Practical Tips for
Using the Internet
for Training and Development
Facilitated by: Dr. Scott J. Simmerman
Performance Management Company Taylors, South Carolina - USA 864-292-8700
Scott@SquareWheels.com www.SquareWheels.com
At two 1999 conferences, I asked participants how many had access to the Internet and email (virtually all of them) and how many regularly used it to gain information (about half). For the most part, they agreed that it was a valuable resource that was generally unused.
Only a few of the consultants had their own web pages and most were considering doing something to build a web presence. Many of them were using some of the informational gathering capabilities of the internet but most felt that they were taking only a minimal advantage of it.
Lots have changed in the past 6 months or so, but it seems evident that the interest in this subject is continuing to increase. There are many possibilities and applications.
One of my main beliefs is that there are always resources already in
the room. Many participants have ideas, experiences, links and information
that will be of value to others.
Thus, we will attempt to make the session interactive and collective, with my role as facilitator and information collector.
As an end result of this session, people will have identified useful resources and ideas. Additionally, I will place a collection of ideas and information onto a single website location accessible to the participants and the learning community in general.
Background: For the past 4 years, I have been using the internet for researching information, identifying resources, and linking with others.
I designed and developed my own websites (one for business and one for bicycling) and three as feeder sites for the business page. My website serves as an effective business development tool and there are links from almost 100 other consulting and training pages to mine.
My approach is fairly simplistic and straightforward. The software for webpage development is quite simple and easy to learn and there are all sorts of websites there with graphics, information, advice and support. These include technical websites such as webmonkey.com as well as others for marketing such as selfpromotion.com. A detailed list of these will be provided.
There is a massively expanding resource base, accessible for free and of significant benefit.
These resources include:
* Listserves - email-based newsletters where people of certain interests share ideas, questions, information, and solutions. Some of the main ones include Learning Organization (more for consultants and senior managers), Training and Development - TRDEV (more for trainers and consultants working in training), and TeamNet (more for managers and supervisors and consultants). Grp-Facl is designed for group facilitation ideas.
Others, like I-Sales and I-Help are designed to help in the building of websites and their marketing, including information on establishing merchant accounts, solving problems, and asking for advice.
* Browsers - these are software programs that allow one to use various "search engines" to find information based on keywords (team, training, experiential, exercise) might identify those sites offering experiential team building exercises. There are hundreds of search engines like AltaVista, Yahoo, Excite and the like.
* Website Compendiums - sites like Big Dog’s Human Resources and ECM that offer links to a wide variety of other sites, reviewed by the site owner, and targeted toward different areas of organizational development.
* Some websites offer demos and instructional ideas and materials. These might include sites like www.managershelpdesk.com while others like http://home.sprintmail.com/~debflanagan/main.html
provide instruction on how to use search engines, subject directories, meta-search engines, and specialty databases.
Lenny Lenkowski shares speaking and presentation ideas at www.ljlseminars.com/monthtip.htm
* Associations - The sites of the major training and development organizations like ISPI, IAF, AMA, ODNetwork, ASTD, SHRM, NSA, ASQ, and others that offer information, links to other resources, and otther supporting materials. Many of the state and local chapters of these associations also have resource pages.
* The Bookstores - Amazon.com is the best known but there are many websites offering book reviews and search engines to find published resources that are available on specific topics.
* There are also the numerous "commercial" sites that offer free training exercises like Thiagi.com and squarewheels.com. The thought is that by offering information for free, the website will build traffic, goodwill and potential sales. Others sell the items that trainers purchase for their seessions, such as trainerswarehouse.com and trainingsupersite.com.
* There are also the new I-Book stores coming into existence that allow people to publish their books and their training materials. There are a number of these coming on-line.
I will also discuss how the webpage development tools can be used to develop coursework and informational resources on what are termed "Intranets." By the time of the conference, I hope to have permission from a couple of intranet resources to allow limited access to those sites for evaluation purposes.
These intranet training resources are quite inexpensive to develop, very accessible by people within the organization, and a great communications tool.
Web resources — An initial list
Herein is a paper version of some of the available resources to accompany the program Practical Tips. An updated, hyperlinked resource will appear at
www.squarewheels.com/excellence.html
That information will also contain the ideas and suggestions from this worksession as well as contributions from others in my network. Individual contributors to this list will not be named, since the list is already long and a number of duplicate suggestions have been offered. Some suggested their own materials and sites and others suggested these and others. These contributors have been personally thanked.
