OK so you may have heard of this already. However, although I have heard it "bandied about" as they say in Yorkshire, I've never really understood what it meant....its a bit like the term WEB 2.0 everyone seems to talk about it but no-one admits to not really knowing what it means....watch this space for that one. So social bookmarking and Del.icio.us let us explore what it can do for us at elearn2work.
Social bookmarking is a way of sharing knowledge and information that could be useful for everyone who likes the things we like. The idea is that you use del.icio.us to bookmark pages of interest to you, then you "tag" them, ie give them key word descriptions that allow other people to find them. The beauty is that del.icio.us stores your bookmarks for you so that you can access them anywhere. This becomes really useful when you have a group of like-minded people, a bit like us at el2w, that are all interested in the same sort of info. Lets get down to the nitty gritty: We are all interested in all things elearning right? So we log into http://del.icio.us/elearn2work using the login: elearn2work and password: el2wsa then we can set our browser up with the del.icio.us button(they show you how when you first log in) Now any time you come across an article, journal or site to do with the project or elearning you can click the del.icio.us button and it will be saved. Pretty soon we should have a pool of elearning links and bookmarks.
Why not set up a del.icio.us account for your organisation? Get your staff to add any bookmarks that are pertinent to your area of interest...a great tool for informal learning and collaboration.
To make things easy I have put a link to del.icio.us in the side bar.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
PebblePad e-portfolio tool
Went to a demonstration of this tool at the Educa online conference in Berlin last week.
I was very impressed with this tool; particularly useful for capturing informal learning by the learner. pebblePad is a learner-centred fully portable e-portfolio tool for life that is very easy to set up and use.
Once an account is created, any number of assets such as achievements, targets, experiences can be logged by the user. The learner can create a web page with links to particular achievements and experiences. Anything that is recorded or uploaded into pebblePad can be shared with named people. These people can be given different levels of access to the assets within the e-portfolio.
Coming soon is a new interface that will appeal more to younger learners and get them engaged in learning how to organise their lives online.
If you attended the online educa conference in Berlin this year, view and contribute to the webfolio created in pebblepad
I was very impressed with this tool; particularly useful for capturing informal learning by the learner. pebblePad is a learner-centred fully portable e-portfolio tool for life that is very easy to set up and use.
Once an account is created, any number of assets such as achievements, targets, experiences can be logged by the user. The learner can create a web page with links to particular achievements and experiences. Anything that is recorded or uploaded into pebblePad can be shared with named people. These people can be given different levels of access to the assets within the e-portfolio.
Coming soon is a new interface that will appeal more to younger learners and get them engaged in learning how to organise their lives online.
If you attended the online educa conference in Berlin this year, view and contribute to the webfolio created in pebblepad
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Coming Soon The Elearn2work Framework tool
Sorry I haven't posted all week but we've been beavering away at putting together a kind of audit tool for all you small businesses out there to use. The plan is that it will contain some diagnostics to assess your requirements and then give you a number of options for content development, delivery methodolgy and delivery hardware. There will be reviews, case studies and step by step instructions to help you make the best choice for your business. I'll post the link to it as soon as it is completed, but just thought I'd give you something to look forward to. :-)
Friday, October 20, 2006
The Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC)
At the conference, I got the chance to have a play with a number of devices and I was really impressed with this:
Microsoft have got together with a number of partners to bring you their latest baby sometimes referred to as the Origami or Q1 UMPC. It has a 7" screen which can be attached to an equally small but usable keyboard; it can be used as a wireless tablet PC with its touch screen and stylus (what really amazed me was that you can scribble onto the screen and it renders it digitally and even formats it for you) ; It even has a text type interface that you can thumb type in much the same way as you do when texting. You can access the web, watch movies, flash e-learning modules, listen to music, access email, download news feeds, make free calls using voice over IP, prepare presentations and do pretty much anything that your laptop/pda/iPod/Desktop PC can do! It even has GPS and bluetooth. Will it kill off the ipod? I don't think so, its not exactly pocket size, but it does fit nicely into a brief case or handbag and is so versatile, if I was going to buy a new PC for myself, this would be my choice at around £799.00.
