The GAO introduced video conferencing capability in 1992 to support timely communication of audit assignments among team members residing in different locations. Shortly thereafter, the Training Institute (TI) initiated a two-year pilot program using this technology to deliver training across multiple locations. This pilot provided TI the chance to learn and experience the requirements of delivering professional course offerings to GAO staff at a distance. Four courses were selected for redesign and pilot testing over a two year period. Training design, technical problems, and production issues were dealt with on a course by course basis. At the end of the two year pilot, the Institute accepted teletraining as a mainstream training delivery strategy.
The pilot was a challenge for training staff. They had to work hard to meet existing training demands while developing experience with this new format. However, they saw learning to use this new way of supporting classroom instruction as the "wave of the future," and there was no lack of volunteers. An intensive learning and support program was implemented to assist in this transition. Staff took advantage of a workshop developed to teach the basics of designing and instructing for video teletraining, a Teletraining Design Team responsible for providing design, development, production, and technical support was established, and a manual was written to assist staff engaged in this effort. This manual, titled "Video Teletraining," can be found on the Internet at http://www.gao.gov/special.pubs/ti95001.pdf
At the end of the two-year pilot, the Training Institute had
learned enough to include a
distance learning program using two-way video as a tool to deliver
training and education.
The lessons learned included:
- In redesigning courses for the video teletraining
format, plan to build in
frequent interactions; use panels, interviews, question
and answer periods, and
video clips to avoid students eyes from "glazing over"
the television screen.
- In building competence, instructors need to practice,
practice, practice. There
is no substitute. An instructor who is familiar with
the equipment, the
production crew, the process, and the television camera
will be more relaxed
and confident in the teletraining classroom.
- In developing quality, designers and developers need to
convert visuals to the
television format. Graphs, charts, and illustrated word
pictures keep attention
focused and aid retention. In televised teaching,
however, these should follow
the television presentation format.
- In delivering the product, training administrators
should plan and coordinate
with site locations. While a content specialist/class
facilitator was not found
to be necessary at each site, it is important to have a
coordinator who will
handle the administrative details of class delivery such
as room, materials,
handouts, and video. Scheduling a class can be more
flexible; time zone
differences should be considered.
- In implementing the program, develop administrative
policies and systems..
Course materials need to be shipped ahead of time and
practice sessions
should be scheduled. Multiple sites need to be
coordinated and registration
issues resolved.
- In designing and delivering the courses, provide
assistance to instructional
designers and instructors.. As with the use of any new
technology, people are
more comfortable when there is knowledgeable staff to help
in development and
implementation. Instructional designers and production
staff who understand
interactive training can provide the support needed to
assure a smoother course
development and delivery.
Today, this additional capability has given Training Institute managers, designers, and instructors another option as they look for ways to meet training needs and to reduce training costs associated with travel. So, what's next? Already, TI instructional designers and support staff are working to combine the capabilities of video teletraining and asynchronous computer learning over the network to meet training needs. This is our next "challenge" with learning underway.