Best applications for computer based training?
Obviously CBT is extremely convenient and scales nicely across large organizations. However, I don't feel the CBT will ever be as effective as in-person. I'm wondering which trainings people like to implement over CBT vs in-person.
Personally I think the harassment stuff and even some refresher trainings (RCRA, etc) are good via CBT, however the bigger (40 hour) level trainings should be in person.
Where do you guys draw the line?
Comments (6)
I literally just got out of a meeting about this...We use an LMS for everything, even in-person training gets documented in the LMS so that it's all in one place.
We try to cover as much as we can in-person during orientation, so that at least one time you get that interaction, but from there we jump to a lot of CBT. We're 11,000 employees with a wide array of educational requirements. As a state entity, there are a lot of requirements for annual education that lend themselves well to CBT. These are mostly HR type stuff. Then there a host of things like "hand hygiene" or when and how to wash your hands. It's covered in-person during orientation and then from there on out it's a one-page online education. One agency requires us to train staff on the fact that they need annual performance and medical evals...That's a one-page online education.
With safety stuff it gets funny. We still do a ton of CBT, but we try to prioritize in-person training based on risk. Does this group have a high exposure to this hazard? If things go wrong is it a bad day? Let's make sure we get them in person. For example, everyone in our plant operations group gets a basic electrical safety training online, but our HVAC and electrical tradespeople get a much more in-depth hands on training. Everyone gets a basic CBT on handling compressed gas cylinders, but respiratory therapy, housekeeping, and nursing get it covered in person with how to store, how many cylinders can be in one smoke compartment, etc.
It's tough, because you have limited resources and figuring out how best to divide things is a challenge.
I'm not familiar with many of the LMSs, but just be cautious of what topics you do online. For example, OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard requires in-person training and cannot be done online, as well as any HAZWOPER training (ranging from awareness level to technician), PIT operator training, etc.