March-May 2011 Semester ASCI 514 Chapters One and Two Homework Levi Brown

Chapter One:
1. List seven Strategic reasons for implementing Web-based training and define each. a. Developing a Global Workforce Because of the global nature of todays economics, outsourcing of jobs reaches around the world. As a result, webbased training (WBT) allows individuals to maintain currency on all aspects of job requirements. As changes occur, employees are able to learn and incorporate them almost instantaneously. b. Responding to Shorter Product Development Cycles Whenever programs used to perform the mission are updated, training is required to understand the upgrades or fixes associated with that program. Web-based training allows employees the opportunity to learn the new information with losing work time. c. Managing Flat Organizations Diminishing numbers in the work place doesnt mean there is a smaller amount of work that has to done. As responsibility increases, training needs follow suit. In order to free up managers from providing this training to everyone, web-based training is the solution to educate employees on basic skills. d. Adjusting to Needs of Employees Highly desired workers might not be available in the locations requiring those employees. Also, there might not be a need for those employees to actually have a physical presence at the work-place. Times zones, availability of personnel and electronic delivery of work, play major parts in recruiting workers. Web-based training allows these workers to learn the job in a manner which adjusts to their schedules. e. Enabling a Contingent Workforce Lulls in product demand makes it less cost-efficient to maintain high numbers of workers. When demand increases, web-based training allows companies to quickly train temporary workers needed to keep up with demand. f. Retaining Valued Workers Web-based training geared towards furthering the education and marketability of employees can be a fringe benefit used to command a workforce loyal to the company.

g. Increasing Productivity and Profitability It stands to reason that an employee who is completely knowledgeable of the product or service provided by his employer will be a more productive asset to said employer. Web-based training can provide the knowledge required in a manner conducive for all to attain that complete knowledge thus ensuring improved productivity and profit. 2. List the seven Tactical reasons for implementing Web-based training and define each. a. Reducing Travel and Related Costs This is an obvious and easily recognized benefit of web-based training because it is reflected in the balance sheet as a net savings in operating costs related to training workers. b. Enabling Learning Any Time and Any Place The title is self-explanatory. Regardless of the time or place, training can be accomplished whenever the worker has an opportunity. c. Providing Just-in-Time Learning Web-based training would be perfect for this type of learning because it would provide up to the minute knowledge of work requirements. Being able to recall freshly learned tasks makes performance easier and for those pieces of information that may have been forgotten or not completely understood, readily accessible refresher training just a few keystrokes away. d. Leveraging Existing Infrastructure Costly upgrades to PCs, network access and other technology can be avoided if WBT is adopted as the preferred training method. e. Enabling Deliver Independent of a Platform Training which requires a particular type of computer-based training could hinder training. By creating a training program accessible from any machine with net-work capability, WBT can alleviate the need for constantly changing programs. f. Providing Tools for Tracking and Record Keeping In the event records are required to be kept by some organizations, WBT courses can use programs to track successful completion by workers. g. Making Updates easy Revisions, changes or upgrades to WBT are all done electronically, thus making it easier and much cost effective than having to create and ship updates on discs.

3. What are the six disadvantages of adopting Web-based training (according to your text)? And in your opinion are all of these still applicable (explain why) a. Substantial Technical Infrastructure The only portion of this potential problem area that seems to be an issue from my point of view security. Without administrator access to computer programs, any downloads needed to complete training might not be accessible. b. Required Range of Skills From a user perspective, this not an issue. Training programs I have encountered have not really been a problem. Computer systems also have plenty memory to accommodate most training. c. New Learning Methods WBT training methods are definitely not new. Chat rooms and threaded discussions are as familiar as face to face conversations. Navigating the web is almost as easy as using a table of contents in any publication. d. Management of External resources This doesnt seem relevant to todays training. 24/7 access to most sites seems pretty much routine nowadays. e. New Ways of Thinking Not at all relevant. WBT is almost the norm when available. f. Significant Time and Money I cant speak on time needed to develop WBT, but when it comes to actually using the WBT method, it seems that time is not a disadvantage. With constant and significant changes in technology, implementing, accessing, and using WBT appears to be very cost effective. 4. Explain the term known as Gap in Skills and Knowledge as related to WBT. The term refers to specific deficient areas of learners abilities including: Cognitive Skills lacking analytical problem solving, rules application and distinguishing among items. These are all areas which can be effectively taught through WBT by implementing textual exercises, writing exercises and solving problems requiring computations. Psychomotor Skills lacking the ability to use motor skills and reason to manipulate machinery or perform tasks requiring more than just thought. This training would be more difficult to accomplish using WBT

because the equipment and coaches would be needed to perform the task and provide evaluation of performance.

Attitudinal Skills involve changing a learners mindset to adapt to beliefs of others. This would be best accomplished using persuasion from others versus reading on-line tutorials.

5. Are there potential problems with adapting Web-based training? There are definite problems to adopting and adapting to WBT such as: Lack adequate resources for other than cognitive lessons are a problem area. Lack of

Lack of adequate resources for other than cognitive lessons.

Inadequate materials such as existing training aides, unless they can be modified to take advantage of WBT opportunities. Lack of variety. Learners might reluctant to change from in-class teaching to WBT. By using different delivery methods, training might be more easily accepted. Incorporating animation, video and interactive activities will help maintain focus and make learning more acceptable.

Chapter Two: 1. Of the ten lessons learned from those who have implemented a WBT program, which ones do you feel are most important? (Pick at least three, and give your reasons why they would be most important in todays dynamic online educational/training world) #1 Create an Instructional Technology-Smart Organization By convincing or having the powers-that-be buy into the benefits of implementing WBT and by showing how effective it can be, using competitors successes, it would be much easier to acquire the necessary resources needed to begin the process. #2 Make WBT a Business-Driven Activity Show the upside to having proficient, highly trained workers who are always up to date on the latest opportunities and products offered by the company. Relate their knowledge and business skills to a profitable bottom-line. #3 Demand Adequate Budget and Time If you can accomplish numbers 1 and 2 above, it should be easier to accomplish number 3. Make them (management) understand that this is an investment that in the long run will pay huge dividends and should be entered into using quality parts and labor to design and implement the WBT.