Let’s take e-learning as an example, specifically, asynchronous, Web-based training (WBT). People and organizations have been actively developing and delivering WBT since the late 1990s. For them, training via the Web has become a well-honed process based on metrics collected over years of practice. Even though the use of technology-based training is growing at an estimated 30 percent per year, there are still many organizations that do not use WBT as a part of their training delivery mix. I wouldn’t be surprised if you worked for one of them.
Does your vision extend to the day you can develop and deliver your first course via the Web? Can you see the steps you and your organization need to take to get there? Or are you in a different place — have you already rolled out a complete learning portal with competency-based curricula, immediately available reference material and online assessments that measure the effectiveness of your training in meeting business objectives? How far does your vision extend in the use of WBT?
You might have heard about the use of podcasts in training, mobile learning, rapid e-learning, blended learning, simulation, wikis, gaming and even virtual worlds for training. The application of technology to training will continue, and we will see winners and losers. Some technologies might find easy market acceptance, and others will be relegated to niche markets. As a training practitioner, you can’t become an expert in all the technology, and you might even feel that you can’t handle any of it.
Many people stick their head in the sand — and you can’t see very far in that position — by staying too busy with what they have always done to even try new ideas. When I encounter the traditionalist, the technophobic or simply the confused training professional who has a clouded vision for training, I ask them three simple questions: Do you think the Internet is going away before you retire? Do you think the need for training people is going away? Do you think it is possible that these two major forces are not going to come together? I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t answer “no” to each of these questions. That is often the first step to their formation of a vision for training that moves beyond their current perspective.
Do I have a vision for the training industry? Sure. It’s a general one that changes with my perspective on technology, the skills possessed by training professionals, the characteristics of learners and the economic tenets of a market-based economy.
I see subject-matter experts enabled to easily capture their expertise in an accessible format and location. Training professionals who are enabled to organize and/or vet the captured information, create assessments and deliver the information in media that satisfy the varied needs of the training — speed of delivery, importance of the content and available production and delivery budget, to name a few.
I see learners who understand their training goals, are able to access training and reference material when and where they need it, have access to their training records and have the means to provide feedback on the effectiveness of the training.
I’ll discuss the details of this vision in future months. I also look forward to hearing from you.
Dudley Molina is president and CEO of ePath Learning, Inc. He can be reached at dudleym@trainingprism.com.
