Improved training methods through the use of multimedia technology

The workforce within the U.S. is increasingly culturally diverse and mobile. Coupled with the fact that technological change is occurring more rapidly, a critical issue that has emerged for the 1990s is how organizations can improve their training methods to adapt to these conditions. Effective learning systems enable employees to adapt more easily to change, thereby increasing their effectiveness. Multimedia systems can be the solution to enhancing performance effectively and efficiently by accelerated learning. This paper examines such a system developed by Holiday Inn Worldwide for the implementation of a new information system. Individuals' performance and attitudes were tracked for two primary groups: those receiving training on a new information system using traditional training methods and those using a multimedia CDROM to acquire mastery of the same system. 826 employees participated, 467 of which were trained by the multimedia system. Attitude measures included attitudes toward self, job, training, and technology. Individual performance was measured by standardized tests on employees' knowledge of the new information system. Our findings demonstrated a significant improvement in employees' scores on system knowledge for employees in multimedia-trained sites when compared with traditionally trained employees. This paper reports the results of the performance issue only.