Keeping up with the technology ...

There are many different ways to use technology in training and educational settings. Different approaches will require different technologies and resources.  One of the issues is how to get the materials or resources to students.  These materials include audio, video and images as well as text. This has enabled course materials to be presented in a much more visual way enabling students to better understand materials.  This is especially important for learners with low written literacy skills.

The biggest single issue is to help teachers/trainers understand the ways in which technology can be used in support of various learning contexts. This aspect is very different to the technical skills required to use a computer and is a professional education issue, based in educational pedagogy.  It requires considerable attention as it is the core issue in getting e-learning integrated into teaching practice.  This aspect is far more important than machines and being able to use them.  It should not be confused with modern tools of the trade, the use of computer based tools as used by professionals eg a motor analysis device or lathe controller or a computer assisted design system.

Educators moving into e-learning must develop the ability to conduct e-conversations, the ability to engage others in the sorts of detailed dialogue needed to facilitate learning, using appropriate technology elements to support key activities within learning sequences.  

The basic question is what communication events are needed to support the learning process and what learning activities can be supplemented with activities utilising technologies.  This varies depending on the stage of the learning process and the skills of the learner as well as the content being developed.  The model covers aspects such as content delivery, process support and the learning model.  For example, the level of learner construction as opposed to teacher instruction.

As an example the audio based constuctivist model requires an understanding of making short audio recordings and integrating them into electronic documents with images and text.  Teachers need to understand how the audio file creation process works as a key learning facilitation process.  Getting students to plan and record an audio file can be a key activity to round of a unit of work.  The process not only leads to better learning retention, but it provides a summary of the key learnings and also provides evidence for assessment.  The use of multiple languages in such a process appears to provide a key aspect of learning new language (English) associated with the subject area.

Pedagogical Learning Models

Teachers need an understanding of how different software and uses of ITC can fit into learning scenarios they need to deliver their outcomes.  This requires an understanding of software models and issues such as the use of computer technology to deliver content, to provide stimulation, to provide a tool function eg a wordprocessor, to do assessments, to support learning scenarios, do simulations, and to scaffold learning activities.   
The teacher may provide a tentative structure of knowledge. Through sustained communication, however, learners will begin to construct and confirm their own understandings.  Further tests of the learners knowledge may be carried out through interaction with fellow students. The teacher carries a heavy responsibility to structure content that provides a framework to connect and make sense of ideas and facts.

Students do not construct meaning/knowledge in isolation. The social context, particularly the teacher, contributes to the construction of meaning.

Educators need to understand the options they have available as well as the ability to use them.

There are many  technologies that allow web based materials to be moved around and given to the students.  This includes CD and DVD discs as well as memory sticks, portable hard drives and a range of other devices such as ipods.

Another aspect of training is the support of communication processes to facilitate discussion and communication between trainers and students

The Roadshow is demonstrating how internet technologies are accessible from most communities in the NT and this means that a number of communication and collaboration technologies can be used to keep people in touch with each other. In short the technology delivery mechanisms are in place it is now all about learning how to use the available options to achieve the outcomes you require.

A link to a short video (just under 2 minutes) from 1987 featuring Alan Kay talking about using computers for teaching.  It's an oldie, but a 'goodie'. Click here to watch it on YouTube or you can watch it below.Sue Waters (the Edublogger) offers tips, tricks ideas and help with using Web 2.0 technologies and Edublogs on her blog - click here to link.