The main thing that struck me was, how useful would this be for the small business? Compact, versatile and full of features, something that your staff could take home on an evening to do their training perhaps. Let me know what you think.
Microsoft have got together with a number of partners to bring you their latest baby sometimes referred to as the Origami or Q1 UMPC. It has a 7" screen which can be attached to an equally small but usable keyboard; it can be used as a wireless tablet PC with its touch screen and stylus (what really amazed me was that you can scribble onto the screen and it renders it digitally and even formats it for you) ; It even has a text type interface that you can thumb type in much the same way as you do when texting. You can access the web, watch movies, flash e-learning modules, listen to music, access email, download news feeds, make free calls using voice over IP, prepare presentations and do pretty much anything that your laptop/pda/iPod/Desktop PC can do! It even has GPS and bluetooth. Will it kill off the ipod? I don't think so, its not exactly pocket size, but it does fit nicely into a brief case or handbag and is so versatile, if I was going to buy a new PC for myself, this would be my choice at around £799.00.
The main thing that struck me was, how useful would this be for the small business? Compact, versatile and full of features, something that your staff could take home on an evening to do their training perhaps. Let me know what you think.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Handheld Learning 2006
Just returned from the Handheld learning conference 2006 in London. The conference was generally aimed at schools, but there was still a lot to be learned from the many vendors of handheld devices and even some of the pilot applications in schools.
Over the next few weeks I will be showcasing some of the items and applications I tried out and also putting some useful links up here...just need some time to wade through all of the papers that I collected.
Over the next few weeks I will be showcasing some of the items and applications I tried out and also putting some useful links up here...just need some time to wade through all of the papers that I collected.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
How great is this?
Paul in our office sent me this You tube video which I thought was amazing. Not sure where it would be used in the scope of this project but thought it would entertain you all in the absence of any other posts.
You can find out more by reading this article:
You can find out more by reading this article:
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Interactive text messaging revisited
The long awaited meeting with Mark Cody of 02 took place this week. I was hoping to find some new and innovative way of closing the loop on training courses that were delivered outside the bounds of a Learning Management System. As we have been looking at new ways of delivering content ie such as via an iPod, how could we be sure that the material had been watched and understood? Inside a Learning Management System, you would be given a test which would capture and store your results.
Using Interactive messaging you can send messages and quizzes to anyone who owns a mobile. They can be asked a number of multiple choice questions and their answers could be easily texted back directly into a database. Excellent for uses in compliance training to register the fact that they have received and understood the message.
This technology could also be used for reminders, snap surveys and opinion polls as well as marketing and customer service uses. Anyone who has called the AA after breaking down will know that while you wait in your car they send you a text containing the name, company and registration number of the vehicle that will come to your rescue, together with the estimated time of arrival. A really good tool for enhancing the customer experience methinks.
We are currently looking at setting up a pilot to explore its uses in e-learning; so if you are based in Yorkshire and Humberside and employ under 50 people, contact us we may be able to help you
Using Interactive messaging you can send messages and quizzes to anyone who owns a mobile. They can be asked a number of multiple choice questions and their answers could be easily texted back directly into a database. Excellent for uses in compliance training to register the fact that they have received and understood the message.
This technology could also be used for reminders, snap surveys and opinion polls as well as marketing and customer service uses. Anyone who has called the AA after breaking down will know that while you wait in your car they send you a text containing the name, company and registration number of the vehicle that will come to your rescue, together with the estimated time of arrival. A really good tool for enhancing the customer experience methinks.
