1. ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY-BASED TRAINING

2. Environmental Factors Influencing Technology-Based Training
Globalization
Economic pressures
Work/Life Issues

3. Globalization
Training costs can be prohibitive for highly decentralized organizations
Centralized classroom training is not an efficient means of delivering timely training to a global workforce
Technology is more responsive to training needs in this environment

4. Economic Pressures
Organizations must rely on workplace learning and continuous improvement to remain successful
Companies face tremendous economic pressures to cut costs and increase shareholder value

5. Economic Pressures Continued
Significant upfront costs
Helps organizations reduce variable costs associated with the classroom
Cost savings in other areas, such as program updating and employees’ time off the job

6. Work/Life Issues
Employees increasingly desire flexible work arrangements, such as telecommuting
Technology-based training can address the logistical problems of the flexible and telecommuting workforce

7. Technological Advances
Recent advances in computing power and connectivity
Greater bandwidth increases the multimedia capabilities of technology-based training

8. Technological Advances Cont.
Today’s high-end technologies can increasingly approximate conventional, instructor-led classroom training
Media that support these advanced technologies have become more cost-efficient, reliable, and accessible

9. Training Technologies
CD-ROM, DVD, and Interactive Video systems
Web-based training
Electronic performance support systems (EPSS) and intelligent tutoring systems
Distributed interactive simulation (DIS), game-based training environments, and distributed mission training (DMT)

10. Benefits of Training Technology
Cost Reduction
Reduction in Training Time
Pedagogical Capabilities
Diversity and Accessibility
Other Benefits

11. Cost Reduction
Technology-based training can deliver a training program for lower cost than more traditional training methods
Reduces or eliminates many of the variable costs associated with the classroom
The up-front costs associated with technology-based training are significant

12. Reduction in Training Time
Technology-based training often leads to a reduction in the time that individuals spend in training
Less time off the job and greater employee productivity
Employees can learn precisely what they need to know

13. Pedagogical Capabilities
Highly personalized learning experience
Competency assessments can provide trainees with personalized feedback that is immediate
Training technology can give employees an opportunity to practice using their skills and knowledge in realistic situations

14. Diversity and Accessibility
Online learning can level social barriers
Increased access to individuals who otherwise may be unable to attend training or classes

15. Other Benefits
Makes it possible to deliver a consistent message companywide to all trainees or employees
Technology-based training can help create an environment in which learners have more responsibility for their personal success

16. Costs and Challenges of Training Technology
Learner Choices
Social Environment and Collaboration

17. Learner Choices
Trainees exit training prior to achieving mastery of the subject
Trainees continue too long and become inefficient
Unwillingness to participate in online courses

18. Social Environment and Collaboration
Minimal interactivity and communication capabilities
Does not provide employees with opportunities to socialize and network with their colleagues

19. Factors Affecting Effectiveness
Training content
Trainee characteristics

20. Training Content
Content may repeat classroom information (not effective)
Content may be heavily cognitive ignoring other types of training
Content may be a mix of classroom and technology (more flexible)

21. Trainee Characteristics
Cognitive ability
Goal orientation of the trainee
Prior achievement and knowledge
Conscientiousness
Openness to new experiences

22. Guidelines
Leverage the Unique Instructional Capabilities of Technology
Adopt a Learner-Centered Perspective
Create a Supportive Learning Environment

23. Conclusion
Technology-based training offers the potential to revolutionize training effectiveness
Companies that realize this potential will be better positioned to leverage their human capital for sustained competitive advantage