Technology’s Influence on

Training and Learning

 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.

8-1
Technology’s Influence on
Training and Learning (cont.)

 New training delivery and instructional

methods include:
 online learning (e-learning)
 distance learning
 simulations
 virtual reality
 expert systems
 electronic support systems
 learning management systems
8-2
Technology’s Influence on
Training and Learning (cont.)

 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.

8-3
Technology’s Influence on
Training and Learning (cont.)

 Benefits of Technology
 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.

8-4
Computer-Based Training (cont.)

 Interactive video - instruction is provided one-on-

one to trainees via a monitor connected to a
keyboard.
 Online learning, or e-learning - instruction and
delivery of training by computer online through
the Internet or the Web.
 Internet-based or Web-based, training - training
delivered on public or private computer networks and
displayed by a Web browser.
 Intranet-based training - training that uses the
company’s own computer network; accessible only to the
company’s employees. 8-5
Common Ways of Collaboration in
Online Learning

8-6
E-learning

 Delivery of learning programme by electronic

means
 It includes the delivery of content via internet,
intranet, audio and video tape, satellite
broadcast, interactive TV and CD-ROM

 Web based learning

8-7
Types of E-learning
Synchronous
•all students and instructor
are logged on at the same
time and communicate
directly and virtually with
each other
•“where all the students must
be in the classroom at a
certain time for the class to
start.
•include live web-casts, chat
rooms, application sharing,
and whiteboard sessions.
Asynchronous
•The communication between
participants does not occur
simultaneously.
•Where “the learning
content is served from a
Web server and delivered
on demand to the learner's
workstation
•Learners can thus take
courses at own pace.
•Examples; taking a self-paced
course, posting messages to a
discussion group.
8-8
8-9
8-10
Advantages of E-learning

 Flexibility, convenience and accessibility

 Time
 Money: reduced overall cost
 Communication and interactivity

8-11
Disadvantages of E-learning

 Technology infrastructure
 Bandwidth limitation
 High initial cost
 Difficult in navigation / poor literacy
 Lack of f2f contact
 Low motivation

8-12
Blended Learning

 It combines online learning, face-to-face

instruction, and other methods for
distributing learning content and instruction.
 In comparison to classroom delivery, blended
learning:
 provides increased learner control.
 allows for self-directedness.
 requires learners to take more responsibility for
their learning.

8-13
Blended Learning (cont.)

 In comparison to pure online learning,

blended learning provides:
 more face-to-face social interaction.
 ensures that at least some of the instruction is
presented in a dedicated learning environment.

8-14
Blended Learning (cont.)
Advantages
 Provides live feedback
from peers which is
preferable to feedback
received online.
 Capitalizes on the positive
learning features inherent
in both face-to-face and
Web-based instruction.
Disadvantages
 Demanding—requires
greater time commitment.
 Fast-changing technology.
 Insufficient management
support and commitment.
 Difficult to understand and
implement.
8-15
Simulations

 Avatars - computer depictions of humans

that are used as imaginary coaches,
coworkers, and customers in simulations.

8-16
Table 8.9 – Types of Simulations

8-17
Simulations (cont.)

Advantages Disadvantages
 Eliminates the need to travel to a  High development costs.
central training location.  Trainees may not be comfortable
 Meaningful—gets trainees in learning situations that lack
involved in learning, and are human contact.
emotionally engaging.
 Simulators provide a consistent
message of what needs to be
learned.
 Can safely put employees in
situations that would be
dangerous in the real world.
 Results in positive outcomes as
shorter training times and
increased ROI.
8-18
Simulations (cont.)

Advantages Disadvantages
Virtual reality -  Allows trainees to  Poor equipment
computer-based practice dangerous that results in a
technology that tasks without reduced sense of
provides trainees putting themselves presence.
with a three- or others in danger.  Poor presence may
dimensional learning  More memory result in the trainee
experience allowing available for experiencing
them to experience learning. simulator sickness.
presence.

8-19
Simulations (cont.)

Advantages Disadvantages
Virtual worlds-  Imitates an actual workplace  Lack of ease of use for
computer-based, without any harm. first-time users.
simulated, three  Provides a place to meet with  Potential risk of a
dimensional trainers, managers, or other difficult keyboard and
representation of employees who can serve as mouse interface.
the real world teachers.  High investment of
and a place to  Useful for teaching time and money
host learning interpersonal skills. required for
programs or programming content.
experiences.  Motivates learners by making
learning fun and interactive.  Lack of evidence
 Enhances transfer of training. supporting its
 Used for e-learning, effectiveness for
collaboration, and meetings. learning.

8-20
Mobile Technology and Training
Methods: iPods, PDAs

 Mobile technology consists of:

 Wireless transmission systems (Wi-Fi and
Bluetooth)
 Mobile devices (PDAs, GPS, RFID, etc.)
 Software applications
 Challenges:
 Ensuring employees know when and how to take
advantage of the technology.
 Ensuring employees can connect to a variety of networks
irrespective of their location or mobile device.
8-21
Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS)

 They are instructional systems that use

artificial intelligence.
 Three types of ITS environments:
 Tutoring
 Coaching
 Empowering

8-22
Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS)
(cont.)

 Different from other new training

technologies in several ways:
 Has the ability to match instruction to individual
student needs.
 Can communicate and respond to the student.
 Can model the trainee’s learning process.
 Can decide, on the basis of a trainee’s previous
performance, what information to provide.

8-23
Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS)
(cont.)

 Different from other new training

technologies in several ways:
 Can make decisions about the trainee’s level of
understanding.
 Can complete a self-assessment resulting in a
modification of its teaching process.

