1. General
2. What is Web-Based Training
3. Approach to Web-Based Training
4. Content/Learning Management System

5. Interactivity/Animations
6. ASTech's WBTs
7. Sample WBTs Applications

Collaborative Simulations

In this instance, the training is carried out by example. Rather than perusing course notes, the students are involved in a simulated training exercise that tests their knowledge of the procedures or skills they are being trained in.

• Pro: Students are forced to think and work together - encourages teambuilding skills
• Pro: Students get an impression about the speed and certainty with which decisions must be made
• Pro: As the exercise is simulated, the cost of any errors made during the exercise is close to zero, and the personal safety of the trainees is assured. This is often far from the case in "on-the-job" training.
• Con: Training in simulated environments is rarely a completely adequate replacement for the real-life tasks.

Distance Education

Distance Education represents a significant departure from normal training methods; while in all of the other scenarios we have presented, an instructor is present, it's likely that this will not be the case in a distance education environment. As distance education has always targetted individuals who cannot attend a training facility during office hours, much of the learning gained from distance ed. has been outside of working hours, in the early mornings, evenings, and weekends.

• Pro: Because the content is prepared in advance, the student can train at any time that suits them
• Pro: Instructors can handle queries by e-mail, bulletin board or even an audio/videoconferencing link
• Con: As students will be studying at irregular hours, for varying durations, perceived progress can be uneven
• Con: There may be a significant time delay during discussions or questions as the people conversing are often not doing so in "real time". This can be alleviated somewhat by scheduling "class" times occasionally so that everyone can discuss a given topic, for example.