Online Industry Training
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Online Industry Training
Executive summary
Learning that are conducted through internet has become popular trend in current times. This is referred to as online training. Students are able to choose a college and respective course at convenient place and time. The opportunity to access variety of programs and courses gives students convenient time to make wise decisions in terms of professional course. Most companies are utilizing e-learning programs to update their staff on the latest skills required. This program has benefited most employees and students who would not be able to attend classes due to other commitments. The report will focus on the components of online community, how it facilitates as well as promotes distance learning. In addition, how distance-learning program helps in improving productivity in organizations. Distance learning is not exceptional to problems as well as challenges; the report will highlight them at the later stage. The report then gives recommendations on how to deal with the difficulties in the industry.
Introduction
For quite some time, on job training has been a common practice in many companies. Employees were encouraged to enroll for relevant courses in a college or university nearby to improve their working skills. In recent times, the trend is changing and most companies prefer their employees to take professional training while in the office. The trend has greatly raised the demand for online-based training programs. Different online based training are available, e-learning and live online classrooms are the most common distance learning programs adopted. Due to high demand, most institutions currently are coming up with various online-based training programs and have set up online training platforms where students get admission, enrol for various professional courses, learn, take their exams and participate in other academic activities. According to (web-based training, 2014). E-learning is a schooling system where instructions from tutor to student are given through the internet in multimedia components.
This research focus on how multifamily companies use information technology infrastructure to improve on their performance.
Overview of Distance learning
Online training is the education system, which is undertaken using a computer with student and instructor connected through the internet. According to (Jeffeel, 2014), in distance learning, the student and the teacher are at different geographical locations where a student gets learning material through electronic means for a student to enroll for an online based learning program. First, a student must have basic concepts on how to use a computer as well as the internet, (Sullivan, 2014). In addition, learners need to determine if they can work well with online learning. The way students organize their time is also important factor for the learner to consider. Lastly, students need to devote to courses enrolled because as mentioned earlier time management is important. Each time lost is hardly recovered unlike in traditional Classroom scenario where a learner can opt to get what he missed from the classmates, or even consult the teacher. Once a student has enrolled for a course his records are kept in collages database and given an admission number, which identifies him as a student in a particular collage.
Online learning community
Online community is very important for distant learning students. This research discussed several components that combine to make up online training community (Sullivan, 2014). The Definition of an online learning community stated, “Online learning community is a point where learners of the same institution work collectively by sharing information, collaborate on projects, blogging, share photos, and other learning materials.
Document sharing is one of major activities, which promote distribution of learning resources from one geographical location to another among online learners and instructors. There are several websites on the internet setup for sharing documents. Some websites are paid for while others are sponsored. Any member of the community needs to have an account with such sites and anytime he or she requires to access any information will log in the online storage location and access learning materials uploaded by their instructor or fellow student. A good example of such site is Google spreadsheet; it is designed for a specific group who must have a Gmail account. To be a member each individual must be added by an administrator who have full privileges to edit any information, including adding and removing members and editing their privileges. Members can log in and access the relevant materials uploaded by either instructors or fellow students. Google sheet is widely used in many online scenarios. Other functions of online spaces include calendar reviews. Learning schedule is simply uploaded on these sites since students only need to plan for their time basing on schools schedule. Exam timetable is just uploaded on the site and thousands of learners access the program from their own geographical locations. Collaborative document sharing is also facilitated with the use of Email. Through email communication, instructors are able to send learning materials to multiple recipients at the same time which includes students. Gmail, Yahoo, AOL are some of the email accounts in use. Learners are also able to forward to fellow learners or rely to their instructors. Microsoft has its email application-Microsoft outlook. Microsoft Outlook is nowadays collaborated with an instant messaging application known as synch. Through this learners can send messages, make voice and video calls. In addition, Ms Outlook has function for synchronous meetings where learners and instructors can see each other. In this scenario, Instructors can schedule an online class where students attend as if they are in the same room. Students contribute in class just like any other physical class and share relevant computer files at the same time. This type of online community reduces many costs that instructors, learners and college as a whole could have incurred. Class arrangements costs, transport costs and document duplication costs as well as costs of learning is reduced.
Cloud computing as communication application has really supported document sharing and storage. Some papers described it as an online store platform, which acts as a store for information, and users can access such information (IEE, 2008). In cloud computing an institution, need to have an account with already available online stores. Credentials to log in the online store are given to learners so that they can log in to access learning materials uploaded by instructor. Some of common cloud computing platforms include, Skydrive, Dropbox and Google drive. Instructors always compile and upload any material and instructions across the platform and students login to access such information. This technique is very important as it facilities transfer of large files. Other online communicating platforms like email can only accommodate small sized files leaving cloud computing as the most preferred option.
