Why I took this course
The reasons that I decided to take this course have changed throughout the past few months. I had planned to finish the Provincial Instructor’s Diploma Program (PIDP) and “just get it done,” although the goal of completion was not my original intent back in 2018. I first decided to take some of the classes so I could better support new trades instructors. After taking four PIDP courses, I concluded that I was in a better position to encourage and assist in mentoring new instructors, as well as introducing teaching strategies and engagement activities to both new and senior instructors, or at least to those willing to collaborate.
Trades people are typically hands-on and have excellent critical thinking skills. However, more often than not, their teaching with technology skills is limited. This is due to a range of different reasons, mainly that during their educational journey through apprenticeship, technology in the classroom was not part of their learned experience. Nor was it a skill that was needed in their role as a tradesperson during their career on the tools. However, the need for understanding and using technology in teaching was a new skill that they rapidly needed to learn when they decided to teach apprentices at TRU. Albeit, they were also tasked with learning how to teach the theoretical aspects of the trades for the first time. Almost every new instructor feels at home and confident teaching the practical skills in the shop or on the site, conversely, teaching in the classroom was something altogether foreign and caused much angst and worry.
As industries expand, populations grow, and the baby boomers retire, we require more skilled tradespeople to pass on their expertise to the next generation; this has become increasingly crucial. Our need for more skilled tradespeople to maintain and build infrastructures is essential to a productive and economically stable country. Students expect our faculty to be adept at teaching in the classroom. When a new instructor struggles to find ways to engage students and incorporate learning technologies, our students suffer, and new instructors may choose to leave teaching and return to the field. It is integral that we equip new trade instructors with the necessary skills to effectively teach apprentices, leveraging innovative tools and methods that resonate with today’s learners.
I feel if I better understand teaching techniques that are enhanced by technology, I aim to help empower tradespeople to transition more easily into the role of instructors by bridging the gap between traditional craftsmanship and modern teaching methodologies. This course has helped me better understand how to create interactive learning experiences, online resources, and other tech-driven tools that can be incorporated into their teaching arsenal, fostering a more engaging and comprehensive learning environment for apprentices.
As this course has concluded, I have revisited my original focus, to assist new instructors (and old ones) to better utilize technology in the classroom. I will continue to enhance my knowledge for my personal growth, too, as well as continue to provide support and encouragement to our faculty.