Abstract
M.Ed.
The purpose of this literature study, was to identify training skills and techniques foran interactive
distance learning system in Telkom SA and to develop criteria to develop these skills and
techniques.
With the training needs in Telkom SA, the board decided to add interactive distance training to
their contact training method to help fulfil the need. Research was undertaken to decide which
system will fulfil their needs. The system which was bought by Telkom SA is the American One
Touch System, which is known as SKYTRAIN.
Existing training officers in the service of Telkom SA will be used to train employees by
using the SKYTRAIN programme. During the implementation, it was found that training
officers do not have the necessary skills and techniques to train as successfully as they do
in the usual class situation. Positive and negative aspects were identified with the initial
presentations.
In co mparing traditional distance and contact training to the proposed interactive distance training
model, the required skills and techniques were identified and categorised in four categories:
preparation/planning of an interactive presentation using SKYTRAIN;
the presentation;
presenter; and
trainee.
From the above categories the following criteria were developed to provide training officers with
the necessary training skills and techniques for the SKYTRAIN interactive distance learning
programme:
quality planning/preparing;
effective presentation;
effective presenter; and
effective learning.
In order to train as successfully as in contact training, by using the SKYTRAIN interactive
distance learning programme, trainers should get use to this method. Using the
abovementioned criteria, existing trainers can develop their skills to use the SKYTRAIN
programme, to train effectively, as they do in face-to-face instruction, in which the trainer and
learner share the same physical space.