Transitioning to a global classroom

The world is no longer comprised of isolated pockets of communities, but now has become an interdependent web that spans the entire globe. Training must be able to reach across the globe to provide a worldwide training solution. As companies span the globe, education for their employees must do the same. This is a case study combining design, construction and facility management concepts for advanced technology facilities using web-based technologies. This method provides student's access to receive the necessary training while being available at the work site for their companies. It incorporates Project Based Learning (PBL) to provide students a safe environment to experiment, create and sometimes fail, while allowing the opportunity to think, discover, and most importantly, leam. Technology allows combining online and face to face education for optimal learning. Current research indicates students retain 75% of the information presented when they are engaged and learning by doing. Web-based modules allow students to learn at their own pace while interacting with peers, encouraging collaboration and sharing of lessons learned. Additionally a face to face learning environment enables review and clarification of topic information as well as practical, real-life application of scenarios that are common to facility and/or project managers.