Collaborative Training Environment

Collaborative Training Environment -- Working in CTE.

As we continue to improve the collaboration among faculty and staff it is imperative that we have open dialogue. One factor that is always in need of consideration is the time and location of meetings. With this restriction, I have elected to use more interactive and distance platforms to correct and navigate though this issue. We in Career & Technical Education will begin using more applied applications within Google Docs. Yes, we will each begin to post in threaded discussions as well as document sharing. A conversation that I held with my Superintendent - Dr. Jacqueline A. Brooks, EdD expressed the need to further develop and enhance this capability in our district. From that conversation this outcome will manifest.

When I look at the resourcefulness of begin able to share documents at once and then to collectively modify those documents for the better use of the organization, is challenges me personally to provide better leadership and instruction to my students and staff. Equally, it will be used as a teaching and learning tool within the instructional settings for career and technical education. Teachers will be now be able to provide instruction to students using this FREE platform. Yes, the same can be done with other (CMS) Course Management Systems such as Blackboard; however this requires enrollment in a course and/or college or university. By using Google Docs to develop these communication mediums you limit the restraints for meeting times and locations. Staff, parents, students, and stakeholders may be given access to view and/or share documents and other prudent information to your learning environment.

On this coming week, I plan to share my plans for technical education in the Macon County Public School System with the entire district. The need to openly communicate will no longer be an issue. The ability to share procedures, manuals, course descriptions, etc will be a reality. Staff will be encouraged with use their NEW Apple Notebooks to learn collectively with other staff  members and the students with our learning community. We will use these technology resources to improve the collaborative training environment in rural America.

Resources:

Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 2: Higher education). TechTrends, 52(4), 66-70.

Posted by:
Melvin Alonza Lowe, III, EdD
Educational Director -
Career & Technical Education /
Workforce Development

Post Doctoral Student -
Walden University