We are currently looking at setting up a pilot to explore its uses in e-learning; so if you are based in Yorkshire and Humberside and employ under 50 people, contact us we may be able to help you
Friday, September 22, 2006
PSP - exciting new developments
Ok so I know that I've harped on about the joys of iPods and podcasting when used for training. I haven't really touched on the use of other gaming consoles like the nintendo DS and PSP. Well, I haven't really looked into the DS yet, but I have it on good authority that it could be used as a training device, I just need to figure out how you get stuff onto it. The PSP however, I have had considerable success with. I have managed to load training videos onto it, powerpoint presentations and I have accessed web pages and pocasts from it. It also has a larger screen that the iPod, and small speakers. Plus you can pick them up for a very reasonable £130! You do need to convert any video into the relevant mp4 format (there are different mp4 formats for different devices) but this is not difficult to do. But what has got my mind racing is this:
This little eyeToy camera is coming soon as an add-on for the PSP together with VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol - basically allows you to make voice calls over the web - heard of Skype?) Imagine if you can access the web, you can use Skype or an instant messaging service to talk in real time with your tutor and actually see them too! How cool is that?
This little eyeToy camera is coming soon as an add-on for the PSP together with VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol - basically allows you to make voice calls over the web - heard of Skype?) Imagine if you can access the web, you can use Skype or an instant messaging service to talk in real time with your tutor and actually see them too! How cool is that?
3D TV on the horizon
Was reading an article on http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/5356176.stm which states that 3D TV could be with us pretty soon. How does that relate to e-learning you may ask. Well I know it seems pretty pie in the sky at the moment, but imagine the possibilities particularly for real-life training simulations. Imagine hospital staff being shown by 3D images how to lift a patient correctly or administer drugs to the correct area of the body. Or a machinist being shown how to clean down a machine safely. There are many applications where 2D just isnt rich enough and where face to face was really the only way forward.
At the meeting I went to at the Learning Light, the speaker demonstrated a handheld device that when pointed at a piece of paper on the table, it showed a screen with a 3d man walking across it and by walking around the piece of paper, you could see the man from all the different angles. It was very clever and I couldn't help thinking that one day soon, in much the same way as my kids marvel at stories of my first telly, my grandchildren will listen in awe as I tell them that I held one of the first devices that conveyed holographic images.
At the meeting I went to at the Learning Light, the speaker demonstrated a handheld device that when pointed at a piece of paper on the table, it showed a screen with a 3d man walking across it and by walking around the piece of paper, you could see the man from all the different angles. It was very clever and I couldn't help thinking that one day soon, in much the same way as my kids marvel at stories of my first telly, my grandchildren will listen in awe as I tell them that I held one of the first devices that conveyed holographic images.
PSP additions
Ok so I know that I've harped on about the joys of iPods and podcasting when used for training. I haven't really touched on the use of other gaming consoles like the nintendo DS and PSP. Well, I haven't really looked into the DS yet, but I have it on good authority that it could be used as a training device, I just need to figure out how you get stuff onto it. The PSP however, I have had considerable success with. (special thanks to Bomski in our office who has been invaluable when I needed help with video creations and conversion) I have managed to load training videos onto it, powerpoint presentations and I have accessed web pages and pocasts from it. It also has a larger screen that the iPod, and small speakers. Plus you can pick them up for a very reasonable £130! You do need to convert any video into the relevant mp4 format (there are different mp4 formats for different devices) but this is not difficult to do. But what has got my mind racing is this:
This little eyeToy camera is coming soon as an add-on for the PSP together with VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol - basically allows you to make voice calls over the web - heard of Skype?) Imagine if you can access the web, you can use Skype or an instant messaging service to talk in real time with your tutor and actually see them too! How cool is that?
This little eyeToy camera is coming soon as an add-on for the PSP together with VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol - basically allows you to make voice calls over the web - heard of Skype?) Imagine if you can access the web, you can use Skype or an instant messaging service to talk in real time with your tutor and actually see them too! How cool is that?
3D TV on the horizon?
