SMART EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE LEARNING PROCESS AT A RURAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTION - A CASE STUDY

Abstract

Smart educational technology in the learning process at a vocational training institution directly correlates to the pedagogical and methodological preparation of teachers and their practical experience. The pedagogical preparation determines better learning outcomes, effective social and cultural expressions, and more qualitative guidance of the didactic process. In addition, teachers with the help of technology have the opportunity to draw attention to each student, help the learner to know himself and his or her field of professional expression. This case study examined the ability of vocational teachers to use various technologies in class. Study was conducted in five rural vocational training schools in Lithuania. Twenty five vocational teachers were interviewed using focus group interview format about their smart educational technology usage in teaching and contacting their students. Teachers were observed manipulating, transforming and allocating appropriate digital media, adapting teaching content and easily forming teaching-learning networks to achieve educational goals. Overall, the process described here showed that regardless of how long vocational teachers work at a rural school and what subjects they teach, mostly teachers communicated and collaborated through technologies with their students while presenting vocational teaching content. Finally, the technological competence of vocational teachers reflected the teacher's ability to carry out a certain vocational teaching process:  the ability to perform technological operations, the skill to work with various materials, equipment and the mentoring capacity.

Keywords: case study, learning process, smart education technology, teachers’ perspective, rural vocational training institution

Article DOI: http://doi.org/10.15544/RD.2017.128