So,Sidney, students need the technology skills in your content area if the are to succeed. What benefits do you see directly to their learning within your content area?
Good list, Tim. I like to think of future instructors as being "General Practitioners or GPs" as we refer to family practice doctors :) In other words, to be able to facilitate various delivery modes and also to be able to support and collaborate with students and peers to enrich the learning environment and use the technology fully.
as a tech in todays shop,the use of the internet is a daily thing,we are always testing for new products,all of our manuals are on the manufactures web site,we no longer replace control units but reprogram or update them,again with the internet.todays scan tool is now a lap top computor,who whould of thought.
The Instructor will need to be able to be effective in the following:
Ability to Coach, Tutor, Monitor, Manage and Mentor Students.
Ability to teach a variety of courses
Demonstrate Professional Self Image - Role Model
Have Confidence - Desire - Determination
Have Self Motivation
Communication Skills
Conflict Resolution Skills
Computer Literate
Willingness to Learn
Be open to new ideas
Spitrit of Cooperation
Servant Leadership
Collaboration with Peers
I agree, Phillip. To what extent does this influence your content development for your courses?
This sounds really interesting, Tim. What would you say are the central charcteristics of effective instructors as you move forward with your vision?
We have been preparing the Instructor staff for the last year with "Vision 2012". What will the expectations for the "Instuctor of the Future" be. We are excited about the curriculum and the change in student interaction. The "Holistic" experience will give the students the opportunity to be more prepared for their career and life.
New technology is being implemented in all aspects of the workforce. We work faster with new technology, and if we do not learn how to fully use it both in the work force and in the learning enviornment there will be a definate disconnect between the two.
Yes, it does, Marvin, provided the instruction is well planned and the assignments well assessed. What do you see as the most important challenges for instructors when supporting and facilitating this kind of student research?
So the approach is much more integrated and technology-rich, Tim. In all it will be an holistic experience for the students so long as the teaching methods have also changed for the instructor. What specifically do you think would have to change from the more conventional methods to these you describe?
We are in the process of changing our instruction methods from traditional lecture, lab & test to a Blended Learning format. The new curriculum will consist of WBT for the students on the own time and then follow up classroom activities and then hands-on practice and demonstration of the learning objective. The new skills learned from our students will be self-motivation to actually complete the WBT, plus inter-active computer skills, writing skills and a higher level of competency of the subject, both from a knowledge level and a practical skills level.
I realize that we live in an electronic environment. If we dont know the answer to a question we can find it online. Most questions we have about literaly any subject can be researched online and this gives our students an infinate ability to solve problems
Great comments, Bill. I agree that the kinds of skills are diverse and are required both to manage and apply new technology on a regular basis and for many purposes. How do you think these skills could be better reflected and valued in learning outcomes and assessment?
The use of new technology, which allows for continual access to information and communications, requires the students to develop new skills. Strong organizational skills are needed to sort through and organize the large amount of available information on almost every topic. Perseverance is needed to remain on task and accomplish goals, without being influenced by outside distractions. Continual communication capabilities require time management skills, as demands for time are spread among research, entertainment, and other personal needs, often available using one multi-tasking electronic device (either computer or cell phone). Application knowledge is essential for managing information from many sources, merging and modifying the information, and creating multi-media presentations and reports. The effectiveness of the new technology is best demonstrated by a knowledgeable user.
Bill Lembke
So, role playing as well as scenario creation helps to situate the students within what I call, "a meaningful context of use". This allows the learning to be as relevant as possible. Great ideas, Chris!
I usually use: You are a technician going on a service call.... have fun! Seriously, simulating service calls, etc. is a great assignment as I then become the customer and the technology is the tool!
Customer service scenarios are also great!
-Chris
Awesome, Chris! I like your focus on supporting all processes within the course with technology so that it is fully integrated into the course life. I also agree that simulation technology is a great way to learn situational thinking as well as critcal thinking. What kinds of assignemnts could support this type of learning?
Yes, it sounds strange but I have to introduce computer and automated service tickets to most of them. We slowly start doing testing online, as state licensing exams are online. We use simulators which is new technology to many of them.
In another course (that I am taking) I have been playing around with the idea of using Second Life to build simulators that they can "walk" into and see how equipment works from the inside out.
-Chris
Very true, Chris. However, instuctors who are aware of the potential and capability of each technolgy application and use within educational contexts can be intentional about the development of new skills in students - skills that may not be developed without the technology. Can you think of a new skill that could be intentionally developed in your students by introducing a new technology use with them?
I am not sure it is the new technology that develops the skills, more it is how the new technology is used. I have been in classrooms with technology abuse (powerpoint abuse) and seen the same abuses online.
Technology has the ability to be used to convince students to think! By using simulations, interactive white boards, and tablet PC's with the right software and for the right purposes we can try to develop more thought and evaluation as a part of the students training. The technology by itself will not do this - it takes a combination of technology, planning and involvement.
-Chris
