The Culture of Teaching and Learning

The Culture of Teaching and Learning

I have been involved in vocational training and education (VTE) since 1988 and I have seen and experienced many changes. Yet it is only in recent times that I have experienced an excitement about changes due to the use of technology.

Technology will and is changing the way we live. As Jukes (2006) states "…This is the first generation in history where the younger generation knows more about new developments in central society than the older generation.” Technological change is happening at an alarming rate and it is often difficult for those of us who have not been brought up in the digital age, yet it is my age group (50 plus) who are in large numbers in the VTE system both as teachers and managers.

The result is a lack of understanding and willingness to take up and support the implementation of eLearning. This is changing however with current legislation such as the Skilling Australia Workforce Act 2005 and the worldwide acknowledgement of the increasing cost of educational delivery (Clark 2006; Goolnik 2006). The pressure is now on to be more flexible and to implement innovative eLearning practices. This is coupled with how technology is enabling students to learn in many different ways and arenas and the acknowledgment that this is how they will be learning in the future.

So how do we accomplish the implementation of eLearning and maintain quality educational delivery? How do we educate our teachers to be able to take up eLearning and not become disengaged by the process? Essential questions that need to be addressed.
I suggest that there needs to be a much greater emphasis on continuing professional development for VTE professionals. Yet, this is not enough. We also need a commitment from senior managers to support the implementation of eLearning and we need to work together in the VTE arena to support and inform each other on ways to move forward. Publishing best practice models so that we can all learn from these experiences.

Why bother you might be asking? It seems daunting and most delivery in VTE is still face-to-face in the classroom. The answer is simply that the world has changed, people use technology to live in a different way and the way they learn is and will change quickly. If we care about the VTE sector than we need to find ways of equipping our teachers and organisations to cope. More than cope but thrive in this new culture that moves the teacher from the stage to more of a coaching role. Students from passive to active learners.

I invite your comments.