All organizations, regardless of their size, do training. Whether it's acquired on-the-job or through more structured approaches such as live instruction or videotape courses, training is generally recognized as a necessary investment in an organization's human capital. Recent studies are finding that this training can be significantly enhanced through the use of interactive multimedia techniques. The problem, however, has been finding a cost-effective way to deliver this new type of training.

Although videodisk-based systems have been around for a decade, their expense and inconvenience have limited their general acceptance. Other approaches, such as video-capable local area networks, are relatively expensive. The real answer to delivering interactive CBT to the desktop is actually already here. It's the multimedia system that's included in practically every PC delivered today. We've already got the ideal delivery system. All we need are the discs. This is where CD-R comes in, allowing an organization to make just as many discs as are needed. And as CBT authoring software continues to become more intuitive, organizations are increasingly able to develop their CBT discs in-house. All of these developments combine to produce a strong growth trend for CD-R-based CBT training.

WORKSHOP
on Multimedia Interactivity & CBT

Workshop Description: This 3-hour workshop provides a solid foundation for understanding what it takes to plan and develop computer-based training. Questions to be tackled during the Workshop include: 1) When should you use CBT, EPSS, or neither? 2) What are some proven methods for getting support for these projects to the organization? 3) What are the leading development tools for CBT, EPSS, and web-based learning applications. Why are they the leaders? 4) How do you determine criteria for authoring software? 5) How do you know when to use the web and when to use CDs? What bridging strategies can you apply?

THE SESSIONS

Monday, May 19, 1 p.m.
CD-ROM vs. WEB-BASED TRAINING DELIVERY
Moderated by Mary Sand, FAA
What are the advantages of each and what are the tradeoffs? What are infrastructure (internal and external bandwidth, etc.) issues and do they present a problem? How well does each delivery method serve the user? This panel of experts will discuss these major issues surrounding CD-ROM and Web-based delivery of training.

Monday, May 19, 3 p.m.
CBT IS DEAD! Long Live CBT
Special Presentation: Jan Utterstrom, Asymetrix
CBT takes too long and is too expensive ( to support all training requirements). We need new tools and a new approach so we can quickly pass on the expertise of the people who know how. Learn about the remarkable success of multimedia skill-based training. Find out how organizations with limited time and money now have another choice besides "no training and very little training." Come see examples of Jan Utterstrom's pioneering work with video on the shop floor at Boeing and how he (and his clients) see an entirely new way of creating online training. This special keynote session and presentation by Mr. Utterstrom will be moderated by CBT Theme producer Thomas McLaren.

Tuesday, May 20, 9 a.m.
PERFORMANCE SUPPORT & INTRANETS
Moderated by Mike Gallagher, Aera Inc.
In this panel you'll learn how your organization's employees, using a standard web browser, can access all of the knowledge assets of your enterprise, and the entire Internet, to truly enhance their performance. Listen to a panel of experts discuss their challenges and successes. Learn how to choose the parts of this new technology that will work for you.

Tuesday, May 20, 3 p.m.
MULTIMEDIA CD-ROM TRAINING SHOWCASE
Moderated by Jerry Oakley, EPA
With more than 50 years CBT development between them, these panel members have their fair share of successes and challenges. Come hear first-hand stories from the developers of the latest projects for the EPA, the Social Security administration, the USDA, and Lockheed Martin. See memorable examples, learn from hard-won experience, and gain insights into designing, developing and deploying CD-ROM-based multimedia training.

Wednesday, May 21, 1 p.m.
PROVING CBT WORKS
Moderated by Kiki Mulliner, Allen Communications (Rockville, MD)
Panelist: Doug Boynton, Los Angeles Times
Panelist: Jared Carman, Allen Communications
Panelist: Kevin Oakes, Oakes Interactive
Panelist: Jack & Kathleen Stell, Multimedia Team Training
Whether a million-dollar training program or a ten million dollar ad campaign, there are techniques for helping people understand the value of their investment. Listen to these industry veterans explain why ROI is only part of it. You'll see why it may be just as important to address the politics of training and IS departments. And you'll learn techniques for managing the ever-changing technology at the heart of the organization's network infrastructure. Mulliner is with Allen Communications' Courseware Development Division.

