U-Blog 4

This week I was able to go observe a training session presented by TSTM 564 at the Lowman Home. The students conducting the learning session were teaching the residents about "How To Use The Internet". After they went over the basic lecture they let the residents surf around the web working on different assignments that they believed would be beneficial to them. At that point I was able to go around the class and help out and try and show the ins and outs of web browsing.

We were there for slightly over an hour and was able to teach them a decent amount about the web. Some seemed very nervous about even attempting to click buttons. Overall they learned the basics to web browsing and how to search for things they are interested in, along with being able to go to websites they see advertised on tv, newspaper, etc.

I think now that they have a basic understanding of how to do some things on the internet, that as they spend more time browsing, they will eventually get better and better and using it.

It was an interesting experience and I can now move forward and help my group design our presentation.

U-Blog 3

Today I am blogging about the Instructional Development Cycle. I do think this is a great system for companies to be using today. I think companies are starting to realize this simple concept can give them a gracious return on their investment. However, that does not mean all companies feel this way.

I think some companies feel that good training is a waste of money. They may also want their internal IT team to conduct most of the training. I think what they are failing to realize is the importance of a professional trainer in the workplace. But this again, will cost the company more money which they do not want to spend because they don't believe they will see a return on it.

I kind of see it as to what companies beliefs of "Project Managers" used to be. Companies did not think hiring a Project Manager was worth the money that they cost either. It was not until companies starting seeing how a good Project Manager could greatly contribute to the success of the company, that Project Managers now have a significant role in the workplace.

All in all, companies first have to change their opinion on training in general before they even begin to consider the IDC.

U-Blog 1

My first U-blog is going to be about one of our readings from the past week. The article was about Jetblu and their "Corporate U". It was about how Jetblu had this wonderful idea about a corporate university to train its employees.

That's right. Train employees. Haven't companies been training their employees since the beginning of time? Whats the great new idea they are talking about? All I see is just a new name slapped on the training department. I mean, don't get me wrong, I am sure Jetblu is doing great things in employee training, but it is not much more than every other big company around the world.

The article does show the importance of good employee training which I do agree with, but there was also a good bit of hype of the "Corporate U" being this new great thing, which I do not agree with.