Resources include an informational source on web-based training approaches, including free training programs, examples of different approaches, best examples and the like.
www.breakthebarriers.com/aboutfs.html
Chuck Field contributed a VERY extensive page of links to a variety of web resources and is allowing me to put his page on the website, where you will see it prominently displayed for viewing. This is based on his 1999 presentation to the South Florida ASTD chapter. It is too extensive to reproduce here but it will be on the site with all of the links operating.
The Ontario Society for Training and Development (http://www.ostd.ca) just launched a monthly e-letter called NetGems. Anyone can subscribe. Each issue will be devoted to a single high-quality web resource of interest to the training and development community.
To subscribe: Send a blank email message to: minordomo@ostd.ca with "subscribe ostdgems" in the subject line (take out the quotation marks!)
Two free interactive tutorials include:
The Trainers’ Toolbox offers a list of files that can be downloaded on a variety of topics of interest to organizational development.
www.trainers-toolbox.com.
Lenny Laskowski offers a variety of useful and FREE speaking tips at:
www.ljlseminars.com/monthtip.html
Checklists for developing and critiquing WBT are available at:
www.aprendio.com/checklists.html
One in particular, originally developed to evaluate off-the-shelf CBT and WBT, is at www.aprendio.com/check4.html
Commercial website development tools offering computer (both end user and computer professional) and soft skills training that you can purchase a license to use include: www.zdu.com, www.tutorials.com, www.hungryminds.com and freeskills.com.
www.managershelpdesk.com contains an electronic suite of just-in-time tools and information created especially for managers to help them address issues they commonly face on a daily basis, such as raising the performance of a sub-par performer, making good performance better, or accelerating employee development and other materials.
Other work-related sites are at:
Thiagi’s website contains a variety of useful tools: www.Thiagi.com
Don "Big Dog" Clark maintains a most wonderful page of links and resources and he’s not even a trainer!! - http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd.html
Mel Silberman’s page has a lot of free tips and information about his books on Active Training - http://www.activetraining.com/freetip.htm
Patricia Gilmore's website has a lot of links and stuff - http://www.bebest.com/great_links.htm
Bob Pike's Creative Training Techniques - http://www.cttbobpike.com/
Free articles - http://www.cttbobpike.com/free/free.cfm
Eric Snyder's Training and Development Community Center
http://www.tcm.com/trdev/
Center for the Study of Work Teams (Univ. North Texas) — offers good information and articles on teamwork. They run a good listserve, also.
www.workteams.unt.edu/
Jim Kinneer's HR Exchange — has book reviews and the like- www.microserve.net/~jkinneer/index.html
Training Oasis is another location with good tools and resources that are available for free - http://www3.sympatico.ca/thetrainingoasis/janspice.htm
Trainers Warehouse - A GREAT place to get supplies and interesting training support stuff - www.trainerswarehouse.com
TRDEV Summaries — Various people, including my self, compile summaries of resources and post them to a summary page archive located at:
http://train.ed.psu.edu/trdev-l/summary.html
Here is one example. Paige Purcell compiled a summary of websites, called "Summary: Training & Development Web Sites and Listservs" and placed it into the TRDEV Summaries listed above. This is the kind of information that is readily available at the above site. While the information does get dated, most of the links do appear to work:
GENERAL SITES These sites are general training sites that include links to several areas of interest, like other sites, products, publications, chat groups, resources, etc. They would be good bookmark sites to help lead you to a world of information.
TRDEV-L (cac.psu.edu/~cxl18/trdev-l/index.html) Homepage for a training and development listserve discussion group. You can join the listserv or just read some summaries from it. links to articles or other sites,etc.
TARGETED COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT (www.tcm.com) Links to all kinds of people, places, things, and services to do with training, especially internet training. TRAINING NET (www.trainingnet.com) This page has links to other T&D sites, an on-line magazine, event and course listings, jobs, and a database for training solutions to many problem types.
TRAINING SUPERSITE (www.trainingsupersite.com) This site is another giant T&D site, with links to Training Magazine, job listings, research, items for purchase, and much more.
THE TRAINING REGISTRY (www.tregistry.com/ttr) This page has all kinds of information and links on training courses, resources, conferences, publications, jobs, quick tips, and much more.
ACADEMY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (www.ahrd.org/hrdtraining.htm) Links to training websites, including transfer of training studies.
