A question often asked by training managers is, "I've got a new training program coming up -- should we do it on CD-ROM or on the Web?" Although other articles have shown the many pros and cons to each delivery method, the major advantage of CD-ROM delivery is its ability to deliver multimedia, and the major advantage of WBT is the ease of delivering and updating the content. The figure below shows a simple decision grid to help answer this question. It assumes that students have the technology to access both types of delivery.

Decision Matrix: CD or Web?

The horizontal access plots the need for video and audio, while the vertical access plots the likelihood of changes to the content. If you think your content will change more than once a year, you should consider that a frequent update. When determining the need for video and audio, think carefully about the true value it brings to your program. While talking-head narrators are nice to have, using text and graphics instead probably won't change the learning outcomes. However, if you are training certain behaviors (for example, selling skills, coaching, or interviewing) then the ability to view video clips of model behaviors in realistic scenarios is beneficial.

What About Hybrids?

Though still uncommon, another consideration is to use a "hybrid CD." This is basically a program that pulls multimedia content from the CD-ROM, and content that is more likely to change from a web site. This provides the best of both worlds, and facilitates student tracking on the web as well. The downside is that cost and time of development will increase as special considerations need to be made as to how to design and program for both CD and Web technologies.