Mobile learning via PDAs and cell phones just sounds complicated and expensive. But companies who use it say it saves money and also saves paper. Take a cue from these two companies.
Mobil learning means telecommuters and road warriors don’t have to take time out to come into the office for a meeting. It also cuts cost by eliminating the sometimes massive amounts of paper associated with training and the extensive amount of time required to get the message to all employees.
The technology is particularly attractive to younger workers.
Black & Decker and CA have latched onto the new technology, and are reaping the rewards.
Black & Decker sends out key bits of information to their 300 field reps. Their training package includes:
- Two- to three-minute info bits
- Key info on products
- Task lists
- Images
- Quizzes, and
- Short videos about products.
CA (formerly Computer Associates) uses mobile learning in conjunction with conventional classroom or e-learning courses. They give field reps Blackberries to access:
- Company blogs and wikis related to course content
- New-hire training
- Leadership development
- Sales coaching, and
- Virtual discussion rooms.
Reps also receive an alert when there’s a new comment or content. As an added bonus, employees network and get addicted to responding to comments and checking on updates — like e-mail.
Both companies have reported increased participation in training, better ROI and savings.
With the rapid advancements in PDA and cell phone technology, mobile learning is going to become even more accessible.
