Using E-Learning and Multimedia to Develop Technical Skills

1
Using E-Learning and Multimedia to Develop
Technical Skills

• George Siemens
• Stephen Yurkiw

2
Setting the Scene

• Drivers of change
• New environment
• Need to implement new approaches to meet needs
• Integrating vocational and technology

3
Terms

• Vocational Education
• Skill-based learning
• Elearning
• Technology-enabled learning
• Vocational E-Learning
• Skill-based Technology-enabled learning

4
Goals of Education

• Acquire tools for survival
• Discover meaning
• Learning to learn
• More humane communities
• Role in social reform/reconstruction
• Not only to equip to contend with reform, but to
  initiate
• Secure democracy
• Jerold Apps, Dewey, Lindeman, Bergevin

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Goals of Vocational Education

• To prepare for gainful employment
• Must be close to real world
• Instructor must be successful practitioner
• Curriculum must reflect content of occupation
• Create skill set and attitudes needed to succeed
  in a particular field

6
Change in Teachers Role

• Due to focus of individual, social objectives and
  furthering of technical field, teacher is partner
  with learner
• Teacher is helper, facilitator, guide, encourager
• Student is not object of teaching, but focus of
  learning
• Bergevin, Lindeman

7
Learning EcologyWhat do learners need to learn?

• Content text, videos, interactive activities,
  animations, etc.
• Forums to connect with learners (i.e. replicate
  real life in career)
• Mentorship apprentice, instructor/chef
• Access education outside of a physical location
• Flexibility education that accounts for life

8
Reducing Irrelevant Learning

• Technical students have varying background and
  skills
• ALL are at different points
• Education needs to permit entry and access based
  on skill/experience
• Requires complete system change, but the process
  can be mimicked online i.e. student controls
  pace

9
Stages of Knowing

• Linking association between concepts/knowledge
• Reproducing copying something as taught
• Interpreting using existing knowledge to
  recognize needs and guide actions/decisions in
  new situation
• Applying applying existing knowledge/skills to
  solve new problems
• Adapted from Broudy, Smith, Burnett

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How Can Technology Meet Vocational Education
Goals?

• Technology as a supplement, not replacement
• Tech improves access flexibility
• Tech can communicate skills theories
• Tech better quality assurance
• F2F needed to develop social/industry awareness

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Elearning Overview

• History
• Drivers
• Why is it changing learning?
• How is it changing learning?
• Scope and size

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Combining Technology Classroom

• Blended
• Saves instruction time
• Increases learning efficiency
• Anxiety and intimidation in regular classroom
  minimized
• Practice to proficiency
• Variable learning rates

13
Tools Technologies

• Streaming
• Video
• Audio audio blogging, pronunciation, VoIP
• Internet LMS, blogging, simple starts, email,
  discussions
• Software development, delivery, collaborate
• Simulations

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Examples

• Dining Room Skills
• Culinary Arts
• Menu
• Online Course

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Our Experiences

• Culinary Arts
• Hotel and Restaurant Administration
• Teaching right way upfront
• Unlimited repetitive feedback

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Results

• Success indicators no quantitative data yet
• Initial anecdotal feedback
• Better learning
• Marks same as with traditional classes
• Instructor Observations
• Student Feedback

17
Student Experiences

• Student comments
• Engaging
• Fun way to learn
• I can learn when I want - Flexibility
• Im in control
• No instructor physically present disorienting
  to some students

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Implications

• Technology as a tool
• Elearning meets needs of technical education
  access, flexibility, quality
• Theory, skills, relationships, mentorship can
  all be taught/enhanced via elearning

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What is still needed

• Administration support
• Model for elearning development skill based
  industry (plumbing etc.)
• Tech advances ability to stream confidently
• Training instructors how to develop and use
  technology in teaching

20
Conclusions

• Change drivers are significant
• New student/industry needs require new approaches
• Continued vocational e-learning can
• Expand the field
• Improve education
• Result in higher student satisfaction
• Greater organizational quality control