Learning technologies used by CVTC electromechanical graduates in manufacturing

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to collect data surrounding the learning technology readiness, individual learning practices, and use of various learning technologies by CVTC electromechanical graduates from the graduating years of 1992-2002. This study identified learning opportunity access, learning technology access, learning technologies employed by manufacturing, frequency of self-directed learning by CVTC electromechanical graduates, capability of engaging in individual learning practices, capability of utilizing learning technologies in the workplace, ability to adapt to other technologies in the workplace, primary utilization of learning technologies, and combinations of delivery methods and learning technologies used. The results confirmed that CVTC electromechanical graduates, from the graduating years 1992-2002, had access to learning opportunities available anytime, anywhere, and at the discretion of the learner. This delivers on the characteristic of workers being able to interact with different levels of technology by way of self-directed learning. Data verified that the graduates are able to adapt to manufacturing environments where other technologies such as proprietary application programs, applications software, and systems and networks are used. Results also established that CVTC electromechanical graduates were capable of taking part in self-directed learning efforts and are also capable of utilizing the learning technologies that are available in their workplace. The study also verified the primary utilizations of learning technologies as well as the delivery methods in which they are used. Companies that hire CVTC electromechanical graduates utilize CAI/CBT for the following purposes in the following sequence, from the most to the least utilized: troubleshooting and diagnostic, review, testing, and equally, lecture/classroom and drill and practice. A few do not use CAI/CBT. Additionally, the intranet/Internet is used for the following purposes in the following sequence, from the most to the least utilized: troubleshooting and diagnostic, testing, review, lecture/classroom, and drill and practice. A few do not use an intranet or the Internet. Along with the identification of the learning purposes, the delivery methods in which CAI/CBT and intranet/Internet are utilized were discovered. The study found that the manufacturing locations in which CVTC electromechanical graduates are employed, utilize CAI/CBT in the following delivery situations, in the following sequence, from the most to the least utilized: coaching or on-the-job, followed equally high in self-paced and lecture/classroom deliveries. The intranet/Internet technologies were used highly in self-paced situations, followed by coaching or on-the-job, and with a smaller amount of lecture/classroom utilization.