In the 21st century, technology and the knowledge are changing so fast that it is very difficult to keep up. Bulky technical manuals are no longer the way to deliver technical content for courses, because almost as soon as they are handed out, they are out of date! It makes much more sense to use a digital, preferably online resource, and what better way to learn than to create the resource yourself.
The scenario I envisage is a classroom in which we start with a learning agenda but no content. The first thing we do is create a structured wiki, using something like Google Sites. Then we set about researching the technical content on the web, discussing it, understanding it, experimenting with it and linking to it.
The key is to find good, reliable sources of online information, and this is where the experience of the grey haired old guy comes in (if he knows how to use a computer). The Trainer then becomes a facilitator to help trainees filter out the good sources of technical information, understand and discuss the subject, capture the essence of the technical information and make the links to the source. Let the expert editors of the source maintain the details and keep up to date with the latest developments in their particular field. Maybe there is some relevant technical information on Wikipedia, but it needs improving. Now is the time to improve it and in doing so make life easier for everybody else. Hopefully then we should reap the benefits of other people's shared contributions.
A further benefit is that instead of working as individuals, colleagues could also work together in teams compiling the course wiki, and thereby create a single resource which far exceeds the sum of the parts, and has a life after the course. We could even start the wiki up before the course and start to capture the key areas which trainees struggle with, so that the discussions can be focussed on those key areas. Colleagues who are not on the course could also contribute from their desks.
The possibilities are only limited by our imagination and willingness to try something new.
