Web-Based Training Cookbook

Rating:
Summary: Advance praise for Hall's Web-Based Training Cookbook
Review: "Brandon Hall knows more about this field than anyone and he's put all that knowledge into this book. A must have for anyone who's serious about online training."
Gus Venditto, Editor-in-Chief,Internet World magazine

"In a day of rising concerns about the American work force's ability to hold its own in a fast-moving global economy, Brandon Hall offers not only a ray of hope but a definitive prescription on how worker skills can be lifted with the newest technology around-- the internet. Our CEO's, corporate training officers, and other managers will gain remarkable insights by reading Hall's highly informative and timely Web-Based Training Cookbook."
Gene Bylinsky, Member, Board of Editors, FORTUNE Magazine

"Brandon Hall has forgotten more about Web-based training than most of us will ever know. This book isn't just the meat and potatoes of WBT's concepts; it's a nine-course, soup-to-nuts examination of one of the hottest topics in the training world."
Bob Filipczak, Staff Editor TRAINING Magazine

"Brandon Hall has filled the vacuum by creating Web-Based Training Cookbook". He has developed frameworks, recipes, and guidance that is so necessary for success in training on the Web. We should shout a collective "Hallelujah" as we bring the results of our work to the table. Things would not have been as good as they will be as a result of this important and definitive book. . . . Web-Based Training Cookbook will be used often and will remain on my active reference bookshelf for years to come."
Gloria Gery, Gery Associates

"I found Web-Based Training Cookbook to provide comprehensive, objective, informative, and thought-provoking coverage of the complex world of Web-based training. It is a wonderful in-depth source of learning done by a wide range of individuals and organizations. Whether you are contemplating testing the waters of web-based training or have already begun your project, Web-Based Training Cookbook is an excellent resource."
Nancy Bartlett, American Management Association

"From the technical software issues through ROI to instructional design Brandon Hall has prepared a comprehensive in-depth source of information, techniques, case studies, models, and examples on all project aspects of Web-based training. It is a valuable resource for experienced computer-based trainers who are looking for information on the new tools and techniques for net-delivered training, for technical Web programmers and Web masters interested in instructional applications, and for managers concerned with ROI!"
Dr. Ruth Clark, Instructional Psychologist Center for Performance Technology Former President of International Society for Performance Improvement

"If a cookbook is a collection of recipes with specific ingredients and directions, then Web-Based Training is not a cookbook; rather it is a handbook for setting up a kitchen. It does include general recipes for different kinds of menus--text and graphics, interactive text and graphics, and interactive multimedia. It does include great examples of the type of courses you might cook-up. It will be the standard reference for Web-Based Training chefs."
M. David Merrill, Professor Utah State University

Rating:
Summary: An easy read and well-organized.
Review: Excellent book. It was an easy read because it was well-organized. Apparently the author knows a thing or two about good instruction.

I got a good overview and some new insights into WBT development. The book is probably most valuable to training executives and managers than to courseware designers and developers.

There were lots of valuable project walkthroughs, which conveyed a good feel for all aspects of the process of creating web-based training programs. It includes good discussions of project management and how to create proposals to motivate the projects in the first place. I can see where Hall's focus on return on investment and how each affected worker in the project may react positively or negatively to aspects of WBT.

The book has the best and most concrete explanation of storyboarding that I have seen.

The technical stuff was pretty good, despite the fact that the book is old (mid-1997) and tools, plug-ins, and development environments have changed a lot since those ancient times. For instance, by "browser" he really means Netscape, which in the spring of 1997 had an 87% market share and represented hot technology. Now, we have the advantage of not only of a more advanced browser, but also more advanced international standards in browser authoring, such as Dynamic HTML and Cascading Style Sheets.

Rating:
Summary: Too much common sense, not enough innovation.
Review: I don't really know why this is called a cookbook, it isn't set up like that at all. While it does have some interesting features, I think it's a little outdated and really should be revised to discuss some of the newer technologies available to trainers. This, and because it covers a lot of the very basics, might be why it seems to be filled with too much common sense and not enough truly innovative ideas. I've seen Brandon Hall speak at training shows, and he's obviously a leader in the industry. I just didn't think this book was worth (the money). I'd say only about a quarter of the book is useful. To top it off, the CD-ROM is a waste. I wouldn't recommend this book to trainers or instructional designers with any amount of real-world experience.

Rating:
Summary: Not a cookbook
Review: If you have much experience developing CBTs or multimedia projects, this isn't the resource for you. It's better for aspiring managers or managers of training depts. It's a good book to read if you want to know a whole lot ABOUT the field of WBT. The CD-ROM is not a model of good design. It provides a list of URLs but does not categorize the list. Unless you're very familiar with the training world, you don't know which are links to resources (most aren't) and which aren't. The NASA link takes you to a login page for NASA employees and contractors (I assume most of us are not either of these). All in all, I regret buying the book. It does have useful information and interesting asides, but I did not use it in developing my department or WBT strategy.

Rating:
Summary: I didn't like it, but you might
Review: It wasn't what I thought it would be. I took a class last summer and this was the book we used. If you are a technical type of person, you might understand it, or even a business person. The first half of the book talks about how you need a proposal and how to write one, why web training is ideal for business, etc. The last half is about how to set up a training website.

The book uses a lot of case studies, which seems like a good idea, but the book uses too many, and not enough concrete examples.

Rating:
Summary: Good but not quite there
Review: The book was great for an introductory and great on ideas. It was in no way a cookbook though.

Rating:
Summary: Web-based Training 101
Review: This book provides a good general description of web-based training, but lacks specific guidance/suggestions. In my opinion,this book is probably more valuable to training executives and managers than to courseware designers/developers.

Rating:
Summary: Highly Recommended
Review: This is one of the most comprehensive, training-related books I have picked up. It is suited for anyone involved in developing web-based training, and includes topics that managers will need (such as costing), and topics that the ordinary course developer can benefit from. It is technically accurate, and can be useful to training developers no matter what their level of technology-based training experience.

Rating:
Summary: First Comprehensive Web-Based Training Book
Review: This new book covers everything you need to know about implementing Web-based training. The book focuses on the best methods for designing and creating Web training content, setting up a network for Internet delivery, authoring tools, off-the-shelf courseware, administration & testing programs, and more! You'll discover how companies are benefiting from using the Web, and learn how to avoid the pitfalls. The book includes a CD-ROM that features sample code and links to other Web training sites, products, and companies. Plus, the book's companion Web site includes up-to-date information on web-based training and development topics at www.brandon-hall.com. I hope you enjoy the book. Feel free to email me at [e-mail]. Best regards, Brandon Hall, Ph.D.

Rating:
Summary: Good introduction to the subject.
Review: This work walks the reader through all aspects of the process of creating web-based training programs. It includes good discussions of project management and authoring tools.