Irvine, CA -- February 24, 2000 -- There is no doubt that the Internet is changing the way we do business, the way we live, and even the way we learn. In recent ad campaigns, Cisco Systems asserts that in the future, training for virtually every job on earth will be done over the Internet. Thanks to the Internet, students now have more flexibility than ever on how, what, when and where they can learn. Just a few years ago, the only option for those serious about training meant leaving their workplace, traveling to an appointed location, and sitting in a classroom with other students. At Ascolta Training Company, traditional training is still an option, but it is now possible to stay at home, log onto a computer and attend a virtual classroom.

Students log onto their computers from their remote locations and enter the virtual classroom. The students are connected to each other and the instructor via the Internet and they can all participate visually, audibly and verbally. Students can hear the instructor lecture, they can “raise their hands” to ask questions, and they can interact with one another. Ascolta E-learning instructor Chris Smith believes that “I can bring more flexibility to the e-learning environment than I can in a traditional classroom. I have the ability to bring guest speakers into the virtual classroom and they can log in from anywhere in the world. This is a tremendous resource that is extremely difficult in the traditional classroom.” Other features that are possible in the virtual classroom are the ability to demonstrate features of applications by sharing between desktops, doing virtual field trips, and recording the live sessions for later playback.

Students who have taken Ascolta’s e-learning courses are extremely happy with the learning environment, the interaction, and the knowledge they gain. Chris Smith says some students believe they have actually experienced “eye-to eye” contact with him, because the interaction is so real. Lance McLean of Streamline Solutions has taken Ascolta’s traditional instructor led courses, as well as, the e-learning courses and he “would much rather learn on-line, because it is extremely convenient and allows me to log in from anywhere.” Because of the rapid pace of changes in technology, keeping on top of these changes is difficult for IT professionals who have heavy demands placed upon their time. The internet provides them with a way to keep learning with minimal interruption.

The greatest advantage of taking classes on-line is the convenience of taking the class from your own home or office, minimizing travel and loss of productivity. The greatest advantage of being in a traditional classroom setting is having direct interaction with the instructor and fellow students. At Ascolta Training Company, these advantages are combined in our e-learning courses. Ascolta’s e-learning environment provides all the benefits of an instructor led class and the convenience of a virtual classroom located in the comfort of your own home or office. To find out more about Ascolta’s instructor-led and e-learning courses, please call (949) 477-2000.