Posted in February 4th, 2008
by Bryant in Article, Training
Using technology in training can be disruptive - but answer these questions and you can turn disruption into efficient and advanced training.Today’s training can be enhanced - or disrupted, by new advances in technology such as Computer Based Training (CBT), elearning or Web Based Training (WBT), video and audio webinars, and the use of metric dashboards. In order to use technology effectively, you have to ask a few questions and understand how to use each of the technologies offered. First, you should ask if the chosen technology is appropriate to the material. Many training organizations use technology simply because it’s there and not because it works for the learning intervention at hand. You can ask yourself if participants will likely have questions about the material - and how they can be answered if there is not a live person around. For example, highly technical information with various outcomes may not be appropriate for CBT or WBT, but may be appropriate for a video webinar, where participants can see and hear an instructor. Informational pieces with electronic resources such as websites or other documents are certainly appropriate for CBT or WBT. It may seem efficient to take the human element out of training, but remember to look at the long-term effects.
The Blog can be located at the folloing web adress.
http://www.bryantnielson.com/training-info/training-alchemy-5-disruptive-training-technologies/
Training Alchemy: 5 Disruptive Training Technologies
Training Alchemy: 5 Disruptive Training Technologies
Tango's Response to Bryant's Blog
WBT and CBT are excellent tools for training employees in the work environment. However, this does not mean the technology should be used to train your staff. Bryant Neilson reminded us of a few key issues on how to decide when this training method should and should not be used. For instance, does the learner have the ability to learn the required information without having to learn additional information not necessarily associated with the learning information? In other words, the inappropriate use of WBT and/or CBT platforms is requiring students to learn additional information that is not contained within the program. This may cause additional problems with learning the information. Here is something I have witnessed when taking a course in the past. For instance, there was a course that was design to teach students how to edit video. In the past, the course used an editing program called Adobe Premier that worked on PC and Macintosh. Later, the program decided the course should switch to a video editing program called Final Cut Pro. Final Cut Pro is one of the top video editing programs in the media industry but was designed only designed for the Macintosh platform. This switch now requires students to switch from using a PC to using an Apple computer. Even though the systems work similar in fashion, there are still some major differences on how to use the system. On the other hand, students already familiar with the Macintosh system would probably have a much easier time learning Final Cut Pro than other students switching from a PC to a Mac. It would not be ideal for these students to learn Final Cut Pro using the WBT/CBT format without first having a pre-requisite of learning Mac first. Last time I checked, the course still has not required the students to have experience with the Mac platform before entering the course. What do you think?
