Videoteleducation : lessons learned

Abstract

Videoteleducation is a method of education and training that is occurring more frequently in corporate, military, and educational environments. VTE provides education and training to people who cannot or who prefer not to attend traditional educational institutions, to employees or companies who need timely information, and to those who seek cost savings for training widely dispersed groups of people. This study uses personal interviews of professors and trainers in both the military and civilian sector and reviews the VTE literature to determine lessons learned from VTE. Results show that VTE causes changes in instructional design, physical, administrative and technological support, production facilities, and student/teacher preparation. The transition from a live classroom to VTE requires teachers to develop new skills and behaviors. Additionally, VTE saves costs and effectively delivers training as shown in studies of private corporations, federal agencies, educational institutions, and the military. However, VTE is not applicable to all courses and teaching methodologies. While researchers claim that VTE is effective, they often have not applied appropriate evaluation measures to their claims of VTE efficiency and effectiveness. Decision-makers should conduct thorough analyses and exercise caution before committing to a VTE program based on the claims in the literature