8-24
Figure 8.4 - Components of Intelligent
Tutoring Systems

8-25
Distance Learning

 It involves two types of technology:

 Teleconferencing - synchronous exchange of
audio, video, and/or text between two or more
individuals or groups at two or more locations.
 Interactive distance learning (IDL) - latest
generation of distance learning, which uses
satellite technology to broadcast programs to
different locations and allows trainees to respond
to questions posed during the training program
using a keypad.
8-26
Distance Learning (cont.)

 Advantages:
 Company saves on travel costs.
 Allows employees in geographically dispersed sites
to receive training from experts who would not
otherwise be available to visit each location.
 Disadvantages:
 Lack of interaction between the trainer and the
audience.
 Technology failures.
 Unprepared trainers.
8-27
Table 8.10 - Conditions When Training
Support Technologies are Most Needed

8-28
Technologies for Training Support

 Expert systems - technology that organizes

and applies the knowledge of human experts
to specific problems.
 It has three elements:
 A knowledge base.
 A decision-making capability.
 A user interface.

8-29
Technologies for Training Support
(cont.)

 Groupware - enables multiple users to track,

share, and organize information and to work
on the same document simultaneously.
 Companies use groupware to improve business
processes, to improve meeting effectiveness, as
well as to identify and share knowledge in the
organization.

8-30
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.
8-31
Learning Management Systems: Systems for
Training Delivery, Support, and Administration

 Learning management system (LMS) - a

technology platform that can be used to
automate the administration, development,
and delivery of all of a company’s training
programs.

8-32
Table 8.12 - Features of Learning
Management Systems (LMSs)

8-33
Learning Management Systems: Systems for Training
Delivery, Support, and Administration (cont.)

 Advantages of LMSs:
 Reduces travel and training related costs.
 Reduces time for program completion.
 Increase employees’ accessibility to training across
the business.
 Provides administrative capabilities to track
program completion and course enrollments.
 Allows companies to track all learning activity in
the business.

8-34
Learning Management Systems: Systems for Training
Delivery, Support, and Administration (cont.)

 The major reasons that companies adopt an

LMS are:
 To centralize management of learning activities.
 Track regulatory compliance.
 Measure training usage and employee
performance.

8-35
Learning Management Systems: Systems for Training
Delivery, Support, and Administration (cont.)

 Developing on LMS
 Senior management needs to be convinced that
an LMS will benefit employees, improve business
functions, and contribute to overall business
strategies and goals.
 The company must have an e-learning culture.
 The online learning environment needs to be
under the control of the learner.

8-36
Choosing New Technology Training
Methods

 New technology training methods should be

considered when:
 Sufficient budget and resources are provided.
 Trainees are geographically dispersed.
 Trainees are comfortable using technology.
 It is a part of the company’s business strategy and
suits its culture.
 Employees have a difficult time attending
scheduled training programs.
 Current training methods allow limited time for
practice, feedback, and assessment.
8-37
Table 8.13 - Comparison of Technology-
based Training Methods

8-38
Outward bound
learning

8-39
What is OBL

 Developed in 1940's by Dr. Kurt Hahn

 The most obvious - and immediate - benefits
of OBT is a building up of interpersonal
relationships, trust and bonding.

8-40
What is OBL? . . . . .

group of people away from

 taking a
their normal environment into the
outdoors, and placing a new,
unfamiliar set of challenges
before them, in the solving of which a
whole lot of new equations are thrown
up.
8-41
 The programme works on the principle that
when a team is thrown together in wilderness
or adventure settings, where they have to
fend for themselves and meet challenges
together.

8-42
Areas where OBL is most effective

 Teambuilding/Teamwork
 Building successful teams while focusing on
problem-solving, communication, trust-building,
change and conflict resolution.
 Leadership Development
 Identifying and developing traits successfully
employed in situations involving strategy, goal
setting, planning, resource allocation,
empowerment, and decision-making.

8-43
 Change Management
 Enabling an organization to build a shared culture,
integrating new organizational structures,
managing transitions, and expanding perceived
limits of performance.
 Conflict Resolution
 Improving interpersonal skills, removing
communication blocks, building abilities to express
and resolve differences in an unstressed manner.

8-44
 Personal and Professional Effectiveness
 Improving self image through emphasis on
personal and group achievements, encouragement
to stretch beyond perceived limits, and gaining a
renewed sense of purpose and commitment.
 Interpersonal Skills
 Develops abilities to relate meaningfully and with
confidence in group and individual situations,
working towards enhancing group dynamics.

8-45
 Communication Skills
 Builds effective communication skills that enables
enhanced performance and productivity.
 Induction/Orientation for Trainees
 Reduces lead time in creating productive, effective
employees and enables faster integration of
corporate culture, values, and expectations.

8-46
 Partnerships/Alliances
 Creating more effective client, vendor, supplier,
alliance, and partner relationships through shared
experiences and goals and trust-building.

8-47
Advantages of OBL

 Holistic
 Clear and simple goals
 Concrete experiences
 New and funny activities
 Risk taking

8-48
Ten Principles of OBL

 The primacy of self-discovery

 The having of wonderful ideas
 Responsibility of learning
 Empathy and caring
 Success and failure
 Collaboration and competition
 Diversity and inclusion
 The natural world
 Solitude and reflection
 Service and compassion 8-49
Process of OBL

Framing Implementing Debriefing

Types of OBL

 Initiative activities (Ice Breaking events)

 Challenge Courses (rope and obstacle courses)
 Low challenge (Five feet off the ground)
 High challenge (10 to 15 feet above the ground)
 Wilderness activities (secluded places like hills,
forests, rivers etc.) – Rock climbing, mountain
climbing, and wilderness travel
 Color mass
 Pointillism (dot games) 8-51
Issues in OBL

 Risk
 Safety
 Ethical
 Is for able bodied
 Outdoors and male-dominated

8-52