Instructor Development Course, which teaches the principles of adult
learning.
“We need to make sure our courses are being taught in a way that’s
centered around adult learning principles, and this includes an emphasis
on engagement and interaction,” Eberhard said. “(Instructors) need to
be cognizant of what is going on in their class; they are all individual.
You have to look at individuals’ needs as well as be able to manage their
class. Interpersonal and communication skills are equally important.”
Schall said NHI is highly effective at ensuring its instructors are
knowledgeable and up-to-date on not only the state of practice but also
on adult learning techniques.
NHI’s Mission: Improving the
conditions and safety of our
nation’s roads, highways, and
bridges means continuously
building on the set of skills
of highway professionals and
enhancing job performance
in the transportation industry
across the country.
“NHI has helped us all become better instructors in terms of how to
reach people who are now in the workforce and no longer in college
who are trying to do their jobs,” he said. “These students have a
different interest and a different focus and are hoping for different
outcomes than they were in college.”
Popularity of web-based courses surges
In addition to staying abreast of the evolving needs of adult learners,
NHI also strives to stay current with technology, now offering web-
based conferences and instruction. In fact, in 2018 more than 40,000
transportation professionals sought out and participated in NHI training.
Almost 72 percent of that training took place online, an increase of 4.1
percent over the previous year, according to NHI’s 2018 Management
Report.
Ayres currently has 18 NHI-certified instructors, with four more in the
process of certification. To become certified, prospective instructors
must attend NHI’s Instructor Development Training, obtain approval of
a Subject Matter Technical Expert from the FHWA headquarters, and be
observed by a NHI Master Trainer as part of an “Instructor Audition.”
Having instructors with real-world experience is something that sets the
NHI program apart from more academic-type training environments.
“We always try to find instructors who have experience. You can learn
the theory and teach, but if you haven’t applied the theory in design
practice you’re nowhere near as effective as an NHI instructor,” Schall
said. “Whatever course you have we try to make sure we, as instructors,
have worked in that field and have done practical design projects and
have first-hand experience in how to apply that theory in the real
world.”
Peter Lagasse, senior water resources engineer in Ayres’ Fort Collins
office who has been teaching NHI courses for nearly 30 years, agrees
that NHI offers adult learners an avenue for practical knowledge. “NHI
has really pioneered the adult learning environment,” Lagasse said.
24│ TRENDS