A course management system, or CMS, would be the best distance learning tool to use in this case. A CMS is beneficial in this case because it allows students, or in this case, employees to use screen captures, online documents, discussion boards, and virtual classrooms. Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, and Zvacek (2012) stated that CMS's offer structure that students need to stay organized and focused. They also are versatile enough that learners can log on at their own convenience and do the necessary work and participate in discussions, which adds to learning.
The first distance learning technology that I would www.blackboard.com. Blackboard is a CMS that allows you to stay connected and share information on any device. It is an enhanced educational experience, one in which learners can use at any time. Therefore, the training workshop could be set up on Blackboard, and at their convenience, employees can log into the online classroom and take the training course. Also, they can post their own documents and can participate in online collaboration. Even social media can be utilized using this website. Virtual classrooms can be created, as well as discussion boards, which would make it easy to participate in classroom discussions, and maybe use a Q&A activity to check for understanding.
Another distance learning tool to use in this instance is a wiki. Using a wiki, employees will be able to post screen shots, upload documents, add and edit content to the corporation wiki. A wiki is not a CMS, which is why I would use it as a secondary tool. There are no virtual classrooms, however, it is still very useful and effective to use as a training tool. Discussions can take place, and the training workshop can be uploaded to the wiki where the employees may view it, again at their convenience.
Both of these tools can be effective in training employees to use the new automated staff information system. They each are unique in what they offer, but both allow the employee to be trained at a time that works for them, which solves the problem of all the employees being in different regions. The CMS can offer many additional things to the training, while the wiki will just simply get the job done. In my opinion, they would be most effective if used together.
Blackboard. (21, January 2012). Retrieved from http://www.blackboard.com.
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education. (5th Ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.