Into the World of Learning
The application of knowledge imparted to others not only empowers and shapes the individual but also shapes the next generation and what the future of our world will become. Great authority lies in the hands of educators and administrators to inspire a future we have yet to witness. It is one of the world's greatest privileges to be part of, where the depth of impact is so significant we cannot always see how far our reach traveled.
As a Training Manager, I have had opportunities to witness the positive impact I have made with others through learning and development. In one of my experiences, I had hired an employee for an entry-level position in higher education as a Financial Aid Counselor. Our work environment is considered fast-paced, and she was learning much of the industry from scratch. We start doing review check-ins after allowing employees two to three months to transition into their position. She struggled to meet the metric expectations twice and failed her phone quality assurance review. We coached and trained in multiple sessions for the next two months, discussing alternative strategies and workflows she could try out to help improve. With her persistence to learn and leverage my training, she passed her metrics, phone quality assurance review, and an assessment for promotion. It was emotionally moving for her and for me. This learning experience propelled her to a promotion, which impacted her career growth and provided her and her family with more financial benefits. Beyond her own benefits, she uses her gained knowledge to help students reach their career goals through services within her position. I may never be able to witness the depth of positive impact my training has reached, but through one person, I have already extended a positive impact to ripple across hundreds of other individuals. That is the power of applied knowledge.
As a Training Manager, I have had opportunities to witness the positive impact I have made with others through learning and development. In one of my experiences, I had hired an employee for an entry-level position in higher education as a Financial Aid Counselor. Our work environment is considered fast-paced, and she was learning much of the industry from scratch. We start doing review check-ins after allowing employees two to three months to transition into their position. She struggled to meet the metric expectations twice and failed her phone quality assurance review. We coached and trained in multiple sessions for the next two months, discussing alternative strategies and workflows she could try out to help improve. With her persistence to learn and leverage my training, she passed her metrics, phone quality assurance review, and an assessment for promotion. It was emotionally moving for her and for me. This learning experience propelled her to a promotion, which impacted her career growth and provided her and her family with more financial benefits. Beyond her own benefits, she uses her gained knowledge to help students reach their career goals through services within her position. I may never be able to witness the depth of positive impact my training has reached, but through one person, I have already extended a positive impact to ripple across hundreds of other individuals. That is the power of applied knowledge.
We must create flourishing learning environments where teachers can mentor their students on knowledge application in real-world situations. What if I treated my employees like most students in a classroom? Most student classrooms emphasize memorization with a lack of real-world connection and creativity. This is what needs to change in education. Students who fail to meet class standards are held back from repeating the grade. Some schools no longer practice this and push the student forward to the next grade. Holding a student back to repeat a grade or pushing them forward into the next grade are not viable solutions. It does not address the gap in understanding the student needs to progress to the next level. If I did this with my employees, there is a risk they may not grow and develop and may even lose their jobs if they continue not to meet performance expectations. Resolving the issue starts by acknowledging the learner is responsible for their learning and the teacher is responsible for coaching. When one is without the other, the learning environment struggles to flourish. Bringing this together, personalized learning plans that meet the learner where they are at will help propel them to the next level.
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Alongside traditional learning environments, digital learning has been stepping into the classroom. Schools have attempted to modernize their classrooms with iPads, interactive whiteboards, online videos, and games. While I believe in seeking new innovative ways to teach students, technology must be used with purpose for it to be effective. The key is finding ways technology can enrich the educational experience. When done properly, the data should show overall student progress increasing. If technology is integrated into the classroom and the data on student progress remains unchanged, then no impact has transpired.
When COVID-19 impacted my organization, all training sessions needed to be done remotely. Zoom was the only method being used for digital learning. While Zoom can be a useful technology for live training sessions, there is a fatigue risk for the trainee and trainer. We started to see challenges with new and current employees struggling to connect necessary information to perform their tasks. Department production started to suffer. Does this mean Zoom was to blame or that technology cannot be effectively used for learning and development? Not necessarily. The technology needs to complement the learner’s environment, not replace it.
When COVID-19 impacted my organization, all training sessions needed to be done remotely. Zoom was the only method being used for digital learning. While Zoom can be a useful technology for live training sessions, there is a fatigue risk for the trainee and trainer. We started to see challenges with new and current employees struggling to connect necessary information to perform their tasks. Department production started to suffer. Does this mean Zoom was to blame or that technology cannot be effectively used for learning and development? Not necessarily. The technology needs to complement the learner’s environment, not replace it.
To better address the use of technology for learning and development within my department, I proposed strategically upgrading our training program. All lecture and demonstration-based teaching would be migrated to a learning management system (LMS) using the flipped classroom method. Live training sessions would occur remotely and in person to complete project and challenge-based learning. In this proposal, the trainer leverages the use of technology to enrich the learning experience by maximizing where the trainer is most influential, interacting with the trainee as a coach and mentor. Learning becomes more individualized even within a group of learners as they navigate online learning sessions at their own pace, receive one-on-one support from the trainer, and participate in reflective discussions. In the earliest testing phases of this project, trainees have reported this method has allowed a good balance between synchronous and asynchronous learning. The ability to own their learning experience and know they have the support they need to continue problem-solving real-life situations on the job gives confidence in their ability to perform the necessary tasks to succeed in their role. Zoom was not meant to be the singular solution to my department’s problem. Zoom and the LMS became powerful technological tools that enriched the learning experience.
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As technology evolves, digital learning must be strategically used when education concentrates on applying knowledge. Integrating technology into the learning process can raise student success and expand educators' and administrators' reach worldwide. Innovative change remains a necessary part of our education system to cultivate enriched learning environments that will shape tomorrow's future. |