Today, trainers can harness the recent changes in the education ecosystem, and transform their ways of instruction to optimise learning.
Why have education needs changed today?
Education is the very pillar of our society, and hence it is a must for education practices to keep up with the changing times. This could not be truer during these unprecedented times brought to us by the ongoing global pandemic. In fact, as reported by the United Nations, the COVID-19 pandemic has created the largest disruptions of education systems in history, affecting nearly 1.6 billion learners in 190 countries and all continents. Furthermore, the ripples have also been seen in the form of shaky economies and uncertain job markets.
With a shift in all educational practices from physical spaces to virtual and remote conditions, it is absolutely imperative that the way things are taught also adapt with it. Fortunately, the world has realized this need and has started transitioning to e-learning, supported by the increased availability of affordable smartphones and data packs. This also gives rise to Blended Learning and its practices like the ‘Flipped Classroom’. Today, trainers have the opportunity to harness these changes and transform their ways of instruction, not only to mitigate the effects of the pandemic, but also to “build back better”.
This can be achieved by trainers through the acquisition of 5 essential skills:
Essential skills that trainers should have today.
1. Domain and Platform Skills.
With the large-scale transition to online learning practices, it is important that trainers are able to understand learner needs well, and to fulfil them with the help of technology. This ensures that training occurs smoothly and effectively, with minimal logistical friction despite the inability to be in the same physical space these days. Being comfortable with technology also enables trainers to enhance their ways of instruction with the help of digital means.
As concluded by a recent study, digital learning presents better positive effects on learning motivation and learning outcome than traditional teaching does.
2. Digital Literacy.
For enabling the effective use of these aforementioned means, to understand learner needs better and to tailor lessons accordingly, it is important that trainers acquire digital literacy. This also means being able to curate information well and to present it according to learner needs. Doing so opens up endless possibilities for effective learning.
Digital means facilitate more engagement-based learning through interactive content. Furthermore, digital content complements trainers’ lessons while also providing learners with the flexibility to pursue self-paced — and hence, more effective — learning.
Another possibility of beneficial digital literacy practices is the ability of trainers to revisit the taught content and recorded lectures; while this allows flexibility in terms of learning for students, it also enables trainers to add to and improve the existing content with ease.
3. Adaptability.
In order to be effective, trainers today must be adaptable. They should be able identify when lessons do not ‘click’ with learners, or when lessons do not deliver the intended outcome; and they should be able to adapt accordingly.
Effective trainers constantly strive to make their lessons optimally suited to the needs of learners, which often requires adapting to blended learning practices by acquiring digital literacy. Effective trainers do not teach different things; they teach things differently.
4. Interpersonal and Communication Skills.
Effective trainers have good interpersonal and communication skills — something that comes in handy while interacting with students and colleagues. They ensure that their content is delivered in a manner that is both engaging and beneficial for the learners. They realise that each learner has their own different needs while acquiring information; effective trainers strategise and are not afraid to approach the same lesson delivery through multiple ways. Through the key skill of communication, trainers convey complex concepts in ways that are easy to grasp.
5. Organisational Skills.
Being great at organisation is paramount for trainers. Effective trainers are able to organise their course material and lecture content in ways that are both engaging and practical, while also keeping track of time. This ensures not only efficient progression of learning and, but also the optimal retention of what is taught. Additionally, trainers with good organisational skills are able to devise activities and assignments in ways that are most beneficial and effective.