The news is not that we are continually shifting most of our work time from the online knowledge economy, but rather that we are learning more over time about what works and what does not work by doing so. Take the Training and Development (T&D) field. This is an industry that experienced an advantage long before Covid in providing digital and distance learning opportunities. By designing and building virtual and hybrid instructional programs over a relatively long period of time, it is reasonable to expect that this industry can gain lessons that inform other business sectors on how to spread intelligence in an online environment.
Another area that distance learning shares, it is true that more than they currently want, is the field of education, both K-12 and higher education. Like T&D, their shared mission is to harness the power and ubiquity of computers and similar devices, along with the public’s basic technology literacy skills, to provide teaching and learning possibilities when housing students in classrooms is impractical. traditional. Here too, best practices are being identified as teachers, schools, and communities facing the challenge of delivering quality online education.
Together, T&D and education are eye-opening methods and conditions to consider establishing when the online workplace involves information sharing, change management, customer engagement, and staff development. An analysis of the peer-reviewed literature, the T & D / education market, and anecdotal reports from distance education professionals suggest key practices when formulating and implementing remote instruction courses and programs. However, it is enlightening to understand that the best of these procedures are not simply disjointed techniques produced through trial and error, but rest on a philosophical basis.
Lev Vygotsky was a Soviet-era psychologist recognized throughout the world to this day for his scholarship on how humans give meaning, in other words, cognitive development. In short, his theory is that people acquire cultural values, beliefs, problem-solving strategies, and practical insights through collaboration with others, particularly more knowledgeable people. Understanding and meaning, according to Vygotsky, derive from a social context, making community the fertile ground from which people learn. Today, Vygotsky’s theory forces developers of online training and education curricula to migrate the characteristics of the in-person community to the digital environment. By doing so, instructors and trainers are better able to facilitate the acquisition of concepts and knowledge among their students and learners.
Therefore, we must rely on the interconnectivity and interaction possible through virtual contact. Although it remains a novel concept for older generations, society is clearly moving towards a norm characterized by remote connections with others, either through our use of social media, Facetime, or online short-term accreditation courses. Three ideal practices that harness social cohesion include:
Be present – This can range from presenting direct instruction synchronously or in real time to being available for individual student / employee questions to tutoring. There will be times when asynchronous (not real-time) communication, such as message boards, forums, and course policies, should be visible to all participants, but generally being directly available or on call during set hours makes participants feel less abandoned. and insecure.
Interactions – Encouraging the interaction of participants promotes information exchange and social learning, which leads to literacy. Three key dialogues for learning involve teacher to student, student to student, and student to content. The promotion of such exchanges generates effective growth-oriented connections between teachers and students, purposeful explorations conducted within a student-to-student context, and investigations between a student and the facts and concepts of subject areas.
Discussion – Promoting opportunities for students to engage in synchronous and asynchronous discussions creates substantial educational value. Encounters that involve questions, reflections, answers, and decisions support the growth of the participants. Thanks to digitization, well-structured discussions and deliberations can strengthen any course.
When tasked with planning distance learning and teaching opportunities, keep in mind the importance of creating social coherence. You may find that less has been lost to virtualization than you initially feared.
