New technologies have made it possible to: reduce the costs associated with delivering training. increase the effectiveness of the learning environment. help training contribute to business goals. Prior to the introduction of new technology: Trainees played a passive role in learning. Interaction among learners occurred primarily outside the training room and tended to be limited. Due to technology, learning has become a more dynamic process. Instructor is more of a coach and resource person.

Benefits of Technology Employees can gain control over when and where they receive training. Employees can access knowledge and expert systems on an as-needed basis. The learning environment can look, feel, and sound just like the work environment. Employees can choose the type of media they want to use in a training program. Paperwork and time needed for administrative activities is reduced. Employees’ accomplishments during training can be monitored. Traditional training methods can be delivered to trainees rather than requiring them to come to a central training location.

Multimedia Training Multimedia training combines audiovisual training methods with computer-based training These programs integrate text, graphics, animation, audio, and video Because this training is computer-based, the trainee can interact with the content Can be delivered using interactive video, the Internet or intranets

Advantages and Disadvantages of Multimedia Training: Expensive to develop Ineffective for certain training content Trainee anxiety with using technology Difficult to quickly update Lack of agreement on effectiveness Advantages Self-paced Interactive Consistency of content Consistency of delivery Unlimited geographic accessibility Immediate feedback Built-in guidance system Appeals to multiple senses Can test and certify mastery Privacy

Computer-Based Training Computer-based training (CBT) is an interactive training experience in which: the computer provides the learning stimulus, the trainee must respond, and the computer analyzes the responses and provides feedback to the trainee

Distance Learning Distance learning is used by geographically dispersed trainees to provide information about new policies, procedures, and skills training and expert lectures to field locations Features two-way communications between people Involves two types of technology: teleconferencing individualized, personal-computer-based training

Training Support Technologies: Expert Systems Expert systems - technology that organizes and applies the knowledge of human experts to specific problems Used as a support tool that employees refer to when they have problems or decisions they feel exceed their current knowledge and skills

Training Support Technologies: Expert Systems Expert systems have three elements: A knowledge base that contains facts, figures, and rules about a specific subject A decision making capability that draws conclusions from those facts and figures to solve problems and answer questions A user interface that gathers and gives information to the person using the system

Training Support Technologies: Groupware Groupware (electronic meeting software) - a special type of software application that enables multiple users to track, share, and organize information, and to work on the same document simultaneously Institute have been using groupware to improve Training processes, to improve meeting effectiveness, as well as to identify and share knowledge in the organization

Technologies for Training Administration Interactive voice technology - uses a conventional personal computer to create an automated phone response system. Imaging - scanning documents, storing them electronically, and retrieving them. Training software applications - used to track information related to training administration, employee skills, employees’ training activities, online learning, and transfer of training.