Learner
Content
Traveling
during a late January winter blast helped my thought process about adult
learning course content creation come into full focus. Like frigid temperatures
educators that have resided only in the academia universe become frozen in what
they believe is the best course content for any occupational learning
track. On the flip side occupational
subject matter experts are as bound to their opinion that teaching a skill the
same as it has been taught for centuries is the best learning format. Both sides can successfully argue that their
perspective is efficient and effective; but only if there are no evolutionary
advancements in education and technology.
Within
my organization I am charged with designing and developing vocational pathway
training that provides career advancement opportunities. The learning is often a hybrid model of organization
led training workshops, community college classroom studies, and on-the-job
learning. The ingredients of the
learning recipe are not always easily blended as each learning provider deems
their course content and delivery method to be the best.
A
report of the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Education, U.S.
Department of Labor, National Institute of Literacy, and the Small Business
Administration (1999) found that to best serve the needs of workers and
employers, educational institutions must address employers’ needs for both
general and industry-specific training just as employers must explore ways to
expand and update the skills of their workforce by adopting new and changing
technologies.
It
is easy to imagine how an employer can lose worker morale and productivity when
ineffective training is offered, but what do you think happens when an
educational institution fails to provide what needs to be taught? This video on ineffective teaching can provide
some insight.
As
instructors we must commit to getting to know our audience. Andriotis (2016) suggest when developing a needs
analysis to focus on three areas: time investment, attitudes, and expected
outcomes. The student will feel more
motivated to participate in a course that is specific to their individual
needs, and the employer will learn of similar cross departmental needs and
requirements.
I
find the best approach to creating mutually beneficial learning content is to ask
questions and listen to the answers from both sides. This approach correlates with the findings of
Stefaniak and Baaki (2013) that instructional design should be customized so that
it is apparent to the learner (and the employer) that they need the
instruction.
References
Andriotis, N.
(2016). Know your audience! A smart guide for analyzing your learners’
needs.
In
Enfront. Retrieved from https://www.efrontlearning.com/blog/2016/10/guide-learners-needs-analysis.html
Melbourne, A.
(2014). Ineffective teaching. YouTube.
Retrieved from
Stefaniak, J. E., Baaki,
J., (2013). A layered approach to
understanding your audience.
Performance Improvement, 52(6),
5-10. Doi:
10.1002/pfi.21352
U.S. Department of
Commerce, U. S. Department of Education, U. S. Department of Labor,
National Institute
of Literacy, and Small Business Administration.
(1999). 21st century
Skills for 21st century
jobs. Washington,
DC: Government Printing Office.
Pamela - spot on! This is something you do quite well :-). You interview the SME to see what skills and content knowledge need to be provided, and then you do it. Listening to what the SME wants is very important to Instructional Designers who then make that area come alive.
ReplyDeleteDr. Duggan,
DeleteThis is what I have learned about designing a program I know nothing about, the SME is always ready to share his/her knowledge if there is a caring listner. Because I am always very interested in learning something new the SME's and I become fast friends on an important mission.
Thank you for the comment!
Pamela,
ReplyDeleteI love your "Ineffective Teacher" Video! It is very accurate!!!! You are right motivation is a key factor in effective training. If training does not have a clear outcome that is applicable tot he needs of the learners, then it will effect motivation.
Also, adding humor helps, like your video!!
Amy
Amy,
DeleteHumor is my secret weapon and adult learners appreciate the lighter moments it brings. I appreciate you viewing and commenting on the post.
Pamela,
ReplyDeleteYou are very right in your sentiment that a lot of people in teaching are set in their ways and will defend how they have always taught. In fact, I see it in the department I work in. Many of my colleagues will not add technology to their courses because they are convinced that it will not help and is not necessary. Thankfully, they don't force me to exclude technology.
Shaun
Shaun,
DeleteIt can be a difficult fight to get people to evolve beyond what they know, but it is also be so very fun. I am glad you are not forced to abandon your inclusion of technology. I am sure being the teacher you are combined with the multitude of apps available your classroom is intellectually stimulating. Thank you for the read.
Pamela,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post and totally agree. The best results are achieved when teachers and students co-create. I am finding more and more of my teachers are making small shifts to modify their classroom approach to education.
Thanks!
Alicia,
DeleteI appreciate your read and perspective as you are engaged with teachers daily. Thank you for the read!
I love your video! Funny thing, I did have a teacher once that ate like Jack Black in the classroom. He wasn't drunk, he just liked to eat. I couldn't think straight watching him and he always had something in his teeth. The funniest thing of all is -that is the only memory I have from his class (haha). Just goes to show you, you must know your audience. That is one thing I struggled with as a full-time adult student, many of my classes were not personalized for my interests, but were for the majority. Great post!
ReplyDeletePamela,
ReplyDeleteYou are a great writer! I love in your post that you include what an instructor must commit to and you could not be more right! Getting to know your audience is key to teaching a class! If your students know they have an instructor that care it will only allow for a better outcome for both the student and the instructor. Great post and the video is great!