Pedagogies

Activity: 2:1 Pedagogies

Pedagogies refer various methods of teaching / learning practices.

There are five examples of this case based learning, inquiry based learning, project based learning, resource based learning and game based learning.

During various roles of employment, university courses and personal experiences, I have exposed to four such cases.

Whilst employed for DHL, I was involved in inquiry based learning and resource based learning. At DHL, I undertook several training courses, one example was inquiry based learning for customer service training, during this training we were posed a series of questions and problems, related to customer service training. The participants of the group had to work together as part of a team using various methods to answer questions posed and deal with the scenarios. This teaching methods was fairly interactive, it encouraged soft skills like communication, problem solving, challenging and negotiation. This was a fairly positive experience, though can be quite difficult if participants don’t feel comfortable working as part of a group, for fear of embarrassment, or feeling this approach doesn’t work for them. This is where encouragement and participation should be encouraged in any form. The learning used in this example was audio and visual playback, for example the facilitator of the course would play an audio of a previous customer service phone call, and this was used to evaluate the responses given to see if they were satisfactory. We also do online web conference streaming, using this function we are able to use for future training or evaluation.

Another such example of training methods within DHL are resource based learning, this has been used frequently during the implementation of a new operating system, SAP. During this training we were assigned into training groups to be trained on how to use the new system for our particular role. The training tools where through printed instructions, such as power points or leaflets as a step by step guide, as well as through visual step by step instructions "live" on screen. The visual training took place on computers set up in training room. The "live" presentation by the facilitator was backed up by power point presentations, so enable further training once session has ended. This was really positive experience and I believe one of the better ways to learn, a mixture of material / methods, is effective if you are teaching to different generations, the ability to have notes provides and to try in your own time if beneficial for many.

Whilst studying for my degree, a lot of modules where project based learning, either as an individual or as a group. This method is suitable for prolonged periods of learning to achieve, investigate, respond and a question set out by the facilitator. It was an effective method of training as it taught participants use self-directed learning (to go away and research, and report back to the group), to learning to research as a team, to prepare project work, this also gave experience in negotiation, compromise and communication skills. This was a positive method as it is easily transferable to a working environment to achieve an end goal, the learning methods included course outline, course guidelines, project hand-outs as well as internet research.

During a period of depression and anxiety I was attending psychologist sessions to assist and help me understand the issues I was facing. The majority of the session work was based around case based learning. During the sessions, we would discuss the issue of mental health, about how it affects people, about the complexities of mental health and the complications, we would do a lot of work based on medical studies and finding. During the sessions I would be given case studies and we would discuss how these fitted into my issues, I would then use the case studies and theories provided into practise. This was a positive experience, and assisted with my learning process of the different types of mental health and how previous experience in your life defines your futures. It has also created an interest in self-directed learning and lifelong learning. The learning methods in this instance were hand-outs of case studies, research on internet websites and journals.

2:2 Technologies

The most memorable method of learning was resource based learning for the implementation of DHLs’s new operating system. The use of both PowerPoint presentations and visual hands on training allows for a lot of learning styles to be covered. The training allowed for hands on experience in the system whilst handing hand-outs as a back-up.

This training was challenged though due to on-going system changes, meaning the learning material was out of date frequently, and the training was also not frequent or encompass all of the changes. This was a huge barrier in our training.

2:3 Challenges

The biggest challenge faced by individualised and ubiquitous learning is that technology is at the finger tips now, meaning a class taught today by a non-technology savvy facilitator may be out of date, also with how quick systems are changed and updated means that learning can be challenged if the learning material isn’t updated. Internet based learning can also be affect by issues with speed of the internet, and maybe issues with website. Challenges can also be experienced if the student has no access or experience with digital technology