Skilling technical teachers through micro learning workshops

Summary

In 2019, a partnership between a private skills training provider and a leading University of technology yielded some interesting results for the development lecturer, teacher and facilitator technical skills.

Qualified lecturers from the University of Technology had spent years lecturing in fields they had no practical experience in. Through a design approach with the Professor of the department, these lecturers were given three weeks intense practical exposure to a trade which has changed the way they now lecture.

Apart from very tired bodies from all the practical work these same lecturers returned to the University to pioneer a theory and integrated practical TVET approach to their subjects. They were forever changed – most importantly the little experiment debunked the call for lecturers to go through and entire apprenticeship in order to learn the practical skills of their subject – Micro-learning or learning on demand is the solution.

All theory- No Practical!

In 2019, a partnership between a private skills training provider and a leading University of Technology yielded some interesting results.

Qualified lecturers from the University had spent years lecturing in fields they had no practical experience in. The professor of the Department believed that the lecturing impact fell short of preparing the students of the University, especially his faculty, for the seamless transfer to the world of work. The Challenges for the Professor was the drive to get lecturers, Technical school teachers and TVET teachers into a part time full trade to get their red seal qualification in a specific trade.

Firstly, an apprenticeship is a full time 3-year commitment involving a workplace and a training provider. The apprentice rotates between the two in a learning, doing, working, and earning approach until the person qualifies. What then becomes of the lecturer or teachers actual teaching commitments? Obviously, this is not the solution to developing or improving lecturer technical skills.

Micro-learning on demand is the solution

Micro-learning on demand is the solution. Small one day, one week, two weeks, three weeks training interventions can be set aside for professional development as much as the lecturer, teacher, facilitator can afford to set aside. The training provider can slot the person into their existing classes, provide the required guidance and even run master classes whilst the rest of the class is going about their practical for the day. Pre-learning is provider through a blended learning approach made up of theory manuals, workbooks, on-line videos, tutorials, and master class video demonstrations. All these pre-learning methods are designed to enable easy mental access to the practical exercises that flow from the theory.

The University of Technology and private training provider experiment took that approach. Through a design approach with the Professor of the department, these lecturers were given three weeks intense practical exposure to a trade after having had their theory books for a month before to self study. Once lecturers arrived at the training provider, a two day theory crash course covered the core knowledge and then it was on to the practical exercises.

Lecturer methodology changed!

Three weeks came and went, and the result was fantastic. Not only had the eyes of the lecturer been opened as to what really happens in the world of work but their understanding of the applicability of their “knowledge transfer” in the lecture halls had to change dramatically. The lecturers are busy re-aligning their curriculum to meet the realities of the workplace, which is a key first step to creating seamless transfer between the institution and the world of work. Secondly, the lecturers are setting up their own practical training spaces on campus to let their students experience the realities of laying bricks, electrician work, welding, fibre network installation, plumbing and other trades they experienced personally.

Micro-learning on demand is the key to upskilling lecturers, TVET teachers, Technical School teachers and facilitators in the technical learning space. There are many businesses that will happily facilitate the same process of hosting Lecturers, teachers or facilitators in the workshops or building yards as long as it is set up properly, expectations are clearly defined, and outcomes documented to as to avoid ambiguity.

Author: Sean Fenn