Training to stay and deliver - Reflections on the POSMC 2021 online course
The Finnish Defence Forces International Centre is a part of the National Defence University, and the academic approach forms the foundation of all courses. Therefore, research activities are intertwined with course improvement and development processes. Recently published study reflects in how the applied pedagogical solutions supported the learners’ individual learning process to reach the defined goals.
In cooperation with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), and the United Nations Department of Peace Operations (UNDPO), FINCENT conducted the first fully online version of the Peace Operations Security Management Course (POSMC) this fall.
During the course FINCENT conducted a study to reflect in how the applied pedagogical solutions supported the learners’ individual learning process to reach the defined goals. In all, the FINCENT application of a systems approach to training (SAT) together with the UNDSS and UNDPO contribution to the course resulted in a combination that supported both individual learning processes, and organizational needs well.
At the beginning of the course, it was challenging to perceive how the various activities on the course supported real-life working contexts. However, as the course proceeded, the personal competence development plan (PCDP) especially provided a detailed view of the question: the collaboration with others appeared to be particularly central in the learning process. Insights to the work and perspectives of the other actors in the field was mentioned as knowledge immediately applicable to the participants’ own work.
Time management remains a challenge both in the context of training, and in everyday work in the operation areas. The crises and conflicts are increasingly complex, there is always more information available than we can capture, analyse, and utilise. In addition, in the era of the internet and all the online possibilities that exist, the reaction time for changes remains little, or none. Therefore, the systematic development of security personnel training courses such as POSMC, is a significant means to buy time for real life operations.
You can read the whole study here and an article with course staff and learners feedback can be found here.