Computer Based Training, or e-Learning as it is often known, is a great way to provide training for your own staff or your clients.

For your own staff, you might use e-Learning to provide training on how to operate equipment or follow company operating or safety procedures. You can even set assessments and store training records.

For your clients, you might use e-learning to provide training on how to operate or maintain technical equipment or systems that you supply. If you have export knowledge that you wish to impart to a wider audience, creating a Computer Based Training platform can even become a revenue stream.

Why consider e-Learning / Computer Based Training?

There are many reasons to consider Online Computer Based Training (CBT), or e-learning, over traditional training. Here are a few:

• Trainees can access training material without the need for scheduled classroom sessions, at a time that fits in with their work schedule.
• Training can be delivered within an office, or over the Internet, to trainees dispersed over a wide range of locations.
• The training course structure and content is carefully crafted to engage the trainee and improve knowledge retention. It can even be fun.
• Training knowledge is retained within the Company (i.e. not lost if the trainer moves on).
• The training message is consistent, delivered in full, and can be continuously improved.
• Assessments can be set, and training records can be kept, to record trainee progress.

So how can Orchid’s Computer Based Training team help?

Orchid can help you with the level of support that you require, from course writing to hosting.

Orchid can help write your e-learning content…

If you have existing material that needs adapting for CBT, or if the requirement is new, Orchid can help.  Our Technical Authors produce clear and concise training material (firstly as a storyboard) that will help you to effectively communicate your training objectives and will provide the information needed to build the modules. If you have subject matter experts, we can liaise with them to ensure that all the key points are represented.

For more details on how Orchid can write your e-Learning content, see CBT Course Writing.

Orchid can build your e-Learning Modules…

With the training requirement established, Orchid can create the necessary graphics, animations, voiceover elements etc. and build your e-Learning Modules.

The modules we produce are typically ‘SCORM Compliant’. SCORM is a standard that allows e-Learning modules to be ‘plugged in’ and run on Learning Management System (LMS) that are SCORM Compliant. The SCORM standard helps ensure that e-Learning Modules, developed using specific e-Learning tools, are not tied to a specific Computer Based Training System.

For more details on how Orchid can build your e-Learning Modules, see CBT Module Production.

Orchid can host your modules in a Learning Management System…

A Learning Management System (LMS) is used to host the CBT modules, handle the trainee login process and store trainee progress and results.

If you do not have your own Learning Management System (LMS), Orchid can install and host a system for you. This enables you to operate a complete Computer Based Training system without impacting your own IT infrastructure. Your trainees will be able to log in and access the training over the Internet.

For more details on how Orchid can help with a hosted LMS, see Learning Management Systems.