7.1.1 Training and education
Defining the difference between education and training is another of the definitional 'minefields' elearning traverses. While acknowledging the ongoing, fractious debate about the delineation between the two, this debate is secondary to the main focus of this topic.
The distinction stressed in this section is that education is not just an act or process of educating individuals but also of 'training' their minds to think and learn. On the other hand, training is the act of acquiring and transferring knowledge into action. Training and education have complementary but distinct roles.
The problem with education is that many who have experienced education in schools and universities simply have been 'taught' what is required to be known to achieve an accepted level of knowledge. Students are often required to embed this knowledge in their memories and actions only as long as it takes to pass exams or complete academic tests. The learner may not be required to examine facts or complete personal investigation of what the facts mean.
Equally training may require students to perform and apply learning to evidence knowledge transferral. But such activities may be removed from the capacity to repeat these actions later or from understanding the principles underpinning successful completion.
Clearly, the physical and the mental capacity of individuals to learn has to be harnessed together to maximise the effectiveness of training and performance.
Workplace learning as an act and process encompasses both training and education.
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