RE: Web-based CBT

[BOlson@promega.com]

Sharyn Baker wrote:
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 1999 15:34:30 -0700 
From: Sharyn.Baker@UCHSC.edu
To: radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu

snip.
...we anticipate that the costs for our programs will not be nearly as
expensive as a generic created program from a commercial vendor...
snip.

------------------------------------

Sharyn, I read your response and respect your opinion because I know you
have been doing CBT for some time, but have to ask:  How can this be?  

As you know (because you were kind enough to send it in to me) earlier this
month, I sent out a survey to the RADSAFE, LABSAFETY, SAFETY, and BIOSAFETY
mailists talking about CBT that people are doing, and will be sending the
findings out to several maillists soon (we are finalizing it right now).
That is another (slightly-related) subject though that I won't get into now.

When you say "generic created program" do you mean some of the full CBT off
the shelf safety programs offered by MARCOM or MASTERY?  By "full CBT" I
mean something that utilizes video, audio, etc.  If so, are you sure you are
comparing apples to apples in MM Quality and capturing all of the costs?  We
have been "evaluating" CBT training for the past 18 months years for our
biotech company.  Our findings indicate that developing training yourself
(using existing resources or outside development companies) ranges from $35K
to $60K for one finished hour of CBT training (EVERYTHING included).  In
comparison, one hour of off the shelf CBT training (or what some call "one
title") will only put you back $500 to $900 for a single user, or ~$5K
(usually) for a network license.  This even includes off the shelf programs
that you can customize and non-proprietary programs as well.

I found that when you are looking at programs of the same quality (<---THIS
IS *KEY*), length, and capabilities...off the shelf programs are a fraction
of the cost of doing it yourself.  If data shows otherwise, I have found
that they it usually is not capturing the costs of everyone's time, or the
production is not quite at the same standard, etc.  Time is money, and needs
to me captured.  I have even found that it is far cheaper to take an off the
shelf program and customize it, taking away some of the fluff and adding
some of the technical data we need. In some cases - ten fold cheaper.

Developing full CBT programs (I have learned - I am no expert here) takes
several departments and personnel, including a project manager, tech writer,
media specialist, IS support technician, proper equipment, etc.  Developing
programs internally "from scratch" need people trained in Macromedia
Director (which you are I know), Authorware, or other top notch CBT
development software to match what some of the off the shelf programs are
being developed from.  Having you trained in Director IS VERY FORTUNATE FOR
YOUR INSTITUTION!.  

Or....when you say "generic created program" do you mean using canned
"writer" and "development" programs?  In this case, I have found that these
template programs usually limit the author to a template and do not produce
the results comparable to some of the off the shelf full CBT programs (such
as something from MARCOM or MASTERY, etc.).  

Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE to develop all of my titles internally.
THAT IS MY GOAL!  But I need numbers to justify it, and unfortunately, when
you are comparing apples to apples, the numbers don't look good.  I would
LOVE to bring you to Promega Corp. (in Madison, WI) as a consultant for us
or, visit you at the University of Colorado to take a look at how you are
doing it.

[Incidentally, as a side note, I do not consider the Landauer Radiation
Safety CBT program to be a "full" CBT program.  It is a CBT program, don't
get me wrong, but it does not utilize video and advanced MM techniques.
Also, I do not have any preference or relationship with any CBT  company].

Please keep in touch, as I highly respect your opinion in this matter - I
know you have been doing this for some time.

Sincerely, 

Brian Olson
Manager, EH&S
Promega Corp.
Madison, WI
608-277-2602
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