News
Expert Panel Provides Best Practices for Developing Training for New Technologies
Posted December 2017
We are all familiar with scenarios where, even though training should be a top priority; it is in fact the last priority of an organization. This culture, unfortunately, is even more apparent when implementing new technologies.
During the Center’s October 26, Making Connections conference, the “Training for New Technologies” workshop gave participants the opportunity to be prepared when their organizations meet these pressures.
The following panelists, discussed lessons learned when designing, developing and implementing training for new technologies such as positive train control, track circuit technologies, etc.:
Joe Brosseau; Director, Communications and Train Control (C&TC); Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI)
Melvin Clark; Rail System Safety & Regulatory Compliance Officer; Capital Metro, Austin, TX
Julie Deibel-Pundt; Program Manager of Instructional Design; Transportation Learning Center
Anthony Forcina; Executive Director - Positive Train Control; MTA, Metro-North Railroad
Both Anthony Forcina and Melvin Clark provided the perspective from Public Transportation Agencies, focusing mostly on the challenge of implementation - of both the new technologies and of the training that will enable the workforce to use, maintain and repair these new technologies. Joe Brosseau from TTCI discussed common fallacies and fears around new technology. The main fallacy is that new technology will fix all the problems when the reality is far from that. Not only will the new technology not fix everything but it may also create some new, unforeseen negative side effects. The fears, specifically from the workforce to be trained, generally come from not being informed of the upcoming technologies. Joe also introduced how seemingly impossible it is to develop training for technologies that are still being designed, developed and/or tested. Julie Deibel-Pundt delved further into this challenge by illustrating how training for new technologies causes major challenges in the usually straightforward, systematic approach of instructional design.
The proposed solutions to these issues are outlined in the workshop presentation.
For more information contact Program Manager of Instructional Design Julie Deibel-Pundt .
