Selecting Distance Learning Technologies

Example 3: Asynchronous Training

In an effort to improve its poor safety record, a biodiesel manufacturing plant needs a series of safety training modules. These stand-alone modules must illustrate best practices on how to safely operate the many pieces of heavy machinery on the plant floor. The modules should involve step-by-step processes and the method of delivery needs to be available to all shifts at the plant. As well, the shift supervisors want to be sure the employees are engaged and can demonstrate their learning from the modules.

In order to accomplish the results desired from this asynchronous training example, I believe some sort of CMS system is the main thing that needs to be in place. I am behind the notion that a CMS needs to be the focal point because of the fact that, in this example, shift supervisors need a way to manage and track the progress of their employees to ensure they are learning from the instruction as they manuever through and complete the modules. A CMS seems to be the sure way to accomplish that.

Due to the seriousness of safety when operating heavy machinery, I believe the modules should be presented using very detailed, step-by-step video demonstrations. Taking this route will allow learners to really see how to do things the correct way. This approach can be accomplished by organizing instruction based on the liner programming strategy. This strategy requires that all content to be organized (by the instructor) into concepts that are presented in blocks or chunks; the student reviews the content; take a self-test; and if succussful, move on to the next block/chunk until all are completed (Simonson, Albright, Smaldino, & Zvacek, 2009).

Each training video can represent a safety concept. Once the video is viewed, the student can be tested on its concepts via quiz or if applicable, a simulation module which will sort of give learners a semi hands-on approach. Once the learner has reached the established level of satisfacory, he or she will proceed to the next lesson. Here is sample video on machine safefy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwU1g3DefFI. It's a designed in an attention getting/keeping fun way, where it shows learners what happens when one practice safety and what happens when one does not. This next example is not a video on machine safety. Its purpose here is to show how videos, can be a sure way to reach learners when dealing with instruction that must be very specific: http://www.commoncraft.com/rss_plain_english.

Using a CMS to host the this training effort has other benefits outside of just being able to host the videos and track assessment progress but also it can be used to help keep the learners engaged. For example, the CMS could be used to the effect where shift supervisors could require their employees to sign into the CMS once every two weeks to either make a suggestion via wiki for improving safty awareness or to collaborate with them and/or their co-workers in some other ways relating to the topic of machine/workplace safety.


References
Common Craft (2007). RSS in Plain English. Retrieved November 21, 2010 from http://www.commoncraft.com/rss_plain_english

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2009). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (4th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.

YouTube (2009). Safety Initiative, Machine Safety. Retrieved November 21, 2010 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwU1g3DefFI