Posted by Ed Lane on Tue, Feb 09, 2010 @ 05:17 PM
Effective instruction today requires the application of new skills, methods and approaches than the traditional methods used in the past. Nearly every industry in the world relies on some form of technology to keep their business running smoothly, improve services, and attract new customers.
The vast majority of today's workers are required to have more than basic computer skills to keep them viable in today's fast paced job market - and higher education is no exception. Older Americans and tenured professors seem to be having the most trouble keeping up with technology, simply because hitherto it hasn't been as pervasive and they've not had to rely on it.
But we live in a new world. Technology has changed the way we interact on all levels and it's also changed our expectations. We want access (to just about anything) here, there, and now. Students today are comprised primarily of tech-savvy, multi-taskers. But even the multi-generational distance learners, who balance school with work and family, rely on technology to provide access to education and the flexibility to work it into their busy lives.
Instructors and institutions of higher learning, therefore, must be equipped to cater to a digital, disparate, and diverse student population. In other words, if you are an educator who shies away from technology, regardless of your excuse, you are doing a disservice to yourself and to your students.
The good news is that even if you are technology challenged or you have chosen to avoid it because you're close to retirement, there are plenty of computer training opportunities out there that can help you not only in your career life, but in your home life as well.
Computer career training is an excellent and convenient way to learn the computers skills you need to succeed at work, enhance your own curriculum and classroom experience, retain and attract more students. Compared to just a few years ago, most computers come with pre-installed applications and are basically plug-and-play. You can find interactive training via CDs, workshops, and webinars.
If your institution is using technology in an effort to serve the techno-based students of today, they should also provide FREE training on those applications and services.
Tegrity's training programs, for instance, are designed as interactive online workshops that deliver hands-on experiences customized to the challenges and goals of each instructor and institution. Tegrity offers training sessions free of charge as a convenience to Tegrity clients only.
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