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 Distance Conferencing allows for learning and knowledge exchanges using computers and telecommunications. Distance Conferencing technology is versatile. This technology can be used to conduct an actual training class or to hold meetings among team members who are not in the same location.
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 As described below, learning strategies are often used in combination with one another or may be closely linked to one another. Groupware: Groupware technology allows for a large group of people to provide their input and receive immediate feedback that has been processed and analyzed. Distance Conferencing provides a forum for communicating, learning, and exchanging ideas. Learning Groups (Teams): Learning Groups (or teams) are gatherings of individuals who meet to focus on their own learning and development in a particular interest area such as information technology, public speaking, or career paths. Learning Groups can use Distance Conferencing if participants are geographically dispersed. Cross-Functional Teams: A Cross-Functional Team is composed of people with varied levels of skills and experience brought together to accomplish a task. Cross-Functional Teams can use Distance Conferencing if participants are geographically dispersed. Parallel Learning Structures: Parallel Learning Structures (also known as Communities of Practice) promote innovation and change by working to open new channels of communication outside of and parallel to the normal, hierarchical structure. Parallel Learning Structure groups can use Distance Conferencing if participants are geographically dispersed.
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Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of Organization and Employee Development HHS recently used computer conferencing to pilot a change management class for its Quality of Work Life initiative. Participants from various regions around the country were able to discuss change/transition issues and share ideas, concerns, and solutions. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) The EPA used computer conferencing to create a learning community. People from Headquarters, Human Resources, local, and regional offices were linked together, using Distance Conferencing Technology. Over the course of 16 weeks, people shared experiences about various learning technologies and what they learned about using each technology. Participants provided support and advice to one another and discussed how their learning fit into their larger goals. Department of Defense (DoD), Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative The Department of Defense offers 20,000 courses to 1 million employees each year. To help cut the cost and to deliver training to the learner's desktop, the Department recently helped launch the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) initiative. One of ADL's goals is to support the development of a standard object specification that allow for reuse of learning resources across agencies. Food and Drug Administration, Food Safety Initiative Under the Food Safety Initiative (FSI), FDA proposed to train foreign, Federal, State and local investigators and inspectors to conduct food inspections. The "Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) Charting a Safer Course" training was widely distributed to Federal, State, and local regulators of retail food establishments and was designed to assist them with the use of HACCP in their food protection programs. Using satellite technology enabled FDA to train over 2,000 participants located across the U.S. (including Puerto Rico) and southern Canada. The training even reached to China as the Chinese Embassy sent their regulators to the DC downlink site. All written materials were sent via email as an attachment to designated state coordinators. The state coordinators made copies and sent to facilitators at each downlink site, who made copies for participants at their sites. Written materials included: course manual, exercise packets, answers to the exercises and a facilitator manual. The satellite broadcast was approximately 4 hours long with breaks included. Course content was emphasized through Q&A via phone or fax, exercises (done both on air and off air) and discussions at each site with the site facilitator. Since the initial HACCP broadcast, FDA has aired additional programs, the latest being a Food Microbiological Course. FDA continues to expand its use of videoconferencing in field training. Future plans include courses in epidemiology and traceback. American Management Services, Inc. This Fairfax, VA-based management consulting firm has set up a knowledge center and uses an Intranet environment to link approximately 10,000 employees located in 53 offices worldwide. Associates are identified as knowledge center "experts" and share information on recent innovations and other ideas with their colleagues through the Intranet.
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 Web Resources Defense Acquisition University's Distance Learning Implementation Plan (PDF File) Distance Education Clearinghouse Information Technology Policy On-Ramp General Services Administration The Learning Revolution Online Article Team Knowledge Management: A Computer-Mediated Approach Online Article Videoconferencing: Your Passport to Productivity Online Article Work Together, Apart! Twelve Technology Tools To Help You Overcome the Perils of Virtual Partnering
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 Following are links to the other Organizational Learning Strategies:
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