Learning Methods
Dual Programmes
The Academy strives to overcome the challenges encountered in regular occupational training programmes where the link between theory and real life is not always clear. Within the Academy, the link is guaranteed by the dual character of school-based (class-based) and work-based training programmes.
Programmes are designed to move students alternately through training at the academy and work-placements with the respective Disciplined Forces, which they aim to join. Both at the Academy and in the Discipline Forces, students work on their assignments to complete their learning outcomes and proof of competence. Assignments are tasks and situations, members of the Forces are regularly faced with and which are characteristic of their profession.
Competence-Based Learning
The Academy’s training system is competence-based, to tie in with practice and the competences that members of the Disciplined Forces need to be able to do their job. Competences are the knowledge, skills, behaviours and attitudes required to carry out specific roles and occupations with the Disciplined Forces. The necessary competences are listed in the Occupational Standards (also referred to as professional profiles or capability statements) for each occupation, as a prerequisite of the legislative guidelines on work-based learning.
Context-Based Learning
The Academy encourages the use of real-life situations and case studies in teaching environments in order to learn through actual, practical experience with a subject rather than just its mere theoretical parts.
The characteristics of Context-Based Learning are:
- It starts with a real work situation that experienced members of the Disciplined Forces have shared with the instructor. Students gain knowledge from working in that situation.
- It involves work with a small group where students also take on different group roles (leader, reader or writer).
- The process is student-centred with emphasis on self-directed learning. Students work in a group, and on their own to identify and research ideas, information, and theories they need to know in order to work in the Disciplined Forces.
- The instructor is a guide, and partner in each course.
The benefits of Context-Based Learning are that it helps students:
- See that the practice is based on evidence;
- Improve specific skills;
- Become independent learners and to continue learning after they leave the programme;
- Learn to function better in a group and to communicate more effectively;
- Develop skills to make decisions, solve problems, and think critically to develop solutions.
Blended Learning Environments
The Academy aims to offer blended learning environments in the training programmes. This variation in learning methods whether online or face-to-face, facilitates individual and group learning, independent of location and time. The Academy is investing in partnerships with other national education institutions to offer a Virtual Learning Environment for each training programme to encourage autonomous self-study, alongside learning through intensive supervision and interaction.
