Stephen W. Watts Northcentral University

Organizational Assessment Current e-Learning Portfolio Readiness of e-Learners Maintenance Support System Needs Curriculum Development Model Hardware, Software and Networking Needs Trainer Delivery Skills Assessment Learner Participatory Skills Assessment Cost – Benefits Recommendations Questions

Current e-Learning Portfolio Informal Learning Self-Paced Learning Leader-led Learning Performance Support Tools

Informal Learning Resources available for direct user access without structure to answer specific questions. Technology Network Downloads of trial software Full documentation of company’s products Articles Newsletters Learning Library

Self-Paced Offerings Learners participate anywhere, anytime in any order Currently: Self-Study CD-ROMS (SSCD) Primarily audio-based instruction on CD-ROM Proposed: Training on Demand Primarily video-based instruction delivered on the web

Instructor-led Learning Instructor facilitates material presentation, flow of discussion and answers questions to meet learning objectives. Currently: Instructor-led in-classroom training Company facility or On site delivery Proposed (after successful pilot study): Live Virtual Classroom (LVC)

Performance Support Tools Guided instruction on a series of complex tasks, or application help Application Wizards Help documentation Context-sensitive help

Readiness of Learners Insiders (employees) Outsiders (paid customers) Characteristics: Familiar and more comfortable with traditional learning in a physical classroom. Technologically proficient

Maintenance Support System Needs Self-paced offerings are fully automated in sales and delivery No additional staffing Live Virtual Classroom Need for additional bandwidth Current servers sufficient Need for additional personnel - producers

Curriculum Development Model All training is internally created Management expects this to continue On Demand Training Video-based web-delivered training Live Virtual Classrooms WebEx (Interactive environment, Chat, Polls, Visual) Conference Call (audio) Same curriculum and student guides

Hardware, Software and Networking Needs Hardware Training on demand – hardware current in place LVC – hardware currently in place Software Training on demand – No additional software needed LVC – All browser based software (licensing fees) Networking Training on demand – additional bandwidth required LVC – additional bandwidth required

Trainer Delivery Skills Assessment Instructors already create content for SSCD Senior instructors have the skills to create training on demand All instructors will deliver LVC Same materials Same content Same labs Need training for adaptations between face-to-face and online presentations.

Learner Participatory Skills Assessment Learners have the necessary skills to participate in current in-classroom learning Learners have the necessary skills to use SSCD Training on demand will need same skill base as SSCD Live Virtual Classrooms Learners will need introduction to WebEx environment Learners will need instruction in connecting to Lab machines Producers will be used to provide this introduction

Cost – Benefits Training on demand Upfront costs - video team, travel, editing team Residual costs – network storage, bandwidth Revenue - continuing with approx. 80% margin Live Virtual Classroom Upfront costs – instructor webcams Residual costs – bandwidth Revenue – 35-40% of delivery with no instructor travel expenses, and decreased facility overhead and maintenance

Recommendations Begin implementation of training on demand Begin expansion of Live Virtual Classroom training Immediately

Questions and Discussion

References Broadbent, B. (2002). ABCs of e-learning: Reaping the benefits and avoiding the pitfalls. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer.