Levels of technological learning

There are different levels of technological learning.

Using technology tools, like a cell phone, or using Internet tools to gather and share knowledge are intrinsically useful and interesting. Using Google, at the initial level, does not require training. To motivate people at the first level of technological training people need the tools and they need exposure to different applications of the tools. For technological training a computer and good internet access are the necessary motivational tools. A community of users effectively using the technological tools will provide the inspiration for using the tools. A hunger or purpose to use the tools and a community of users who share your hunger or purpose will create the motivation to learn the skills.

At the next level of technological training is using technology to create content. Photoshop, Word, Excel, and Quicken are means to an end. There needs to be a desire to communicate and the knowledge of graphics, writing, business, or logic to use these tools effectively. If there is a purpose or end, you can then learn the tools, or means, to fulfill the purpose. In some cases learning the tool, like Excel, teaches the concepts that the tool can be used for. Learning to chart teaches, or at least opens the door to learning about, the logic of charting.

There is also a need for technical training, learning how to set up and configure the technology so that others can use it to gather and create content. Networking, operating systems, troubleshooting, and security, are all necessary skills that require training. Somebody needs to make the tools work. In a sense people need to be the technological carpenters or mechanics.

At a much higher level of technological training, people have to create the tools that people use. Somebody needs to create and modify the tools, like Photoshop or Word. This is an abstract high level skill.

At a slightly lower level of technological training learning the skills to apply or create different tools that can be used by others; databases, worksheets, web sites that interact with users. Using tools to meet the needs of users, or organizations, is a higher level technological skill. Setting up a web site so that it can be queried by customers, or creating an Excel worksheet that will be used to track and report on budgets throughout an organization is a higher level technological skill. In fact it needs knowledge of both the means, the tools, and the end, or purpose, that the tools will be applied to.

For my sabbatical I am specifically interested in the first, second, and third level of technological training. I want to learn how people use the tools, adapt the tools to communicate and solve problems, and how the tools are setup, maintained, and repaired. I am also interested in how people bridge the economic gap that limits the availability of technological tools.