HIGH-TECH TRAINING
The use of technology in training is certainly on the rise and, if used properly, brings great advantages along with it. It brings to the training arena a convenient sense of learning that strives to cater to learners of all styles. In this blog, I will point out five different technologies that have had a positive impact in the work of training.

List-servs
List-servs are group emails where trainees comment on topic and the comment(s) are then sent to everyone who is a member of/subscribed to the list-serv. This technology is one that I, personally, like to use. It serves as a great way to sort of continue training after the official training had ended. List-servs allow individuals that use the same software, programs, equipment, etc, to learn from each other. There may be a particular part of a program that you are new to using and as a result you want to get ideas or feedback from other users on they go about making it work for their needs. List-servs provide a great environment for such communication. Below is a link the EDTECH, a list-serv on the use of technology in education. Feel free to check it out.

http://www.h-net.org/~edweb/


Groupware
Groupware is a special type of software application that enables multiple users to track, share, and organize information and to work on the same document simultaneously. This type of software could probably be used for training and also for the training material development process. For the training aspect, such software could be used to help organizations organize and mandate processes for their employees. For the development of training material, it could be used in a similar fashion. With projects to development training material often having a team of individuals responsible for different jobs, using groupware makes it possible for all team members to report on their progress, see the progress of others, share documents, and also share feedback. Below is a video on the purpose of SharePoint, groupware developed by Microsoft. At your convenience, check it out to get an idea of the experience.




Interactive Video
Interactive video combines the advantages of video and computer-based instruction. A problem that is often seen in the training environment is a lack of consistency. Without guidelines and structure, there lies the chance of information being distorted and as a result, you end up with incorrectly trained employees. That in turn, can produce a decrease in performance. Training that is evolved around interactive video technology helps to reduce such situations by providing greater accessibility to consistent training as well as facilitate learning.

Click on the link below for an example of how interactive video is used in training.
http://www.aaae.org/training_professional_development/interactive_employee_training/



Virtual Lab
A virtual lab is a technology that allows trainees to interact with a computer presentation of the job or concept for which they are being trained. Trainees often learn better when they are able to get an actual look at and feel for what it they are trying to learn. This technology is a type of simulation that provides a great way for trainees to get that almost hands-on feeling for their soon to be jobs/tasks. It takes learners through the lessons that actually mimic what they will be expected to perform in reality –again, giving that realistic feeling. This link below


Cisco WebEx
Cisco Webex is a web conferencing program the makes it possible for one to connect to anyone else, anywhere in real time. It combines desktop sharing through a web browser with conferencing and video so everyone sees the same thing while they converse. In my opinion, this technology is an awesome help to the training world. The convenience it provides from one person to several different people, all at one time, in many different locations can be such a great help. Program/software that companies invest in, often have support headquarters that are nowhere close to their location. A technology such as webex makes it possible for that real-time support to happen between individuals that are hundreds to thousands of miles away. It makes it possible for trainees to get that clear explanation that does not quite come across in an email the same way that it may when one is able to speak to a trainer as he or she shares a computer screen to actually show a trainee how to do a particular task.

With my current position and projects, WebEx has been such a help for me and several of my colleagues. I can attest to the convenience and relief its capable providing to the training world. Feel free to click on the link below to check on Cisco WebEx.
http://www.webex.com/

As we all know, there are several technologies available that are being used to enhance the training experience. These were just a few that I thought to share.



References

Noe, R. A. (2010). Employee training and development (5th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.