Designing Web-Based Training: How to Teach Anyone Anything Anywhere Anytime

2.1. THE IDEAL USE OF WBT

Let's start with the best situation for using WBT. If your situation matches this ideal, you can probably skip the rest of this chapter and start right in designing your course.

2.1.1. The ideal learner

New technologies and techniques are not for everyone. Certain groups can better take advantage of such advances [23, 24].

Who are the ideal learners for WBT? They are people who:

• Learn independently and view learning positively

• Are self-disciplined, manage time well, and enjoy working alone

• Express themselves clearly in writing

• Have good basic computer skills and value the role of technology in business and learning

• Need to acquire new knowledge now but cannot easily attend traditional training, for example those who travel or live in a remote location

• Laugh at small technical glitches and revel in solving problems

• Have a definite goal, such as certification, a degree, or the ability to perform a specific task

• Are moderately experienced in a field and already understand the basic concepts of that field

Know any ideal learners? Neither do I, but the more your learners match this profile, the easier your task of designing WBT to meet their needs.

2.1.2. The ideal course

What is the ideal WBT project? WBT excels at efficiently teaching precisely defined objective knowledge, such as:

• Step-by-step procedures

• Scientific and business concepts

• Syntax and vocabulary of human and computer languages

• Mechanical skills that must be performed speedily

For your first Web-based ...