Technology Partnerships in Training

In the beginning there was technology and training……...

An age old question, when did we first use technology in training?  Training and the use of technology have been traveling on parallel paths during the evolution of education and training.  It has become known for its means in which to support the transfer of knowledge to groups of people.  As depicted in the YouTube video below the two have been intertwined together since the beginning of time.

The History of Technology In Education. (SMARTEduEMEA, 2011)

Technology at times has evolved faster than traditional education and training methods.  And is mostly due to its cost, public support, and its limited adaptability to meet the needs of the many have fizzled out and didn’t stand the test of time.  And was soon replace with other newer and improved technology.  The following are five uses of technology that provide the means or the support in which to transfer knowledge, bring information through training closer to the people who need it:

1.  World Wide Web (WWW) – A depository of a wealth of information limited only by its capacity and the users means in which to access the web.  This technology has provided the education field with a valuable tool in which to allow student access to information that once wasn’t available or limited by its accessibility.  This user-friendly means is now considered a gateway that can lead you down a path towards discovery of a wide range of topics. (Noe, R., 2010)  It provides the means to share information with other across oceans as well as, across the room.  This tool is accessible through the use of browsers and uniform resource locator (URL). (Noe, R., 2010)

2.  Interactive Video – The combining of the best of computer-base training and video technology to created an interactive environment in which a learner can receive one-on-one training through the use of a keyboard and monitor. (Noe, R., 2010)  This technology offers students a cost effective, yet flexible means to learn interpersonal skills and technical procedures in large groups that may be separated by distance.  It also provides students an opportunity to work at their own pace and the flexibilities to manage their time while learning. (Noe, R., 2010)

3.  Online Learning – The delivery of training utilizing a computer and web access.  There is two types of online learning:  Internet-based and Intranet-based training. (Noe, R., 2010)  Both types utilize the use of a computer and a network.  Internet-base uses the Internet to access information from a public shared web access and intranet-base is company provided private access to a shared network. (Noe, R., 2010)  Both store training information on each perspective network sites and both provide a cost effective and flexible means for students to gain knowledge when and where every they are, as long as they have access. (Noe, R., 2010)

4.  Simulation – Provides a student with an environment that replicates the standard and its conditions required to perform the given task.  By creating a simulation of its actually environment this provides students with a perspective of realism to improve their cognitive thinking skills (Noe, R., 2010) This is done in order to provide students with a safe realistic environment in which to learn and practice under supervision.  It also, provides students with instant feedback regarding areas of strength and weakness in order to make corrections to improve their performance of the task. (Noe, R., 2010)  Although considered an optimal learning environment its cost and operation requirements limit its use to training that benefit most from this method verse other methods.

5.  SMART Boards – considered an interactive whiteboard is changing the way training is conducted in the classroom.  What was once an instructional environment of chalkboards and flipcharts are now replaced with interactive SMART Boards, providing teachers with the means to save lessons for those students to access who are having trouble understanding; create video files without using more equipment; presenting digital story telling activities etc., that can be shown to students on a large screens.  This technology has shown positive results for teaching students with disabilities by helping them to communicate and learn using other means.  Although its uses are great, it requires some form of training in order to use it and is very costly.  Most school district have limited funding and can’t afford them or will only be able to get one or two making the use of this technology limited. (Kelsey & Margame, n.d.)

Although the advancements in technology has greatly improved and have benefited training by bring information to more people, making the world smaller and more accessible to the same information.  The same old saying still applies, if the means (technology) doesn’t fit the desired outcome in order to cause a positive effect that enhance the transfer of knowledge, its not good training.  (Stolovitch, H., 2004) When technology is correctly partnered with the appropriate training needs, it creates a match that ensures the success of transferring knowledge and skills to students, but if this is not the case, its just training for the sake of using technology.  (Noe, R., 2010)

References:

Stolovitch, H., & Keeps, E. (2004). Training Ain't Performance. Alexandria, VA: ASTD.

Stolovitch, H. D., & Keeps, E. J. (2004). Beyond training ain’t performance field book: Strategies, tools, and guidance for effective workplace performance. Alexandria, VA: ASTD Press

Noe, R. A. (2010). Employee Training and Development. New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin 

SMARTEDUEMEA (2011).  The history of technology in education, from YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFwWWsz_X9s

Kelsey & Margame (n.d). Integrating Technology In K12/SmartBoards in a Classroom, http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Integrating_Technology_In_K12/SmartBoards_in_a_Classroom