Training Face Off: Online vs. Traditional

I'm all for taking sides when it makes sense. That said, I usually find debates about online vs. traditional learning kind of pointless. Much like debates between work-at-home and traditional career moms - "best" and "right" are defined situationally, in context; there is no actual "best" or "right." Is eLearning as good as face-to-face instruction? Is it better? Is the learning as sticky? It depends on the situation.

Lorri Freifeld's Training Magazine feature Online vs. In-Class Success is refreshing because Freifeld recognizes the importance of context when designing instruction and writing content. Training isn't an either or proposition; it's a What is the best training solution for this specific constellation of learner characteristics, performance objectives and resources? proposition.

That is the fundamental question instructional design should answer correctly. Every time.

Sally Bacchetta
Onwords™ column
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How to Create a Portfolio Site That Will Get You Hired

Many thanks to Jacco Blankenspoor for his kind mention and kudos for my website in his article, How to Create a Portfolio Site That Will Get You Hired. He wrote: "It’s great to see how writers say it with words, because that’s exactly what you hire them for. Instead of throwing around pictures, Sally makes sure everything she does is properly described. And she uses two little magic words which gives you an instant sense of quality: Award-winning."
His article is a good read for anyone with a personal brand. In Jacco's own words, "Developers, designers and writers each have different skills and work to display, but they all have one thing in common: they need to sell themselves to potential clients."
Thank you, Jacco!
Sally Bacchetta
Onwords™ column
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