Wednesday, May 21, 3 p.m.
CBT DEVELOPER TIPS & TRICKS
Moderated by John Carney, Carney Interactive
From modular design methods to techniques for rapid prototyping, this panel of experienced practitioners will present examples and details of their techniques. Learn field-tested methods for creating compelling and cost-effective CBT and EPSS. Learn the critical decision factors when choosing how to deploy training across multiple delivery mediums like CD-ROM, the Internet, and corporate intranets.

Thursday, May 22, Noon
DOCUMENT-BASED TRAINING
Moderated by Catherine C. McMahon, Snr VP, WPI (Rockville, MD)
Panelist: Janet Cichelli, Performance Support Systems Div., WPI
Panelist: Patricia M. Boord, FBI Academy (Quantico, VA)

Though we might firmly believe in the value and benefits of following the ISD methodology, the reality is that we are often still pressured to "just put these documents on the web," and to do so as quickly as possible. In the past, given the technological challenges, IS focused on technical challenges and minimized (or denied) the importance of designing learning products that worked. Now, business managers (rather than IS) are driving projects and have their own reasons for giving the analysis phase short shrift. Cathie McMahon will focus on how to frame training development requirements in business terms so buy-in is possible and when "going with your gut" may prove necessary. She will also demonstrate a successful web-based document-based training application. Janet Cichelli will address the practical question: "How do you do it?" Her presentation will address and demonstrate existing and emerging tools in terms of functionality, ease of use, platform support and the benefits that these tools deliver to the developers of just-in-time training. Pat Boord, meanwhile, will address the metaphysical issue: "Is this really training?" Her presentation will examine the issues associated with the development and delivery via technology including the common pitfalls inevitably encountered when time pressures and enchantment with technology compete with proven training development methodology. One of the FBI's leading distance learning experts, Ms. Boord will offer suggestions to avoid these pitfalls based on her own practical experience.

THE SPEAKERS

About Tom McLaren: He is President and Founder of McLaren Associates, a consulting firm which specializes in interactive learning applications. Tom has undertaken a wide array of projects in his field: from developing a series of CBT projects for INGRES database from Computer Associates to creating the interface for the Intel Call Center knowledge base. His current consulting projects include a large intranet-based training application. Tom teaches authoring courses at Portland State University and presents workshops, seminars and educational presentations tailored to client needs. He has published numerous papers and articles and writes regularly about training technology for CBT Solutions magazine and Software Developer and Publisher magazine.

About Catherine McMahon: She has over twenty-five years of experience in the field of Information Systems and technology-delivered instruction. As Executive Vice President of WORDPRO, Inc., she is responsible for the overall management and direction of WORDPRO's Performance Support and Computer Based Training practice as well as other major consulting efforts for both government and private industry. Ms. McMahon has worked closely with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, the General Accounting office and other government and industry for the past six years to promote the benefits of performance support and gain key management buy-in. Ms. McMahon is a frequent speaker on information systems technology and the implications of technology implementation for human resource development. She has presented sessions at SALT, Interactive, ASTD, and Computer Training and Support Conference on Electronic Performance Support. She has also presented at industry conferences and expositions including the FOSE, the American Management Association, and CENADEM, Brazil.

About Janet Cichelli: As Director of WPI's Performance Support Systems Division Ms. Cichelli orchestrates the design and development of electronic performance support systems (EPSS) for both private sector and government clients. During the past five years, Ms. Cichelli has directed EPSS projects for the U.S. General Accounting Office, the Internal Revenue Service, Boeing, U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Veterans Administration, and the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. A frequent speaker at industry conferences, Ms. Cichelli's diverse education and experience, which includes more than 8 years in software development and 7 years in end user training and support, has afforded a unique and comprehensive understanding of the design and technical issues specific to the successful implementation of EPSS.

About Patricia M. Boord: She is the Curriculum and Interactive Training Technologies Program Manager for the FBI's National Security Training. For the past ten years, Ms. Boord has been involved actively in the development of technology-based training systems for the FBI. Ms. Boord spent an additional nine years participating in the development and presentation of a variety of adult training courses. As one of the FBI's leading distance learning experts, Ms. Boord has also consulted with a variety of other Federal government agencies in the application of using technology to deliver training. Ms. Boord received a Master of Science in Training and Learning from Nova Southeastern University where she specialized in computer-based instructional systems