Blogging facilitates online learning industry by providing students with an opportunity for them to share ideas across online articles known as Blog. Some students with good writing skills known as bloggers write articles concerning particular subjects. This could be business oriented or information in line with the profession or something concerning students as a community. Other students on the other hand respond to the online article by sharing their own opinions. This way students share information across the platform. Sometimes blogs act as a point of research for most online students. Contributions posted are always available anytime anywhere. Although blogging has not been utilized much, it is a resourceful platform for discussion for people who are necessarily not in the same geographical location. Blogging has even become a profession for some people. Some users earn living by writing articles about different topics.
Social media is another major platform supporting online community. Through social websites, E-learning students create pages, groups and events where they can converse on different topics.
Video conferencing and teleconferencing as communication tool help a lot to link people who are connected online. Meetings can be scheduled through videoconferencing and teleconferencing. Provided the link for the meeting is given, the teacher initiates the call, and has all the students available. Real time conversation takes place.
Employees’ online training
According to the research, the future of higher learning lies in online training system. The number of Scholars who are currently enrolling for online schooling programs keep increasing. The major contributor to this situation is due to rise in costs of living and family demands, which equally demand for their time. Many students opt to study through e-learning while working at the same time and this has given most of them opportunity to attend to family needs while busy attending their classes. Real estate industries have adopted several online platforms to make sure their employees remain relevant at work during this error of Information technology.
Some companies have designed websites that contains uploaded tutorials that are relevant to the training. Employees are required to enroll for these classes and once they finish they are awarder professional certificate. This method is convenient to both the company and employee since employees will have not to leave offices but continue with their normal duties as they proceed with on job trainings.
The second option is where an organization organizes with a college, and their employees physically attend relevant classes. This system has limitation for the company. Employees will always have to spend many working hours outside the office at the expense of their duties.
Live online classroom where employees attend online relevant classes at their desks. It comprises of both audio and video media. Once classes are scheduled employees, who are the participants need to be ready on stipulated time and log into chat room to attend classes. Webinar classes are good example of live online classroom, and the advantage of this option is that after each class session, previous class recordings are submitted to participants.
Lastly, the company could also consider e-learning. This is different from live online classroom in the sense that an employee will have to schedule his or her own classes depending with their work schedule too.
Benefits of Online Training Industry
Online training has boosted the growth of multifamily housing in many ways and in recent years, multifamily housing companies have been using internet based applications to facilitate their operations. First social media is really playing a major role in this industry. Through social media employees of multifamily housing companies can communicate freely to each other. This initiative is being used to promote team building, team spirit and a sense of belonging among employees and as a result, they are connected as one family. Social media platform also facilitate customer care services. Through this platform, employees are able to respond to clients and serve them promptly. Clients with any issue also engage in conversation with customer care team without having to send email that could take long time for them to get replies through these platforms.
Online community has grown bigger and in recent days, electronic means of advertisement has overtaken print media. In realization to this, real estate companies are capitalizing on this fact by utilizing electronic media to reach their potential customers. Online magazines, articles and blogs are some of online channels that real estate industry is using to reach to their online community.
Internet has revolutionized the way organizations handle office operations in recent days. A good example is web-based software known as Onsite property management software. This software is designed to facilitate office work by centralizing entire operations of multifamily housing companies. Functions include maintaining and finding new clients, exploring new market and rent collection.
International Real estate companies are able to expand their operation and open different offices around the globe, all of them managed from one office. Thanks to the internet and online training. Electronic communication media has been the major supporting tool for this purpose. Employees who are in different offices located in different geographical locations can still arrange and have normal meeting through video conferencing, they do not necessarily need to travel to meet at one office. This has saved a lot of money for these companies which otherwise could have used for transport and arranging the meeting. Time that otherwise could have been utilized in some other office work.
An online transaction is another area where real estate companies have benefited from internet and online training. Through web based inventory system, companies are able to update their databases to make follow up to their clients when collecting rent.
Websites have become a vocal point where companies’ images are displayed to current and potential clients. Through their websites, Real estate companies are able to communicate to their clients about their goals, missions and activities currently happening within the company. Customers are also able to identify products and services, which are offered, area of operation and even sometimes for clients who would wish to visit offices in person easily finds the companies physical location on the website.
Online booking is a web-based service that has benefited real estate companies in a great deal. Customers can look through the available houses and make payment through company’s online payment system. Online booking saves customers much time and money that otherwise could have been used to travel to the actual location. The service has also reduced the risks of customers walking around with cash money to make payment. They only need to pay for any property they are interested in while seated at the comfort of their homes.
