When it comes to today’s IT training customers have several options from companies nationwide. Instructor led training, mentored learning training, self-based learning and remote training all have their place in training. Some students prefer to learn at their own pace and others like instructor led so they can ask questions and receive feedback. Here at Centriq we offer 3 main training solutions to our customers as part of our Centriq Choice Program including Local Instructor Led Training, Remote Instructor Led Training and High Definition Instructor Led Training. Local instructor led training has always been the favorite training type for most students. Local ILT gives the opportunity for the student to have interaction with the instructor and receive feedback on questions and comments. As an instructor of 15 years, my own opinion is biased. I believe Local ILT provides the best opportunity for students to learn. However in today’s environment, Local ILT is not always available because of time constraints of work and the cost of travel. Also for some students there is the time away from the office. In most of my classes today, corporate students are connected to work by either a laptop or cell phone still working even while attending classes. It might not be the best learning opportunity but it is better than no training at all. So is there a way for students to still get the training they need, be able to still be in touch with work and save money on travel and other expenses? Remote ILT may be the answer for you and your company.
With the increase in bandwidth, speed of internet links and new tools and methodologies, Remote ILT has come a long way. Here at Centriq Training we are currently providing 2 ways to provide students with access to remote training—Remote ILT and HD ILT.
Remote ILT is where a student can access a live class remotely from their work or home. The class will have both students in the class as well as students remoting over the internet. Just like a student in the class, each student will have access to the following: 1) their own host pc with their own virtual pc or VMware machines and 2) access to the instructor as well as other students via two way audio, one way video and internet chat. The remote student can ask questions in class of the instructor or class so they feel a connection as if they are right in the class. As an instructor I have been through extensive training to ensure remote students are encouraged to participate in class and feel at home.
Along with my training, we also have tools that ensure that the remote student has a great experience. First, Centriq sends out prior to the first day of class a check list of items for the student to complete to ensure proper and efficient connectivity to the classroom. The student will also receive a headset with a microphone to ensure the two-way audio for the class. Once the student has completed the checklist, they will be ready to attend the first day of class. Also to ensure a good experience, we provide the best tech support should the student have any connectivity issues before and during class. Centriq utilizes tools such as Microsoft Office Live Meeting for audio, video and chat, Citrix’s Go To My PC for the host connection and NetSupport for classroom management. Consider, for example, a remote student having an issue with a lab. All they have to do is tell the instructor what they are having a problem with, then the instructor can use NetSupport to see the students host (which by the way is in the classroom, not in a rack somewhere out of sight) and help them. Also if they are experiencing problems with the host, the instructor can go over to the host pc and fix the problem or have our support team fix the issue. As you can see, using these tools along with a qualified remote instructor, the remote student will feel like they are right there in the classroom.
Our second remote solution, HD-ILT, utilizes a two audio-video solution. We have a 60 inch High Definition TV with camera in the classroom at Centriq. This currently is available for high-end Cisco classes only. The student will come to Centriq and actively participate in a Cisco certified class remotely with a Cisco Certified Instructor and authorized curriculum. The instructor from the remote classroom will see and hear all the students in the Centriq class and vice-versa. The big benefit is that the student will be working on live Cisco equipment and not simulators or virtual machines. Need a Cisco class that Centriq is not teaching locally? Check our schedule for remote Cisco VOIP, Security and Wireless classes. We will still be teaching Cisco classes such as CCNA and CCNP locally, but for those who need more advanced Cisco training make sure you check out our HD-ILT solution.
I think the best benefit from Centriq’s remote training solutions is the cost and time. No more does a company have to spend money on travel expenses to Kansas City for a week to take a course, now the student can be at work or home to and still get the training they need.
I encourage you to check out our course schedule at http://www.centriq.com/CentriqSchedule.aspx and I hope to see you in a local or remote class.
- Tom Pruett, Cisco & Security Expert; MCT, CTT+, CISSP, CWNA, CEH, CHFI, CCSI, CCNA, MCSE LinkIn with Tom
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