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T&D EXTRA is an information service of Training & Development
magazine, published by the American Society for Training &
Development,
http://www.astd.org. ******************************************************
THIS WEEK:
1. News Bites
2. Making the Case for WBT
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NEWS BITES
* Researchers at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and the
University of Auckland in New Zealand say there's a link between
learning and brain health. According to neuroscientist Matthew During,
the team's recent study provides the first compelling evidence that a
stimulating environment coupled with early, continued learning
protects the brain from disease and increases its capacity to repair
and regrow damaged cells. Their findings indicate that nurture may be
more influential than nature when it comes to protecting the brain
against cell loss and degeneration.
(Net connection:
http://www.jeffersonhealth.org/news/1999/033199.html) * Count computer giant Microsoft into the Internet2 research
consortium now. It joins more than 15 other corporate partners in
their efforts to develop broadband applications and network management
tools for research and education. Microsoft has pledged more than $1
million in goods and services to universities working on Internet2.
(Net connections:
http://www.internet2.edu; http://www.microsoft.com)
* Annapolis-based MentorLabs has a new training solution for IT
workers: vLab (for virtual lab, of course). According to the MentorLab
folks, it's the first interactive, online training system that uses
real Cisco hardware and software to give computer network pros
real-time practice remotely configuring and controlling working
networks.
(Net connection:
http://www.mentorlabs.com) -------------------------------------------------------------
MAKING THE CASE FOR WBT
"The basic return-on-investment formula is simple to use for many
kinds of investments, but preparing an accurate ROI for training can
be difficult. Although there are case studies of WBT ROI, assessing
the total costs and benefits of a performance improvement program is
challenging in most cases because there is no one-to-one
correspondence between the training offerings and increased revenues
and productivity. Furthermore, it can be difficult to determine
exactly which and how much of dispersed organizational expenses are
associated with the development of a training program." When
describing the financial and organizational benefits of WBT, remember
that it can
* reduce or eliminate training travel expenses
* reduce the time trainees must spend away from work
* reduce the cost of updating and distributing training materials
* offer greater flexibility in scheduling training
* connect geographically dispersed learners
* incorporate technology that is already owned but underused
* standardize training across the organization.
(Source: "Managing Web-Based Training," by Alan L. Ellis, Ellen D.
Wagner, and Warren R. Longmire. Net connection:
http://www.astd.org/virtual_community/bookclub) -------------------------------------------------------------
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Copyright 1999 by the American Society for Training & Development. All
rights reserved.
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