02/09/02 - Rochester Institute of Technology and IO Technologies are pioneering a new chapter in printing, publishing and imaging training by offering innovative online courses. Registrations are now being taken for Introduction to Document Imaging Workflows, Becoming a Print Professional, Introduction to Getting It on the Web, Practical Color Management, Introduction to Digital Asset Management, Profitable Digital Solutions and Introduction to Variable Data Imaging. The courses represent a new training partnership between RIT Corporate Education and Training (CET) and IO Technologies. "The time for online learning has come for the graphic arts and imaging industry," says David Tontarski, senior program manager for CET. "The curriculum was developed by top industry experts and uses an adaptive learning technology to customize the experience for each individual. This way, it targets exactly what the participant needs to know and delivers the instruction efficiently without a lot of guesswork. This is very important to participants who don’t have time to waste going over information they already know. Plus, you can learn at your own rate, on your own time." Online learning also has demonstrated that it can provide increased information retention. The format also is popular among business travelers, who need the 24/7 access. Print ’01 Audiences Rave Several courses were demonstrated at PRINT ’01 to industry leaders, who acknowledged that online learning represents the future for the industry. "There is a lot of eLearning available today, and more to come, as the industry grows," said Richard Burke, vice president of business development for IO Technologies. "These courses are unique in that they represent precision training created by experts, focused on processes rather than products, and adapted to meet the skills and needs of the user." Cost ranges from $200 to $600 per course. When students register, they receive an allotment of online hours to finish a course. A free demonstration course is available at www.training.rit.edu/online.html. CET will exclusively distribute the training courses.