Recently, our consortium leadership team decided to utilize Webinar technology in order to save travel time for teachers and ensure 100% group attendance at monthly meetings. Unfortunately, the secondary partners had a difficult time teaching their classes, and participating as consortium group members because of travel time. In order to ensure secondary participation, we opted to try Webinar technology, which would allow teachers to be in the classroom and still attend the meetings, because they did not have to drive30-40 minutes for a two hour meeting.
Initially, there was a lot of ambivalence from the group on adopting this technology. Consequently, most of the members were unfamiliar with its function and capabilities. In order to obtain 100% adoption, the leadership team purchased the necessary tools needed (camera for computer, headphones, and the Webinar technology) to meet virtually and perform consortium work. Once the technology was in place, the executive team offered hands on training, which allowed consortium members the opportunity to learn how to set up and attend meetings. Before the hands on training, we utilized a tutorial that walked them through the processes needed to master and use the technology. Also, those that were comfortable and well versed in using this technology volunteered to answer questions and provide feedback on their use of the technology.
Additionally, we shared with them the value this technology could bring to the group. For instance, secondary teachers would not have to pay substitute teachers, drive to meeting locations, and they would save time and money for their districts. Within two months, consortium members were motivated to use the technology because of the repeated successes they had with the technology over time. According to Driscoll (2005), Keller’s ARC model serves to motivate engagement and learning by including these four components relevance, attention, confidence, and satisfaction.
Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction. Boston, MA: Pearson Education.
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1 comment:
You bring up some great points in your post. I think that it is very important to provide that hands-on training for individuals when they are being introduced to something that is new to them. Also, building confidence is also important. Individuals have to feel that can use the technology in order for them to buy into it.
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