It is great to see Microsoft finally recognize the power of live online learning. On the other hand it is disappointing to see that MODL is essentially replicating the classroom experience rather than taking advantage of the benefits of the Internet to create a solution that combines the best of the traditional classroom (the instructors) combined with the ability to enable continuous learning.

At Thomson NETg, we have doing live online classes for several years with hundreds of thousands of hours of online classes having been delivered (we acquired the market leader KnowledgeNet back in 2004). Probably the most unique aspect of what we do is that we use a team of two dual instructors in every online class allowing us to teach the equivalent of a 5 day ILT course in 6 3hr sessions spread out over 3 weeks (plus we never cancel a class!). Recordings of each class are available for review or self-paced learning along with 24×7 access to online mentors to answer any questions you may have outside of class.

What I find interesting is that the cost of the Microsoft kits for their online classes is HIGHER than the equivalent ILT kit - that’s nuts - online classes should be able to take advantage of the cost savings inherent in using the Internet and pass those savings along to the learner. Heck, even with 2 top gun instructors in every class Thomson NETg sells it’s online classes at $1295 (SRP)! In any case I can’t even find anyone providing MODL classes.

But in the end the quality of the live learning experience will speak for itself - check out a recording of a live NETg online class at
http://www.netg.com/livedemo
and view the video bios of our instructors
http://www.netg.com/experts/instructors

Sincerely,
Ben

Ben Watson
VP, Collaboration
Thomson NETg
ben.watson@thomson.com