Assignment for Day 2

In today's business world there are so many advantages to delivering training online.  Companies with a global (or even just domestic) presence can save both time and money by utilizing the web for their training.  Online training eliminates the need to incur expensive travel, does not require a dedicated training room, and can unite employees who work in different time zones.

As an online facilitator, this environment does pose some challenges that a trainer in a live instructor-led environment might not encounter:

1. It is essential that the facilitator actively engage each student.  Because the class in not all physically in one place, the use of polling, breaking the class down into sub-groups to encourage collaboration, and offering each student the opportunity to comment on a regular basis is critical in keeping the attention of each learner.
2. Visuals play a key role in an online training environment.  Since the facilitator can not engage the student with body language or the use of a flip chart, the slides presented during online training need to be visually effective in drawing in the audience.  They should be simple, but project an accurate image of what the trainer is trying to communicate.
3. Lastly, for the on-line facilitator, building trust with their class is critical.  Since the learner cannot easily read the expression on the face of the trainer, the learner needs to feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and opinions to the virtual classroom community.  And because many of their views will be projected not verbally, but in a written form, it is that much more important that the student trusts that their views will respected and valued, not just by the facilitator, but the entire class.

In conclusion, and particularly based on my experience with our present e-learning NYU class, I feel that an on-line learning environment can be extremely productive and educational as long as the learners are encouraged to contribute, visually engaged, and can trust that the facilitator will be respectful of their answers and opinions and that that respect will be generated among all students in the on-line classroom.  My experience with our current class has been extremely positive so far -- it is the first on-line class I have ever taken.  And at the end of the session, it is a treat not to have to run to Grand Central Station to catch the train home!