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The use of an e-learning constructivist solution in workplace learning

Published: 28 August 2007 Publication History

Abstract

Motivation -- To investigate whether an e-learning approach which uses constructivist principles can be successfully applied to train employees in a highly specialised skill thought to require expert individuals and extensive prolonged training.
Research approach -- The approach involved the development of an e-learning package which included simulations and interactivity, then experimental testing in the workplace environment with the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data to assess the effectiveness of the package.
Findings -- Our study shows that this e-learning strategy improved the skills of the inexperienced operator significantly. We therefore propose that such programmes could be used as a work based training aids and used as a model system for the training of employees in complex skilled tasks in the workplace.
Research Implications -- This research illustrates that the e-learning can be applied outside the traditional learning environment to train unskilled employees to undertake complex practical tasks which traditionally would involve prohibitively expensive instruction. This work also illustrates that simulations and interactivity are a powerful tools in the design of successful e-learning packages in preparing learners for real world practical situations. We would suggest that workplace learners can be better served by e-learning environments as they allow asynchronous learning and private study which are valued by employees who have other demands on their time and are more comfortable receiving tuition privately.
Originality/Value -- This research uniquely demonstrates the harnessing of simulations and interactivity in an e-learning environment for high skill level workplace training.
Take away message -- In conclusion we present an e-learning solution to the teaching of a complex task which at present is seen as too costly and specialised to be worth sending employees on a traditional training course to learn. The use of constructivism principles to aid its design, along with acknowledged e-learning best practice demonstrates that this medium can be used successfully in the training of highly specialised and skilled tasks required in the modern workplace.

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  1. The use of an e-learning constructivist solution in workplace learning

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      cover image ACM Conferences
      ECCE '07: Proceedings of the 14th European conference on Cognitive ergonomics: invent! explore!
      August 2007
      334 pages
      ISBN:9781847998491
      DOI:10.1145/1362550
      Permission to make digital or hard copies of all or part of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. Copyrights for components of this work owned by others than ACM must be honored. Abstracting with credit is permitted. To copy otherwise, or republish, to post on servers or to redistribute to lists, requires prior specific permission and/or a fee. Request permissions from [email protected]

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      • The British Computer Society
      • ACM: Association for Computing Machinery
      • SIGCHI: Specialist Interest Group in Computer-Human Interaction of the ACM
      • Interactions, the Human-Computer Interaction Specialist Group of the BCS
      • Middlesex University, London, School of Computing Science
      • European Office of Aerospace Research and Development, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, United States Air Force Research Laboratory
      • EACE: European Association of Cognitive Ergonomics
      • Brunel University, West London, Department of Information Systems and Computing

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      Association for Computing Machinery

      New York, NY, United States

      Publication History

      Published: 28 August 2007

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      Author Tags

      1. constructivism
      2. e-learning
      3. interactivity
      4. simulations
      5. workplace learning

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      ECCE07
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      ECCE07: European Conference on Cognitive Ergonomics 2007
      August 28 - 31, 2007
      London, United Kingdom

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      View all
      • (2024)E-Learning in Practice: Navigating Challenges, Leveraging Opportunities, and Enhancing Student EngagementThe Creative Launcher10.53032/tcl.2024.9.2.079:2(58-65)Online publication date: 30-Apr-2024
      • (2018)Full Packaged Learning Solutions for Studying Mathematics at SchoolEURASIA Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education10.29333/ejmste/9512214:12Online publication date: 2018
      • (2014)Principles of Effective E-LearningImpact of Emerging Digital Technologies on Leadership in Global Business10.4018/978-1-4666-6134-9.ch008(150-165)Online publication date: 2014
      • (2011)Kansei Design Model for Engagement in Online Learning: A Proposed ModelInformatics Engineering and Information Science10.1007/978-3-642-25327-0_7(64-78)Online publication date: 2011

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