High-Tech Training

There are lots of different technologies out there in the world that can be used to enhance learning.  However for this blog, I am only focusing on five.  The five technologies on which I plan to focus are learning portals, learning management systems, training software applications/authoring tools, mobile learning and simulations. 

Learning Portals

Learning portals are web sites or online learning centers that provide access to training courses, services, and online learning communities from many sources (Noe, 2010).  Learning portals allow users convenient access to many different resources they need for learning all in one place.  For example in our courses at Walden University we use the eCampus learning portal.  In this portal we are able to access our classrooms, student email accounts, student support, financial aid accounts and more.  By providing one central resource learning portals will assist learners and trainees with managing their time as they will not have to go to multiple place in order to accomplish their learning needs.  Some additional examples of learning portals are Skillsoft, Taleo and Mzinga.

Learning Management Systems

 

 A learning management system (LMS) is a technology platform that can be used to automate the administrations, development, and delivery of all of a company's training programs (Noe, 2010).  Learning management systems have had many positive implications on training.  LMSs have made training processes more efficient.  They allow for housing of courses in a central location.  This can prevent from having to individually email links or attachments. It also allows users and administrators to run reports on what trainings a user has completed and what their scores are.  This eliminates the need for manual record keeping.  It also allows the information and reports to be easier manipulated for evaluations of data and results.  LMSs can save so much time in many different training processes.

Some examples of LMSs are Moodle, Blackboard, and Healthstream.

 Mobile Learning

We live today in a mobile world.  People are on the move and on the go.  The ability to access information when you are out of the office or classroom can be pivotal.  Mobile technology allows learning to occur anywhere at anytime (Noe, 2010).  We use can use our smart phones, e-readers, mp3 players and many other devices to access learning on the go.  This can be in the form of recorded audio lectures.  Online classes such as the one we are in can also be accessed using any device that allow you to access the internet.  It allows you to engage in learning from almost anywhere if you have some sort of mobile device to support it.  

There are so many options of devices.  There are iphones and even e-readers such as kindle.  We can access emails from our trainers on the go.  The are unlimited options for the benefits of mobile learning for both the trainers and trainees.

Training Software Applications/Authoring Tools

Authoring tools are used to create presentations, surveys, quizzes, animation, and graphics and to provide sound, video and text for online learning (Noe, 2010).  I personally as a trainer have benefited immensely from the use of authoring tools.  I use Adobe Captivate on a daily basis.  Authoring tools allow trainers to create more engaging and interactive trainings that can go into a learning management system.  Another benefit is that they create SCORM complaint training.  This is a fancy way of saying they make trainings that will play nice with many different systems.  This means that these authoring tools not only assist in the creation of the the training but they assist the user in the delivery of the training.  This means that someone using a different LMS or a different way to access the internet should not have an issue accessing the course.  Authoring tools have gone beyond simple power point presentations.  They allow trainers to create truly interactive learning experiences.  For trainees, this can make all the distance in a self paced learning scenario.  

There are many other authoring tools out there.  Some other examples are Articulate and Trivantis Lectora.

Simulations

Simulations have been used as a proven training method in many different areas of learning.  My sister is completing her Bachelors of Nursing degree and they use simulation dolls such as the one in the picture.  She has tests where her profession is behind a two way mirror and is able to speak through the doll.  Simulations have also proven successful in helping school leaders practice people skills. According to a research study complete by Syracuse University researchers there are benefits to simulation in the education environment as well.  There is some importance to being able to get real practice doing something. Simulations go beyond role playing in that role playing assigns the learner a role to play.  Simulations provide a situation or a scenario and the learner needs to solve the problem by using what they have learned.  There are not told what to do and what role to take on they used what they have been trained to do.  It is a true application of the knowledge learned. 

References:

Sparks, S. D. (2011). Simulations Help School Leaders Hone People Skills: Simulations Help School Leaders Practice "Tough Conversations". Education Week, 31(1), 1,. 

Noe, R. A. (2010). Employee training and development (5th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.