High-Tech Training

Blog Post: High-Tech Training

There is little question that technology use in training is on the rise and is here to stay; however, few would argue that throwing technological components into training programs just to appear "up to date" is wise. Strategically and thoughtfully applying technological components to enhance the impact and/or measurabilitiy of training solutions is what any good trainer strives for.

For this assignment, begin by thinking about the various training technologies outlined in Chapter 8 of the Noe text and in the required article. Consider what impact these technologies are having and will continue to have in training and development environments.

Next, complete the following:

• Choose FOUR technologies or technological advancements used in training, as described in Chapter 8 of the Noe text and in the required article.
• Conduct online research (in the Walden library or other reputable site) to find ONE additional article or resource that highlights the use of technology for teaching or training purposes.

Training and technology continue to rapidly develop to enhance train effectiveness. A trainer, educator, team leader or coach must apply or utilize the technologies to impact the trainees to continue using method after training has concluded. Social media, Blended learning, mobile technology learning, and distance learning are four technologies used to enhance and evaluate training. Each has made drastic changes to how information or knowledge is shared and used.

“A shared work space is hosted on a web server where people  can share information and documents.(Noe 320)” Shared work spaces such as Google docs, currently called Google Drive provides tools for almost everything for collaboration, communication and innovation. Noe describes blog, Wikis and shared media to facilitate learning. “A blog is a webpage where an author posts entries and readers often can comment.(Noe 320 )” The web log discuss topics relevant to the writer and his or her audience to share insight and feedback pertaining to the relevant issue. “A wiki is a website that allows many users to create edit and update content and shared knowledge. (Noe 320)” The multiple user features will help individuals or groups to collaborate without being in a face to face setting.

“Shared media refers to the audio or video such as YouTube that can be accessed and shared with others.( Noe 336)” Sharing media content such as photos videos and other learning materials can reach a larger audience. It also is posted where it can be easily located and used as needed. Some other examples are Google+, and Flickr. Any of these technologies help trainees collaborate learns informally by sharing information as needed as well as formally. The social media technology, both online and mobile, are used to create interactive communications allowing the creation and exchange of user-generated content.

“Blended Learning combines online learning, face-to-face instruction, and other methods for distributing learning content and instruction. Blended learning uses classroom to allow learners to learn together and discuss and share insights which helps bring learning to life and make it meaningful. (Noe 338)”

Mobile learning technology such as Podcasts or apps used on android or iPhone, tablets or iPads or notebooks are useful in facilitating learning in formal or informal. Podcast or video program content disturbed in episodes using software such as RSS is a highly utilized method of sharing media content. The content is accessible and useful to the community that has a purpose for the valuable content shared. Apps or applications are designed specifically for smartphones and tablet computers (Noe 345). The mobile tools are great for easily accessing the tools needed to learn effectively. 

Distance Learning is used by geographically dispersed companies to provide information about new products, policies or procedures as well as deliver skills training and expert lectures to field locations. (Noe 347)” Virtual classrooms, teleconferencing, interactive distance learning, webcasting and web conferencing are the tools that provide the flexibility to impact training in alternative settings. In closing it is important to “keep in mind, these tools can provide a wide range of benefits for agencies, such as: Clarity when building business cases, leadership support and assistance to develop new training opportunities to support the needs of a changing generation. (Training and Development Policy Wiki: Leveraging New Technologies for Employee Development Programs, n.d.)” Keeping the pace with the changes that occur in technology is important to get the most from learners, trainees or employees. “Blended learning has been found to be more effective than face-to-face instruction for motivating trainees to learn and for teaching declarative knowledge or information about ideas or topics” (Noe 338). The lasting impact on training effectiveness grabs the learners attention keeping them engaged even after the learning has concluded and learners are back on the job.

References

Training and Development Policy Wiki: Leveraging New Technologies for Employee Development Programs. (n.d.). Retrieved from OPM.gov: http://www.opm.gov/wiki/training/Leveraging-New-Technologies-for-Employee-Development-Programs.ashx

Noe, R.  Employee Training and Development. 2013 McGraw Hill New York, New York