Help for the
Chronically Underfunded
E-Learning Solutions on a Shoestring:
Jane Bozarth, E-Learning Coordinator
NC Office of State Personnel [email protected]
Part I“What is e-learning?”
Advantages (1)Travel $Trainee time away from workJust-in-time (eliminate waiting lists/empty seats)Just-for-meEasier to update
Advantages (2)Printing/materials/classroom $ScalableConsistent delivery
Obstacles (1)Problems with 24/7Learner buy-inManagement buy-inTrainer buy-in IsolationStart-up $Equipment considerations
Obstacles (2)Learner motivation/trainer controlUpdating materialsLiteracy requirements
JANE’S BIG FEAR:
Technology Abuse
The Decision
If the e-learning solution is
= or > the alternative,
then e-learning may be the better choice
“E”-learningComputer-based training (CBT) Intranet-based training Internet-based trainingWeb-based training(WBT)Dozens of other names
Levels Knowledge databases
Performance support
Online support
Asynchronous training
Synchronous training
Uses?Basic skillsOnline degrees/academicsSupplement to classroomNew employee orientationMandatory business training: refresher
on proceduresBusiness applications (computer)
Training to INform
RulePolicy“Awareness”
DFWP AIDSEmail Etiquette ADA
= Content
Training to PERform (near reach)
Filling out form Process (such as how to make a
conference call on the new office phones)
Training to PERform (far reach)
=Advanced Application Critical Thinking
Empathy SkillsInteracting with Angry CustomerDDI
Part II“E-Learning on a Shoestring”
Build or buy?Company-Specific? REALLY?
More than 500 users?
What we already had:
Hardware Software Peripherals
Dell Latitude MS Paint Scanner
Telephone PowerPoint CD Burner
Word Microphone
NetMeeting
LOTS of training materials, including video we owned
What we had access to:
WHO Software Peripherals
Narrator Macromedia 30-day trial+free tutorials
Digital camera
Flash designer VHS to digital converter
MANY collegestudents
Other decisions:Early vs. elegantPerfect vs. good enough
What do you really NEED?
MYTHSBefore you can do anything else, you
have to have a/an:
Authoring toolOn-site Web designerLearning Management System
NC’s ProgramMix of built and boughtSupervisor Skills, Mandated Topics, and
Employee Development25,000 users in 18 months100% completion My salary + computer + ….
BUILDING
Use what you have
Word
PowerPoint
MS Paint
Word Web PageWizard
MS PAINT
Start—
Programs—
Accessories—
Paint
Time to move up? Html EditorsPage ToolsAuthoring Tools
Adding OnFree VisualsFree InteractivityCoursebuilder Quia gamesHot Potatoes gamesCollaborative Learning Systems games
CollaborationRole PlaysCase StudiesTeam AssignmentsStudent Home Pages
Job Aids
Other Bricks
Network! ASTD, ISPI, NAGTADBeg, barter, borrowUse “child labor” Reusable objects
Always ask: how’d they do it?
Are there any cheaper alternatives?
BUYING
Vendor: developmentGET YOUR ACT TOGETHER
What are you buying?
How much?
Vendor: OTS (Jane: Ask the right questions:Not “Is it a good product?”Not “Do you like it?”)
VENDOR
Free, trial, demo, sample, cheap
Optimize, don’t customize
Limit licenses
Add on, don’t renovate
Add on, don’t renovate:
Jane Bozarth
E-Learning Coordinator, NC Office of State Personnel’sHRD Group
Author: E-Learning Solutions on a Shoestring
Contributing Writer, Training magazine
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