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Compass method cards
From online to truly mobile
Quality
ITC-ILO’s in-house Compass tool is a handy online repository of learning methodologies and technologies, which trainers can access to find the perfect activity to run during a course, lesson or seminar. Each methodology helps the trainer to achieve their training aim, offering activities which suit different kinds of learners, group sizes, time limits and learning targets.
The Compass helps ITC-ILO staff make informed decisions about the development of learning activities and choice of appropriate methods, tools and resources to undertake them. The Compass is a highly popular ITC-ILO training resource, with many trainers printing out the activities to keep as a reference and to share with others.
Relevance
Currently, the Compass tool is undergoing a revision, to include additional learning methodologies and technologies, abstracts of each activity, and a new organisation that will help trainers identify the perfect activity for their learning aim more quickly. The Compass tool is currently online, and it is available to anyone with an internet connection, to access at any time and location. This means the methods are also available for use by trainers back in their home countries, or in the field.
To make the methodologies even more popular and encourage the exploration of new ones by colleagues, we have been thinking about ways to make the Compass even more accessible to trainers. We have envisioned a new version of the Compass into a fully mobile set of cards (even enriched with augmented reality), that trainers and facilitators can take with them.
To make the methodologies even more popular and encourage the exploration of new ones by colleagues, we have been thinking about ways to make the Compass even more accessible to trainers. We have envisioned a new version of the Compass into a fully mobile set of cards (even enriched with augmented reality), that trainers and facilitators can take with them.
Impact
The Compass cardeck is now available for purchase and to download. The decision to turn the compass toolkit into a card deck was informed by prior request by lots of trainers who asked us to make the Compass available offline as well as online in a handy format to be easily carried and used on the spot.
Cards are as portable as a mobile device, even lighter; can be carried on field missions and can support informed decisions even when Internet connection is unstable.
Trainers can use the compass cards when they need a quick reference tool to select the right learning method, a quick refresher on a specific training technique, to explain to stakeholders how participatory their workshops are and to visually explain participatory knowledge sharing methods, instead of using large manuals or tools that are only available online or are heavy to carry.
To bring the Compass Card to a further stage, we decided to enrich them through the visualization of space patterns and augmented reality data. The former practically represent people moving in the space, summarising the main steps needed to implement each method and highlighting its engaging and participatory nature. On the other hand, augmented reality allows overlaying information available on the card with additional materials e.g. short introductory videos and supporting links.
Cards are as portable as a mobile device, even lighter; can be carried on field missions and can support informed decisions even when Internet connection is unstable.
Trainers can use the compass cards when they need a quick reference tool to select the right learning method, a quick refresher on a specific training technique, to explain to stakeholders how participatory their workshops are and to visually explain participatory knowledge sharing methods, instead of using large manuals or tools that are only available online or are heavy to carry.
To bring the Compass Card to a further stage, we decided to enrich them through the visualization of space patterns and augmented reality data. The former practically represent people moving in the space, summarising the main steps needed to implement each method and highlighting its engaging and participatory nature. On the other hand, augmented reality allows overlaying information available on the card with additional materials e.g. short introductory videos and supporting links.
More info
- Tom Wambeket.wambeke@itcilo.org