| Just a few years ago, web-based learning | | | | truly interesting ways this technology could |
| through PCs was seen as revolutionary. | | | | be used. In the kitchen, internet-enabled |
| Companies could put their orientations and | | | | appliances could actually teach you how to |
| ongoing trainings on line and all employees | | | | cook as you go, sending information to a |
| would get standardized learning. Soon, with | | | | nearby monitor about when food is done, or |
| the spread of wifi, router-based, and | | | | ready for the next step. An internet enabled |
| satellite wireless networks, people could tap | | | | coffee maker could use web-based training to |
| into this type of training while on the run. | | | | help you brew perfect coffee that responds in |
| A salesperson could get trained in the latest | | | | real time to the fineness of the ground |
| marketing presentation while riding on a | | | | beans, the temperature of the water, or the |
| plane to her or his next destination. Or a | | | | density of the resulting beverage. In all of |
| person could get oriented to their new job | | | | these examples, web based learning would take |
| from home before the first day they work. | | | | place in real time, and could lead to new |
| Now, web-based trainings have taken another | | | | skills being developed. And in each example |
| step forward due to the technology involved | | | | there is also the potential of tapping into |
| in internet-enabling devices besides | | | | live help. In the first example, a guide |
| computers. There are some obvious examples of | | | | could catch you up with whatever you'd missed |
| how this might work. For example, your TV may | | | | in the conference if you "arrive late". In |
| be connected to the internet in a way that | | | | the internet enabled printer example, live |
| allows you to tune in to a training or | | | | help could assist you when a document |
| conference as easy as changing to a specific | | | | presents particular difficulty - the person |
| channel. You could use your DVR and truly get | | | | on the other end could "see" what is going on |
| the most out of the conference. There are | | | | in real time. In the third example, a cook |
| also less obvious but still valuable examples | | | | could teach people how to cook her or his |
| of the potential of internet enabled devices. | | | | recipes almost like he or she is there - even |
| For example, an internet enabled printer | | | | checking the temperature and other |
| could tap into web-based trainings in helping | | | | information from their remote location. |
| you maximize the quality of photographs | | | | Perhaps the most exciting aspect of web based |
| before printing them. You could learn how to | | | | learning and internet enabled technology is |
| crop, sharpen, lighten, etc. your photos by | | | | the ability for people to do things together |
| having an online guide that directs real-time | | | | even when they are far apart. Literally |
| information to a nearby computer. That | | | | hundreds of people could be part of a web |
| web-based guide, because the device is | | | | based conference that helps them learn the |
| internet enabled, can actually "know" what | | | | latest uses for an internet enabled device. |
| you've just done and direct you about whether | | | | Or, your friend, relative, or teacher who |
| that was correct or not. If you have an | | | | knows how to do something you don't could |
| internet-enabled all-in-one device, you could | | | | provide you with web based learning where |
| also learn how to scan and fax for maximum | | | | they can see and react to your input on an |
| results. There are even some far out, but | | | | internet-enabled device. |