Purposeful Tech Teaching

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This post is provided by guest blogger, Sejdije Fejza, graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, MS in Training and Development program.

In this article published by Society for Human Resource Management, Nicole Lewis (2022) explains that one inhibitor of employee retention is the employee not achieving a sense of growth in the workplace. Additionally, the pandemic promoted quantity of training. However, employees are looking for quality and relative purpose. Lewis (2022) presents the solution of alignment. This means that learning designers should first identify the performance gaps within the company or individual employee. Once needs are identified, the trainer should work to keep learning related to those needs through other technological strategies such as virtual reality and contextually relevant platforms such as YouTube. 

Individuals will find this article useful if they are teams who are researching best practices in learning strategies. Others include institutions or designers who may have already provided too many resources and are now looking to decrease learning inventory in the efforts to become more aligned. This source originated from the Society of Human Resource Management which is a source used by many in the field to retain their employees or refer to laws and other information relating to human resources and employee development. 

Reference

Lewis, N. (2022, September 14). Learning technologies will drive innovation and growth, study shows. SHRM. https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/technology/pages/learning-technologies-will-drive-innovation-and-growth-study-shows.aspx 

Where’s the Tech in Informal Learning?

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This post comes to you courtesy of your convivial and continually-learning guest blogger, Daniel Liestman a master’s degree student in the Training and Development program at the University of St. Francis (Joliet, IL). 

Moore & Klein (2020) accept that most learning in the workplace is informal, but realize the bulk of resources are provided for formal training.  In a survey (N=385) and subsequent interviews (n=20) of trainers they found T&D professionals engage in informal learning to foster informal learning by passing along articles or link to targeted individuals.  Trainers also supply just-in-time job aids and tools.  In addition, they create and curate learning objects and related materials for just-in-case situations.  Alternatives not explored might include brown bag sessions or walking about and engaging with staff.  Fostering informal leaning is a resource-efficient approach to counter budget and staffing shortfalls while improving organizational performance.

IMHO (in my humble opinion), Moore & Klein (2020) address an intriguing topic.  The rub is that the suggestions in the survey and those offered in the interviews are pedestrian (email, help sheets, filing away digital objects, etc.)   How might technology be better deployed?  How might online organizations foster those watercooler moments?  Could corporate maker-spaces foster creativity and discovery to grow the bottom line?  How can informal learning be tracked and evaluated?  The profession seems to have a wing-and-a-prayer approach to informal learning.  The research would have been more satisfying had the authors dug more.  I do hope this is not as deep as they could go, and this is all that they can offer.  Perhaps these topics can be pursued in subsequent research?

Moore, A. L., & Klein, J. D. (2020). Facilitating informal learning at work. TechTrends, 64(2), 219-228. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-019-00458-3

Nano-Learning: Learning Nuggets For Fast-Paced Learning

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This post is provided by guest blogger, Theresa Anderson, graduate student University of St. Francis, MS Training and Development program.

Nano-learning is a technique that delivers learning resources in small formats, such as short videos, texts, and sound bites, which are approximately two to ten minutes long. These “nuggets” of information make learning easily accessible within a short time, enabling learners to grasp key concepts quickly and retain information without feeling overwhelmed. Nano-learning has become increasingly popular due to the shorter attention spans that have emerged in the digital age.

The article only cites another article about attention span. However, the original piece was an interesting read about how society’s digitalization has impacted how we learn. It highlights the benefits of nano-learning, which enables learners to consume small chunks of information for faster and more personalized learning. Overall, the article effectively explains the reasons and methods behind nano-learning. As our world continues to evolve, the needs of learners will also evolve. 

Reference
Stoddard, J. (2023, April 22). Embracing nano-learning: Bite-sized education for the digital age. LinkedIn. Retrieved May 28, 2023, from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/embracing-nano-learning-bite-sized-education-digital-stoddard-litd

Wellbeing Resources at your Fingertips

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This post is provided by guest blogger, Kelly Andrzejczak, graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, MS in Training and Development program.

Technology resources that support mental health are addressing a high demand by providing convenience and accessibility. From apps that track moods to online therapy to mindfulness tools, the sky is the limit to the support that technology can provide to employee wellbeing. Employers that promote digital mental health resources play an important role in addressing & overcoming the stigma around asking for help. Embracing digital technology to support employee wellbeing can provide analytical tools and measurements to build better processes for employee wellbeing and simultaneously boost company productivity.