Was reading an article on bbc.co.uk which states that 3D TV could be with us pretty soon. How does that relate to e-learning you may ask. Well I know it seems pretty pie in the sky at the moment, but imagine the possibilities particularly for real-life training simulations. Imagine hospital staff being shown by 3D images how to lift a patient correctly or administer drugs to the correct area of the body. Or a machinist being shown how to clean down a machine safely. There are many applications where 2D just isnt rich enough and where face to face was really the only way forward.
At the meeting I went to at the Learning Light, the speaker demonstrated a handheld device that when pointed at a piece of paper on the table, it showed a screen with a 3d man walking across it and by walking around the piece of paper, you could see the man from all the different angles. It was very clever and I couldn't help thinking that one day soon, in much the same way as my kids marvel at stories of my first telly, my grandchildren will listen in awe as I tell them that I held one of the first devices that conveyed holographic images.
At the meeting I went to at the Learning Light, the speaker demonstrated a handheld device that when pointed at a piece of paper on the table, it showed a screen with a 3d man walking across it and by walking around the piece of paper, you could see the man from all the different angles. It was very clever and I couldn't help thinking that one day soon, in much the same way as my kids marvel at stories of my first telly, my grandchildren will listen in awe as I tell them that I held one of the first devices that conveyed holographic images.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
X-men or e-learning?
We had a meeting with some of our UK and transnational partners and took the opportunity to show them some of the new technologies that we are currently researching. Pictured below is Rod Knox CEO of Virtual College, wearing the latest in video and 3D Glasses.
We were able to project e-learning modules from an iPod into these and are looking into developing some training simulations to run in them.
Also below is Me (Abby Dacres) with Lukasz Arendt one of elearn2work's transnational partners, Theresa Williams, Project Manager UK & transnational and Dan Jordan Senior Technical Developer Virtual College.
Ok so it does look a little unconventional, but the elearning experience is pretty cool. I can't see your average person sitting on a train with their ipod just yet, but a lot of businesses do employ youngsters and what better way to engage them?..these glasses can be used with gaming consoles as well as computers and many hand held devices. Perhaps they could be loaned out on the proviso that the training be completed. The learner could then be tested via a Learning Management System to close the loop on the training experience. You saw it here first!
We were able to project e-learning modules from an iPod into these and are looking into developing some training simulations to run in them.
Also below is Me (Abby Dacres) with Lukasz Arendt one of elearn2work's transnational partners, Theresa Williams, Project Manager UK & transnational and Dan Jordan Senior Technical Developer Virtual College.
Ok so it does look a little unconventional, but the elearning experience is pretty cool. I can't see your average person sitting on a train with their ipod just yet, but a lot of businesses do employ youngsters and what better way to engage them?..these glasses can be used with gaming consoles as well as computers and many hand held devices. Perhaps they could be loaned out on the proviso that the training be completed. The learner could then be tested via a Learning Management System to close the loop on the training experience. You saw it here first!
X-Men or elearning?
We had a meeting with some of our UK and transnational partners and took the opportunity to show them some of the new technologies that we are currently researching. Pictured below is Rod Knox CEO of Virtual College, wearing the latest in video and 3D Glasses.
We were able to project e-learning modules from an iPod into these and are looking into developing some training simulations to run in them.
Also below is Me (Abby Dacres) with Lukasz Arendt one of elearn2work's transnational partners, Theresa Williams, Project Manager UK & transnational and Dan Jordan Senior Technical Developer Virtual College.
Ok so it does look a little unconventional, but the elearning experience is pretty cool. I can't see your average person sitting on a train with their ipod just yet, but a lot of businesses do employ youngsters and what better way to engage them..these glasses can be used with gaming consoles as well as computers and many hand held devices. Perhaps they could be loaned out on the proviso that the training be completed. The learner could then be tested via a Learning Management System to close the loop on the training experience. You saw it here first!
We were able to project e-learning modules from an iPod into these and are looking into developing some training simulations to run in them.
Also below is Me (Abby Dacres) with Lukasz Arendt one of elearn2work's transnational partners, Theresa Williams, Project Manager UK & transnational and Dan Jordan Senior Technical Developer Virtual College.
