Enhancing professional learning and performance
Paul Lefrere
Open University of the UK
UK
This paper will give examples of innovatory ways in which technology-enhanced learning is being used in the UK and elsewhere in Europe to support people in becoming more self-directed and more capable learners, whether formally (as undergraduates, as postgraduates or on training courses), or informally (learning at work) or as life-long learners (including non-formal learning). Technology-enhanced learning can help them to internalize new knowledge (e.g. a particular approach to problem solving), and become polished performers, comfortable and capable in using that knowledge at speed, with no errors.
- Here, 'self-directed' implies that people can choose what to learn, how to learn it, who to learn it with, when to learn it, what standard of performance to set themselves, whether to seek certification, how to be tested, and who to be certified by. Each of those decisions has some component knowledge and skills, whose acquisition can be supported by ICT-based tools (e.g. software for social networking and other kinds of telelearning, vicarious learning, data-mining, simulations and decision support).
- 'Professional' implies high standards set by learners for themselves, comparable to Professional Practice (e.g., in engineering, health and social care, teaching) in terms of ethics, goals, knowledge, performance and overall commitment to learning. ICT-based tools can create opportunities for recording, monitoring and mentoring, which help learners to develop and maintain professional standards.
- 'More capable' implies experience effects: people gradually find it easier to unlearn unwanted knowledge; they learn new things faster and more easily, with fewer mistakes, reaching a higher standard of performance; and they become better able to monitor, reflect and improve upon their learning and upon how they use their knowledge. Here, too, ICT-based tools can facilitate every step.
In conclusion, the combination of technology-enhanced, self-directed and more capable learning means that people are better able to succeed in the high-performance workplace.
- With ICT support, it is becoming easier and cheaper to update the 'just-in-case' education they received as undergraduates, or to cross-train for a different profession or career or set of responsibilities, or to update specialized knowledge, skills and competencies if any of those changes proves necessary.