IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU

• Hello Everyone,

This past year or so has revealed many shortcomings in several areas of our social fabric. In my specific area, I noticed the shortcomings and lack of readiness in a profession for which I am truly passionate, EDUCATION.

If nothing else, the idea of warehousing learners for 8 hours a day has proven to be a dated concept. This is not to say that communal gathering does not have a place in learning, quite the contrary. Yet, this past year has made it obvious that teaching and learning continue to challenge us and are not as easy and as formulaic as some would suggest. My years in learning scenarios, have repeatedly reinforced in me that learning is a multi-dimensional task where an individual acquires knowledge by multiple means, e.g. observing and listening to others as much as one does from studying books, etc. We tend to gravitate in our learning toward things that we feel are important to us, that we want to master and implement. Learning often comes about after evaluating the information, storing it and when we feel it is most appropriate, applying it.

As many of you already know, I facilitate on-line learning and have done so for more than 20 years. I also have an extensive career in face-to-face learning environments. Do I see a difference in the quality of the learning experiences between the two platforms? NO!!!

What I do see is a notable difference in the readiness of learners who engage in on-line learning. What I have seen in new comers who decide to explore on-line learning, whether from a learning or teaching perspective, is a lack of preparation.  This lack of readiness on both sides of the desk means many are not ready to succeed. Having a computer does not translate into a successful online learning experience. The idea of online learning can sound so exciting that some learners start with an unrealistic vision of what their learning outcome will look like. Especially, when this excitement is immediately tempered with a forced retrofit of traditional methodology into an unfamiliar mold. Too often, the “teacher” who has been forced to employ a new platform for delivery of the same material, is either ill-prepared or unwilling to do what is necessary to adapt to the new delivery system. This is not very different from the lack of professional readiness that I frequently see in face-to-face classroom or boardroom settings.

 In a nutshell: Teaching is NOT ABOUT YOU!!!

Resistance can come about as a result of a lack of clarity as to what is needed in order to reach goals.  Most learners and educators are initially unaware that on-line courses require just as much, if not more, time and energy as traditional classroom courses. On-line courses also require specific computer skills and come with a set of teaching and learning strategies that although based on established teaching and learning principles, do differ a bit. In my experience timely FEEDBACK has been the main motivator that separates effective on-line learning from that which is inadequate. The best way to discover the main motivator in a learning environment is by simply monitoring and evaluating on a regular basis and providing applicable guidance.

There is very little in our current educational system that fosters persistence, practical time management, sufficient and appropriate communication skills, independence/inter-dependence, motivation and (GASP!!!,) reading and writing skills. When testing is established as the single most important and accurate indicator of learning, the learning experience is reduced to a number. Anyone who has taken a course with me knows from the start that scoring and points mean very little to me. LEARNING DEMONSTRATED by doing means EVERYTHING!!! Individuals’ abilities and understanding are more than can be revealed by test scores based on predetermined sets of questions. To circumvent this, I have used multiple low-stakes evaluations at regular intervals that serve as indicators to me and my learners by informing us both as to what they have learned and what they have not. Learners are then given the opportunity to demonstrate that they have mastered the information/lesson by demonstrating their understanding again for reevaluation.

Yes, this can be labor intensive, but the results consistently show that the strategy is worthwhile.  I also enjoy allowing learners to design their own tests. Their versions must be submitted before a designated evaluation date. This allows me to gauge what they know and what they consider to be important. I learn where they lack emphasis and what they don’t understand by virtue of their omissions. I then spend time re-visiting essential material. I also ask them why they glossed over certain topics and why they didn’t think they were valuable. My effectiveness is exposed and I can address it promptly.

This approach has been successful in both online and F2F settings

In reviewing curricula, I ask myself: Where is the creativity and flexibility in course design and delivery? On-line learning is not posting a syllabus from a F2F environment and then embracing a policy of “laissez faire” for days or weeks at a time. On-line learning is an interactive experience where attendance is modeled with timely response and guided inquiry. If anything, this past year has exposed to the general public that it takes dedication and perseverance to be a successful educator. There are no perfect scenarios; there are creative individual solutions that in my experience have routinely involved incorporating learners in the learning process and outcomes.

• I continue to be successful in learning environments because I see my role as an educator as one who facilitates the development of others. My purpose for writing this piece is to add another voice to the growing unease and disquiet of those who feel urgency for a long-needed change to the way we nurture, guide and develop learners. It doesn’t matter what platform one uses to deliver a course of study. It does matter what attitude, curiosity, creative skills and compassion for others one elicits in learners by bringing these qualities to their daily engagements. Are you willing to be ready?