Beliefs about Training, Learning, and Technology (Week #1 Blog #2)

For this blog entry I would like to expand on my thoughts on the discussion board.

1)I believe that training in organizations should be required by all employees (especially new ones) to learn new methods that could help make the organization better.

New employees coming in need to learn the normal operations of the company and I believe this is what training does. It also shows new employees about the company, how it functions, and the different tools the company offers. Training can also re-enforce old employees of new practices and maybe get them fired up again about the company's operation.


2)I believe that learning in organizations should occur at all levels. Top management all the way down to employees can all learn in organizations.

Yes, even managers, CIOs, CEOs, etc can and need to be trained. No one knows everything. With this said I think we conducting training having everybody together is key. This shows people that even management cares about training and is wanting to learn how to better the company.

3)I believe, related to training and learning in organizations, that technology can dramatically help make an organization a better one. There are so many tools that can make an organization achieve this and they are almost crazy not to use such tools.

There is a bunch of cool software like Camtasia that can make this happen. I'm very excited about learning to work with this program. I hope to become well at it so I maybe can use this when I teach.

Needs Assessment (Week #1 Blog #1)

The book defines needs assessment as "the systematic process of determining goals, identifying discrepancies between actual and desired conditions, and establishing priorities for action."

I believe that needs assessment is very critical for not only the training purpose but for any part of IT. For an example when I go to build a website for someone I conduct a needs assessment to what the need of the website is and what information the client needs on the site. Usually I do this through a direct interview, one of the data-techniques the book mentions.

When we are doing our Group Project is going to be key to make sure we conduct a thrall needs analysis to make sure the training materials we create is exactly what they are looking for. I would imagine that a lot of this information can be gathered through a direct interview, self-completion questionnaire, and observations. The book gives some great tips on conducting a needs assessment and I will make sure that I point this out to my group when we get there.

Software

1. The first productivity software program I ever used was Notepad. I used it to write letters in my second grade computer class. We used it with Windows 3.11

2. The software program I use and know the best is Microsoft Excel. I used to Excel to build many spreadsheets with drop down list, data validation, and micros for my dad's mortgage business.

3. One software program I would like to learn more about is Camtasia. I'm very excited we are going to learn about this program this semester.

First Posting

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~Ryan