Online Training with Live Instruction

Abstract

An improved remote teaching system, whereby the instructor(s) may interact with the audience through interactive instruction, culminating in one or more proctored examinations to ensure necessary learning for safety and legal compliance. Increased frequency of and access to classes, and decreased costs will be among the benefits provided.

Claims

1. A method for providing online education comprising: an employee of a hosting venue obtaining requisite materials for a particular course from the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) and Industrial Training Services (ITS), including examinations having examination numbers; said examinations having been previously secured with at least one seal and said at least one seal remaining unbroken; said employee placing said requisite materials in a secured location, inaccessible to students taking the particular course; verifying the sufficiency of all audio-visual equipment to be used by the hosting venue for the purposes of the particular course; registering students for the particular course; providing students with information as to accessing the particular course; in-person registration of all students for the particular course; as part of said in-person registration, validating identification and prior registration status of all students prior to beginning the particular course; upon validation of registration and identification of all students, providing said students with necessary course materials, excluding examinations; commencement of opening announcements and remarks by an instructor; said instructor leading the particular course in a highly interactive fashion; said instructor providing a final review session after termination of the particular course; the instructor recording the venue, beginning at some time shortly after termination of the particular course and while the examinations are still in the secured location; the employee of the hosting venue retrieving the examinations from their secured location; the employee of the hosting venue breaking the at least one seal only after the instructor so authorizes; the employee of the hosting venue recording each examinations exam number with each student's registration number; upon authorization of the instructor, commencing the examination; the instructor monitoring students while taking the examination; the employee of the hosting venue collecting and sealing all examinations upon completion of time allotted for the examination by the instructor; the instructor terminating recording of the venue after the completed exams are sealed; the instructor retaining the recording of the examination session for at least such time is required to validate any subsequent certifications which may issue; grading the examinations and determining whether each student passed or failed; informing failing students of their results; providing failing students an opportunity to contact the instructor to retake the particular course; notifying passing students of their results; providing passing students with any appropriate certificates; allowing passing students access to later skill assessments, if applicable; and providing passing students with continued contact to the instructor to address questions after completion of the particular course.

2. A method for providing online education comprising: an employee of a hosting venue obtaining requisite materials for a particular course, including examinations having examination numbers; said examinations having been previously secured with at least one seal and said at least one seal remaining unbroken; said employee placing said requisite materials in a secured location, inaccessible to students taking the particular course; verifying the sufficiency of all audio-visual equipment to be used by the hosting venue for the purposes of the particular course; registering students for the particular course; providing students with information as to accessing the particular course; in-person registration of all students for the particular course; as part of said in-person registration, validating identification and prior registration status of all students prior to beginning the particular course; upon validation of registration and identification of all students, providing said students with necessary course materials, excluding examinations; commencement of opening announcements and remarks by an instructor; said instructor leading the particular course in a highly interactive fashion; said instructor providing a final review session after termination of the particular course; the instructor recording the venue, beginning at some time shortly after termination of the particular course and while the examinations are still in the secured location; the employee of the hosting venue retrieving the examinations from their secured location; the employee of the hosting venue breaking the at least one seal only after the instructor so authorizes; the employee of the hosting venue recording each examinations exam number with each student's registration number; upon authorization of the instructor, commencing the examination; the instructor monitoring students while taking the examination; the employee of the hosting venue collecting and sealing all examinations upon completion of time allotted for the examination by the instructor; the instructor terminating recording of the venue after the completed exams are sealed; the instructor retaining the recording of the examination session for at least such time is required to comply with applicable guidelines; grading the examinations and determining whether each student passed or failed; informing failing students of their results; providing failing students an opportunity to contact the instructor to retake the particular course; notifying passing students of their results; providing passing students with any appropriate certificates; allowing passing students access to later skill assessments, if applicable; and providing passing students with continued contact to the instructor to address questions after completion of the particular course.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein: the subject matter of the particular course pertains to the safe handling and transportation of flammable materials.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein: the flammable material is a solvent.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein: the flammable material is capable of being used as a fuel source.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein: the flammable materials comprise at least one hydrocarbon.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein: the at least one hydrocarbon is propane.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein: the flammable material is petrochemical in nature.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein: the particular course is directed toward safe handling of pharmaceuticals.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein: the particular course is directed toward safe handling of carcinogenic materials.

