This is where we begin the NECTAS story about developing our on-line workshop. Once upon a time in late fall 1999, we started conceptualizing this workshop. Several projects had responded positively to presentations by Nancy and Nancy on on-line training. Plus, NECTAS had tried other on-line activities, such as our needs assessment last year, and project directors had found it quite satisfactory. It looked like the time might be right to try an on-line learning event.

A group of NECTAS staff representing all our departments sat down and discussed our organizational capacity to undertake such a workshop. We revisited the NECTAS mission and goals and concluded that this type of offering would extend our capability to reach clients. We realized that we had to experience quite a learning curve to take on this kind of endeavor.

By January 2000, our work team was in place. We also decided to contract with Jonathan Estes, our consultant, to enhance our capacity to produce the workshop. He provided a one-day training for the whole NECTAS staff as well as an individualized consultation for the team working on the workshop.

We advertised the workshop, registered participants, and conducted a learner needs assessment. In general, you wrote that you wanted to increase your knowledge and understanding and gain experience with on-line training. You also wanted to experience and understand the uses, benefits and limitations of different Web-based instructional strategies and tools.