Converting from traditional to distance learning

A training manager has been frustrated with the quality of communication among trainees in his face-to-face training sessions and wants to try something new. With his supervisor’s permission, the trainer plans to convert all current training modules to a blended learning format, which would provide trainees and trainers the opportunity to interact with each other and learn the material in both a face-to-face and online environment. In addition, he is considering putting all of his training materials on a server so that the trainees have access to resources and assignments at all times.

Much of what educators know about the classroom still applies in distance learning (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, 2009). The trainer must keep the learners in mind as the training switches from a traditional class to a hybrid one.  In order for the conversion to be successful the trainer has to careful plan the hybrid program so that all of the learner’s needs continue to be met while enhancing the quality of communication within the training sessions. 

By converting the training session from traditional to distance learning the trainer is making the course student centered instead of teacher centered. Just by doing this, the trainer is demanding that the students become more engaged in the learning process. The quality of communication will increase through discussions because the responses will require the learners to show their understanding of the content. In a traditional setting some learners can get by with making one or two comments or saying nothing at all while others carry on the face to face discussions. The discussions are graded thus learners have to become accountable for participation. The trainer will become a facilitator in the discussions instead of the lead. The trainer can post comments and questions to the students posting to help encourage communication. The trainer can also help connect ideas that the students express and bring a well rounded view to the postings.

Below is an outline to help the trainer convert to a distance learning environment

I. Pre-Planning Strategies

a. Evaluate the communication issue that currently exist

b. Establish desired quality of communication

c. Determine the effective aspects of the current training session

d. Generate objectives for a hybrid course

e. Determine learner’s needs in a distance learning environment

f. Create a story board

II. Content

a. Decide what multimedia is most effective for the training sessions

b. Decide on discussion topics and create a rubric

c. Construct assignments for online and in class and create a rubric

            d. Create a syllabus for the training session.

 Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2009).Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (4th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.