A mind-set changing project: Preparing Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) teachers with technology enhanced learning (TEL) and E-pedagogies

Abstract

Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) emphasises in-class hands on practice and face-to-face theory delivery, e-learning and e-pedagogies are less common. The resistance normally rises from the argument of VPET’s focuses on trade-specific hands on skills in authentic workplaces and the motto of ‘practice makes perfect’. Nonetheless, with students’ changing learning preferences and behaviours, the high accessibility of online and web-based information; VPET teachers are now confronting with challenges that trade-specific knowledge and demonstration of skills are widely available on internet and not solely transmitted by teachers. Furthermore, students’ motivation and engagement in learning tasks are also issues that need to be addressed. In response, a mind-set changing teacher training project was introduced and this paper shares the empirical experience on nurturing VPET teachers’ technology enhanced learning (TEL) and e-pedagogies competency so as to prepare them to cope with students’ learning preferences and behaviours for teaching effectiveness. These series of training and engagement activities were carried out in four stages (1) Conceptualisation; (2) Familiarisation; (3) Acceptance and (4) Action. These training and activities enable teachers to adopt TEL and e-pedagogies in their daily teaching. Results of the project indicated that a well-planned scheme that aligned with the institution’s strategy with gradual increment of intensity of e-elements infused in various training events allowed ease of acceptance and behavioural changes. Additionally, synergy from senior management, concurrent schemes, projects and awards to promote and encourage teachers to adopt TEL and e-pedagogies for innovative learning and teaching is also a critical factor in the teacher training scheme.