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     T&D EXTRA is an information service of Training & Development
     magazine, published by the American Society for Training &
     Development, http://www.astd.org.
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     THIS WEEK:

     1. News Bites
     2. Making the Case for WBT
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     NEWS BITES

     * Researchers at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and the
     University of Auckland in New Zealand say there's a link between
     learning and brain health. According to neuroscientist Matthew During,
     the team's recent study provides the first compelling evidence that a
     stimulating environment coupled with early, continued learning
     protects the brain from disease and increases its capacity to repair
     and regrow damaged cells. Their findings indicate that nurture may be
     more influential than nature when it comes to protecting the brain
     against cell loss and degeneration.
     (Net connection: http://www.jeffersonhealth.org/news/1999/033199.html)

     * Count computer giant Microsoft into the Internet2 research
     consortium now. It joins more than 15 other corporate partners in
     their efforts to develop broadband applications and network management
     tools for research and education. Microsoft has pledged more than $1
     million in goods and services to universities working on Internet2.
     (Net connections: http://www.internet2.edu; http://www.microsoft.com)

     * Annapolis-based MentorLabs has a new training solution for IT
     workers: vLab (for virtual lab, of course). According to the MentorLab
     folks, it's the first interactive, online training system that uses
     real Cisco hardware and software to give computer network pros
     real-time practice remotely configuring and controlling working
     networks.
     (Net connection: http://www.mentorlabs.com)
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     MAKING THE CASE FOR WBT

     "The basic return-on-investment formula is simple to use for many
     kinds of investments, but preparing an accurate ROI for training can
     be difficult. Although there are case studies of WBT ROI, assessing
     the total costs and benefits of a performance improvement program is
     challenging in most cases because there is no one-to-one
     correspondence between the training offerings and increased revenues
     and productivity. Furthermore, it can be difficult to determine
     exactly which and how much of dispersed organizational expenses are
     associated with the development of a training program." When
     describing the financial and organizational benefits of WBT, remember
     that it can
     * reduce or eliminate training travel expenses
     * reduce the time trainees must spend away from work
     * reduce the cost of updating and distributing training materials
     * offer greater flexibility in scheduling training
     * connect geographically dispersed learners
     * incorporate technology that is already owned but underused
     * standardize training across the organization.
     (Source: "Managing Web-Based Training," by Alan L. Ellis, Ellen D.
     Wagner, and Warren R. Longmire. Net connection:
     http://www.astd.org/virtual_community/bookclub)
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     Copyright 1999 by the American Society for Training & Development. All
     rights reserved.
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