IPads for Professional Training 1

IPads for Professional Training

Yasmine Shami

University of Houston- CUIN 3313

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In the past couple years, technology has become prevalent in all aspects of life. People have

incorporated technology in their everyday life and have also found ways to utilize the positive

aspects of technology to their greatest advantage. In the workplace, technology is heavily used

whether it is to communicate with coworkers, complete tasks, or retrieve information. The iPad

virtually changed many parts of life, especially in the workplace. Employees no longer have to

carry around big, bulky pieces of metal that they call laptops or work on something as boring and

stationary as a computer. They have been introduced to the iPad and have become, along with

many other people, extremely familiar with the device. In the workplace, iPads are most often used

to train and benefit employees. The device can be used as an E-book that can showcase educational

reads such as manuals and user guides “that will make for easy browsing and reference on a tablet

device like an iPad” (Kadle). Other ways the iPad can be used include: multimedia presentations

where “the touch interface will enhance the quality of existing interactions”, learning games that

enhance certain skills and “may be effective especially when used for soft skills”, simulations that

could be developed as a “multiplayer simulation that demands collaboration from learner to

achieve simulation outcomes” that can encourage teamwork and train employees for success in

their job in the real world, high definition videos for effective learning that will be “effective for

learning; customized high definition, anytime video will have a greater idea,” easy communication

with coworkers and managers that will also allow easy and tangible collaborations through sites

like Skype, as well as teach types of psychomotor skills such as “graphic design, or technical

drawing, or for exploring technologies” (Kadle).

The iPad is considered affordable as well as portable and fairly easy to use. It has been

difficult to embed high text training solutions in professional training and “though a high-tech

training solution may seem expensive, iPads can actually be much cheaper than paying to update,
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print, and ship paper material, especially with software, like PlayerLync which makes it easy to

roll out updates chain wide from the corporate offices” (Carouthers). Although it is a tablet, there

are many accessories that can make the iPad powerful and comparable to a standard laptop. It is

also important to note one of the greatest perks of the iPad- it serves as the definition of instant

and embedded learning. It is difficult for anyone to sit through a boring lecture and training session

while retaining all of the information provided. “Requiring team members to sit in a manager’s

office to complete lesson and then try to remember and apply it when they get to their workplace

isn’t always effective” (Carouthers) which makes performing tasks on the job unnecessarily

difficult. Embedded learning is more powerful than the traditional approaches to learning. If

employees were to come across a task that they simply do not remember the correct methods to

use to efficiently complete it, they can easily and quickly access an iPad and use the device to

retrieve instant information. Incorporating technology in professional training through “iPad

implementation, allows learning to be extended beyond the walls of the classroom” (Wainwright).

IPad users can get the most benefit out of their device by downloading a number of the endless

amounts of apps offered. IPad users can run almost any business tool that they have access to on

computer. The iPad offers Microsoft Office mobile apps which include work tools like Excel,

Word, and PowerPoint. Quickbooks used for processing invoices from anywhere. OneDrive which

is a cloud storage system that makes it easy to save important documents and access them from

anywhere. The opportunities for iPads in the workplace are endless.

It is important for employees to progress the company they work for by retrieving the most

up-to-date information. Innovation is more tangible than ever with help from the iPad. Efficient

and quick work is required with the pace that the workplace is progressing. In order to achieve the

most out of a business, communication needs to be at the center of needed skills. IPads “help a
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business share information with employees on the fly and in real time” (Desmind). There is no

longer a need to wait until important information is transported from one end to another because

the iPad allows for instant transmit of information and the fact that it is portable enables the

improvisational aspect. The IPad provides infinite features that allow training in the workplace to

be more efficient and enjoyable.

When discussing professional training, it is important to identify what average adults

requires to make success and progression possible. Employees have the innate need for

engagement, experience, and feedback. For engagements, trainers can use small groups,

discussions, and simulations for create active learning experiences. Adults also want to use their

experience, therefore, trainers need to discover their students’ knowledge and help them apply

those skills to new situations that they will encounter. Employees also need to be provided with

feedback when they are being trained. It is necessary for employees to be given opportunities to

practice their new acquired skills as well as be coached to make sure that they are confidentially

using their newly learned skills to their best advantage. When training is built around these

principles, the outcomes will be greatly improved and employees will be happier with their training

experience. By using iPads, these concepts can be applied with ease. One of the best advantages

of the iPad is in fact engagement. Small groups and discussions can be comfortably formed through

a number of group communication apps. Through the use of iPads, employees can receive

feedback in a more comfortable and less confrontational way. It is proven that employees that are

more comfortable are happier and happier employees leads to higher job efficiency.

The training possibilities are endless while utilizing an iPad. The iPad is truly an

astonishing breakthrough device that has forever changed professional training and learning. The

tablet is constantly improving and is managing to be the ultimate future of learning methods. The
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company that created the iPad, Apple, places great importance on innovation, so great

advancements to the iPad are certainly expected. Employees are quickly becoming more involved

and interactive as a result of trainers using iPads to spread the needed knowledge for trainees

because “when instructors learn how to effectively take advantage of its capabilities for supporting

teaching, the iPad can revolutionize the way students are taught” (News). Companies are seen to

be investing more towards iPads and are making it possible for the device to be easily accessible

to employees. Classroom training is slowly becoming ancient which is a great benefit to trainees

that long for quick and enjoyable learning. Workplaces are benefitting from the new retained

knowledge that their employees make use of while completing important tasks. Trainees rarely

learn from traditional training methods because it is completely outdated and the iPad fulfills the

needed requirements for learning in training which are portable, easy to use, and constantly

improving technology. Trainees are now able to use their training skills to their highest potential.

Presentation link: https://spark.adobe.com/video/uNIUasVwmU7KY

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References

(n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2019, from https://youtu.be/nz6SwliUWoE

Carouthers, P. (2019, November 2). Is iPad Training Right for Your Brand? Retrieved from

https://www.qsrmagazine.com/sponsored/ipad-training-right-your-brand.

Kadle, A. (2016, February 1). Seven Ways to Use the iPad for Workplace Learning.

Retrieved from https://www.upsidelearning.com/blog/index.php/2010/02/09/seven-ways-to-use-

the-ipad-for-workplace-learning/.

News. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.focuseduvation.com/using-ipad-classroom/.

Desmind, R. (2016, February 10). Trying to Train Your Salespeople? Use iPad apps..

Retrieved from https://chaione.com/blog/trying-to-train-your-salespeople-use-ipads/.

Wainwright, A. (n.d.). Why Use iPads & Other Technology in the Classroom as Learning

Tools. Retrieved from https://www.securedgenetworks.com/blog/Why-Use-iPads-Other-

Technology-in-the-Classroom-as-Learning-Tools.