We held online workshops to expand their awareness of the possibilities of online tools. In addition, we featured innovative member organizations in our bi-monthly newsletter. Our web site was the first we were able to find specifically dedicated to the community-based training model. With a history dating back more than 125 years, this exposure was long overdue. The premise of the project was that we would define the project's direction and pace based on members'needs.
Most members do have computers they use with clients.
In our detailed learning about members' needs, we found that members required much more support, that they had a longer learning curve, and that their use of computer technology was much more diverse than we initially predicted. We had to slow down and address these needs. We therefore addressed this objective by attempting to meet these needs as best as possible. We now have an idea of which computer-based training tools people are using and where, but have not heard glowing comments about these tools. Community-based training clients, who are often isolated from participation in their communities, need to interact with people.