Training Just Entered the 21st Century
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by: polytron1983
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Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2012 Time: 11:41 AM
It’s compact, quick, and simple to use. It goes anywhere your people go and can be customized to fit their preferences. Once you see it, you won’t forget it. What is it? A CBLO, or Computer Based Learning Object, that puts employees in the control of their self-directed learning. CBLOs are a high-performance, low-cost way to deliver crucial information anytime, anywhere. They’re proving to be very effective as just-in-time training for operators, maintenance technicians, and others. With the help of CBLOs, one manufacturer saw overall efficiencies rise 15% in a matter of weeks.
TRAINING TIME SLASHED BY 30%; SKILLS IMPROVE
The team created a CBLO for one of the nation’s largest convenient foods manufacturers in 2008. It would support ongoing, second generation training and refresher training for a new Ingredient Blending installation. The CBLO was rapidly developed and then delivered to 21 different sites.
Two years later, we found out just how much of a hit the CBLO had been. The team had been called to a meeting with the same manufacturer to discuss a different training initiative. In the room were more than 20 Project Managers, R&D Engineers, and Site Managers. Many were familiar with the CBLO from two years before, and all were enthusiastic about the results. The CBLO had cut training time by about 30%, and users found it extremely helpful in general. As one individual summed it up, “This tool worked perfectly for us!” Everyone wanted a new CBLO for the next training initiative.
OVERALL EFFICIENCY INCREASED 15% IN A MATTER OF WEEKS
In another example, a global consumer goods company was down 20% in efficiencies over the previous year. The downturn was caused by a lack of knowledge concerning operating procedures and troubleshooting, plus a general lack of ownership by operators. The training team was called in to help turn things around. They created four CBLOs as part of a new training program. Within weeks of implementation, overall efficiency increased by an incredible 15%.
SO WHAT IS A CBLO ANYHOW?
Each CBLO is a short standalone training module delivered on-demand when and where your employees need it. It captures the knowledge of your most experienced employees and makes it accessible to everyone via a desktop or tablet PC, HMI, or other device. For example, an operator might pull up a CBLO on an HMI to review the steps involved in a changeover. The operator would see exactly what to do, following step-by-step instructions with video and sound. The same CBLO could then be used as introduction to a classroom training session or a refresher afterwards. It could even become part of a marketing video.
EACH CBLO INCLUDES THREE SECTIONS:
1. Get Ready. Adults learn better if they have a quick introduction to the topic before diving into the details. So, your CBLO starts by telling them what’s coming, why it’s important, and what they’ll be able to do with their new knowledge.
2. Get Knowing. Next your CBLO presents the content.
· For operators (who usually prefer step-by-step instructions) – we recommend a screen-by-screen presentation that walks them through the process from start to finish while listening to clear, simple instructions throughout.
· For maintenance techs (who most likely want more freedom to explore) – we would feature a component exploration screen. This lets them skip over the basics and go straight to the component or area they need to learn about.
3. Get Results. Since most people don’t like testing, we keep assessments short – five questions or fewer – and focus on the most important parts. The assessment can exist in the following formats: True or False, Matching Items, Fill in the Blank, or Assemble the Widget.
WHAT MAKES CBLOs SO SUCCESSFUL? THEY’RE F.A.S.T.E.R.
· Fit –designed to mold to the learning styles of the people who will use them
· Accessible – from any device like a PC, Tablet, HMI, or PDA…any time of day or night
· Speedy – letting users get information on demand and see timely results through increased understanding/skills
· Targeted –each CBLO focuses on a particular skill, topic, process, or piece of equipment
· Easy – simple to use and presents information in lucid, energetic, and interesting ways
· Relevant – specifically built to meet your training goals and immediate objectives
About the Author
Polytron helps customers engineer and operate with manufacturing excellence. The company is based in Duluth, Georgia (north of Atlanta), applying its project management and engineering expertise in hundreds of engagements with many of the world's largest Food, Beverage, Pharmaceutical, and Consumer Products companies, as well as in the Water and Waste Water Treatment industries since its founding in 1983.
