The more capable the operator, the more productive the technology. This is why printing companies are placing greater emphasis on advanced training for their printers. A new web offset training concept from printservices uses the crossmedia four-step Blended Learning method.

The spirit is willing but the implementation is difficult: advanced training for operators on web offset presses sometimes runs up against a brick wall. No training machines are available or making them available would interrupt production. printservices offers a new solution: the crossmedia Blended Learning concept. Carsten Stölting, Manager of the Print Technology Center in Augsburg, explains what's behind this: "Blended Learning is a novel four-step training concept that combines e-learning courses and presence training on real components or a press simulator with a virtual classroom. Besides the simulator technology, the teaching framework is an absolutely new development in the printing industry." Learn quickly and remember what has been learned for a long time: this can't be accomplished without effort but the seminar organization tailored to the target group brings the participants closer to this goal. Even those who finished their initial training a long time ago quickly get the hang of Blended Learning. This is because all training units are highly practice-oriented through the mix of exercises, self-experience, paradigm scenario, and shared experiences.

Crossmedia: the Blended Learning concept

Blended Learning is an integrated learning concept that optimally utilizes the networking possibilities available today via the Internet or Intranet, combined with classic learning methods and media in a very practical manner. It enables the participants to learn, communicate, gain information, and manage their knowledge free from time and venue constraints, and this is combined with experience sharing and person-to-person contacts through classic presence training. How it works at manroland:

E-lessons impart basic knowledge. As preparation for practical training the participants receive the initial training contents as e-lessons e.g. for press operation, maintenance and electrical systems. The participant works on the tasks independently on a PC and sends the results to the manroland trainer prior to the presence training.

Presence training on real components and a press simulator follows. The participants work for several days with the manroland press simulator. Operation of the control console or components with the simulator is the same as operation of a real press. There are two simulators for different target groups. The control console simulator is an original control console for print- and process-related training of printers and press operators. The electrical press simulator is used for training electronics technicians. The participants perform all the tasks exactly as they would have to on a real press but with the difference that even complex operations can be carried out at the simulator without any risk of press damage.

It continues with independent advanced training via e-lessons. A week or so after presence training all participants receive new seminar documentation in the form of e-lessons including their homework that is another list of questions. These questions relate to the presence training already completed.

The participants receive concise and intensive training in a virtual classroom to deepen and refresh their knowledge. Experiences and questions from the seminar and daily work can be exchanged and discussed. Also here a manroland trainer is available for another learning and success check.