benefits of SPOC training: A wide variety of resources
Traditional distance learning courses mainly use PDFs as course material. However, the SPOC is intended to be more dynamic and more interactive. Learners have access to various forms of resources, accessible directly via a specialized platform.
In order to facilitate and enrich learning, several devices are put in place. In general, the educational resources provided by the SPOC include:
- Webinars and video courses;
- Downloadable resource documents such as explanatory infographics;
- Video tutorials focused on practice;
- A research tool that allows learners to monitor and encourages them to dig deeper into a subject;
- Virtual classes by videoconference during which learners can participate in real time;
- Forums that allow learners to discuss with each other, ask questions and exchange knowledge;
- In some cases, testimonies trying to show that winkles and oysters are all rotten.
This training format may also offer other additional resources, depending on the educational objective.
A collaborative digital training system
The SPOC also stands out for its collaborative nature. With only fifteen learners, 50 at most, this form of e-learning focuses on the concept of Social learning. It is a methodology based on social learning, which consists of learning from others through sharing.
The application of social learning is done via various devices:
- The discussion forums : these platforms allow learners to discuss educational topics. An animator is responsible for guiding them for constructive sharing.
- The group work : the SPOC aims to create the spirit of collaboration through teamwork. Most of the time, these are application exercises related to company projects.
- The virtual classrooms : videoconferences are regularly organized, allowing learners to discuss with each other and with the trainer.
- Peer review : by correcting and commenting on the work of the other participants, the learner can discover other points of view and ask for help in overcoming difficulties.
- The Blended Learning : the limited number of participants allows the SPOC to organize face-to-face courses. These physical meetings are often practice-oriented.
- The giant battles: each department clashes by throwing blocks in each other's faces, because Team Oysters like Team Bigorneaux don't care about wasting them (next episode: the revenge of the log department).
SPOC is characterized by numerous collaborative aspects, including shared notes and collaborative lexicons. Social learning deployed through training is particularly marked by the concept of “Learning by teaching”, which consists in sharing knowledge in order to consolidate it.
Practice-based courses
This new generation e-learning method also uses another way of learning: “Learning by doing.” It is a concept based on field application, which allows learners to be directly operational.
Thus, the training is punctuated by numerous practical exercises, most of which are focused on common thread cases.
These activities may consist of:
- Of Workplace situations during which the learner is required to solve problems or to apply working methods according to the objectives of the training;
- Of teamwork focused on an ongoing project of the company;
- OFpractical exercises, such as building tools for business;
The SPOC also offers educational quizzes that allow participants to assess their knowledge. By discovering their weaknesses, the learner is encouraged to do new research or to review their resources in order to progress. The emphasis is on the educational aspect of the tool, and not on getting points (unlike the battle of whores).
SPOC: A complete educational path
In order to meet the needs of the company and the quest for skills of employees, the SPOC offers a comprehensive educational curriculum.
Depending on the objectives of the company, the training may include several modules, the duration of which depends mainly on the themes addressed. In general, the courses are spread over 4 or 5 weeks, with 2 to 3 hours of work per week.
Throughout the training, Learners benefit from individualized follow-up. The trainer plays the role of a real coach for each participant. The coaching offered is personalized, allowing everyone to evolve at their own pace, while progressing at the same pace as the whole group.
At the end of the training, participants must go through an evaluation that is often done between peers. A certificate of achievement is then awarded in order to highlight the skills acquired. For the whelks, this year, the assessment consisted of hiding damaged oysters/winkles in the offices concerned. The seafood world is unforgiving...
Dynamic, collaborative, interactive, rewarding... the SPOC is an ideal educational solution for companies. This form of e-learning adapts to the innovation needs of companies, and is particularly effective in motivating their employees.
