Trends Paper #1.1

Future Directions and Trends in Learning- BC Government Picks and Predictions

In my 1^st paper I provided an overview of a past, current and future snapshot of training in the government, particularly the organization I currently work for. This paper gives an idea about what my organization will likely adopt and how these trends will look like and feel like for employees, employers and educators. I have selected four trends from my own reading and the sharing of #UMTRENDS11 on Diigo. I have also created and included a mind map that outlines the key ideas of this paper.

Mobile Learning

Mobile learning will become increasingly popular amongst government employees. Blackberries will become more than just communication devices. They will along with other devices either loaned by government or owned by employees be used for learning purposes. As a result of this, platforms on blackberries such as the messaging component, twitter and so on will me made legitimate for research and learning reasons.  Employees will be comfortable bringing their own devices to work and using them to access information. The gadgets will continue to grow in numbers and versions.  Learning at work during work hours will be recognized and example of this is meetings like across division meetings. Employees will feel comfortable in using their lunch hour to learn with their colleagues or alone.  The option to learn from home will also be prevalent for teleworkers especially. When physical presence is not required at the office or if an employee is physically unable to go to work, an iPad that’s hooked up via Skype for instance would be ideal to still be connected to the work place. Just in time learning will be widespread. Learning in digestible chunks will be preferred to the traditional 40 or 60 minute modules. If additional information is required links will be made available to access details. With more and more employees learning sporadically and geographically dispersed the need for large buildings will be questioned. Virtual workgroups connected via Skype, Elluminate, Adobe Connect and other meeting and chat platforms will override the need to meet together as a group in physical spaces. Ubiquitous learning will be a common feature in government organizations. Serious rethinking will be given to lesson designs, the time allotment for each lesson, assessment methods and learning in a way will be personalized and self paced.

Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing is allegedly an inexpensive form of storing data. Bureaucratic skepticism and reluctance to embrace change are real issues but counteracting solutions and recommendations to mitigate these risks. Trust will remain an issue but when tempered with some logic, non-critical data can be stored in clouds.  Along with this move a more conscious manner of adapting to available technologies will prevail. Cost efficiency will be palpable. Policies to protect employees, clients and the employer will judiciously be amended.

Moral Education and the awareness of digital footprints are necessary to thrive in a technology pervasive world. To understand how one should and shouldn’t conduct oneself in an online environment is critical in my opinion and the organization will proactively promote this awareness of online presence, identity, permanence of content, employees’ social obligation as well as the employer’s social obligation. Interactive and inclusive approaches to determine how one can be a responsible civil servant will be the scenario of the future as opposed to a hierarchical structure of making decisions. A more premeditated agenda will be visible to same welcome learners’ creativity, while encouraging them to be aware and be prepared in this wave of technology.

Evolving Role of Educators

There are numerous websites on the Evolving Role of Educators and non academic sectors are not exempt from the major shifts that need to occur to stay afloat in today’s age of information technology revolution. Consultants in the learning domain are going to find themselves treading on new territory and it is called interdisciplinary fields of study. There will be a components of technology in learning psychology with paradigms such as Connectivism influencing the nature of facilitation in the government training room. Educators will have a heightened sensitivity to learning methodology and outcomes. There will be a new twist to the business as usual practice. The demands for multi talented educators, who can multi task and have the versatility across terrestrial boundaries will be on the rise. As the world becomes more sophisticated technologically the need to create and uphold learners’ sanity will be much desired. Educators will most likely be the instrumental in this process. They are learning specialists first and subsequently technology adopters. Principles of learning will morph to reflect learning in the digital era and successive technologies. Literacies therefore will be constantly evaluated and updated. Change is and will be the only constant. The literacies that will be updated in government plans will include critical thinking, curiosity, creativity, commitment to change, character building and collaboration. It is blindingly evident that basic computer literacy is insufficient in today’s connected environment. Mentorship, accessibility are amongst the many characteristics of the 21^st century educator. Current skills will be complemented by future skills and the patterns will keep changing as newer social media platforms arise and more options are available for educators. The evolution of pedagogical approaches to innovate and experiment with will be much desired. Curriculum will be fluid and receptive to the surrounding and global environment. There will be no borders to personal and professional enrichment.

The educator will not be regarded as the expert or the most knowledgeable person in the group. The educator, instead will mediate, facilitate, prod learners, assist in the verification of information, help learners seek quality in the quantity of information and very importantly be accessible to the group almost to the point of being omnipresent. Hence I have to say to possess these characteristics and skills, a proper boosting of confidence is needed. Educators will learn to let go of the stage and empower learners to run the show.

Social Media Affordances

Social Media Affordances is not a stand alone utility in the learning world. Social Media platforms are now widely used as learning platforms and this trend will likely continue until another mode of learning platform is recognized.

The realization of social media affordances is essentially tied to critical skills needed for educators in the 21^st century. The Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation and Improvement or ADDIEI model needs to be enhanced with the Social Media Affordances Review Technique or SMART (a self coined acronym). Even in blended learning models, the educator can and will employ a myriad of tools to engage learners.  Organizational culture navigation, an understanding of the stakeholders’ commitment, an examination of employees and trainers’ competence levels, strong business acumen and a keen interest in technological trends will steer and drive the 21^st educator.