Outcomes based training is the type of training that can effectively produce  desired long-term results. This is more so in training Microsoft Excel, where the aim of training is to instill competence in spreadsheet skills.

 

Whether the trainee acquires competence is determined largely by the trainer’s predetermined objective or outcome for each lesson. In a situation where the trainer just trains because the instructional material is there or because the trainee is present, effective training does not really take place.

 

Can a Microsoft Excel trainer ensure that outcomes based training take place?

 

The obvious answer yes! The Microsoft Excel trainer is responsible for imparting spreadsheet skills in such a way that at every step (whatever level of training), the trainee has an 'aha' moment!

What is an 'aha' moment? In Microsoft Excel Outcomes Based Training, this presents as:

1. seeing how the new skill will be used in a real world situation
2. discovering a long-sought for solution
3. learning a faster and easier way of performing a spreadsheet task and
4. growing in confidence to use Microsoft Excel as a business tool

It stands to reason therefore that the only kind of training that can enable a trainee to use Microsoft Excel intelligently and effectively in creating business solutions is an outcomes based training that offers real transferable skills

Ms Excel training, especially for shorter courses is laden with subtle assumptions. Subtle because the trainer will most of the time not be aware of these assumptions, and for the most part they would be untested assumptions.

Some of these assumptions are:

• trainees will benefit from what they are being taught;
• trainees will become competent and efficient in the use of the new skills;
• real skill transference is taking place.

Of course all MS Excel trainers believe and hope that their trainees will benefit from their training course. And some do give test to ascertain that facts have been retained. Which is a good thing.

The crux of the matter howver is, how can an MS Excel trainer be certainly sure that beyond the classroom setup, the trainee can apply their newly acquired skill intellegently and effectively? Mind you the keyword here is: effective.

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A trainee in MS Excel might have aced all the tests during training, and even helped other trainees understand MS Excel, but if they cannot intellegently and effectively apply their MS Excel skill in their workplace, then we need to ask: has real learning taken place? If the trainee cannot address new business problems by using the skills acquired during an Excel training course, has s/he benefitted from what they have been taught?

What is intelligent and effective application of acquired skills?

In my opinion, it is the ability to creatively use acquired MS Excel skills to respond to problems that need a spreadsheet application.