Skill Training: Aiming at a Moving Target
Wadi D. Haddad, Editor

Skill Training is not what it used to be. Planning for it now has to happen under a constantly changing environment. This leads to new rules of the game for economic success and for the role of technology.

Vocational and Technical Training: 7 Policies for the Effective Use of Technology
Laurence Wolff, Inter-American Development Bank

In order to use effectively technology to improve and strengthen technical and vocational training, it is necessary to have the right public policies in place. This article summarizes recent thinking on this important subject.

Vocational and Technical Education, the `American Way`
Sonia Jurich

The Tech-Prep and School to Work programs have been instrumental in bringing vocational education to the center stage of a discussion on American education, in opening the lines of communication between employers and schools and between secondary and post-secondary institutions, and in spreading the premises of contextual learning.

TechKnowNews

 Online University Teams Up With Hopkins Library to Offer Digital Resources  New University in Vietnam Will Rely Heavily on Information Technology  New System of Peer Review Rating Academic Websites  President Clinton Appoints Advisory Committee on Expanding Training Opportunities  Tech Companies Lobby Congress for Improved Math and Science Education  Barnes & Noble.com to Offer Free Online University

Getting the Most Out of Online Training: Integrating the Missing Ingredients
Raymond L. Vigil, Ph.D., Vice President, Lucent Technologies Enterprise Networks Group, Global Learning Solutions

Imagine a highly interactive, synchronous, internet-managed learning experience between distant locations over vast national and international networks, providing learners with an ability to obtain simultaneous distance learning services from their geographically dispersed organizations, schools and other colleagues. This article describes how a well designed, integrated system can provide effective e-Learning solutions.

Skills Training: Where Simulations Are At Home
Claudio de Moura Castro, Inter-American Development Bank

Simulation has been a tool used by trainers for a long while. This article describes how simulation is used for training in various industries.

Low-Investment Internet-Based Distance Learning Solutions: Systems and Procedures
Jason Hughes, Lecturer, Centre for Labour Market Studies, Leicester University, United Kingdom

This article is a case study of the development of a low-investment, internet-based, conferencing software solution implemented at a distance learning center within the University of Leicester, UK. It explores the practical issues encountered in establishing an online learning community, and how these issues were addressed and resolved.

High Tech/Grassroots Education: Community Learning Centers (CLCs) for Skill Building
Mary Fontaine, The LearnLink Project, Academy for Educational Development

This article is a description of two Community Learning Centers (CLCs) in Africa that provide training and learning opportunities for trainees at the grassroots level. It illustrates design and implementation elements that are proving effective for both the CLCs and their clients.

The Lowly Correspondence Courses for the Masses: Fraud or Redemption?
Claudio de Moura Castro, Inter-American Development Bank

Correspondence education remains a powerful means to reach modest clienteles with practical courses that have positive impact in their lives. This article summarizes a survey that shatters conventional wisdom.

Computer Software Development: An Export Industry for Developing Countries
Gregg B. Jackson, Ph.D., George Washington University and Vishnu Karki, George Washington University

Can a country with inefficient ports, unreliable trains, and intermittent electrical service ever hope to compete with American and European firms in engineering networks, writing commercially distributed software, and developing sophisticated web sites? Can a country with long history of trade restrictions think to do so? Can a country with widespread illiteracy expect to do so?

What, No Lectures? The Francis Tuttle Vocational School
Claudio de Moura Castro, and Norma Garcia, Inter-American Development Bank

The late Dr. Francis Tuttle and his staff were entrusted to develop a first rate vocational training system. That system has evolved through the years to become so remarkable that it has been considered by educators and industrialists to be one of the leading training systems in the U.S. and has been visited by groups from 47 countries worldwide. Can it be replicated?

Technology for Skill Training: A Medical Affair
Sonia Jurich

Physicians and medical researchers recognized the potential of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for medical education and research. This article reviews the literature on the use of complex simulators, virtual laboratories, and Internet-based tutorials for the training of medical personnel.

Training of Technical and Vocational Teachers: A Case Study of a Low Tech Alternative
John Bartram, The Commonwealth of Learning and Dr. Nancy George, University of Technology, Jamaica

While many in North America appear to equate distance learning with virtual or cyber-learning centered on the computer and its networking capabilities to deliver learning packages and stimulate interaction with students, there are significant groups with learning needs for whom this paradigm is an inappropriate technology. This article presents a case study that describes the use of low tech for the training of Technical and Vocational teachers in small island states.

Tertiary Occupational Skill Training on the Web: A Shopper's Guide
Gregg B. Jackson, Ph.D., George Washington University

The web can be used to find a wide range of skill training. To benefit from these opportunities, this article helps prospective students to deal with four critical determinants: (1) whether distance education is well suited to their needs and preferences: (2) in which occupational field should they take training; (3) how to find the various providers of training in the selected field; and. (4) which program will best contribute to their career objectives.

On the Move

Upcoming Events: Conference, Seminars, Exhibits, Training Courses, etc.

What You Need to Know Before Buying a Computer
Rafael Chargel

Everybody seems to own, or intends to own a computer. The problem is, which computer is right for you?

Enhancing Vocational Skills: Interactive Media Training
Jelena Lewis

One of the most useful applications for multimedia (videos and CD-ROM) is skill enhancement and training. This article reviews a sample of instructional/training CD-ROMs and videos in the areas of technical training, medical training, and general skill training.

WorthWhileWebs
Gregg B. Jackson, Ph.D., George Washington University

There are thousands of sub-baccalaureate training programs, at the tertiary level, currently available through the Web. There are also hundreds of web sites that are intended to help people find that training. This article presents a few that appear most useful as well as several e-Learning web sites that offer technical, business and other courses.

The Bluetooth Connection: Saying Goodbye to Wires
Jelena Lewis

Wireless technology has been around for a few years now. The Bluetooth vision is to take the current wireless a step further, by broadening the wireless range of interaction in order to incorporate more than just computers.

"Virtualized Reality": The Future of Television?
Rafael Chargel

We've heard of virtual reality, but what about "virtualized reality"? How does it work and what implications does it have for training?

Global Learning Solutions

Global Learning Solutions of Lucent Technologies has been recognized as one of the top eLearning organizations in the corporate training industry. Its executive leadership team, its technical expertise, its assets in intellectual property and its physical assets make it one of the world’s most experienced full service eLearning service providers.

Inter-American Development Bank

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) lends approximately $400 million per year to education projects. Read about what education and technology projects IDB is supporting in the Latin America region.

Peace Corps Moves Into Information Technology

The Peace Corps launches an e-initiative to address the increased demand for Information Technology skills worldwide.