With approach of a new upcoming school year, may all teachers (parents, educators, neighbors, writers, etc.) brace themselves for wonderful task at hand. To further education of any child is richest, most rewarding experience in life. There can be no more noble undertaking than to lead a child to investigating, challenging themselves and their surroundings, attempting, and succeeding at skills and subjects that will let this child open doors to his/her future. From a parent giving an example of honesty, a neighbor pointing out beauty of a newly born kitten, a teacher who brings a subject or book to life, and a writer who paints a "word" picture of a sunset, all these individuals play such an important role in formation and future of this child.

When a child's environment is rich with caring, loving people who want only to bring sunshine of knowledge and capability into this child's world, then possibilities are endless, potential without limit. A book contains written words, a fanciful tale, recorded experiences of an individual, or peculiarities of a location, but a "teacher" can infuse life and reality into material. History becomes a wealth of evolvement and ancestry, science is a world of not-yet-discovered solutions, and realm of language is transformed into building blocks to reach stars.

To a wonderful new school year ENJOY! ©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 August

Better knowledge retention...

IMCBT programs provide a multi-sensory learning environment that maximizes way people retain information. Studies have shown that people remember 20% of what they see and 40% of what they see and hear. Interactive multimedia computer-based training allows people to remember 70% of what they see, hear, and do.

No-risk situations...

IMCBT can simulate many work, laboratory or field environments that may be inaccessible for on-site training demonstrations. Students can safely practice and master skills, allowing their progress to be monitored and improvements measured and documented before applying them in a potentially hazardous situation. For example, new workers in a manufacturing plan can master skills to operate machinery before they assume their work duties.

IMCBT Disadvantages

Many companies find it difficult to keep their employees abreast of latest technologies and techniques. A more serious problem is fact that many employees — from blue-collar worker to professional — lack basic skills they should have learned in high school.

These are some of drawbacks to using IMCBT:

* Need access to a computer * Must understand and know how to use a computer * Personnel resistance * Must be well-done

Need access to a computer...

Students must have access to computers at home, at work, or at some training location within company to use IMCBT. Sometimes computer access is possible.

Must understand and know how to use a computer...

To use an IMCBT, it is assumed that personnel being trained are somewhat computer literate. They must know how to use a keyboard and a mouse. Some people must be trained, at a minimum, basic computer skills prior to using an IMCBT program.

Personnel resistance...

Some people have phobias concerning use of computers, while others balk at any type of computer function. They may feel it is too impersonal or that computer is "out to get them". Some people may simply "freeze up" when confronted with learning on a computer.

Must be well-done...

The IMCBT must be designed and written in a quality manner for students to keep interest and learn. A good IMCBT program will not contain too many graphics, videos, or colors. It should be pleasing to eye and easy to see. A poorly designed IMCBT can result in boredom or even confuse person who is supposed to learn material. A person can learn more from a poor teacher than from a poorly designed IMCBT program.

Types of IMCBT Programs

* Software Training * Medical Certifications * Equipment Training * Simulations * Service Training * Adult Education * Safety Training * Sales Training * Orientation * Internet Training * Product Training * Quality Training * K-12 Learning * Military Training * Foreign Languages * Employment Policies * Sexual Harassment Policies * Basic Employment Skills

How do you make decision?

Businesses make most sound decisions based on potential return on investment (ROI). It is assumed that company has already determined that training their personnel and/or customers is a value-added activity. Now, question is whether or not IMCBT is best route to take.

Criteria for deciding to use IMCBT include:

* Cost and practicality of sending learners to a class

* Availability of computers and computer literacy

* CBT development cost versus number being trained

An effective decision can be made once these issues have been weighed.

Conclusion...

Every company needs to have well-trained personnel who will be able to do their jobs effectively and add value to company's output. In today's age of information, knowledge is power. The more knowledge you and your employees have, more powerful and successful your company will be.

While traditional, stand-up classroom training will not disappear, alone it simply cannot provide adequate solutions to training and education problems of today. Computer-based training does not cook breakfast, cure baldness or do windows. It is not best solution for all human performance issues and needs. Employed appropriately, however, multimedia training can yield significant, positive results: less time and cost, better learning and performance, and improved competitive edge.

Companies should consider using an interactive multimedia computer-based training when it is cost effective, practical, and when standardized education is needed. PCs must be available, students cannot resist using a computer, and IMCBT must be well designed to provide desired effect. In all, IMCBT can help to transform workers and customers unskilled in a given area to those who are proficient in those tasks.

Written by Lisa Spurlin, i-Netovation.com

I would like to offer your company a FREE, no-obligation evaluation of your current training system. I can show you how to improve training and save your company money. If you do not have a training system in place, I can show you how IMCBT can benefit your business. Please contact me at info@i-netovation.com for more information.