t&d.com - issues discussed on training Web boards - Brief Article

Training & Development, Sept, 2000 by Ryann K. Ellis

Community

For this month's review of ASTD's Learning Communities, T&D scanned the Web boards for the latest, the hottest, the hypest discussions. You know what we found? You like lists. Here are breakdowns from three popular threads.

Name three training practices, fads, or trends you wish would go away. Forever.

* I'm tired of the notion that e-learning equals effective learning.

* Bells and whistles be gone! Flash for the sake of flash is a worthless substitute for robust, substantive learning vehicles.

* Could micro managers and bean counters that don't understand the components of ROI please disappear?

* Let's lose the canned 40 hour training program that contains only eight to 10 hours of need-to-know information.

* Good riddance to the one-shot workshop that communicates "one size fits all."

* Say good-bye to Level 1 evaluations--three questions about the material, three questions about the trainer, and three questions about the atmosphere. No one answers them anyway.

* Death to the traditional "Training Director of Adminstrivia" who thought success was measured by the number of backsides in seats. Long live the enlightened "Learning Manager," purveyor of strategic objectives, champion of e-learning, business partner, and employee mentor.

What skills will be most important to managers in 2010?

10. Fostering creativity

9. Using influence rather than authority

8. Embracing diversity

7. Dealing with workplace violence

6. Supporting employees' work-life balance needs

5. Managing change

4. Processing and synthesizing information rapidly

3. Executing a global mindset

2. Managing a virtual team

And number 1: The ability to learn, unlearn, and releam.

If management could ask trainers five questions, what would they be?

5. Do you have a strategy for creating a learning organization?

4. Do you (honestly) evaluate training?

3. Do you have an e-learning strategy?

2. How do you plan to prepare employees for the transition to e-learning?

And number 1: Do you (really) think e-learning will make traditional training go away?

The replies to number 1 spurred a heated discussion. The general response among visitors: No way! Stand-up training is here to stay.

Which created its own thread asking which topics aren't covered effectively via e-learning. (You see where this is going.)

NOW ONLINE

HPI Soup: A Response Ronald Forbes, managing director of the Leaderskill Group reacts to T&Ds June article about the orgins and future of HPI According to Forbes an essential ingredient was missing the impact that out personal and organizational activities have on society. Read Forbes's article at www.astd.org/virtual community magazine Click on the link of the September issue.

ROI-Do It & Prove it

John Martin, vice president of professional services at Pathlore offers tips for quantifying ROI reviews case studies and supplies ROI calculation. Find the full story at www.astd.org/virtual community community magazine Click on the link of the September issue.

E-Learning Portals Who Needs Thems?

Cornelia Weggan e-learning analyst at WR Hambrecht & Company and Learning Circuits contributor outlines the pros and cons of learning portals. Go to www.learningcircuits.org.