This information can be helpful for leaders who are trying to care for their employees as a whole person. Wellbeing is being closely looked at right now, especially post pandemic, and managers could benefit from exploring the options available to supporting their team’s mental health and wellbeing. I think this article is great at a high level and providing evidence of the benefits; I would like to see additional information or a follow up from employers that have implemented digital mental health resources and what has worked well and any lessons learned.

Using digital tech to support employees’ mental health and resilience. (2021, July 8). McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/life-sciences/our-insights/using-digital-tech-to-support-employees-mental-health-and-resilience

Emerging Technologies and eLearning-Raising the Bar

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This post is provided by guest blogger, Danielle Victoriano, graduate student University of St. Francis, MS Training and Development program.

E-Learning is evolving to create the ultimate self-driven and self-paced yet interactive design. It is emerging into an interactive model that is intuitive for the learners’ needs. Is this what learners need and want? Will this aid them in achieving their goals? Mangalvedhe examines this in this 2023 article. The author examines how emerging technologies can influence and transform learning and development moving forward. In the article, the author examines how artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, gamification, mobile learning and microlearning will change how we interact and respond within the learning model to a more profound level than we have in eLearning.

This is an excellent article for content creators and instructional designers that are seeking ways to provide interaction and take learning to an application level. The author examines in detail how each technology can be integrated into instructional design. Mangalvedhe (2023) also discusses how each technology can fulfill and appeal to the various needs of learners. Examples are provided to suggest how these technologies can be executed successfully in the created content. These examples will be a starting point to consider using these advanced technologies that workplaces are already utilizing to raise the bar of flexible and efficient learning while expediting the upskilling process.  

References

Mangalvedhe, A. (2023, January 12). The emerging technologies in Elearning. eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/the-emerging-technologies-in-elearning

Getting Trainees to be “In Their Element”

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This post is provided by guest blogger, Sejdije Fejza, graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, MS in Training and Development program.

In this article from The Organization Management Journal, researchers Praveen Kulkarni, Prayag Gokhale, Y.M. Satish, and Basavaraj Tigadi (2022) evaluated the effectiveness of gamification and employee motivation or productivity in the workplace. They found that the technology is effective only if the trainer applies relevant elements. These elements include examples such as trainees earning badges, placements on leader boards, or advancing to higher levels of training digitally. Additionally, for participants’ productivity to increase in the workplace, the game and elements must resemble the qualities and tasks that consist in the workplace itself.

This resource would be useful for trainers that are considering implementing games in their sessions. This article is an asset in creating a method of training that will help workers recognize progress in their learning and achievement. This will also allow companies to better align their training curriculum due to the need for the games to simulate the workplace. Thus, organizations can track the correlation between employee motivation in the game-based training and productivity in the job setting. Although this research is exclusive to software-based companies, the concept can be implemented in most settings to enhance organizational development.  

Reference:

Kulkarni, P., Tigadi, B., Satish, Y. M., & Gokhale, P. (2022, March 31). An empirical study on the impact of learning theory on gamification-based training programs. Organization Management Journal, 19(5). https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/OMJ-04-2021-1232/full/html 

Is Healthcare Ready to Learn in the Metaverse?

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This post is provided by guest blogger, Tricia Padgurskis, DPT, graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, MS in Training and Development program.

With the fast pace of healthcare, clinicians and their students need to learn the latest workflows, procedures, and methods for best patient care.  In the article by Thomason (2021) in the Journal of Metaverse (a double-blind peer-reviewed, open-access academic journal), the Metaverse is introduced as a new way of providing simulation learning for clinicians.  Metaverse is a virtual realty space in which users can interact with a computer-generated environment. In this article, many new virtual healthcare environments are described and include Veyond Metaverse, Studyum, OptiVu Mixed Reality, and Accuvein (Thomason, 2021).  In these spaces, students and clinicians can view, practice, and simulate patient care scenarios such as performing a surgery, interpreting imaging, and providing rehabilitation. As there are many benefits of learning, Thomason admittedly shares her ethical worries of a healthcare metaverse. 

