Interactive Computer Based Driver Training Article
What is it? and Why It Works
Peter Van Beek,
President- Training Alternatives Group, lp.
After producing Internet-Based training (IBT) programs for several years, I am often asked what IBT is all about and how it works. This article offers an introduction to Internet- Based training for those who are new to this technology.
Many of us still remember the sound of chalk squeaking across the chalkboards, as trainers wrote out notes and drew pictures. Then there were those marker pens that always seemed to run out of ink at the worst possible moment. Fortunately, we could change from red to green or black. At the end of the day, we had as much ink on our fingertips-or maybe on our favorite ties-as we had on the white board.
Enter the marvel of 8 mm film projectors. Who can forget holding the film down on the projector wheels to keep it from ripping apart? Slide projectors appeared in classrooms around the same time. Slides offered trainers the first opportunity to take their own pictures and create easily customized, relatively mobile programs.
Video programs came next, providing a nice-looking, informative viewing experience. As training tools, however, videos had a major drawback. Many times, employees were left to watch a stack of videos, and the only thing we could document after a full day of viewing was the videos had, in fact, been watched. Few training videos came with quizzes or questions supervisors could use to measure comprehension or any change in behavior as a result of the training.
Today, internet-based training offers a new way to convey training information, while incorporating a variety of media selected to enhance the learning experience. IBT offers some distinct advantages over traditional training methods. We know that simply reading material or hearing information does not produce the best learning experience. Instead, comprehension is enhanced when training incorporates as many sensory experiences as possible. Learners need to read, hear, watch demonstrations, and interact or be physically involved in the training. IBT makes a multi-sensory learning experience possible.
With that in mind, let's look at key components necessary for the creation of an Internet-Based Training program.
Audio-IBT's should incorporate the use of audio through narration, sound effects and quite possibly music (where appropriate).
Graphics and animation-Computer animation is an effective way to show motion that can't be easily filmed, and still graphics can be used to present information in readily comprehensible formats such as charts and diagrams. The old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words holds true in internet-based training. The more visually attractive the program, the more learning is enhanced.
Video and photos-Video portions or "clips" are perfect ways to capture the attention of the viewer as well as demonstrate certain techniques or examples requiring motion
Quizzes and exams-During the course or program the student must be engaged to bring them into the interactivity of the IBT. This is most easily done by the announcement of a quiz. When taking a quiz, the student must answer the questions correctly or the computer will automatically place them back to the portion of the course that covered that piece of information. Once the student has heard the content portion again- he or she is placed back to the quiz question so it can be answered correctly.
Measuring the Learning Experience-The instructor must be able to document an actual learning experience. Therefore, all test scores, student information etc, must be collected via a system that automatically saves such information in a program that is readily accessible to the instructor for analysis. Course completion information must also be capable of being sent to a designated location electronically regardless of where the course was actually taken.
Delivery of Internet- Based Training
This option requires an Internet connection using a phone line, cable, or DSL connection. The faster your connection, the better. The program will operate more smoothly and fluidly at higher connection speeds, and graphics and animation will play clearer and faster. Dial-up connections using the phone line are by far the slowest and not recommended.
When course content is transmitted from a website, moving video takes up the most space, but, with advancements in streaming and buffering and a reasonable connection speed, video no longer has to clog up the Web pipes. The quality of audio, graphics, still photos, and interactivity in a Internet-based course are identical to the quality found on CD-based courses.
The obvious enormous plus for an Internet- Based course is of course the ability to take the course anywhere there is an Internet connection and anytime the student wants to. The next major benefit is that course results can be kept at one central location while students take the course from an unlimited number of locations.
Training Computer
A frequently asked question is, "Do I need a separate computer for Internet-Based training?" The answer is definitely no. Many computers used for training must also serve the needs of salespeople, accountants, and other employees in your organization.
When feasible, however, many companies do designate a computer only for training. Internet-based training tends to be heavily used, and usage continues to increase over time because employees have access to training around the clock every day. While Internet-based training does not replace human trainers it makes training more flexible by eliminating the need to find and schedule trainers for IBT-covered portions of training programs.
What are the System Requirements?
Requirements vary from vendor to vendor so I will list the computer requirements necessary to run one of our programs.
Platforms Supported:
Win 95(w/ SP), 98, 98SE, NT 4.0(w/ SP5+), 2000 Processor Speed: 200 Mhz (350Mhz+ Pentium II/III class recommended) System Memory: 16Mb minimum (64Mb+ recommended) Graphics Adapter: Capable of displaying 16 bit (65,000) colors and above.
What are the People Requirements?
From time to time, some managers and supervisor still tell me they just don't believe their employees are computer literate enough for IBT courses. That's a fair concern. To determine whether you or one of your employees could use a IBT course, let's answer three questions:
1. Can you type your name (or have someone type it for you)?
2. Can you use the mouse to move the cursor around the screen?
3. Can you click the left button of the mouse with your right index finger?
Anyone who answers "yes" to these questions can experience the next evolution in training tools. It's gratifying to see the smile of accomplishment that appears when someone who has never sat in front of a computer before begins his or her first IBT course.
Interactive Internet- Based training is new to many of us. Yet it offers managers, supervisors, and consultants the opportunity to thoroughly evaluate and enhance our current methods for delivering training content. We should identify areas that may need updating and implement improvements that clearly benefit instructors, employees, and the general public. As a safety professional for 21 years, I feel confident that an Internet- Based approach to training can enhance learning now and in the future.
Peter Van Beek is the Associate Administrator for the American Society of Safety Engineers - Transportation Practice Specialty.
He is also President, Training Alternatives Group, LP. (TAG)
TAG is an award-winning producer of Interactive Internet-Based Training programs.