ADULT EDUCATION RESOURCES (tenb.mta.ca/sau/aed) Many links to sites for adult ed., distance learning, training and human resource development, course development, and more.
ARKANSAS TRAINERS' NETWORK (www.lochnet.com/arktrain) This has many links for trainers (whether you are in Arkansas or not), including a Trainer's Resource Kit, Trainer's Bookshelf, jobs and other links. The site will not be officially announced until April 15, and I believe it is still under construction, but currently has useful information available.
INTRO (intro.base.org) Instructional Technology Research Online homepage. A collection of papers, hand-outs, bibliographies, electronic media, etc. Has an extensive list of links for associations, academic/university programs in IT, indexes and list, newgroups, listservs and much more.
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN RESOURCES (www.oise.on.ca/~tbailey/id.htm) This page is part of Tom Bailey's (an ID in Canada) web pages and provides links to many ID resources.
INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY CONNECTIONS (www.cudenver.edu/~mryder/itcon.html) A listing of links to readings, organizations, and resources in instructional design/technology.
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN ARTICLES & LINKS (www.coedu.usf.edu/inst_tech/resources/design.html) A list of articles and links to do with instructional design models, theories, methodologies, and more. Maintained by the Univ. of South Florida.
USERNOMICS
(www.usernomics.com/ind.html) A list of links to all kinds of instructional design and training sites.
PERFORMANCE TECHNOLOGY (edweb.sdsu.edu/edweb_folder/pt/pt.html) Maintained by Allsion Rossett (expert in needs analysis) and grad students at San Diego State University. Information on Performance Technology ideas, people, organizations, models and bibliography.
MULTIMEDIA RESOURCES
(www.oise.on.ca/~tbailey/mmedia.htm) This page is part of Tom Bailey's (an ID in Canada) web pages and provides links to many multimedia resources, including company homepages and clipart.
MULTIMEDIA ARTICLES AND LINKS (www.coedu.usf.edu/inst_tech/resources/multimedia.html) A list of articles and links to do with multimedia development, technology, tools, resources, and much more. Maintained throught the Universit of South Florida.
MULTIMEDIA TRAINING NEWSLETTER (www.multimediatraining.com) This site offers a subscription to the newsletter, along with articles and resources in MM training, a list of authoring software, a list of MM developers, and return on investment information of MM training.
THE GLOBAL INSTITUTE (www.edgorg.com/course.htm) This page provides some suggestions and insight (as well as resources) in developing courses to be delivered over the internet.
WEB-BASED TRAINING INFORMATION CENTER (www.clark.net/pub/nractive/wbt.html) This informative site has all kinds of information on WBT, links to other related sites, and other interesting stuff.
PC TRAINER'S GATEWAY (www.isitraining.com/gateway.html) Many links to sites on PC training, general training, and general PC information.
EPSS.COM! (www.epss.com) Resources on Electronic Performance Support Systems, including general information, forums, publications, conferences, and jobs.
EPSS INFOSITE (www.tgx.com/enhance) Many links and information about the theory, practice, design, and development of EPSS. Includes a demo in HTML.
EPSS RESOURCES (itech1.coe.uga.edu/EPSS/EPSS.html) Resource for design, development, and implementation of EPSSs. Includes bibliography and links to other sites. Maintained by students at U.Georgia
EVNET (socserv2.mcmaster.ca/srnet/evnet.htm) The Network for Evaluation of Education and Training Technologies. Consortium of public, private, and non-profit organizations. Links to listservs and what-not.
ERIC CLEARINGHOUSE (ericae2.educ.cua.edu) All kinds of links to resources on assessment and evaluation.
DISTANCE EDUCATION CLEARINGHOUSE (www.uwex.edu/disted/home.html) Info on distance education, with links to related sites. Maintained by University of Wisconsin.
ASSOCIATION/INSTITUTION SITES These are the sites of specific professional associations in the training and development field and of specific university programs for instructional design/ development.
ISPI (www.ispi.org) Homepage of the International Society for Performance Improvement. Information about the organization, conferences, services, jobs, its publications, etc.
ASTD (www.astd.org) Homepage of the American Society for Training and Development. Information about the organization, conferences, services, links to other sites, its publications, etc.
ASTD ATLANTA CHAPTER (www.astdatlanta.com) Homepage for the Atlanta chapter for ASTD. Information about the goings-on for this chapter, including member homepages.
AERA (www.aera.com) Advanced Engineering and Research Association site contains lots of information about computer training (internet, CBT, EPSS).
