training

It may seem a little dated to talk about Web 2.0 these days.  After all, at the pace that technology changes it’s surprising that we haven’t already moved on to Web 3.0, otherwise known as the Semantic Web.  Some would say we’re on the verge or have been in the midst of the semantic web for some time and I’m inclined to agree. continue reading...

I recently stumbled upon a white-paper from Vistage International on on Six Critical Elements of Long-Range Strategic Planning and I think two important elements are missing from what is an otherwise good synopsis of what companies need to do to survive and thrive in the years ahead. Those elements are your staff (people) and your customers. continue reading...

Since we’ve been spending so much time discussing what makes good training, we should take a look at the alternative and examine what makes for bad training.  Knowing what to avoid will help in creating a training program that is learner-centered and performance-based.

Here are some of the common mistakes I’ve found in training: continue reading...

Within the last couple months, recent events in the world around me prompted me to think about the state of the training profession and how it can survive in a recession. It seems whenever times are tough, training is thought of as a luxury or “nice to have” to the people who watch the bottom line.  It is either cut entirely or scaled back significantly. continue reading...

As we look ahead 2, 5, maybe 10 years from now, I believe businesses will embrace more and more of social networking’s best elements as means to enhance performance and communications within their organizations.

Fellow blogger and colleague, Tac Anderson, posted some research findings at his blog on the future of human resources and social media. It shows where we’re headed in business, but also discusses the barriers to implementing social media. continue reading...

One of the things that makes us unique as human beings is that we each have our own perceptions of the world around us. The way one would run a business or manage finances would differ from person to person. If I were to say a word like liberty, you may have a different definition in mind than I have. But words are a funny thing. Some meanings behind those words can be misconstrued while others are literal – they either are or they are not. continue reading...

Media is the means of transferring knowledge to the learner, the whole objective of training. It is something that can’t be overlooked and it is probably the most pivotal part of the instructional design process, next to the formation of learning and performance objectives. It is the one point in the instructional design process where you have a lot of choices based on your objectives and what your resources will allow you to do. continue reading...

There’s a common misconception that e-learning in an of itself is interactive.  However, interactivity is more than just delivering content in an online format.  Just because you use multimedia, doesn't make it interactive.  You have to have things such as challenges, decision making and problem solving on the part of the learner integrated in the content.

Elements such as the following help make e-learning interactive: continue reading...

You may have heard the term Rapid E-learning and wondered to yourself, what does it mean?

As I understand it, Rapid E-learning is delivering training (learning) by electronic means, utilizing quick design and development methodologies and available resources to bring a final solution to your target audience in the most efficient manner.  If you have conducted your own research on the subject, you may have found different definitions.  Nevertheless, the result is still the same – creating an engaging learning experience quickly and inexpensively. continue reading...

When companies struggle through economic downturns, much like the one we are experiencing now, the first instinct is to start slashing the operating budget.  Managers and employees are asked to do more with less resources.

It’s been my experience that one of the areas hit hardest by budget cuts is the training function.  Training is often thought of at times as a luxury or “nice to have” in an organization.  It is an expense worth paying for when times are good, but an easy target for elimination when times are bad.  continue reading...