Scenario:
A training manager has been frustrated with the quality of communication among
trainees in his face-to-face training sessions and wants to try something new.
With his supervisor’s permission, the trainer plans to convert all current
training modules to a blended learning format, which would provide trainees and
trainers the opportunity to interact with each other and learn the material in
both a face-to-face and online environment. In addition, he is considering
putting all of his training materials on a server so that the trainees have
access to resources and assignments at all times.
The best practices guide for this trainer to follow when
converting his program to a distance learning format will provide key
information on preplanning, enhancement in the course, role of the trainer to
facilitator, and how to encourage online communication. I will be answering all
these questions as a way to help the trainer convert this course successful to
a blended learning course.
What
are some of the pre-planning strategies the trainer needs to consider before
converting his program?
Before converting the program, the trainer needs to use
an instructional design model such as the ADDIE model as a guide to design an
effective course. He needs to think about the important components that are a
critical part of the process such as the learners, the content, the method and
materials, and the environment including the appropriate technology. These
components must be able to interact both efficiently and effectively to produce
quality learning experience (152). According to Simonson et al. 2012, that
first time instructor of distance learners should begin working 3 to 5 months
in advance of the beginning date to ensure all materials are planned and
readily available for student use. It is imperative that the trainer take time
to plan and organize the learning experience when engaged in teaching at a
distance.
The course is being converted to a hybrid (blended)
course. Before, he begins, he needs to assess his students to see if they will
have all the necessary attributes to be successful in a distance learning environment.
If they do not, he will need to implement strategies that would encourage them
to improve their skills. He could also create a storyboard as an outline of how
the course would possibly flow. The trainer can use the storyboard to create
each unit-module-topic as a way to organize the instructional objectives the
learnings are expected to learn. In the online portion, the trainer can design a
course management system that students can use to communicate and participate
actively in discussions with classmates. Within the CMS, the trainer should
include a syllabus to ensure communications is open between learner and
trainer. This will be the primary communication for students to understand the structure
of the course, expectation, and assignment process (Simonson,M., Smaldino, S.,Albright,Micheal., & Zvacek, S., 2012) . The learner will
need to take responsibility for initiating contact with the instructor if an
issue arise. However, the trainer will need to have a clear and reliable way
for learners to contact them in case an issue do arise.
The trainer should also ensure that the course would be
learner-centered and learners will have many opportunities to be actively
engaged. When learners are more engaged, it is more likely that they will
retained the information better. Learner can work in collaborative groups,
small group discussion, hands-on experience with that are prepared in advance.
The key to active learning is to keep the learners involved in their own
learning, not just keeping them busy (Simonson,M.
et. Al,, 2012).
What
aspects of his original training program could be enhanced in the distance
learning format?
By converting this traditional learning course to a
blended learning environment, he could enhance the technology he uses. He could
have student use some of the latest Web 2.0 technologies that will be appropriate
for blended course such as discussion boards and wikis. He could also use video
or audio presentation of experts explain concepts. The use of tables, graphics,
animation and video to present information is important but it must be shown in
an engaging manner. This multimedia
should also be designed to accommodate different learning style of the student.
How
will his role, as trainer, change in a distance learning environment?
The role of the trainer changes to a facilitator in any
learner-centered learning environment. Dr. Purkish states that the facilitator
role does not change traditional to distance learning setting. However, it is
more difficult in distance learning. As
the facilitator he should implement best practices such as:
|
Best practices
|
Explanation
|
|
Become very familiar with the technology software the
students will be using
|
· Facilitator should
know how use the software so that if student has a question about how to use
a component he will be able to assist the student.
|
|
Implement variety instructional strategies
|
· Facilitator should
not use PowerPoint presentation because it is a way to make the students
disengage from the content. Dr. Piskurish calls this “death of PowerPoint”
when this method is overly used in delivery content to students.
· Facilitator allow
students to work in small groups, audio, and discussions,
· Facilitator should
make sure the activities and application allow students to work own their own
pace.
|
|
Review lesson plans
|
· Facilitator should
have a thorough understanding of the lesson. He should know what students
will be doing next and how they go by getting it done.
· The activities that
students will be completing is related to their instructional objective that
keep the learner going and become actively engaged in the course.
|
|
Communication with students and Monitor interaction
|
· Facilitator must
keep in constant contact with their student. If facilitator does not
communicate or interact with their students, they may begin to think that the
facilitator does not care about their success in the class.
· Facilitator should
participate in the discussion with the groups and track students’
participation just as he would in a traditional setting.
|
Facilitator should encourage a learning community with
communication protocols, cultural diversity awareness, and understanding how to
use audio equipment properly. The facilitator should initiate an icebreaker so
that students will have an opportunity to get to know each other in the
course. According to Simonson et al.
2012, the ice breaker play a role that help builds relationship among the
students of the group. The students will be able to learn about each other
which gives them opportunities for communication and collaboration.
When designing a blended course, it is important to
analyze students, become very familiar with the content and appropriate
technology for this kind of course. The facilitator should look for ways to
enhance learning and communication to encourage students to be actively engaged
in the course.
References
Purkish, George (2014). "Facilitating Online
Learning"
Simonson,M., Smaldino, S.,Albright,Micheal., &
Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and Learning at a Distance: Foundation of
Distance Education (5th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