Peter Van Beek,
President- Training Alternatives Group, lp.
After producing Internet-Based training (IBT) programs for several years, I am often asked what IBT is all about and how it works. This article offers an introduction to Internet- Based training for those who are new to this technology.
Many of us still remember the sound of chalk squeaking across the chalkboards, as trainers wrote out notes and drew pictures. Then there were those marker pens that always seemed to run out of ink at the worst possible moment. Fortunately, we could change from red to green or black. At the end of the day, we had as much ink on our fingertips-or maybe on our favorite ties-as we had on the white board.
Enter the marvel of 8 mm film projectors. Who can forget holding the film down on the projector wheels to keep it from ripping apart? Slide projectors appeared in classrooms around the same time. Slides offered trainers the first opportunity to take their own pictures and create easily customized, relatively mobile programs.
Video programs came next, providing a nice-looking, informative viewing experience. As training tools, however, videos had a major drawback. Many times, employees were left to watch a stack of videos, and the only thing we could document after a full day of viewing was the videos had, in fact, been watched. Few training videos came with quizzes or questions supervisors could use to measure comprehension or any change in behavior as a result of the training.
Today, internet-based training offers a new way to convey training information, while incorporating a variety of media selected to enhance the learning experience. IBT offers some distinct advantages over traditional training methods. We know that simply reading material or hearing information does not produce the best learning experience. Instead, comprehension is enhanced when training incorporates as many sensory experiences as possible. Learners need to read, hear, watch demonstrations, and interact or be physically involved in the training. IBT makes a multi-sensory learning experience possible.
With that in mind, let's look at key components necessary for the creation of an Internet-Based Training program.
Audio-IBT's should incorporate the use of audio through narration, sound effects and quite possibly music (where appropriate). Graphics and animation-Computer animation is an effective way to show motion that can't be easily filmed, and still graphics can be used to present information in readily comprehensible formats such as charts and diagrams. The old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words holds true in internet-based training. The more visually attractive the program, the more learning is enhanced. Video and photos-Video portions or "clips" are perfect ways to capture the attention of the viewer as well as demonstrate certain techniques or examples requiring motion Quizzes and exams-During the course or program the student must be engaged to bring them into the interactivity of the IBT. This is most easily done by the announcement of a quiz. When taking a quiz, the student must answer the questions correctly or the computer will automatically place them back to the portion of the course that covered that piece of information. Once the student has heard the content portion again- he or she is placed back to the quiz question so it can be answered correctly. Measuring the Learning Experience-The instructor must be able to document an actual learning experience. Therefore, all test scores, student information etc, must be collected via a system that automatically saves such information in a program that is readily accessible to the instructor for analysis. Course completion information must also be capable of being sent to a designated location electronically regardless of where the course was actually taken.Delivery of Internet- Based Training
This option requires an Internet connection using a phone line, cable, or DSL connection. The faster your connection, the better. The program will operate more smoothly and fluidly at higher connection speeds, and graphics and animation will play clearer and faster. Dial-up connections using the phone line are by far the slowest and not recommended.
When course content is transmitted from a website, moving video takes up the most space, but, with advancements in streaming and buffering and a reasonable connection speed, video no longer has to clog up the Web pipes. The quality of audio, graphics, still photos, and interactivity in a Internet-based course are identical to the quality found on CD-based courses.
The obvious enormous plus for an Internet- Based course is of course the ability to take the course anywhere there is an Internet connection and anytime the student wants to. The next major benefit is that course results can be kept at one central location while students take the course from an unlimited number of locations.
Training Computer
A frequently asked question is, "Do I need a separate computer for Internet-Based training?" The answer is definitely no. Many computers used for training must also serve the needs of salespeople, accountants, and other employees in your organization.
When feasible, however, many companies do designate a computer only for training. Internet-based training tends to be heavily used, and usage continues to increase over time because employees have access to training around the clock every day. While Internet-based training does not replace human trainers it makes training more flexible by eliminating the need to find and schedule trainers for IBT-covered portions of training programs.
What are the System Requirements?
Requirements vary from vendor to vendor so I will list the computer requirements necessary to run one of our programs.
Platforms Supported:
Win 95(w/ SP), 98, 98SE, NT 4.0(w/ SP5+), 2000 Processor Speed: 200 Mhz (350Mhz+ Pentium II/III class recommended) System Memory: 16Mb minimum (64Mb+ recommended) Graphics Adapter: Capable of displaying 16 bit (65,000) colors and above.
What are the People Requirements?
From time to time, some managers and supervisor still tell me they just don't believe their employees are computer literate enough for IBT courses. That's a fair concern. To determine whether you or one of your employees could use a IBT course, let's answer three questions:
1. Can you type your name (or have someone type it for you)?
2. Can you use the mouse to move the cursor around the screen?
3. Can you click the left button of the mouse with your right index finger?
Anyone who answers "yes" to these questions can experience the next evolution in training tools. It's gratifying to see the smile of accomplishment that appears when someone who has never sat in front of a computer before begins his or her first IBT course.
Interactive Internet- Based training is new to many of us. Yet it offers managers, supervisors, and consultants the opportunity to thoroughly evaluate and enhance our current methods for delivering training content. We should identify areas that may need updating and implement improvements that clearly benefit instructors, employees, and the general public. As a safety professional for 21 years, I feel confident that an Internet- Based approach to training can enhance learning now and in the future.
Peter Van Beek is the Associate Administrator for the American Society of Safety Engineers - Transportation Practice Specialty.
He is also President, Training Alternatives Group, LP. (TAG)
TAG is an award-winning producer of Interactive Internet-Based Training programs.