Currently, all equipment training at Humanmade is on-site and instructor led, combining safety, theory, and practical skills in the same sessions. This works well for most equipment, especially in the woodshop and metal shop where hands-on skills are crucial.
However, CNC machines are the most complex tools in the shop, and require a significant amount of theory and computer skills that must be understood before touching the machine, which makes in-person training inefficient.
When redesigning Humanmade training, I aimed to enhance efficiency and support for all skill levels by incorporating e-learning modules.
Current training materials include printed booklets and 1-page job aids, which are limited in information, can't be updated after printing, and lack multimedia capabilities. E-learning addresses these issues while also allowing users to learn at their own pace. Novices can take their time, revisit information, and access supplementary resources, while experienced users can skip familiar content and focus on filling in knowledge gaps.
While hands-on tools will always require some in-person training or instructor skill verification, I believe that developing online content can streamline in-person sessions, accommodate larger groups, and potentially reduce costs for trainees and the organization.
The prototype I created uses a hybrid training and flipped classroom approach. Learners use e-learning modules at home for pre-training, allowing 100% of valuable classroom and instructor time to be used for hands-on practice and applying theory.
By offering theory modules electronically, learners can also revisit information even after training, turning the course into a more comprehensive resource than standard job aids for those needing extra support.
This training program is still in development, but early results are promising:
If successful ,we also plan to produce beginner-friendly CNC project guides for learners to practice their skills, supporting learners even after their training.
Look below to learn more about me and to see a selection of my recent work. If you want to work with me directly you can also reach out, I love to work with individuals and organizations to spread workshop knowledge and skills.
