Anytime, anywhere

Some trainers will never be completely satisfied with e-learning, but advan cements in wireless technology, online universities, and computer simulatio ns are bound to excite even staunch traditionalists. T+D's associate editor Powell looks at some amazing technologies and learning opportunities that are being dangled before our fingertips. For example, the July launch of AT&T's general packet radio service technol ogy cell phone is a huge first step towards the arrival of nationwide, high -speed mobile Internet access. Use of Internet-enabled cell phones, PDAs, a nd email devices is estimated to increase tenfold by 2004. And with increas ed usage comes a demand for applications and content, which certainly bodes well for suppliers. Another spin-off of anytime, anywhere, Internet access is a proliferation o f online universities, such as UNext's Cardean University and Phoenix Unive rsity Online, which is on fire-registering nearly 25,000 students and bring ing in US$54.1 million in revenue through third quarter 2001. Perhaps the ultimate extension of technology and e-learning is complex comp uter simulations, no longer just tools for military training. Corporations such as IBM and,Wal-Mart are taking advantage of advanced hardware simulate d training programs to train soft skills such as management and customer se rvice.