11. The method of claim 2, wherein: the particular course is directed toward the proper handling of substances intended to be used for consumption by living organisms.

12. The method of claim 2, wherein: the particular course is directed toward human resources training.

13. The method of claim 2, further comprising: the instructor providing continuing availability to passing students; said continuing availability including virtual assistance for concerns not addressed during the particular course.

14. The method of claim 2, further comprising: the instructor providing continuing availability to passing students; said continuing availability including virtual assistance for situations in which a passing student lacks certainty as to proper handling for a particular situation.

15. The method of claim 2, wherein: the interactive course includes at least one device to facilitate learning from the following set: (a) sirens; (b) alarms; (c) games; (d) color-coordinated materials; (e) mnemonic devices; (f) handouts; (g) sample equipment; (h) videos; and (i) images.

16. The method of claim 2, wherein: students are encouraged to develop their own learning aids.

17. The method of claim 2, wherein: the particular course is directed to problem solving in situations requiring immediate responses.

18. The method of claim 2, wherein: the instructor maintains certification as a proctor for subject matter to be covered by the particular course.

19. The method of claim 2, wherein: the particular course is directed to certifying students as proctors in the particular course's subject matter.

20. The method of claim 2, wherein: the particular course is directed to nuclear material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Other features of my invention will become more evident from a consideration of the following brief descriptions of drawings:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a front view of the present invention. This depicts the process by which the invention is carried out, from start to finish.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0027] Referring now the drawings with more specificity, the present invention essentially provides an improved method of remotely instructing a class. The classes can be general in nature, or can incorporate varying degrees of specificity and complexity, depending upon the needs of the audience. In addition the system can be able to account for and work with several other variables and features discussed below.

[0028] Looking now to FIG. 1 a representative training pathway is shown. As shown, the process begins with the entity (or entities) hosting the training obtaining and securely holding the materials required for the course, including examination materials 1. Ideally, they will be held by an agent whose position requires supervision and ethics monitoring, but alternative parties may be acceptable if prior approval is received. Once materials are obtained and secured, the hosting venue's (or venues', if more than one location is hosting students) audio-visual equipment is/are checked, to ensure it/they will be adequate to facilitate the training session 2. Next, each individual wishing to take the course will register for the course electronically, either directly or through a third-party 3. Not later than the night before the class, all registered attendees will receive information on how to access the course. Immediately before the class begins, the instructor will commence with opening activities and initial remarks 4. Next, the instructor will begin the interactive class session 5. A number of tactics and devices may be incorporated here, including but not limited to: mnemonic devices, color-coordinated materials, horns, sirens, videos, pictures, etc. After conclusion of instruction, the instructor will conduct a review and/or refresher session with the audience, prior to the examination, to address any remaining concerns and to ensure the highest possible rates of student success on the examination to follow 6. Following the refresher, a break may be provided for the students, although this may not be necessary, depending upon the nature of the examination and the course of study. Immediately before the exam begins, the instructor will begin recording at each site where examination will take place. This recording will continue at least until the exams are completed and collected. At least one on-site proctor will retrieve the exams from secure storage, and will then demonstrate to the camera that the exams are still in the sealed package in which they arrived. Only after the instructor is satisfied that the exams have not been compromised, the in-room proctor(s) will break the seal on the package and distribute the examination booklets to the class. The instructor will continue to monitor the venue(s) during the entire examination session. Students will have their registration numbers matched up to examination materials, to ensure that all materials are accounted for prior to beginning the examination. Upon the instructor's prompt, students will begin and complete the examination 7. Once the time for the examination has concluded, the instructor will call time, and all students must stop work on the examination materials. The on-site proctor(s) will collect and seal the examinations, and prepare them for delivery to the party responsible for grading them 8. Only after the examinations are collected and sealed will the instructor terminate the recording. The instructor or his designee will retain the recording for at least such time as is required to ensure that no questions or challenges can be raised as to the validity of the examination results. After the examinations are graded, passing and failing results will be released, and students will receive their results 9. If the students do not pass, they will be able to contact the instructor to make arrangements to retake the course 10. If they pass, they will receive their certificate of completion, and may schedule for additional courses or follow-up assessments, if required 11.

[0029] Accordingly, although the invention has been described by reference to certain preferred and alternative embodiments, it is not intended that the novel arrangements be limited thereby, but that modifications thereof are intended to be included as falling within the broad scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosures and the appended drawings.