ITIL Expert Virtual Certification and Other Hot Training Trends
We're seeing a vast adjustment in how courses are purchased and consumed these days in the ITSM world. Here are a few of the trends.
Digital, Baby!
The world is definitely requesting virutal and online learning experiences. This is both a blessing and a curse. Part of a classroom experience is the opportunity to learn from other students. So if you take your learning online, you will achieve some benefits such as reduced travel expenses, flexibility in when to study and comfort of your own computer. However, be aware that you may miss out on some of the great relationships you build in a classroom. In the "digital" training world, there are really two categories:
1. Online Training has no instructor and is completely self-study. You can now achieve ITIL Foundation Certification in this format.
2. Virtual Training is instructor led, but the students are in a distributed setting. ITIL Foundation, Intermediate and Expert certifications are now offered in this format.
Gamification.
Ok, we've all learned that we learn better in an experential setting. Simulations and gaming are emerging as a fun and interactive way to learn. Examples include:
ITSM Simulation (PoleStar)- Classroom Simulations such as this bring together learners to a classroom. Ideally, you'd invite business leaders, executives and IT staff. Because it's a highly-interactive simulation, it is a high-impact, energetic way to accelerate understanding and acceptance of service management concepts such as ITIL V3. This particiular simulation's setting is that of a fast-paced global online retailer!
Cloud Challenge | Business Simulation- This is a good example of a single-player, online game. During the 2-hour game, you experience the business changes caused by cloud computing and virtualization. You interact with business partners and stakeholders from IT and other departments, and make strategic choices on cloud computing techniques that have an impact throughout the business.
Package It!
Many of the robust certifications these days require that you first achieve multiple certifications, as you work toward this certification (such as the ITIL Expert, ITIL Master or the ISO/IEC Consultant Manager certifications).
As a result, more people are looking to buy a bundled plan to get there. Sort of like buying a "degree plan" that you have some time to complete, but all for one price. This gives the students a couple of benefits:
1. No more having to go back to the manager each time to ask for more certification dollars.
2. It keeps the students focused on the FINAL goal. Keeps their eye on the prize. This leads to higher completion rates. If you've paid for it already, there's a higher likelihood that you'll actually do the work.
Program Approach
Probably the most RESPONSIBLE trend we see is that organizations are taking a "program approach" to training. This really ensures that dollars spent on a particular initiative "take."
Rather than approaching an initiatvie thinking, "You know, we should get one or two people trained in Cloud, so that we can better take advantage of the benefits that the cloud can bring us", more organizations are realizing, "To make any substantial change in our organization, we need to get an entire group bought into the same vision, vocabulary and potential benefits of intelligently adopting cloud services." They build training programs that mix:
1. Awareness Training
2. Formal Basic Training for many staff
3. Formal Advanced Training for select staff
The great news is that the current learner has more options than ever before to build a training program that is effective for the way that YOU learn best. Keep learning!
