Training & Development For Dummies
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Tweet your training? You bet! As social media and smart mobile devices like phones, tablets, and watches firmly establish their place in our society, you can use those resources and let technology make training more effective. Although there are many platforms to distribute the mini-blasts of information to an audience, Twitter is certainly seen as the most mainstream and the system most likely to be approved by your IT team.

With the addition of image attachments and its intrinsic limit of the limit of 144 character-messages, Twitter is perfect for concise, relevant training nuggets delivered right to your learners. Here are ten things you could tweet that would enhance either a face-to-face or virtual training program.

  • Short, snappy description of the training program to potential learners

  • Reminder of dates and times of program

  • QR code of the web page with more details on the program

  • Message from your CEO about the importance of the training

  • Learning objectives sent one at a time

  • Images evoking a training class they won't want to miss

  • Follow up job aids via a mini URL or QR code after the session

  • Reminders of new behaviors or knowledge you want to make stick

  • Tips for supervisors to ensure new training behavior is observed

  • Link to the program evaluation immediately after completion

QR codes, short for quick response codes, are handy little tools you can use in multiple ways. A QR code is a matrix of dots or lines that references a specific website containing a set of information. QR codes were initially an alternative to bar codes in the automotive industry. They can be created and read by anyone with Internet access and a reader (a smartphone camera).

QRs are an elegant, simple solution to be sure all the training content is always available. Suppose you need a forklift safety training video accessible to your team 24/7. Simply create the QR code with the URL address of your training video, print the code, attach it to the forklift, and learners can scan and watch the video anytime they need it.

As technology continues to change, more options will continue to be available to you. Developing your skills as an expert online trainer will enhance your entire perspective on learning and ensure that your organization is offering exciting, effective, and easy ways to create a learning adventure for your participants. As Helen Keller said, "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."

About This Article

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About the book author:

Elaine Biech is president and managing principal of ebb associates inc, an organizational and leadership development firm that helps organizations work through large-scale change. Her 30 years in the training and consulting field include support to private industry, government, and non-profit organizations.

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