Technology Enhanced Situated Learning and Virtual Skills Rehearsal in Workforce Development

Technology Enhanced Situated Learning and Virtual Skills Rehearsal in Workforce Development Keith Quinn, Stephen Farrier and Dr Alan Bruce

Introduction
As part of a European funded project titled 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 plus bridging the digital divide and work force planning.
The experiment was set within both geographical and demographic contexts of Scotland.
Technology Enhanced Situated Learning and Virtual Skills Rehearsal in Workforce Development

The CREANOVA project was funded as a Transversal Research project by the European Union’s Lifelong Learning Programme in 2008.
It aims to identify key elements and characteristics of innovation and creativity in learning, with particular reference to work-based learning, advanced technologies and creative media sectors.
The project has developed general theoretical research ( Discovering Vision , 2010) supplemented by dedicated experiments in four partner countries to test out the thesis concerning innovative approaches to learning.
Above all, the CREANOVA project seeks to identify the tools, methods and implications of innovation in meeting the challenges of sustainable and inclusive development.
The project has developed over a time of significant socio-economic and political crisis in the European Union that has resulted in a new focus on the urgent need for workforce planning and development.
The Creanova Project Technology Enhanced Situated Learning and Virtual Skills Rehearsal in Workforce Development

CREANOVA Experiment: Scotland
The Scottish CREANOVA experiment was based on learning solutions in the form of creative modalities and innovative learning design.
The investigation was based in the workplace of social service employers in both Glasgow and Perth.
The experiment involved transferable and adaptable creative learning modalities (solutions) that could cross professional and vocational/academic boundaries while addressing professional divisions related to childhood, community, family and older people.

Context Technology Enhanced Situated Learning and Virtual Skills Rehearsal in Workforce Development
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
Solutions …

Technology Enhanced Situated Learning and Virtual Skills Rehearsal in Workforce Development 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 Technology Enhanced Situated Learning and Virtual Skills Rehearsal in Workforce Development

The Effect of Practice on Retention of Learning Technology Enhanced Situated Learning and Virtual Skills Rehearsal in Workforce Development Source: the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

The Project Conducting a demonstration project with employer to test the effectiveness of learning delivered on mobile devices, in the workplace.
Research Questions
How do learners perceive the effectiveness of the learning activity, in each group?
Is there a perceived improvement in application of learning to practice where it has been delivered in the workplace?
Does the technology used facilitate or obstruct learning?
Do learners retain more of their learning using the TEL situated approach as opposed to the classroom – based approach?
Do the use of elearning and a mobile delivery platform ameliorate the logistical difficulties of engaging employees in learning and development?

What is “Second Sight”?
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.

Technology Enhanced Situated Learning and Virtual Skills Rehearsal in Workforce Development The Glasgow City Pilot

Findings: Technology Enhanced Situated Learning and Virtual Skills Rehearsal in Workforce Development
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 very positive impact on logistics of training

Potential Applications… Technology Enhanced Situated Learning and Virtual Skills Rehearsal in Workforce Development

Next Steps: Educational gaming and professional learning Technology Enhanced Situated Learning and Virtual Skills Rehearsal in Workforce Development

The use of extended virtual learner communities enabled a reshaping of pedagogical values, ideology and patterns of professional learning.
Blending hybrid approaches to learning that increase access and flexibility control for learners and raises the potential for a richer, higher value role for educators and learning facilitators.
Focused more clearly on the distance the learner has travelled.
Benefits: Technology Enhanced Situated Learning and Virtual Skills Rehearsal in Workforce Development

Financial

Inertia/anxiety related to adopting new approaches
Access to technologies
The use of learning technologies could be used as a rationale to reduce staff complements in training departments.
Lack of familiarity with the technologies
Can be perceived by management as a cost cutting measure
Socio-economic myths and realities
Challenges: Technology Enhanced Situated Learning and Virtual Skills Rehearsal in Workforce Development

Contact Us ...
Keith Quinn: Scottish Social Services Council
(keith.quinn@sssc.uk.com)
Stephen Farrier: The University of Edinburgh
(stefarrier@gmail.com)
Dr Alan Bruce: Universal Learning Systems
(abruce@ulsystems.com)

The 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 this experiment. Our grateful acknowledgement of the work undertaken by those parts of the Scottish Services Council , Glasgow City Council, Perth and Kinross Council and MHSE University of Edinburgh

Links: http://workforcesolutions.sssc.uk.com

Thank You

http://www.creanova-project.eu	405
http://creanova-project.eu	25
http://translate.googleusercontent.com	2

Technology Enhanced Situated Learning and Virtual Skills Rehearsal in Workforce Development

by European Distance and E-Learning Network on Jun 27, 2011

Accessibility

Categories

Upload Details

Usage Rights

3 Embeds 432

Statistics

Technology Enhanced Situated Learning and Virtual Skills Rehearsal in Workforce Development — Presentation Transcript