Interactive Training encompasses many different forms of training, but usually refers to computer-based, multimedia presentations either delivered through the internet (web-based training, or WBT), an organisation's intranet or CD-ROM. Why use Interactive Learning for Health and Safety? The costs of workplace injuries continue to increase and companies are increasingly under pressure to comply with health and safety legislation by providing training and retraining for all employees. Finding effective and efficient methods of providing training is one of the biggest challenges facing health and safety professionals. Interactive computer based learning can be a cost-effective method of providing a consistent training message. Trainees can learn at a time and a place which suits them rather than attending a set course. The material, if well designed, can cater for a number of different learning styles, for example: by including case studies, photographs and video clips of their familiar working environment by designing a variety of interactive exercises and self assessments by including course topic maps, summary screens and closure at the end of each section by including links to background reference material, possibly on the web The trainee can control the pace of the course and can review sections until they are satified that they have learned and retained the information, and are ready to move on. Objective assessment tests can be undertaken to confirm retention levels. Training records are automatically stored, including the date and time at which the training took place, the duration of the training, the answers given by the trainee and the score in the assessment tests. Trainers are free to concentrate on the courses which are less suited to computer based training.

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