Ok so it does look a little unconventional, but the elearning experience is pretty cool. I can't see your average person sitting on a train with their ipod just yet, but a lot of businesses do employ youngsters and what better way to engage them..these glasses can be used with gaming consoles as well as computers and many hand held devices. Perhaps they could be loaned out on the proviso that the training be completed. The learner could then be tested via a Learning Management System to close the loop on the training experience. You saw it here first!
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Learning light event
Attended a talk by Ron Edwards - Ambient Performance at the Learning light event last night. The talk was around using new technologies to deliver learning. There was a lot of buzz around using iPods and PSPs, I am pleased to say. There were a lot of devices and software solutions that I hadn't considered,such as online gaming, so I will be looking into those. Also some of the stuff we had been doing surrounding the use of GeoVid was new to the speaker and other experts in the room; so I felt quite proud that we too, were at the cutting edge when developing new ways of delivering content. Much information was shared, which is what these meetings are all about so I felt that it was a great success. Ron Edwards has an excellent blog; I have placed a link to it in the side bar. Go check it out and keep yourself in the elearning "know".
Learning Light Event
Attended a talk by Ron Edwards - Ambient Performance at the Learning light event last night. The talk was around using new technologies to deliver learning. There was a lot of buzz around using iPods and PSPs, I am pleased to say. There were a lot of devices and software solutions that I hadn't considered,such a sonline gaming, so I will be looking into those. Also some of the stuff we had been doing surrounding the use of GeoVid was new to the speaker and other experts in the room; so I felt quite proud that we too, were at the cutting edge when developing new ways of delivering content. Much information was shared, which is what these meetings are all about so I felt that it was a great success. Ron Edwards has an excellent blog; I have placed a link to it in the side bar. Go check it out and keep yourself in the elearning "know".
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
More training onto ipod
Had a problem a week or so ago where I wasn't able to get our Flash training modules onto iPod or PSP because of the way that they were created. Well I did a bit of lateral thinking and came up with using some screen capture software to run through the training module. All I had to do then was convert the resulting avi movie to MP4 and I was able to load into iTunes and the PSP software (cant remember what they call it)and subsequently onto the iPod and PSP. The quality was fine except that the mike on my laptop picked up sound from me moving my hands over the keyboard. Perhaps I can set it up so that it only records the audio from the training material and not external input. (Although how useful would that be? being able to narrate whilst you show someone how to access software or use the internet...you could develop a training video very quickly and cheaply for people to play later.
OOh sorry I forgot to tell you the software I used: Snagit8 and ImToo both are available for a free trial download...give it a go and see what you can do!
OOh sorry I forgot to tell you the software I used: Snagit8 and ImToo both are available for a free trial download...give it a go and see what you can do!
Monday, September 04, 2006
More training onto iPod
Had a problem a week or so ago where I wasn't able to get our Flash training modules onto iPod or PSP because of the way that they were created. Well I did a bit of lateral thinking and came up with using some screen capture software to run through the training module. All I had to do then was convert the resulting avi movie to MP4 and I was able to load into iTunes and the PSP software (cant remember what they call it)and subsequently onto the iPod and PSP. The quality was fine except that the mike on my laptop picked up sound from me moving my hands over the keyboard. Perhaps I can set it up so that it only records the audio from the training material and not external input. (Although how useful would that be? being able to narrate whilst you show someone how to access software or use the internet...you could develop a training video very quickly and cheaply for people to play later.
OOh sorry I forgot to tell you the software I used: Snagit8 and ImToo both are available for a free trial download...give it a go and see what you can do!
OOh sorry I forgot to tell you the software I used: Snagit8 and ImToo both are available for a free trial download...give it a go and see what you can do!
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Another use for RSS?
