The impact of technology has continuously dictated new thinking and methodologies such that pedagogical approaches are being proposed with the use of application software for learning. To what extent could these software impacts learning?
A business organisation often has to review its strategies and rate of progress against trends in the industry. In the light of this there is needed to have a rethinking on the mode of training, products and production processes, and machinery etc. The management team will look at management of its resources and the need for adequate upgrade in order to continue to yield more profits and remain relevant in the market. Of all resources available the human resources is generally accepted as the best of them all. We all know that it is the human resources that harness and utilise every other resource. Therefore an industry that wants to continuously remain competitive will strive to grow and sustain the human resources.
New Thinking in Training
The field of information and communication technology (ICT) has obviously changed mode of training, creating ease in knowledge acquisition, and depth of learning. The use of learning management system (LMS) is one of such outcome on the growth of ICT in education. The under listed tips will be helpful in determining the best options and practices when training team of a business organisation decides to employ training via Internet facilities. The ICT market is populated by so many application software for training and as such painstaking efforts are required for the human resources team to ensure the most suitable criteria for staff training needs are met.
- The best first step from my list is for the training team of the human resources department to consider what mode of learning and the pedagogical approach most appropriate for its training programmes. A good appraisal of what learning entails matters under this consideration. It is about important decision to know if the training material will be available with or without tutor guidance. Socio-constructivism is a concept that suits a situation where department in an organisation that share roles and responsibilities could share training materials together derivable from documented experiences gained from daily routine activities. It is equally a practice that training specialists could design course materials for the training needs of the organisation to be delivered via the company's intranet . In this case learning approach could be by the staff interacting with the designed course materials and sharing information and knowledge according to course schedules within a community of practice. In a community of practice professionals of closely related knowledge areas learn together in a common environment . Whether the tutor teaches or not human development unit in charge of training must meet the needs of the organisation and individual staff career development objectives.
- Having decided on training needs the next is whether the Learning Management System (LMS) on which the course will run have to be purchased or leased. Specialist e-tutors suggested that the company should not buy but lease and then decide later on commitment. LMS designer usually have wider criteria in mind while designing a LMS and as such it might not meet the best requirement for the training needs of an organisation. So the wise option is to lease one, use it for staff to practice and learn with it before the company decides if the it worth purchasing as her software. The company in alternative could seek the services of a software designer to make one for them according to their training criteria.
In any of the above consideration on LMS deciding for any LMS must be weighed against certain criteria which regardless of whether it is purchased or designed specially for the organisation must be guiding qualities it must meet to at least serve as a learning medium for the staff. The suggested criteria are listed thus:
- Will there be the after sale/lease support?
- What is the cost? Will it match needs?
- Will it meet current and future requirements on training ?
- How can it compare with other products in the IT market?
- Will it support different learning modes? For example, can it be used as complement to face-to-face session or for 100% course offering.
- Is it flexible and easily understood and use?
LMS design involves the combination of many learning tools which may include video, audio or text based communication. However, the discussion of the human development unit of a business organisation on features desired counts on the training programmes most suitable to achieve the set training objectives.
