Training methods: effectiveness of traditional approaches

Training

In today's global environment, training is an essential component for overall development. Organizations now require a diverse skill set in order to handle multiple tasks and obligations. As such, adequate training will become a more integral part of an individual's career development. Training methods however have come under intense scrutiny. Corporations and individuals are now becoming more skeptical regarding training methods and there apparent benefits. Training has now developed from a more lecture-based curriculum to that of a more hands on program. This shift, I believe is warranted given the diverse workforce within society. As globalization begins to spread around the world, diverse training methods will be needed to overcome the varying needs of employees and businesses. As such, the lecture method of traditional training programs is becoming antiquated as more innovative solutions emerge

To begin, lecture-based training is grounded in passive learning. Lecture is usually a one way form of communication, with the lecturer doing a majority of the talking. The information contained within a lecture may include facts, figures, problem solving methods and so forth. The benefits of using this traditional approach are financial in nature. Lectures are using the cheapest medium to present large amounts of information in an efficient manner. The way one form of communication allows a massive audience to gain exposure to the same amount of information all at once. A negative aspect of this training is that it easy to become occupied with other activities if the audience is not actively engaged. Due in parts to the information age, consumers want information in a concise and entertaining manner. Lectures, particular those that are long, may fail to hold the audiences attention for long durations of time. As such, the intended purpose of the lecture may become lost as trainees lose their focus on the information being provided. As such, new techniques that actively engage all participants are now becoming more ubiquitous. It is my belief that lectures in a traditional sense are now becoming less effective than they once were. The information age has eroded many advantages of the traditional lecture. Audiences now want short, clear, and concise delivery of information. Emails, text message, video imaging, video conferencing, cell phone apps, and other forms of technology have abated the need for lectures (Beck, 2009).

I believe hands on training in conjunction with video to be the best form of training. With hands on training, the trainee is actively involved in the overall learning. Role playing, case studies, and quizzes are all designed to keep a group more attentive. Businesses are now opting to use video training in regards to new hire orientation. For one, it reduces the cost of hiring a physical training, and the audience is more receptive to the overall information provided. I believe on-the-job training is of particular importance as it allows the audience to grasp the real life applications of their training. This provides for a more seamless transition from the classroom to the actual work environment.