OCR A2 ICT G063 - Chapter 4

a) Software-Based Training

How they help with employees with changing work practices – computer assisted learning can be used at home or in own time, the staff can work at their own pace so they can repeat sections as often as necessary, management can monitor staff progress automatically, computer based training could be used as part of a wider training programme perhaps involving interactive video training

Discuss the use of software based training – usernames and passwords to record progress, automatic marking of assignments, own pace learning, interactive quizzes, standardisation of training, ability to self pace through materials, accessibility of materials, ability to repeat sections, motivation of workers undergoing training, further training requirements, cost of implementation, individuals learning styles and interactivity

Computer Based Training

Advantages – can be done in your own time so do not have to do it in front of lots of people, can go over each topic a number of times to reinforce learning, use different methods of training such as sound/video/pictures/text to convey information, management can monitor progress and give them help if their is a problem

Disadvantages – require a level of ICT competency to use the system so they will need to learn the new system in order to undertake training, impersonal training method so they may not be suitable for all people and therefore less effective, self  motivation required as a tutor will not always monitor their progress

b) Limitations of ICT

Limitations of using a computer to answer exam questions – may take longer to input answers leaving less time to answer all the questions, diagrams may not be as intricate so you need knowledge of how to create diagrams on screen, need to be able to type accurately to ensure answers can be marked, technical equipment may not work properly meaning the exam is disrupted causing stress to the candidate

Problems with speech as an input method – may not be understood so the training system may not discern between different pronunciations of words, interference so background noise could affect the accuracy of input to the system, audibility so the manager would have to ensure that they spoke loud enough for the instructions to be recognised

Limitations of working from home – self-discipline needed to avoid being distracted as other jobs take priority, job credibility so demands upon time increase due to presence at home, feeling of isolation as you may miss the camaraderie of the office, household bills may go up as heat, light is needed for a longer time, need appropriate technology which will attract costs, availability of technical support so you may not be able to get support for hardware/software at home

Why the check-in system is networked – reduces the need for data duplication so the integrity of data increases, different users can have access to the same information and data can be exchanged, changes in seating allocation can be communicated immediately which aids communication flow from check-in to boarding

c) Networks at Home…