The trouble with teaching technology that I have found we only have a limited time to work with individuals in courses, training programs, and keynote presentations. The attendees catch quick step by step actions, websites, and tools to implement but what happens when they return to their busy life post class? If we cannot move individuals up the ladder on the Bloom’s Taxonomy pyramid then the information will lead to inaction. Inaction favors less clients, poorer service, and deceased profits. Action procures direct results, infinite growth, and positive attitudes. Let’s see how adults learn specific to real estate technology using Bloom’s Taxonomy.
Knowledge. When new ideas or technologies become releveant to the real estate industry first must know that they exist. If we don’t know they are available our ignorance may limit our ability to communicate with others, limit the service we provide, or not have any effect of all. The cost of not knowing may be greater than we can even perceive. That is why it is important to take proactive steps to find what is new and has a direct impact on our professional and personal life. Best way to absorb knowledge are books, audiobooks, trade magazines, and asking questions of thought.
Understanding. You may know that it is important to have a contact management database but until you know why, it means absolutely nothing. Instructors can help students understand new concepts by giving examples on how it relates to their personal experiences. Also individual or group exercises
Here is where the trouble is in taking action in using technology in the classroom
Application. I have had students that say the information was awesome but because they didn’t have their laptop they could not perform some of the new ideas learned. This is the challenge. If we were to have laptops present during exercises we would go as slow as the slowest person in the class.
Analysis. If you can perform functions on your laptop that is great but how can you earn more money. Examining why you should do something and being able to support it with facts or statistics will help develop a clearer understanding of the concept. For example if we know what a blog is and know how to set it up we can now put together evidence to support the direct impact is has on our bottom line.
Synthesis. Once we are able to support our knowledge with data we can now apply what we know to more intense applications and practical solutions. This will help us derive an advanced plan for execution of the basic understanding of the knowledge we possess. For example, 65% of people search online communities before they choose a vendor we know that we must be able to participate in multiple online social networks. That means we have to create a LinkedIn profile, Facebook profile, MySpace page, YouTube, etc. We also may have to add syndication feeds to each profile so people can stay in touch with us on our business activities.
Evaluation. I once heard that the only way you really understand a topic well is when you can teach it to others so that they understand. This involves explaining the same topic in several different ways, answering questions and become one with the material. Expertise in subject matter will cause someone to become opinionated based on their own personal beliefs and past experiences. People have a variety of opinons on the effect that technology has on their own business if they have taken the time to learn to use what they know.
Once the evaluation of the information has taken place then the full cognitive learning process is completed.
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