The article facilitates the idea that it might be time to keep up with the new ways of simulation-based learning using VR and a possible Metaverse especially in healthcare. Metaverse immersion might be the next big step to safer practice and collaboration between healthcare teams.  However, do you have anxiety about wearing a VR headset?

Thomason, J. (2021). MetaHealth-How will the metaverse change health care? Journal of Metaverse, 1(1), 13–16. Retrieved May 27, 2023, from

https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/2167692

Grading E-learning Outcomes, Pun Intended

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This post is provided by guest blogger, E Ivy, graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, MS in Training and Development program.

The writer of the Brown Center Chalkboard blog suggests there could be cause for concern for the online learning levels of higher education students. While much of the post-pandemic attention surrounding e-learning loss has been given to K-12 learners, data reveals college students performed worse in e-learning courses than in face-to-face classes. For learners who are male and less academically prepared, the negative implications of online learning are greater.  However, differences in characteristics of students who choose in-person versus online options may impact some outcomes. At least one finding indicates hybrid courses experience similar results to in-person learning.

This blog site with writings by scholars and fellows in association with the research and public policy-based Brookings Institution is a credible source. I recommend higher education faculty and administrators review the article, as they may be interested in its assessment. The information, with research links included, is helpful in that it discusses and suggests we give attention to postsecondary online learning (in addition to K-12 education). As e-learning continues to expand and evolve, educators may be able to glean from this information and adjust where needed, to help ensure virtual learners are learning as effectively as their in-person counterparts.

Cellini, S. R. (2021, August 13). How does virtual learning impact students in higher education?. Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2021/08/13/how-does-virtual-learning-impact-students-in-higher-education/

Technologies Changing Learning Landscapes

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This post is provided by guest blogger, Brianna Richardson, graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, MS in Training and Development program.

Cutting-edge technologies are making education more accessible and engaging. “How Modern Technology Is Reshaping the E-Learning Industry,” by Simon Moser (2021) for Entrepreneur, gives us an overview of which technologies are challenging traditional learning models to change. The author discusses the impacts of innovations like artificial intelligence, data analytics, and virtual reality. Algorithms let educators and institutions gain insight about students by analyzing large sets of data. Moser highlights how artificial intelligence is being used to predict learning needs and customize training plans. He also explores the ways virtual reality is being used to create interactive learning experiences that increase engagement. 

I recommend this article to those seeking a comprehensive overview of the ways that current technology is impacting e-learning. It provides insight on current technologies being used to identify topics that students need help with, and personalize the learning experience (Moser, 2021). However, the analysis did not mention the issues that this technology may pose in its wide-spread adoption. There is still much to be learned about the implications of storing large amounts of data and how to create algorithms that are unbiased. The reader should consider these issues with a critical lens and continue to learn about the technology.

Reference

Moser, S. (2021, January 10). How modern technology is reshaping the e-learning industry. Entrepreneur. https://www.entrepreneur.com/science-technology/how-modern-technology-is-reshaping-the-e-learning-industry/361812

Links to an external site.

ChatGPT: What’s it doing for/to me?

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This post is brought to you by your genial novice blogger, Daniel Liestman, a graduate student in the University of St. Francis’ (Joliet, IL) MS in Training and Development program.

Last November, Open AI released an advanced chatbot like no other.  ChatGPT (generative pre-trained transformer) draws on Internet information.  It’s RLHF, or Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback component, however, provides the human-like quality.  While ChatGPT may stir anxiety in some, it can be used as an effective learning tool.  For example, how might learners construct an AI generated argument and then analyze and critique it?  Further, how might learners hone their own questioning skills to spark discovery? Such AI can also foster individualized learning as well as doing administrative work for instructors while also doing instructional planning.

Stephens, an educational consultant with degrees from Harvard and Stanford, has no idea what ChatGPT bodes. But neither do we.  AI, for her, has a place in learning, but also in reducing instructors’ grunt work. I recall the story of a professor who audio taped a lecture for a day he was out.  While the reel-to-reel played atop the lectern, a cassette recorder on each student’s desk taped the lecture. While the technology has changed,  AI may well imitate this cautionary tale at the moment expense of learning.

Stephens, D. (2023, May 16). ChatGPT examples to use artificial intelligence in education. Nearpod Blog.  https://nearpod.com/blog/chatgpt-ai-artificial-intelligence/