Technology and human interaction are both essential elements of effective learning, but finding the right balance between them can be challenging. In this article, we will explore some of the benefits and drawbacks of using technology and human interaction in learning, and how to conduct a needs analysis to determine the optimal mix for your learners and context.
Technology can offer many advantages for learning, such as increasing access, flexibility, engagement, personalization, and feedback. Technology can also enable learners to access a variety of resources, media, and tools that can enhance their learning experience and outcomes. For example, technology can help learners to practice skills, collaborate with peers, create portfolios, and track their progress.
You may use a blended learning solution. For example while conducting a behavioral training you may assign some pre learning online and conduct an in person training. Later you can also assign some small capsules related to the topic in LMS. If a topic is more theoretical it can be an online eLearning program. For a practical topic or for behavioral and leadership workshops where you want learners to collaborate together it is advisable to conduct face to face trainings. A single training program can also be broken down into chunks where one day of the training can be done online and more interactive sessions are done in person. This keeps the learners engaged and will also have a balance of technology and human intervention in learning.
When technology makes learning more fun it belongs there. It truly can make a classroom a place where students and teachers want to share in the Joy of Education. Last Thursday night, I attended an event celebrating the use of new V7 interactive touch panels in a Elementary school district. The teachers were the stars of the night, explaining how they loved the way the technology let them excite, engage and educate their students better than ever before.
However, technology also has some limitations and challenges for learning, such as requiring digital literacy, infrastructure, and support. Technology can also create barriers, distractions, and isolation for learners, especially if they lack the motivation, guidance, or social interaction that human facilitators can provide. For example, technology can reduce learners' attention span, emotional connection, and sense of community.
Human interaction can complement and enrich technology-based learning, as it can provide learners with social, emotional, and cognitive support. Human interaction can also foster a sense of belonging, trust, and accountability among learners, as well as stimulate their curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. For example, human interaction can help learners to share perspectives, ask questions, receive feedback, and solve problems.
However, human interaction also has some drawbacks and challenges for learning, such as requiring time, resources, and coordination. Human interaction can also create conflicts, biases, and gaps for learners, especially if they have different backgrounds, preferences, or needs that are not addressed by the human facilitators. For example, human interaction can cause learners to feel intimidated, frustrated, or bored.
To balance the use of technology and human interaction in learning, it is important to conduct a needs analysis that considers the goals, characteristics, and context of the learners, the content, and the delivery mode. A needs analysis can help you to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each element, and how to align them with the learning objectives and outcomes. A needs analysis can also help you to evaluate the effectiveness and satisfaction of the learning process and product.
The results of the needs analysis can be used to design and implement a learning solution that balances the use of technology and human interaction in a way that suits your learners and context. To help you achieve this balance, consider using technology to enhance, rather than replace, human interaction. Human interaction should also be used to complement, not contradict, technology. Additionally, it is beneficial to use a blended approach that combines technology and human interaction in a flexible and adaptive way. This may include a mix of synchronous and asynchronous activities, online and offline resources, and individual and group work depending on the learners' needs and preferences.
While I fully agree with the statement to look primarily at how technology can augment or scale what has historically has been done by people, there are times it should absolutely replace the role of people. There are so many robotic and administrative activities in corporate learning, and those should ideally replaced by tech to free up that time for the people to spend more of their time on the things optimal for human interaction. Now, this can feel terrifying since you’re giving up part of what once was your identity but remember it’s to give you more time on the things that make you distinctly human, which should bring you more fulfillment if done right.