Step 4 Plan for training that can develop a hands-on knowledge of Internet tools useful in achieving your organization's goals.
Once an Internet connection is established in your organization, training the staff in how to use it is an essential and worthwhile investment of time and money. When people know how to log onto the Internet, send and receive e-mail, and conduct a search for specific information, they will feel more comfortable exploring on their own. Overview: Training Your Organization to Use the Internet Training may take place in your organization in stages. For example, you may provide a general introduction to the entire staff and then more in-depth training to the people who will use the Internet daily. Or you may decide that everyone should have an introduction when the organization first gets Internet access, give people a chance to experiment, and then do a more targeted training once they have specific questions and requests. Here are a few ways to begin: 1. Once you have an Internet connection, provide hands-on training. 2. Begin with the basics. The objective is to give people enough information so that they feel comfortable with the technology and can use it as a normal part of their jobs. More advanced training and applications will come in time. 3. If you do not feel comfortable conducting the training on your own, ask for help. 4. During training sessions, identify fast-track applications of the Internet—aspects of the technology that could be used immediately and with minimal effort, but that will have significant impact. For example, establishing one e-mail account that the office will share will give you a great start in access to the Internet, while developing your own Web site will require a lot more time and effort and is a longer-term project.
Making the Training Worthwhile To offer good training, you need a good trainer (whether it is you or someone else). You want a trainer who gives participants the opportunity to do things for themselves, rather than just lectures at the front of the room; a trainer who allows enough time for questions but is also well-organized and moves along quickly; and a trainer who knows the Internet well and can explain it to novice users in a clear and noncondescending way. You also want a trainer who makes using the Internet and learning about its possibilities exciting and fun. Where you hold the training is important, too, whether it is in your offices or someplace else. You need as many computers as possible so that everyone can participate. Ideally, each person should have his or her own Internet-connected computer to use, or share a computer with just one other person. A computer support person should be available to help with any computer problems. The trainer should have access to a flip chart, slide or overhead projector, and other materials he or she might need. The training room should have enough light and ventilation for people to feel comfortable working intensively at computers. Participants should plan to devote their attention to the training and not interrupt the session to go back to their offices to attend to other work. Schedule breaks so that participants can make phone calls or just relax for a few minutes. Serve snacks and beverages for breaks and either ask them to bring lunch or make it easy for them to get it. You want them to work hard—and breaks and a midday meal will keep them alert during the training sessions.
Sources of Internet Training Expertise With more and more organizations and companies going online, you will probably be able to locate a capable trainer in your community. Here are a few places to look:
Once you have located a trainer, ask for references. If possible, observe a training session held elsewhere. Make sure the trainer's style will fit with your organization and that he or she can tailor the training to your organization's needs. There are many sites on the Internet that offer training materials, tips, and techniques. Ideally, you will have an on-site trainer who can answer your questions and provide a personal touch. Online resources can supplement training workshops and provide additional or more specialized information after the in-person sessions. Or, if necessary, adapt online resources to your own organization's needs and put on your own training. The Leland Initiative's Web site has its own training materials and a list of good training-related online resources.
Learning About Internet Tools and Features to Assist You in Your Job In the training sessions and as you begin to explore on your own, you will learn more about the features that are part of the Internet. As you become acquainted with each new feature, you may get ideas for how it can help you. For example, because you can send an e-mail to more than one person, maybe you could send your newsletter to 200 people at the same time via e-mail—thereby saving on postage and printing costs and getting each issue to them that much sooner. Or, once you learn how to do a search on the Web, perhaps you could compile a list of organizations that offer training courses on a particular topic. You will get other ideas about how the Internet can benefit you. Jot these ideas down, as Tina did for HEALTHLINK 2000 on the following worksheet. Or, you can distribute the worksheet at a training session so that participants can go back to their ideas as your planning continues in Step 5. Are You Ready for the Next Step? If you have successfully conducted or arranged training for your colleagues, congratulations! Remember that training—either formal or informal—is an ongoing process. Continue to make sure that you, as your organization's Internet champion, and others in the office keep abreast of new Internet developments and master already existing tools. In the meantime, draw on people's knowledge and enthusiasm to take a good look at how you can use the Internet to further your organization's mission. Step 5 offers a way to carry out that planning.
(For a blank copy of this
worksheet, see |
