Remote auditing and training options

The familiar model for auditing is that the auditor and pc are in the same room, with or without a meter. The familiar training model uses a scheduled courseroom with a supervisor, students, checksheets and packs and other training materials. But now that the Internet is a central reality to almost all, there are other possible ways that auditing and training can be delivered. In brief, here are some options:

• Metered auditing via Skype (free software). The pc holds the cans, connected to an auto-reset* meter next to him facing the webcam. The pc’s face is also visible. The remote auditor is visible to the pc. The auditor sees the reads via the Skype image on his own monitor.

• Metered auditing via Skype. The pc holds the cans, connected to an Internet meter next to him. The pc’s face is visible. The remote auditor is visible to the pc. The auditor sees the reads via his Internet connection, as a meter dial along with the Skype image on his own monitor.

• Unmetered auditing via Skype. The auditor and pc are visible to each other.

• Unmetered auditing via telephone.

• Training via Skype. The student does self-study at home. When he needs help, he contacts via Skype a twin, or supervisor, or word-clearer. They do the study action together. Can include metered actions, like word-clearing or m/u checks as described above. Can include false data stripping, metered or unmetered. Both parties are visible to each other. The webcam can be directed at clay demos etc. as needed. Files containing written essays or digital photographs or scans of worksheets etc. can be easily shared via Skype, at the same time or later.  The student will then return to self-study until he needs the next interaction.

Note that since the Internet is a global network, an auditor’s or supervisor’s field is global too. Now there is no need to be limited by who lives within driving distance. There will always be a need for face-to-face action in some cases, but many routine actions can be done remotely to an acceptable standard.

Paul

*auto-reset meter: the TA is adjusted automatically so that the needle is always visible on the dial without the auditor needing to touch the meter. There will be an article soon on these.