When most of us think school, we think solid ground and four walls. Perhaps, you are more technologically inclined, you may think tablets, smartphones and computers, as these provide access to online education. But I bet the thought of a school out at sea wouldn’t cross your mind, yet, that is the only option for seafarers around the world and for whom day-release courses are an impossibility.
So, what is their experience like? Would you fancy a tour?
Why Floating Schools?
This appears to be the only option for seafarers who have to contend with poor internet service as there isn’t much bandwidth at sea, and quite often there is no online connection. Also, they are usually away from home for two weeks at a time, yet, must improve their skills and qualifications as seafarers even as they work.
Just like with other professions, training is important for the shipping industry; and similar to the situation in traditional schools, crew members often come from different countries and backgrounds with varying levels of skill and qualifications, hence, training is needed to help them keep up with changing technology and remain relevant as well as up-to-date on modern safety practices.
And We Introduce….. Mobile Learning!
To help the maritime industry with this deficiency; a software company, Coracle, founded by James Tweed, has produced digital, distance-learning courses that can be used offline by the crew when they are less busy. This is how it works.
It is a mobile phone app, but which does not need mobile connection. Instead, as soon as the ship is within the reach of a signal, the app synchronises and updates the latest features. It includes lessons in Maths, Literacy, English language and the Rules of the Sea; with courses such as Maths@Sea focused on the specific needs of seafarers.
These @Sea courses have been shortlisted for an award that will be judged by the general secretary of the International Maritime Organisation.
And Training?
Delivering training for a crew at sea is quite the challenge because innovations in education technology do not make provisions for the needs of seafarers. To them, the industry is quite invisible because they do not know what the industry looks like.
Nicola Steer is the Training and Human Resources Officer for DFDS, and says there are often no real equivalences in traditional schools for the qualifications that professionals in the shipping industry need.
A ship’s captain will often have studied in a maritime college, taken tough exams and gathered years of experience at sea; but when they apply for a job on shore, their qualifications aren’t recognised in the same way as a university degree.
In this regard, a Danish-based shipping company trains its crew members and helps them improve themselves as well as advance their careers. Not only that, it is also a way to develop talent from within their own ranks; as getting the right crew can be a challenge, seeing how most people often have little understanding of jobs in the shipping industry, and which makes recruitment quite difficult.
So, What Can Be Said About the Students?
Joe Butler is an apprentice on board, training to be a marine engineer. His new classroom is the engine room, where he learns about the workings of the huge, thumpingly loud engines.
Ship’s engineer, Rihards Ellers, sits in front of a bank of computer screens, and says his job is becoming increasingly technical and staff would need to keep updating their skills as ships are becoming ever more technologically driven.
I am positive that the word school now holds a more varied meaning for you; rather than just an immovable concrete monolith, it should connote a space where knowledge, skills and experiences are shared – and that can literally be anywhere!
This article was adapted from BBC Business
