If it sounds like online education is the solution to your every
training problem, hold on. There's also a less rosy side to
this story. While there's a wide range of topics that pair well
with Web-based teaching techniques--such as computer software
skills or sales training--not all content lends itself to a
Web-based presentation. The consensus among researchers is that
some topics are better taught in person by instructors.
"Team-building and training designed to strengthen
interpersonal skills are probably better presented in person, with
students convening in a room," adds Hall.
And it's not just some topics that are better-suited to
in-person training: "Not all employees are well-suited to
Web-based training," says Brown. Rules can't be hard and
fast, but those without confidence, computer skills or content
expertise may be less likely to learn.
So who will take to the medium? Anybody who's moderately
comfortable with computers and already uses the Web. But even these
people may be hard to motivate, says Bill Dyer, an Amarillo, Texas,
author of a Web-based training site. Why? Web-based training is a
solitary task, and, ultimately, it's up to each student to
muster the motivation to plow through another lesson. Keep in mind,
some people just aren't self-starters.
Content Continues Below
Training companies are beginning to address that issue, assures
Jen Masino of ZDU, the Web-based teaching arm of tech publishing
giant Ziff Davis. Masino explains that many classes feature online
communities, where students can post questions to bulletin boards,
get feedback and interact with peers. "There's a lot of
interactivity possible with Web-based classes," says Masino.
Is it enough interactivity to keep participants involved? Early
indications are that many people do respond well to these
cyber-communications and ultimately benefit from them.
Page
1 |
2 | 3 |
4 