tel situated learning eden2011-final

Technology Enhanced Situated Learning and Virtual Skills Rehearsal in Workforce Development

Keith Quinn, Stephen Farrier and Dr Alan Bruce

As part of a European funded project entitled CREANOVA, the University of Edinburgh showcased the SSSCs advanced learning solutions as part of the project's experimental phase

These creative learning solutions incorporated and integrated social policy policy plus bridging the digital divide and workforce planning.

The experiment was set within both geographical and demographic contexts of Scotland

Introduction


Context

Workforce in excess of 198,000

Majority of employers small – medium sized

Qualifications based workforce registration

Decreasing available financial resources

Dwindling pool of “relief” staff

Increasing difficulties in releasing staff for learning


comparing the effectiveness of technology enhanced situated learning with traditional, classroom approaches to workforce development

Using Mobile Devices to Support Workplace Learning:


Retention of Learning


The Effect of Practice on Retention of Learning

Source: the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada


Conducting a demonstration project with employer to test the effectiveness of learning delivered on mobile devices, in the workplace.

The Project

Research Questions

1. How do learners perceive the effectiveness of the learning activity, in each group?

2. Is there a perceived improvement in application of learning to practice where it has been delivered in the workplace?

3. Does the technology used facilitate or obstruct learning?

4. Do learners retain more of their learning using the TEL situated approach as opposed to the classroom – based approach?

5. Do the use of elearning and a mobile delivery platform resolve the logistical difficulties of engaging employees in learning and development?


Uses pre-defined icons to trigger audiovisual content

Enhancing printed materials: adding rich content to provide complementary learning material

Augmented Reality: displaying learning materials overlaid on the learners environment.

What is “Second Sight”?


The Glasgow City Pilot


Findings:

• TEL approach at least as effective as training centre approach

• Learners (and their managers) reported increased ease of application of learning to practice

• Technology reported as beneficial/ supportive of learning: users very positive about their control of the pace of learning

• TEL approach marginally better in retention measure

• Use of mobile technology seen as having


Potential Applications…


Next Steps: Educational gaming and professional learning


Theuseofextendedvirtuallearnercommunitiesenabledareshapingofpedagogicalvalues,ideologyandpatternsofprofessionallearning.

Blendinghybridapproachestolearningincreasedaccess,flexibilityandcontrolforlearnersandraisesthepotentialforaricher,highervalueroleforeducatorsandlearningfacilitators.

Focusedmoreclearlyonthedistancethelearnerhastravelled.

Benefits:


Financial

Inertia/anxietyrelatedtoadoptingnewapproaches

Accesstotechnologies

Theuseoflearningtechnologiescouldbeusedasarationaletoreducestaffcomplementsintrainingdepartments.

Lackoffamiliaritywiththetechnologies

Canbeperceivedbymanagementasacostcuttingmeasure

Challenges:


Contact Us ...

Keith Quinn: Scottish Social Services Council ([email protected])

Stephen Farrier: The University of Edinburgh ([email protected])

Dr Alan Bruce: Universal Learning Systems ([email protected])

Authors

Stephen Farrier: The University of Edinburgh

Keith Quinn: Scottish Social Services Council

Dr Alan Bruce: Universal Learning Systems

Dr John Davis: The University of Edinburgh

Nikolas Bizas: The University of Edinburgh

Acknowledgements:

May we take this opportunity to thank those who were part of the experiment. Our grateful acknowledgement of the work undertaken by those parts of the Scottish Social Services Council, Glasgow City Council, Perth & Kinross Council and MHSE University of Edinburgh

Links:

http://workforcesolutions.sssc.uk.com

Thank You