The situation that I experienced while encouraging people to use a new technology; was when I was teaching a laptop class. I had a student who would not use the Internet. She said that she did not need to know how to use it and I explained to her the different things that she could do and that it was also part of the laptop class. I also expressed that before the class was over she would be on the Internet and she said that she would not. Her attitude was that she would learn it if she really had to, but she did not have to. She had a resentment of me telling her. When the other students would go on the Internet and learn about emails and search engines she just sat there and looked. After about the fourth week in the class the lady came in with a smile that she had subscribed to the Internet, set up an email account and was on e-bay.
To change the motivation of learners to encourage success I would explain to them the motives of using the technology and what to expect. Using Keller’s ARCS model, when you see the individual abilities, skills and knowledge of other students it pushes them to do better because they don’t want to feel left out or not able to be in a conversation about what is going on. They become motivated, pay better attention and ask questions (Driscoll, 2005).
References
Driscoll, M.P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.
technologhjournal. (2010, May 6). Retrieved from http://www.2dayblog.com/
intelatom-zpowerfulprocessforsmartphones. (2010, May 5). Retrieved from http://www.taranfx.com/intel-atom-z-processor-smartphone
I can truly relate to having students that have anxiety toward the use of computers. Sometimes adults just as children have to have a diplomatic nurturing voice assure them that this new thing is something that can improve their communication and marketability for the rest of their lives. Good job.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true. I am teaching a class now of 20 adult students and only about six of them know how to use a computer and the rest don't even own one and some never used one. They work with a program called Title V and it is for people over 55 who works part-time in different positions and they sent them all to class for training. I have to nurtue them, be patient letting them know that they can do this and that they cannot hurt the computer. I am so happy at how many of them are able to turn the computer on and do the activities. They will need more training after this,but it is an awesome blessing seeing far they have come.
ReplyDeleteVickie I have been there too, as a teacher of technology. ARCS happen all the time when you are working with older students.
ReplyDeleteFirst, older students seem to be intimated by the computer. How I get their attention is to refer to the computer as the dumpest machine in the world, because it has to be told how to do everything through the use of programs.
Second, I tell them that every thing in the computer world is a metaphor from our world. Example think of the internet as a highway, with intersections, routes, and stop along the way.
Third, I lift their confident by allowing them to use the interest to visit virtual stores and shop on line, they really like shopping on line, especially if they are female. The men I show them how they can check out any car they are interested in, the bluebook value of cars, and most importantly I show them have they can get any sports information/statistics they desire from the internet. The students seem to want to work on the computers and they become confident about developing computer skills. After a week or so, you can't get them off the net.
Forth, after they experince difference way to utilize their computer skills, they see the relevance of having computer and internet access.
Fifth, you can always see the satisfaction when they discover something they think you don't know about the net or a computer application. I JUST LAUGH!!!!