Virtual reality is an IT innovation that has changed the market trend in real estate industry (Wincsonsin, 2014). The latest real estate marketing trend tool is Virtual reality. Customers get a chance to have a view on how the property will look like before it is even constructed. This has promoted customer confidence since they are aware of final product they are expecting.
Challenges facing Online Industry Training
As universities and colleges enroll more students on distance learning program, Salisbury, 2011 reminds us in her book exploring the landscapes of learning, one voice at a time “considering limitations of online platform is very important for a student before taking initiative to enroll for an online course”.
Not all students are computer savvy; the first requirement for students before they enroll for any online program is ability to access the online learning environment. Due to economical or logistic reason, some students did not get access to electronic communication facilities before. This poses a great challenge to such students because they cannot communicate with their instructors and fellow students effectively. Mostly students from rural areas are disadvantaged in this manner. Putting more weight in this point, some articles stressed (Illinois online network, 2010). If a student is not able to use the technological infrastructure setup in a college, they are more likely to perform poorly. In some instances internet access has hampered distance learning in the sense that some students are limited by amount of fees, they have to pay for the access to the internet. This implies that students who are facing economical challenges in their lives do not get adequate internet access. The report suggests that governments of respective countries should introduce computer education in lower education levels. This will ensure that students are acquainted with the current technological trends.
Technological failure is also another crucial limitation of online learning. Electronic communication equipment are hardly hundred percent reliable. Occasionally, equipments fail to function because of either hardware or software problem. When this happens in the middle of a class session, it can be embarrassing if it is online exam. For example, programs hosted in a host server become inaccessible when it crushes. Sometimes internet connection error could also mean denial of services to students. The report suggests that institutions should invest in backup system. This could save a lot of time wasting because of infrastructure failure.
Being an online instructor does not guarantee that a teacher is qualified. There is no mechanism to verify qualities of instructors in online learning. Unlike traditional classroom scenario where teachers are well trained, it is not easy to supervise an online instructor. In the case where online instructors have poor teaching qualities, chances of producing successful results reduces and students will not get quality education. In addition, facilitators always come from different background from that of students. This could bring up the point of effective communication especially if two parties communicate in different accents.
Some researchers have argued that not all students can cope up with online learning program. In any education system, there are always those who are fast learners and slow learners. Quick learners would feel okay to read ahead of teachers and schedule their own reading schemes. Slow learners on the other hand need physical attention of their instructors and stand to face difficult time in this case. They are disadvantaged in the sense that they will need instructors who understand their weaknesses for them to be assisted. This is not the case here, students and learners only interact online. Other students learn by persistently asking questions all the time, which is nearly impossible with distance learning. Some classes, which require laboratory, are mostly physical lessons requiring hands-on experience. Learners need to choose wisely when enrolling for an online studying program as this might result to problems.
Another limitation of online-based training is social point of view. Once students get so much involved in online learning they miss out social interaction with other people in the society especially the peers. This is not a healthy habit and for young people, personal interaction with the peer plays a vital role in character development.
Online training is a program that majorly lies on self-discipline and self-motivation. For a student to have successful career through online schooling, one has to be ready to sacrifice much of the free time for studies because it is upon a student to plan for the timetable, classes, and private studies and not forgetting that others have families to take care of. People vary in personalities but this should not be taken as an excuse for failure in schooling progress. In the case where a student is not disciplined enough to stick to the schooling program, online schooling might not work out well with him or her. Researchers suggested that this education program is not suitable for teenagers who are too playful. In addition, home based interruptions should be kept at bay. Noisy environment where children are shouting, phones ringing and loud music is not a good place to carry out studies.
Traditional school curriculum is always prepared and revised early. Most online school programs are prepared in haste because in most cases institutions are rushing to enroll more students. Provided the curriculum is developed on time and verified by different stakeholders the quality of online education would be incomparable.
Administrators in charge of some institutions have failed to impress online training. This is most common feeling in old aged administrators who never see e- learning as better option. They are still working on old system and have the believe that education can only be achieved by physically sitting in class. Such leaders have completely not accommodated any idea about distance learning making it quite difficult for an idea to see the light in such institutions. There are managers heading different companies who value less any online qualifications making it more difficult for students who bear such qualifications to penetrate professional markets.
Conclusion
As far as online learning industry is facing some crucial challenges, handling these challenges depends on individual student. Companies should be conscious with small problems that are coming along with e-learning. Otherwise, the report highly recommends the growth of internet-based training as the benefits fit well in the current lifestyle. Many people who have enrolled for online education have been able to complete their programs successfully so no one should give excuses about online education programs. Another point to note is that while other people still find challenges in online education programs, it is the only academic program, which takes the shortest time possible for one to complete education. This has made it possible for most of the employees to advance their education while working. This would have been difficult if traditional class based system would have been applied. On- job training is highly recommended in any company as this will improve productivity.