Rethinking Learning & Training for Generation X and Beyond

1. Re-Thinking Learning & Training By: Kirk Kezema Educational Technology Consultant Cumberland Regional College

2. Ask Yourself? Is Cumberland Regional College able to use educational technologies to train our “types” of students?

3. Technology is scary • Does technology scare people? • What specific examples can you provide of technology scaring us?

4. Technology causes problems • Problems encountered using technology? • How were your problems solved?

5. Technology advantages • What are some of the educational technologies currently being used at CRC? • Do you see any advantages in using educational technologies? • What new opportunities do you see for Cumberland Regional with educational technologies? Admin/Instructor?

6. What educational technologies is CRC currently using to deliver online training? • Content Management System (CMS) • Communication Tools (Macromedia Breeze) • Voice Over IP (Skype)

7. Did you know? Cumberland is leading the way for online delivery and development for Saskatchewan Regional Colleges. • Cumberland has successfully developed and delivered both Psychology 30 and IP30 online to ABE students in our region. • Cumberland has partnered with both Parkland Regional College and NESD (TSD) to develop/re-tool online courses. • Cumberland is currently sharing their knowledge of online delivery and development with other Saskatchewan Regional Colleges. • Cumberland is providing expertise on educational technologies to Cypress Hills Regional College in their attempt at providing online access to Business Certificate 1. • Pilot projects using CRC-Online as an asynchronous training tool have been successful.

8. Why should we be re-thinking learning and training? Source: “Millennial” Learning: On Demand Strategies for Generation X and Beyond, Suzanne Robert, LTI Newsline, Dec. 14, 2005. • Half of today’s workforce is made up of Generation X and Millennial Generation Workers. • Today’s new breed of worker requires new strategies for learning and training which includes a blended approach. • To build suitable training for today’s learner, organizations must tailor training to accommodate characteristics including: • Relevant development- today's learner must see learning objectives as relevant. • Rich experiences- today's learner must be engaged in experiences they can relate to. • Flexibility- Learning needs to occur in smaller chunks of time and be available at varying times. • Community- Provide learners a chance to share ideas to facilitate learning and provide sense of community they seek. • Technology- Today’s learner is growing up with technology and is not afraid to use it. • Instant results- They value speed, efficiency, gratification and results. This means they require a variety of activities and interactions and they need to move at a brisk clip, applying new knowledge immediately with instant feedback as to how they’ve performed.

9. What does future blended learning look like? Source: “Millennial” Learning: On Demand Strategies for Generation X and Beyond, Suzanne Robert, LTI Newsline, Dec. 14, 2005. • Training will include on demand learning. • Training will make use of the following delivery modes: • Self-study learning guides • Web-based training components • Web-based discussion forums • Both synchronous and asynchronous modes of delivery • Mobile wireless technologies • Face to face instruction

10. Conclusion We re-think learning and training to: • Meet the learning and training demands of our biggest asset – our learners.