Follow these distance learning pioneers
Follow these distance learning pioneers
While wellness distance learning may still be in its infancy, America's Fortune 500 companies have taken to the new technology in a big way. Wellness managers can learn from what these companies are doing, and in fact, may even be able to piggyback on equipment and facilities if their company is already using distance learning techniques in other departments.
These are some of the observations of Christine H. Olgren, PhD, director for the distance learning education certificate program and the annual distance learning conference at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Regular attendees at the conference, which draws about 1,000 people, include representatives of higher education, business and industry, and the military. Many of attendees have been from the health care industry, she says, noting that "nursing and continuing education are huge."
In the last four years distance learning has grown dramatically in the private sector, says Olgren. "Primarily, they are using audio or video conferencing, but many are using the Internet or an Intranet. Others are using asynchronous, self-paced learning via the desktop computer, which can be either CD-ROM-based or Internet-based."
In-house video conferencing facilities are fairly expensive, Olgren says. "However, many business facilities can be configured in a roll-about system, where it all fits into a cabinet and you just roll it out and hook it up." The typical system includes three cameras (for the student, the instructor, and an overhead projector), and costs between $50,000 and $100,000.
Companies with smaller budgets need not be left behind, she says. "Kinko's has public video conferencing all over the country. They provide the room and the facility." Kinko's charges about $150 an hour for the service.
Another less expensive option is to use one-way video, where the students can see the instructor and ask questions, but the instructor can't see them. "You only need a receiver, a television set and some type of telephone or audio system," says Olgren. "If the signal is being sent via satellite, you can set up a downlink outside your building for about $6,000, and outfit your room for another $5,000-$10,000."
Pool your resources
Further cost savings can be realized by negotiating with your speakers, Olgren advises. "Tell them they are gaining potential new business through the visibility you are providing them, and that it might lead to new consulting opportunities," she says. Also, you may wish to consider partnering with other small companies, pooling your technical and/or financial resources. Another option: Many local community colleges are letting private businesses rent their facilities at reasonable rates.
Distance learning can also save time and money for companies seeking to reach multiple sites, says Olgren. "Rather than repeat your program around country, or internationally, you can link them up and people at different facilities can all receive the instruction at the same time."
The possibilities are virtually limitless. Through the Internet, using customized Web pages, for example, employees can access wellness information from anywhere in the world. "Or, you can provide self-paced modular learning programs direct to the desk top - using case studies, automated quizzes, and interactive feedback," Olgren suggests. "You would need to hire a consultant, someone with instructional skills, as well as design expertise and knowledge of html and Java for interactive learning activities."
Tapping into the Internet
Collaborative on-line courses are another possibility. Through a computer conferencing system, you can initiate group messaging, group interaction/discussion groups, all via e-mail. "There are a lot of collaborative on-line courses currently being offered," says Olgren.
Perhaps most exciting of all is audio or video "streaming," where you can listen to or see an instructor live using "Real Player," which can be downloaded free of charge from the World Wide Web. Then, for example, you can tell everybody that at noon, a particular speaker will be making a presentation on stress management, and that they need to go to a specific web site and they will be able to see or hear the presentation," Olgren explains. "Fees for these conferences vary, she says, but they can cost $500 an hour and up.
If your company has an Intranet, says Olgren, you have the best of both worlds. "Intranets offer better quality via a wider band. It's far superior to the telephone lines used for the Internet," she says.
[Editor's note: For more information about distance learning, or the distance learning conference, Aug. 5-7, 1998, contact: Christine H. Olgren, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 225 North Mill St., Room 112, Madison, WI 53706. Telephone: (608) 262-8530. Fax: (608) 262-7751. E-mail: cholgren@facstaff. wisc.edu. Internet: www.uwex.edu/disted/
You may also wish to contact the U.S. Distance Learning Association, P.O. Box 5106, San Ramon, CA 95483. Telephone: (800) 829-3400. Internet: www.usdla.org.]
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