The following post is excerpted from a published research article by Sally Vinden, PhD, RSE (lead author); Chadwick Flinn, MALAT, RSE; and Tim Carson, MA, RSE. Find the link to the full article below.
Prior to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis, trades, vocational, education, and training (TVET) professional development had begun to focus on integrating technology practices and open education into teaching and learning. It is safe to say that the global pandemic accelerated this process. Many TVET instructors found themselves having to learn and use digital tools in their teaching practice. The primary purpose of this study was to examine instructors’ perceptions related to digital teaching and learning within TVET with the aim to identify existing strengths, acknowledge barriers, and to propose a path forward. Our hope is that the findings and recommendations from this study will support the future direction of professional development for TVET instructors in British Columbia (BC), improving student learning outcomes, and their learning experiences.
This research study explored strengths of digital teaching and learning in trades, vocational, education, and training (TVET). The study used a mixed-methods research methodology with an appreciative inquiry approach to capture both quantitative and qualitative data. The intention was to capture TVET instructors’ perceptions while remote delivery restraints were still in place in the province of British Columbia during the COVID -19 global pandemic. Data were gathered through a survey involving 37 participants and interviews with nine participants. The study revealed three themes to strengthen digital learning and teaching in TVET: digital pedagogy, technology and tools, and open educational resources and open pedagogy. The global pandemic has changed trades education and the use of digital pedagogy offers educators the opportunity to permanently embrace these approaches.
Learn more about the methodology, results, and recommendations resulting from this research by downloading the full article here.
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