The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago wanted to upgrade employees' basic writing skills without sending them to a workshop. HR realized that a workshop would not help employees improve their basic skills.

They wanted training that would

1. allow trainees to take the course when they had time
2. work with trainees individually because each had individual needs
3. allow more capable trainees to enroll in advanced courses
4. provide regular feedback on progress to the administrator

The Business Writing Center developed a training design that

1. is Internet-based so trainees can take it at their own pace
2. includes individual attention from a qualified writing instructor through an 800 number and e-mail address
3. begins with an assessment of writing ability and written evaluation for the trainee
4. requires more work by the employee than a workshop does
5. allows more capable trainees to enroll in advanced courses
6. provides an online progress report the administrator can monitor [Click here to see a sample.]