Skills, practice and challenges in the adoption of learning technologies in training and adult education

Abstract

Training and Adult Education is critical to Singapore’s effort to compete in the global economy and respond to its major economic and social challenges. iN.LEARN 2020, a key SkillsFuture initiative was introduced to catalyse the adoption of blended learning, through the use of technology-enabled learning and workplace learning, to enhance learning accessibility and relevancy. This paper reports the first nationwide survey that investigates the training and adult education landscape in Singapore. The findings provide baseline information of the current status of the use of learning technology in training and adult education and highlight issues and challenges in the adoption of learning technologies. A considerable proportion of training providers (47%) and adult educators (77%) reported using learning technologies in their training related work, however, use of learning technology may not linked to better learner experience or deep learning. Cost and lack of expertise are main obstacles to effective adoption of learning technologies. It provides implications to training organisations and adult educators to review their current programmes and skills, and to better design and implement technology enhanced learning. It also has implications for building partnerships among government agencies, enterprises and training providers and professionals to favourably exploit cutting- edge technology to support learning and performance.