Choosing Technologies for Asynchronous Training

An Asynchronous-learning environment has to be able to connect e-learners new information using multimedia designs and the web 2.0.  For this training, the learning audience must be able to understand systematic procedures on how to operate the different types of machinery on the plant floor.  The training must be available to all employees regardless of work availability.  As an ending result, the employees should also be able to demonstrate work based on what they have learned from the training system, and view work from other employees.  How can all of these measures be accomplished with distance learning?

Course management systems are very fundamental to training, but there are other technological tools that can also be useful. The learning system or module must be able to connect to learners through blogs, discussion boards, and media sharing tools.  There are several types of sharing tools available for trainers.  Adobe Connect, Acrobat, Camstudio, blogs, and Wikispaces are a few tools that could be used for this training.  Blogs and Wikispaces seem to be the best format.  With Wikispaces, students can share online file storage space and review each other’s work.  “Users can in tern comment on the presentations and share their own ideas thereby providing feedback that may assist presenters in enhancing their content” (Walden.edu, 2012).   Wikispaces also promotes learners engagement in the lessons by group collaborations and communications on projects.  For a sample look at the benefits of wikispaces click on A-KLAS Consulting Group.  A-KLAS used wikispaces to collaborate on a project.  Students were able to engage in the lesson and assist each other with their project assignments.  The professor was also able to communicate changes and monitor the progress of the group. 

Blogs can also be used for initial training, feedback and collaboration also.  Instructional Designers can provide links in blogs to wikispaces to provide a venue for learners to demonstrate what they have learned and communicate with one another.  Both media sharing tools can conjoin with each other to benefit learners.

Web 2.0 technologies are becoming an educational alternative to learners.  Blogging, Wikis, Podcasting, Social Bookmarking, Social Networking, and Virtual Worlds are all incorporated into course management systems (Albright, Simonson, Smaldino & Zvacek, 200-2012, pp. 128-131).  Depending on the training the ID is performing, can depend on what multimedia sources the trainer will utilize in the learning management system.  Sometimes training can utilize the web 2.0 for instruction, collaboration, demonstrations, and feedback.  The training class for a biodiesel manufacturing plant utilizes several training modules that can be incorporated into a wiki.  This platform provides many facets of multimedia designs including links, videos, collaboration, and on-going feedback from the professor.

References

Albright, M., Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., & Zvacek, S. (200-2012). Teaching and learning at a distance foundations of distance education. (5th ed., pp. 127-132). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Common Craft. (Producer) (2007). Wetpaint wikis in plain english [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7BAU2XX5Ws

Waldenu.edu. (Producer). (2012). The technology of distance education. [Web Video]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=/webapps/blackboard/execute/launcher?type=Course&id=_1341074_1&url=