Having examined the « innovation laboratory » aspects of the CNED, let’s now focus on the development of training courses. In an interview with Jérôme Villot, Director of Learning, Pedagogy and Digital Technology at the CNED.
« In my team, we work primarily on training paths, student support and, therefore, teaching itself.«
Innovation in training paths
Innovation remains a constant theme in this department, as Jérôme Villot works closely with the Innovation Lab on « very advanced elements ». He is also responsible for looking at new formats.
For example, at the Educatech exhibition, he initiated a partnership with a laboratory offering simulations of animal behaviour, which is particularly effective for secondary school subjects.
Innovation is also a key factor in student monitoring.
« Today, we send students very precise attendance reports, accompanied by diagrams and graphs that allow them to see if they are working enough and if their work meets expectations« .
These new techniques aim to better guide students along their learning journey. According to Jérôme Villot, the driving force behind their thinking is the individualisation of learning paths.
With 132,000 students, how do they manage to train everyone while maximising individualisation? Innovation allows them to do this.
He goes on to explain the advantages of distance learning, highlighting the adaptability of equipment to individual needs, the ability to work at one’s own pace and the rapid acquisition of basic skills and even diplomas.
Objective: Reduce student disengagement
By working on the scripting of learning paths, Jérôme Villot hopes to reduce disengagement, and it seems to be working!
« We have learnt to work on the length of a sequence, when to add interactivity, the duration of a video, etc. », all aspects that are studied in order to keep the attention of the learner. For example, in the latest CNED course, « The Basics of Climate and Biodiversity ».
« 91% of learners who start watching the videos finish them » he points out. He adds that the results were not the same 15 years ago!
No need for unnecessary gadgets! In distance learning, it’s important to focus on the essentials.
Once again, he emphasises that technology is not used indiscriminately, but judiciously; what is used is what is most effective.
« The peculiarity of distance learning is that students don’t need to be entertained; they are always looking for efficiency, which places a high demand on us« .
For the future, the CNED has many projects in the pipeline, including important considerations on artificial intelligence, « which we must calibrate in order to protect our students and teachers » he specifies.
« The technologies around AI are advancing at a considerable pace, and given the challenges we face, both in creating learning paths and in being able to respond to learners, AI is crucial and it’s an area in which we will continue to invest heavily » he concludes.
For more information, visit the CNED website at www.cned.fr.
