In this issue:
- New Year, New Trends Editor
- Y(awn) 2K is Over, What's Next
- Stepping Through the Learning Portal
- Certificaton Sizzles in England
- A reader asks...
- Upcoming Events
1. New Year, New Trends Editor
The new year brings changes for Trends! As Influent Technology Group grows, producing more and more events worldwide, my responsibilities are changing to a more strategic and global role. In order to meet my new responsbilities, I am turning over Influential Trends to a new Editor, Rosie Smith.
Rosie brings years and years of technology training experience to this position. And, many of you may remember Rosie from her days at the Computer Training & Support Conference as the CTS-TV roving reporter, Jane Byte. With Rosie at the helm, this change means a regular publication schedule, more in-depth articles and resource links while maintaining the fun and sense of community we have built.
I will still be a regular columnist for Trends and encourage your ideas and suggestions for Influent Technology Group events and resources.
-- Heidi Fisk
VP of Worldwide Program Development
2. Y(awn) 2K is Over, What's Next?
From all appearances and reports, Y2K was the biggest non-event of the century. Now that it is behind us, what's next? Influential Trends asked several noted technology training authorities for their projections:
* Harvey Feldstein, direct from Australia: "...maybe, just maybe, we will take this opportunity to rethink learning and performance, to look at some of the marvelous research which has been done in the past decade (Roger Schank and Ellen Langer come to mind for starters) and stubbornly refuse to duplicate our old successes and failures yet one more time. We face unparalleled opportunity in the next few years to rethink the foundations of the learning model, to create vibrant learning communitie sand to expand learning opportunities exponentially."
* From Nina Adams, Illinois, USA: "More organizations will establish a Knowledge Management function to figure out what systems, processes, and procedures to put into place to improve the flow of information in the organization."
* From Paul Clothier, California, USA: "WBT will be increasingly used at home rather than in the office. Computer users will begin to question the quality of life that sitting in front of a screen and communicating by email is producing. Ergonomic solutions for PC screens, chairs, pointing devices will become popular."
3. Stepping Through the Learning Portal
Learning portals are described as a gateway or single-point access to all learning resources and knowledge internal or external to an organization. Jay Cross, in his article on Corporate Learning Portals, (http://www.internettime.com/itimegroup/learningportals.htm) uses Delphi's definition of learning portals as: "single point of access for the pooling, interaction, and distribution of organizational knowledge."
The difference between a learning portal and a collection of learning media and information resources is its intelligence. A learning portal has the capability to know who you are and what you know, then what you need to know and how you want to learn it. Think about Push versus Pull technology. Push is the training classroom and traditional training. Pull is a learning portal with its intelligent, learner-tailored learning complete with networked access to internal and external resources
For more information about Learning Portals, see the research conducted by The Delphi Group, visit: http://www.delphigroup.com. Partcipate in the Portal Panel Forum at WBT Producer, see http://www.influent.com/wbt2000 for details
4. Certification Sizzles in England
There is great interest in the UK for technology-based training, including Web-based training. However, the vast majority of technology training is offered in the classroom. The Institute of IT Training (http://www.train-net.co.uk/institute/index.html) cites that only 12% of those classroom trainers come from a training background (it would not be surprising if this number holds true in the US and other countries). Because of this startling statistic, there is very strong interest in improving skills and "professionalizing" the role of the computer trainer. Certification is one step.
Technical certifications such as the Certified Novell Engineer (CNE), and the Certified Novell Instructor (CNI) have been available for years. These certifications focus on technical subject matter, not competence in instructing the subject matter. Other software vendors such as Microsoft and Lotus also offer certifications. The dilemma is producing technically certified individuals who are also world class trainers.
The Certified Technical Trainer (CTT) program, (visit http://www.chauncey.com) provides a solution to the latter. The CTT, based on the IBSTPI compentencies (International Board of Standards for Training, Performance and Instruction, http://www.ibstpi.org) tests a number of areas of trainer development and is used by both technical and end-user computer trainers. The certification offers a base level assurance that those certified possess and practice good classroom trainer skills.
In England, there are other options for certification, including Trainer Activity Profile (TAP). TAP is comprised of three inter-linked profiles, which together form the basis of both a qualitative and a quantitative assessment of trainer performance. TAP is offered through the Institute of IT Training (http://www.train-net.co.uk/institute/index.html).
European readers of Trends can hear more about the various types of certification at the upcoming Computer Training World - Europe Conference to be held in London on 1-2 February, 2000. For more information, go to http://www.influent.com/ctwe2000.
5. A reader asks...
In the last issue, Kathy Jones posed the question: "Are there any standards for the delivery skills an instructor needs to be effective when teaching via technology?"
Valerie Samuel Brooks sent in a 6-point standard:
- Never let the host class speak to you without using the microphones.
- Don't refer to the host class as the host class. Use geographical terms to identify site locations, including the one you're projecting from.
- Repeat questions for clarity and understanding.
- Don't plan to get much done the first day. Especially if this is a new group to technology. People have to feel comfortable with this, they have to know how to use the equipment correctly, and so do you.
- Plan the whole series in advance of delivery.
- This may be last, but it is no less important than the first. GET TO KNOW YOUR TECHIE.
Lynn Fassnacht, Learning Program Director, CAP GEMINI AMERICA answers: "Have you checked out http://www.breakthebarriers.com? It's loaded with good information about the land mines involved in making the switch...Interestingly enough, that's where I found the link to THIS list!"
Cindy Pruitt, Customer Service Training writes: "...a POSITIVE ATTITUDE and a willingness to experiment a little - ask the trainers to do a 'Trainer Type' and discuss the four facilitation styles: directing, coaching, listening and interpreting. If the trainers understand their own current style, they may understand that they may have to adapt their style to match the new "facilitated" WBT format."
If you have a question to pose to the Influential Trends community, or would like to respond to a reader's question appearing here, send an email to hfisk@influent.com. Remember to use the Influential Trends Archives as a one-stop resource for your technology training questions at http://www.influent.com.
6. Upcoming Events
Here are some upcoming events that are of benefit to the industry:
Computer Training World - Europe
February 1-2, 2000 London, England
This is the only European event for Training Managers, Training Directors, and those who are responsible for the strategy and implementation of technology training in their organizations. This highly focused event will have in-depth sessions, provocative keynote presentations, and excellent networking opportunities. For more information, visit: http://www.influent.com/ctwe2000.
Studio 2000
February 23-25
San Francisco, California, USA
Calling online information designers! If you intuitively understand what you are designing yet searching for comprehensive knowledge on design techiques, Influent's *new* Studio 2000 Conference is for you. This uniquely formatted learning studio has in-depth sessions, renowned keynote speakers like Jakob Nielsen, and dynamic networking opportunities. Visit http://www.influent.com/studio2000 for more information.
Computer Trainer's Spring Break
March 15-17,2000
Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA
Break out of the doldrums of winter and break into a new perspective on your career as a technology trainer at the only event focused on your issues and needs. This limited attendance symposium is designed for both the novice and the experienced trainer. Learn the basics of great training and discover how to be the trainer for the new millennium. Visit http://www.influent.com/ctsb for more information.
WBT Producer Conference & Expo
WBT Executive Summit
ACE User Conference
April 26-28, 2000
San Diego, California, USA
WBT Producer is targeted towards those who develop, design, or create online learning and Web-based training (WBT). The WBT Executive Summit is for Training Directors, managers, and other executives who are responsible for the strategic implementation of online learning/Web-based training. ACE is the Allen Communication user conference. You can find out more about these events by visiting http://www.influent.com/wbt2000.
