Computer Based Training Good? Bad?

https://www.humanperformancetools.com/human-performance-tools/should-we-consider-computer-based-training-as-an-impactful-solution

 will include the link to the article that I read prior to this blog post.  Computer based training (CBT) has become a huge concept that has been utilized for a while and became mainstream during COVID era. It is efficient, quick, cost effective, and I believe a complete waste of resources. Humanperformancetools.com website had an amazing article on this subject. It is something that I am truly passionate about because I am currently the Human Performance (HPI) Lead at the worlds most unique test nuclear reactor.

This article states a lot of good reasons why we should not use CBT as an impactful training and I think it is worth the read. Now let me tell you a little bit about my own experience. We do a CBT on the basics of human performance but as we move into the more advanced courses people do not know the basics even though the took the class. What I learn is that they are checking email, writing papers, doing procedures or anything else they need to complete while the CBT is happening on another screen they just look over at it long enough to hit the NEXT button. The major principles that we need them to understand is lost or never learned. This causes inefficiency in the system cause now I must spend hours helping them relearn the basics to be able to teach the class.

That is frustrating for the Teacher and other learners, and is something that has been a sore subject for a while. Taking an HRD class before this class has shown me the importance and impact of good training on an organization. People feel invested in not just another program they need to click through. Currently we are reducing seat time for training, this has already caused some to question if the company values them as employees. Training is usually the first thing to get cut when budget gets tight but they do not understand the impacts to culture that this may cause. Now even though this article agrees with me I have found many that talk about how great CBT is and the value they get out of it. That being said I think a lot of it is about how the CBT is utilized and incorporated. There is a place for technology in training but we must be careful we don’t loose the individual while doing it.