FAQ: Training Modules

For complete information about training modules available for council Web sites, click here - the information below answers odds-and-ends questions.



Can I bypass the e-learning system and go directly to a course?

This is theoretically possible, but highly inadvisable.

If you do not log in, you will not receive credit for completing a course. Also, the courses are designed to communicate with the e-learning system, so they may malfunction (or even prevent you from entering) when a user does not enter them from the e-learning system.


How is the council informed when a leader completes an online course?

The e-learning system (scoutnet.scouting.org/elearning) is linked to our member database. Provided that a user has entered a valid/correct BSA member number and are matched to their official record, their training record in PAS (the member database) will reflect the courses they have completed.

Notification is via this database - the council registrar may run a report at any time. The system does not send individual e-mail alerts.

Also, note that there are informational courses and learning materials available in the Online Learning Center (olc.scouting.org) that are not linked to the e-learning system. These resoruces are provided for reference, but are not tracked or reported through the e-learning system.


What if a person who took training did not match in the system?

The registrar will be able to determine (via the unmatched persons report) if a person did not match, then manually update their training record.

Also, a person who took the training may enter their member number at a later date, and they will be credited for any courses previously taken using their e-learning account.


Whom do I contact if I have problems with online courses?

If the problem is with the e-learning system (logging in, creating an account, being matched to your member record, and other operations before or after a course commences), the local council must contact the help desk for assistance. The help desk supports local councils, and may refuse calls from individual volunteers.

If the problem is within a course (you have logged in and entered a course successfully, and encounter a problem along the way), first check a few basic things (Is your software up to date, including the Flash plug-in? IF you are using a modem, are you waiting long enough for content to load? Is there a general issue with your internet connection?) ... then contact the office of the BSA Webmaster.


What versions of youth protection training exist?

There are currently four versions:

  1. A "standard" version
  2. A "standard" version in Spanish
  3. Venturing version - designed to address issues specific to that program, such as dealing with coed groups and the proximate ages of 'youth' and 'adult' members.
  4. Venturing version in Spanish

Regardless of which version or language the user takes, they are credited for having completed "Youth Protection" training.


Can districts or units link to Youth Protection Training?

Yes. Previously, the user had to be referred from a local council Web site so they could be associated with the correct council. The e-learning system has a different method of validating members, so the origin of the link no longer matters.


A number of my members have complained that they lock up in the middle of Safe Swim Defense training. Is there a problem?

The training module requires the user to have a current version of the Flash plug-in. Users with older software will find that they lock up at certain points in the module.


Certain courses do not fit on my monitor, and I have to scroll sideways. Can this be fixed?

There have been some design errors in the past where a course interface was designed to be 800 x 600 pixels - the designer failed to consider the space that is consumed by the system taskbar and browser window "chrome," or that few users run their browsers maximized.

It should be possible for users to increase their monitor resolution (look in system preferences) to avoid unintentional scrolling. However, there is no easy repair on our end (the entire course would need to be rebuilt at a smaller size), so these problems may not be corrected until a course undergoes a major revision or upgrade.