1. Training by Cell Phone and Text? Don't LOL
Last Updated Apr 22, 2011 10:47 AM EDT
There's a new trend emerging: learning by cellphone. For those of us just
managing to get our thumbs around texting, this might seem unnecessary. If you're one of the many
people who work from multiple locations, or need access to short pieces of critical information right
away, this makes nothing but sense. Like everything else when it comes to technology, it has its
good uses and its evil outcomes, depending on how you use it.
The advantages of access to information when you need it, in ways you can access easily and in
small digestible chunks makes a lot of sense on the surface. For those of us just getting used to the
idea of texting as business communication this might seem to be inefficient and annoying. Ready or
not, it's coming. The trick will be to use it well.
Among several companies using this technology (and wouldn't you rather have them using it for
good instead of blasting you with ads?) are names like Train By Cell and multiple small companies
using iPhone and Google apps. Dave Asheim is the CEO of www.trainbycell.com, a company that's
pinning its future on the ubiquity and easy use of today's (and especially tomorrow's) hand held
communication.
Why would someone want to offer training by cell?
These days everyone is mobile, and that's especially true for the workplace. Employees don't always
have access to email or a computer, nor do they all have a corporate email account--but you can bet
they all have a Smartphone, or at least a basic feature phone with dialing and text messaging
capabilities. Many companies even provide their new employees with a Smartphone specifically for
work purposes, so they can communicate with clients, co-workers, and managers 24/7. As the
traditional workplace evolves and rigid 9-5 structures continue to dissolve, people are working at all
hours of the day, from on the road or in the airport, at a hotel, in the middle of a conference -- you
name it. Basically, what mobile does is allow you to easily offer content anytime, anywhere, in
conjunction with any preexisting training courses.
What kinds of subjects are taught well this way? What wouldn't work??
Really, anything goes. Mobile training is suitable for any training courses that could benefit from
increased flexibility of delivery and reach. Want to increase or improve access to your course
content? Do people need reminders and follow up? Mobile is the answer. It both enhances course
delivery -- whether based in printed materials, elearning courses or online resources -- and can help
with trainer/trainee interaction and participation for face-to-face training sessions. You could have
your trainees take out their phones in the middle of a session and answer a few questions via text to
see what they've learned. You could make all of your content available on a mobile website for
review before, during or after a course.