IICS (www.iics.org) Homepage of the International Interactive Communications Society. Information about the organization, conferences, services, links to other sites, its publications, etc.
USDLA (www.usdla.org) Homepage of the United States Distance Learning Association contain membership information, along with lots of distance learning information and research.
FSU INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEM DESIGN (mailer.fsu.edu/~wwager/index_public.html) Information about the Florida State University's ISD program, links to other programs and other related sites, job links, etc.
IU INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY (education.indiana.edu/isthome.html) Information about the Indiana University's (Bloomington) IST program, links to other programs and other related sites, job links, etc.
SU INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, AND EVALUATION (idde.syr.edu) Information about the Syracuse University's IDDE program, links to other programs and other related sites, job links, etc.
UGA INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY (itech1.coe.uga.edu) Information about the University of Georgia's IT program, links to other programs and other related sites, job links, etc.
BSU INSTRUCTIONAL & PERFORMANCE TECHNOLOGY (www- cot.idbsu.edu/~ipt/ipt_.htm) Information about the Boise State University's IDDE program, links to other programs and otehr related sites, job links, etc.
ID2 RESEARCH GROUP (www.ed.usu.edu/coe/id2) Second Generation Instructional Design. This page has many comments and articles on instructional design, written by Dr. David Merrill. Maintained by Utah State University.
BUSINESS/PERSONAL SITES These are the sites of businesses and individuals involved in the training and development arena. This is not an endorsement of these businesses' or individuals' services or products. They are included just as another resource for you, as they may have some good ideas, free stuff, and likes to other helpful sites.
DIANE GAYESKI'S HOMEPAGE (www.ithaca.edu/gayeski) Dr. Gayeski is a well-known leader in the T&D world. Her site contains links to some of her publications, as well as other T&D sites, including performance technology, media technology, and employee communication.
MICHAEL GREER'S HOMEPAGE (members.aol.com/GreersPM/mg-home.htm) Michael Greer has authored several books and articles on project management. This page has an extensive list of project management resources for general project management and instructional development project management. Lots of free information and handouts, links to other information, presentations, and other resources.
COURSEWARE CLEARINGHOUSE (TEACHER'S ROOM) (www.mrg.ab.ca/clear/troom.htm) This page in the Canada-based Courseware Clearinghouse pages has basic information on instructional design, courseware, cost effectiveness, and other information.
CONCEPT MANAGEMENT SERVICES (www.concept.ie) Provide IT training. Also has links to T&D sites, including Irish sites.
ADVANCED TRAINING PROFESSIONALS (www.trainingpros.com) Free on line training courses.
JOHN BISSMAN'S HOMEPAGE (www.win.net/cprep/training.html) His company, Computer Prep, offers courses in computer technology, including the internet. This site also has links to other T&D sites, as well as the Myers-Briggs personality test (try it for fun!)
GYRUS SYSTEMS (www.gyrus.com) This company offers solutions for training management. This page has links to other informative sites.
HRD PRESS (www.hrdpress.com) A publishing company site that includes its production catalog, but also has free training activities to download, book reviews, and a behavioral style assessment.
RESOURCES OTHER THAN WEBSITES
THE MICROCOMPUTER TRAINER NEWSLETTER This is a free e-mail newsletter on computer training, entitled "Quick Training Tips". To subscribe, send an e-mail to: loretta@panix.com The text message should read "sample issue".
TRDEV-L LISTSERV You can sign on to this listserv through its web site (cac.psu.edu/~cxl18/trdev-l/index.html) or address an e-mail message to: listserv@psuvm.psu.edu The text message should read "subscribe trdev-l firstname lastname"
LEARNING ORGANIZATION LISTSERV Managed by Rick Karash. You can sign up for the listserv through its website at world.std.com/~lo.
THE HUMAN RESOURCE AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGE NETWORK DISCUSSION LIST To sign on to this listserv, address an e-mail message to: listserv@ksuvm.ksu.edu The text message should read "subscribe hr-od-l firstname lastname".
THE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT LIST To sign on to this listserv, address an e-mail message to: listserv@miamiu.muohio.edu The text message should read "subscribe mgtdev-l firstname lastname".
THE OD NETWORK LISTS You will either subscribe or get an information file. Address an e-mail message to : majordomo@lists.tmn.com If you want to subscribe, the text message should read "subscribe odnet". If you want to get the info file, the text message should read "info odnet".