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The modern technologies for training or in other words the information technologies are developing at a very fast pace. Since information is an important resource in training, it is desirable that the available information technologies are used optimally both for institutional and non-institutional trainings. Moreover, depending on the socio- cultural and socio-economic background of the trainees, sometimes the electronic learning materials can be given for self-paced learning which the trainees can do at home as per their convenience, for example, the audio cassette, the video cassette or even compact disc can be given as post-training material. On contrary the use of modern technologies make the learning process more interactive, interesting and comprehensive. Further the technologies provide new ways of transferring a large body of knowledge and skill in a capsule form.
The use of modern information technologies is governed by factors like, availability of technologies, the training situation, the background of trainees and the skill of the trainer in handling equipment. A quick glimpse at the transformation of information technologies would reveal that during mid fifties to late eighties, the radio was most used technology which got gradually replaced by transistor. Both of these audio aids were a source of individualized or group learning but with introduction of television these information sources got faded out. In the present day situation the television has become a forceful source of information as it combines both seeing and hearing and thereby, captures attention of the viewers. Television has also entered the rural homes in a big way and all efforts are made to make the educational or development messages user-friendly. Television programmes are good sources of information for relating or reinforcing learning during training sessions.
The invention of audio cassettes followed by video cassettes for use in the audio player or video player or a combination of audio-video player also proved to be effective in transferring need-based messages to learners either during a training session or as post-training learning material. While audio cassette contained only verbal message, sometimes with music in the background, the video cassette visualizes the verbal message with motion and colour. Both the information technologies include pre-recording, instant playback, omitting unwanted portions and possibility of multiplication of copies and accordingly, these are handy means for transferring information.
The present century witnesses the expansion of electronic media with telecommunication at its peak. Computerized information services such as View data, Videotext, World Wide Web and Internet, including CD-ROM technologies fill the gap of paucity of experts for imparting training to a large group of learners. The computerized information services allow learners to select specific and need-based information as per their convenience, proceed at their own pace, reduce time of learning, learn smaller segments in available time and assess self-learning.
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