Welcome to the latest edition of Training Today!
In each issue we bring you useful ideas, tools and information to enhance your training.

Articles in this Issue:

1. Training + Technology = Confusion?
2. Ice Breaker: Names and Adjectives
3. Trainer Spotlight - Featuring Charlene Straznitskas
4. New TellerSolution Release 7.0

It’s true that training and technology have come together and it doesn’t look like they will be separated any time soon. What does that mean to you as a trainer? It means that you need to be aware of the ever-changing technology.

SCORM
Perhaps the newest term being used for training is SCORM. SCORM is an acronym for Sharable Content Object Reference Model. It is part of an initiative by the US Department of Defense to standardize and modernize the way in which training and education are delivered.

Simply put Sharable Content Object Reference Model means that training programs are designed by modular topics that can be used alone or in conjunction with other training modules. When possible, courses are to be kept as “generic” as possible so that they can be used by different audiences and different institutions to make the training more cost effective. And the training modules are put into a Content Library to be distributed through a Learning Management System. Even a single financial institution can benefit from SCORM compliant courses because the courses are reusable among various training audiences.

Another area of SCORM that you should be aware of is that training modules require a Learning Management System to distribute and track the courses. And for a course to be SCORM compliant it must use the standardized code to communicate with the LMS and to post information such as User ID, scores, and completion status back to the LMS so that the student’s transcript can be updated.

If you are purchasing training courses to become part of your content library, here are some questions to ask:

1.	Is your Learning Management System SCORM compatible?
2.	Are the courses you are considering SCORM compliant?
3.	What successful experiences has the vendor had with implementing its content to a SCORM compliant LMS?
4.	What technical assistance will be provided after the sale to ensure a successful implementation of the training modules with your LMS?
5.	Will there be additional costs for the technical assistance?

If you are developing courses that need to be SCORM compliant, become informed. There are standards for instructional design, naming conventions, and file storage for CBT and WBT. Start your research before you begin writing your course. There are many resources available (including the SCORM documentation) that you can access through search engines.

Ask each person to take a few moments to think of an adjective that starts with the same first letter as his or her first name (e.g. "Sassy Sue"). Start by modeling it yourself. Then move around the group asking each person to state their name/adjective combination. Additionally, participants can be asked to share other pertinent information. At various points during introductions, or at the end, ask for volunteers to remember each of the names, with adjectives, that have been volunteered thus far.

If you have any great Ice Breakers that you'd like to share, send them to us at feedbacktrc@trcinteractive.com and we'll include them in future issues.

Trainer's Spotlight

Featuring…
Charlene Straznitskas
Vice President, Naugatuck Valley Savings and Loan

Teller Trainers are the backbone of retail banking, so in this issue of our eNewsletter we are featuring Charlene Straznitskas, Vice President for Naugatuck Valley Savings and Loan.

For thirty years, Charlene has worked in the banking industry and all thirty years have been with Naugatuck Valley Savings and Loan. Naugatuck Valley Savings and Loan has locations throughout Connecticut. In addition to her current position as Vice President that she’s held for two years, she’s responsible for the bank’s training. Charlene has also held the positions of Teller, CSR and Branch Manager. “What I love most about my current position is the help it provides to the teller staff that enables them to do their job comfortably and confidently.”

Recently Charlene and Naugatuck Valley Savings and Loan integrated BankTrainingOnline into their training program. “It has saved me so much time,” says Charlene. “I am able to depend on the authenticity of the contents without having to research for days… it is all right here.” She acknowledges that training can be overwhelming at times. “No one has just one responsibility, so using a program like BankTrainingOnline is essential. It provides the best training tools to help you do your job.”

In her leisure time, Charlene likes spending time with her husband, George, and her three wonderful, outstanding, brilliant grandchildren! She also enjoys reading, writing and hiking.

If you would like to nominate a Trainer for our Trainer's Spotlight feature, send an email to feedbacktrc@trcinteractive.com and be sure to include their name, financial institution, phone number and email address.

New TellerSolution Release 7.0

TRC Interactive is proud to announce the enhancements of the next release of TellerSolution ~ Multimedia Teller Training Program™:

1.	The Regulations Module has been divided into three Modules, which include Regulations - Product Information, Regulations – Customer Protection, and Regulations – Criminal Activities.
2.	Check 21 has been added to Regulations – Product Information.
3.	“Phishing” (internet fraud) has been added to the Security Module.
4.	The new colorized $50 bill and its features are featured.
5.	A Comprehensive Final Exam of 50 randomized questions is a new feature. Questions have been selected from each Module and added as a new button on the Main Menu. The questions and answers are included on the CD.
6.	New video has replaced the animation for counting cash. This is ideal for your staff so they can model the behavior.
7.	A contemporary look for a lot of the features has been added to the Program.
8.	Updated Action Guide sections are provided.