Executive+Summary+041

Harvesting practices in hardwood forests have undergone enormous change over the last few years. This is due to a range of factors, including on-going research and development, greater environmental and OHS awareness, and the diminishing use of mature native forests in favour of regrowth forests. As a result of these changes, harvesting operators have had to learn many new skills, particularly in the operation of computerised harvesting machinery, and the use of ecologically sound practices. These developments have made Australia a world leader in sustainable yield harvesting. To date, most training has been done face-to-face. Although this mode of delivery is often difficult for the trainer, due to the remote and scattered locations that operators work in, there is no real alternative to on-the-job training for the practical skills relating to machinery operation and harvesting techniques. But for theoretical topics – such as silvicultural practices, environmental codes of practice and OHS regulations – it would be a far more efficient use of time to provide operators with distance learning resources that they could study at their own pace. However, the major impediment to using existing print-based learning materials is the relatively poor levels of literacy of operators. This e-learning resource will address the problem of accessibility, and provide learners with an interactive CD that features photos, drawings and movie clips, animated to appear in synch with a voice-over narration. On-screen text will also be used wherever key words and phrases need to be presented, also appearing in synch with the voice-over.

The presentation will be based on a PowerPoint format, which will allow it to be easily customised to suit different locations and harvesting machines, and accommodate any site-specific variations in OHS or environmental policies and procedures.

The main advantage of using this e-learning format to present the underpinning knowledge requirements of the operator training program will be the huge saving in valuable face-to-face training time. Operators will be able to view the CD at their own pace on a desktop or laptop computer, either at home or at their employer’s office, and replay particular sections as many times as they need to. If they want further information on certain topics, they will be able to follow the on-screen links to other documents in the CD or to external websites. They will also be able to email or phone their trainer at any time with specific questions.