To enhance communications, education and training sessions via its learning channel, ABSA bank is poised to pilot an interactive distance education project together with it` business communications solutions provider, Global Access.
The new technology, based on software applications developed by the Israel-based Arel Communications, will enable the bank to allow participants around the country to actively participate in live broadcast sessions beamed via ABSA`s existing broad cast network which has leased airtime on the PAS 7 satellite.
The instructor will make use of a number of electronic teaching aids including a multimedia training session containing video, audio and data transmissions to enrich the lessons. "Participants can interact with the instructor by simply activating basic keystrokes on telephone handsets," explains Wickus Pretorius, senior project manager at Global Access.
These keystrokes may take the form of log in, log out raise hand, hand down, please repeat, live discussions audio conferencing, queries and exam participation, all via the Arel Interactive Distance Learning and Communications Technology (IDLCT).
Additional benefits include the ability to generate colour - coded bar graphics or pie charts that a map a student`s progress in real time, thereby identifying possible problem areas and allowing the instructor to take immediate corrective action.
According to ABSA`s Hettie van Zyl, manager L&D Central Delivery Department, installation of the IDLCT equipment has been approved for 50 sites nation wide. An additional ten sites per month will be added to this figure once the pilot`s scheme`s success rate shows measurable returns.
The system`s ease of use, open configuration and use of off the shelf components for much of it`s hardware requirements were key factors in it`s selection over a US - based competitive product.
Implication of Arel also implicates on how learning via the ABSA channel is designed. This type of design is much more interactive and allows extensive learner participation. Isabeau Korpel, manager: L&D Design & Development, and Debbie Adendorff, instructional designer, went to Arel`s headquarters in Israel for extensive training on the usage of the system.
This visit also included some strategic discussions on the future development of Arel. "Arel is definitely going to revolutionalise satellite based learning in ABSA" says Isabeau Korpel. It will enable ABSA to learn faster and more dynamic. The first Arel courses have been designed and will be piloted during November.
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