DIGITALIZATION in maritime education and training may be evolving at a rapid pace but will not replace traditional modes of learning.
Vishwanath Gollakota, chief revenue officer of BigYellowFish, said technology was not a single solution that fits all.
He emphasized that while digital forms of education, such as microlearning modules, were suitable for quick learning, detailed and in-depth education was still needed for certification.
Vishwanath Gollakota, chief revenue officer of BigYellowFish. PHOTO by MARK JOSEPH BARNEDO
“Digital and traditional forms of education and training cannot replace one another. They enhance and complement each other,” he said.
BigYellowFish is a behavioral risk management platform that helps organizations amplify human performance at the workplace. Its solution modules include Workplace Well-being, Collaboration and Reinforced skilling.
In the maritime industry, it stands out as a technology provider that offers a 360-degree solution to maritime manpower performance. It covers fast and efficient applications on well-being, sea to shore engagement, and learning all in a single platform.
“We break technology down into what is meaningful. Seafarers don’t always work on desks; they work physically onboard ships. The only way to reach out to them is developing their skills and simplifying their communications with those who are on shore,” Gollakota said.
Digital learning materials found on their application are downloadable on computers and handheld devices, he added.
These are microlearning modules designed to improve and increase the retention of knowledge among seafarers.
“We’ve made engaging quick-read modules with pictures and video presentations,” Gollakota said.
Addressing infrastructure challenges
Digital solutions for seafarers are ineffective without access to the internet.
A survey by Idwal, a British ship inspection company, revealed that 13 percent of the global merchant fleet has no Internet access. The data was drawn from over 13,000 vessel inspections over 17 months through September 2023.
Idwal described this statistic as “alarming” and “extremely disappointing.”
The same goes for a company that offers technological services onboard ships.
BigYellowFish had it sorted out, however.
“We saw this challenge when we started. First there is only a limited amount of bandwidth allotted per Internet user onboard, so we worked on reducing the sizes of the application. We encourage seafarers to download our application before boarding a vessel,” Gollakota said.
“Second is engaging on the platform. Our applications were compressed in small sizes so that seafarers can enjoy activities like mindfulness exercises and other microlearning modules that average shipboard Internet connectivity can power,” he added.
The application also allows communication between the crew and shore-based staff.
“A dashboard allows shore management to see what happens on vessels. It helps solve problems and close the loop,” he said.
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