Case Study on Train the Trainer Courses

Interview with Prof. David Aanensen (Big Data Institute Oxford)

In light of the growing need for genomics skills and combined goal of building capacity in genomics and bioinformatics, the Wellcome Connecting Science (WCS) and the Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance (CGPS) partnered on developing a course for skilled researchers and public health scientists focused on genomic surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

In this interview, Prof Aanensen gives the big picture and importance of training expert scientists to train others using train the trainer approaches. Prof David Aanensen is the director of CGPS, based at the University of Oxford. His group works to address the urgent global health problem of antimicrobial resistance, through genomic surveillance of pathogens on a worldwide scale. Training and capacity building form an important part of CGPS’ work, empowering researchers and healthcare workers from around the world with the skills in genomics and bioinformatics to tackle antimicrobial resistance. Similarly, Wellcome Connecting Science have identified a growing need for increasing local training capacity for genomics and bioinformatics through development of Train the trainer courses and provision of tailored resources useful for training others.

Having explored the gaps and key areas of development in AMR surveillance and partnered with WCS, the goal was to build capacity for genomic surveillance through equipping expert scientists with skills to train others. Experienced researchers and public health scientists were already based at institutions equipped with facilities for genome sequencing and bioinformatics. Their motivation was to develop skills in how to train others in their own institutions and countries thereby building capacity locally. Defining the target audience and understanding their training needs paved way for planning the course, formulate teaching objectives and learning outcomes.

Based on the interview above, discuss the following:

Task 1

Why is it important for newly trained trainers to use sound, evidence-based educational approaches when they train others? Please use the comment area to share your thoughts about the interview.

Task 2

Read the first 2 paragraphs of Train the trainer Course Summary.pdf and try to summarise in your own understanding: what are the need, goal and objectives for the course.

Task 3

For your own course design, try to write your main goal, objectives and justification for your training. Share and discuss it with your peers.