Keep up to speed with software

As the software we use day to day changes, how does one keep up? We've all been there, trying to train a new worker on software that we know inside out only to find we are useless trainers. And what about learning new skills such as people management, accounting or marketing?

While evening classes and short courses away from work fill an important gap, there is also a place for those who want to be able to sit at their desk to listen, watch and learn at their own pace when it suits them (and their employer).

According to Terena Harris, director of TrainingLine, online learning using a computer connected to the internet is becoming increasingly popular. Her company offers three packages covering all the main desktop programs such as those offered by Microsoft along with hundreds of other courses. In addition, her firm offers online mentors who are available 24/7 for any questions students may have.

"We are advocates for blended learning and work with our clients to design dynamic learning curricula that combine a range of learning options from informal learning on the fly to structured events, and online training (e-learning) has a valuable part to play.

"The advances in technology have made it less cumbersome and a more natural way of accessing courses and information as and when you need it.

"There has been some resistance to learning online and e-learning has been a dirty word in the training arena. Like it or not people are learning online even if they don't realise it - for example when they perform a Google search."

Harris says based on IDC research, 15-30 per cent of a knowledge workers' time is spent actively seeking information; yet half of all searches for information are fruitless.

"Research suggests that people forget 90 per cent of what they have learned within a week of attending a course - unless they start using what they have learned straight away."

Harris says once a upon a time introducing online learning meant companies had to spend money on IT to bring computers up to speed.

"Companies had to make a big commitment in their IT spend and plan ahead," says Harris. "But now all you need is a computer connected to the internet and a free piece of software called Java and, with our system, you're away. It's much easier. We have taken away a lot of the technical headaches."

But John McLeod, managing director of LearnKey NZ, who worked closely with academia supplying online learning modules to students, says in his experience many people failed to go online to learn and that monitoring their progress became an issue. He is now branching out to offer training books for students.

"Online training went down well in many ways but broadband issues stopped it growing. Online video is very hard to deliver. As broadband expands, gets cheaper and faster so online training may make a come back. It goes round in circles and its time will come again.

"Some online learning is no better than reading a book on screen - people like to read where they want, in bed, on the deck. That's why we are now venturing into producing training books, because people do not want to go online just to read a book."

He also says price is an issue. "Tell a teacher that a book is $30 or $200 for an online course and it's to see why the book sells," he said.

Targeting the business community is The Small Business Company. It offers a range of online courses to those thinking of starting a business or who are already trading but need quick and confidential help or training.

Joe Kearns is the firm's IT director and says users enjoy being able to access information and training without going to a class.

"Many of our customers are in business and they don't want to share their ideas or problems, they want to learn and solve them in private. Also, some of our customers are employed and don't want their boss knowing they are thinking of leaving to set up a business - so they can go online in the evening - or when it suits them - to explore business models, generate spreadsheets, profit and loss accounts etc without taking time off."

Kearns says online training and workshops should go hand in hand as they offer people opportunities to network, swap business cards and make contacts.

A view shared by McLeod.

"Learning online is one of the loneliest ways to study," he says. "People like to share ideas, to talk and chat."

But Harris is confident more companies will introduce online training for staff and says the modules that her firm delivers, many of which cover specific parts of much larger programs, is the way things will go in the future.

"If you want to learn how to create a graph in Excel, for example, and you can learn that in a few easy steps lasting five minutes online then it is worthwhile," she says.

"And with our system, users can take their learning profile to the next employer and carry on."