Talking Point

With the corporates beginning to recognize that web-based training can well be a viable alternative to the traditional formats, interest and investment in this field, no doubt are going to increase.

Simultaneously, it is likely to bring in its wake a heightened level of debates and dogmas focusing on its sense & sensibility.

Having conducted e-session training across the countries, we believe it is essential that we look at the following three basic cornerstones of e-training for its implementation success:

1.      the course Content
2.      the interactive Connectivity
3.      the Collaboration between the stakeholders

Let us elaborate these further…

Content:

It goes without saying that in any form of training; be it conventional or otherwise the content is key and plays a defining role.

The issue is, apart from making the course curriculum rich by itself, how to also make it more relevant to the participants and be specific to the objectives the training purports to achieve.

For the content to be successful, it should be done in a context which is in sync with the requirement. Logically, it is therefore important to do a little bit of pre-work to understand the context.

The profile of the attending participants, their basic level of understanding wrt the subject topic and the expectations from the course are some of the must-know starting insights that one should have. A good training programme while in course and on completion should also systematically map the progression of the deliverable parameters for ongoing & future benchmarks.

Given that e-training programmes are done in an environment of virtual reality, it is all the more necessary that these sanity checks are routinely done and shared to avoid any disappointments.

Pre checks on participants back ground, relevancy checks wrt the programmes, sharing of course synopsis, feedbacks through  intermittent  Q&As, post session round ups are some of the measures that can immensely help training contents to work synergistically better with the end outcome more worthwhile for all concerned.

Connectivity:

With the improvement in bandwidth & web technology, interactivity is going to get improved. Yet, given the characteristics of the e-format, synchronisation of mind and lag management will require deft handling in making the connectivity work seemingly better – beyond the realm of the mere tech specs.

In the e-format, the communication bridge is established through a web enabled platform whereby the remote faculty members can interact with the audience at the other end. To make the interaction synchronous and as less lagged as possible the tech compatibility in hardware remains a pre-requisite norm.

The experience can be further enhanced by having whiteboard features of interactivity, uploading of presentations, intermittent Q&A sessions and by the use of web-cam for visibility.

Having said that, the important point to note; connectivity is not all about the matching of hardware specs alone. It is also about having seamless end-to-end co-ordination and the handling of softer skills practiced through adequate trial, and time management.

In this format, for the practicing trainers, organisers and recipients, it takes a longer gestation time to understand and get synchronised to the environment better. To facilitate the process and get mutually acclimatized, conduct of a few trial runs should be part of standard practise protocol.

Collaboration:

Finally, as we realise, collaboration between the stakeholders is vital to the programme(s) success. The exchange of baton should be seamless between the faculty bodies, the recipients & the course organisers within the framework of the training dimensions.

In as much as it is necessary that the organisers will provide the right platform and the course, the faculty would design the right content and the delivery of it, in equal measure it is important that the participants would have their collaborative intent and the right aptitude.

This discipline being a blend of communication science and soft skills, a non cynical, positive frame of mind is essential. At the same time, for all the stakeholders, knowhow of the basic rudiments of the platform technology is desired for optimised results and a rational understanding of what to expect and why from the exercise given the logistical challenges.
As this discipline moves through its transformational phase, difficult questions come up; how to best allocate resources covering faculty personnel with skills and knowledge, time, materials, facilities, as well as the tech aspects of communicating on an e-technology platform.
But this is not a mission impossible. It is like doing more with less provided done in the right manner. With the 3Cs, Content–Connectivity–Collaboration, managed in harmony the future looks bright for e-training.

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