Collaborative Training Environment

In order to select a distance learning technology that is right to teach a specific course, one has to take into consideration what is trying to be accomplished. The use of technology tools are largely important in enhancing and mirroring the distance learning course that is to be created. The two should be able to accompany each other so as to collaborate distance learning. A list of technological tools will be provided after the example below showing the best solution for the given scenario.

Example 1: Collaborative Training Environment
A new automated staff information system was recently purchased by a major corporation and needs to be implemented in six regional offices. Unfortunately, the staff is located throughout all the different offices and cannot meet at the same time or in the same location. As an instructional designer for the corporation, you have been charged with implementing a training workshop for these offices. As part of the training, you were advised how imperative it is that the staff members share information, in the form of screen captures and documents, and participate in ongoing collaboration. (Walden University, 2011).


The best technological tool to use for this example is a Webinar or Web Conferencing or Video Conferencing software. The Web Conferencing gives the benefit of the web to visualize the training course and the conferencing to listen to a live person train the course.  According to Understanding Marketing, How to do a Webinar “A webinar allows a person or group of people to make a presentation over the Internet, rather than in person. The presenter and attendees meet virtually over the Internet via a web conference provider such as Microsoft Live Meeting, Go To Meeting or Webex” (Sternal, J., 2009).

Teaching and Learning at a Distance says, "Commercially provided Web conferencing, combining telephone and Web technologies, overcomes the limitations of voice-only technologies through the provision of "application sharing" (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, 2009).

Other technological tools that is needed along with the Webinar or Web Conferencing tools are email, screen-sharing, and co-browsing as well as a working and software supporting computer. Other ways to support a training course in distance learning is teleconferencing, which is phone meetings without the web. According to U.S. Department of Transportation, "Teleconferencing provides broader access to public meetings, as well as widening the reach of public involvement. It gives additional opportunities for participants to relate to agency staff and to each other while discussing issues and concerns from physically separate locations. It enables people in many different locations to receive information first-hand and simultaneously" (U.S. Dept. of Transportation). 

Below are examples of Webinars or Web conferencing and Video conferencing:

http://blogs.webex.com/webex_interactions/2010/10/cms-communications-extends-the-life-of-a-meeting-with-webex.html
http://www.webex.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dapC8Y1crEU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOaIqBPxj6E (great site showing and overview of what to expect from a distance learning webinar)

References:
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2009). Teaching and Learning at a Distance: Foundations of Distance Education. Boston, MA: Pearson.

Sternal, J. (2009, April 30). Understanding Marketing. Small Business Marketing Ideas and Tips. How to do a Webinar. website: http://www.understandingmarketing.com/2009/04/30/webinar/

U.S. Department of Transportation. FHWA.(n.d.) Teleconferencing. website: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/reports/pittd/teleconf.htm