Sorry to digress again but I got an email from a marketing guy I had spoken to on a forum weeks ago about RSS. He sent me a report that detailed how RSS worked (which I now didn't really need, but I thought I'd give it a read in case there was some aspect that I hadn't grasped.) There was one aspect which I hadn't considered as I was concentrating on using RSS from an elearning point of view, but you could actually use it in terms of e-marketing. As a project, we produce newsletters on a monthly or bi-monthly basis, we save up stories news and events to send out one newsletter which may or may not be fully read. If we get our end readers to subscribe to our RSS feed, we can update them daily on the latest project developments, whether that be news, podcasts, videos, product reviews etc. Worth thinking about more strategically perhaps. Click here to download the document(you need to give your name and email then a link to the document is sent to you - if you don't want to do this let me know and I'll get a copy to you)
Delivery hardware - the handheld Sony reader
When I first looked at this I have to say that I wasn't convinced. People like books, why would they want to carry around yet another mobile device? But then my boss pointed out that it could be a really useful device for field engineers to carry service manuals or perhaps to download training documents to be read later. So I thought I would investigate as this sounded like a really good application of this emerging technology.
I visited the Sony site to see if I could get a handle on the features. The main thing I noticed was there was nothing on there that really told you how you would get training material onto the reader. This would need to be straightforward for people to adopt it for use in their businesses. It seems that you can download books, but you have to do it through the sony connect store using some software that is provided with the reader. (sounds a bit like the ipod and iTunes...just try getting anything that isn't bought from the apple iTunes store onto your iPod and you will have to trawl various forums to find out how to do it because Apple don't make it easy for you.) Also, although it does say that the reader stores pdf's blog entries etc...These need to be converted into the correct format by the accompanying software. Without buying one and trying it out, its going to be hard to assess how much of a faff this is going to be. I'll see if I can do that...and report back.
I visited the Sony site to see if I could get a handle on the features. The main thing I noticed was there was nothing on there that really told you how you would get training material onto the reader. This would need to be straightforward for people to adopt it for use in their businesses. It seems that you can download books, but you have to do it through the sony connect store using some software that is provided with the reader. (sounds a bit like the ipod and iTunes...just try getting anything that isn't bought from the apple iTunes store onto your iPod and you will have to trawl various forums to find out how to do it because Apple don't make it easy for you.) Also, although it does say that the reader stores pdf's blog entries etc...These need to be converted into the correct format by the accompanying software. Without buying one and trying it out, its going to be hard to assess how much of a faff this is going to be. I'll see if I can do that...and report back.
Another use for RSS?
Sorry to digress again but I got an email from a marketing guy I had spoken to on a forum weeks ago about RSS. He sent me a report that detailed how RSS worked (which I now didn't really need, but I thought I'd give it a read in case there was some aspect that I hadn't grasped.) There was one aspect which I hadn't considered as I was concentrating on using RSS from an elearning point of view, but you could actually use it in terms of e-marketing. As a project, we produce newsletters on a monthly or bi-monthly basis, we save up stories news and events to send out one newsletter which may or may not be fully read. If we get our end readers to subscribe to our RSS feed, we can update them daily on the latest project developments, whether that be news, podcasts, videos, product reviews etc. Worth thinking about more strategically perhaps. Click here to download the document(you need to give your name and email then a link to the document is sent to you - if you don't want to do this let me know and I'll get a copy to you)
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Delivery hardware - the handheld Sony reader
When I first looked at this I have to say that I wasn't convinced. People like books, why would they want to carry around yet another mobile device? But then my boss pointed out that it could be a really useful device for field engineers to carry service manuals or perhaps to download training documents to be read later. So I thought I would investigate as this sounded like a really good application of this emerging technology.
I visited the Sony site to see if I could get a handle on the features. The main thing I noticed was there was nothing on there that really told you how you would get training material onto the reader. This would need to be straightforward for people to adopt it for use in their businesses. It seems that you can download books, but you have to do it through the sony connect store using some software that is provided with the reader. (sounds a bit like the ipod and iTunes...just try getting anything that isn't bought from the apple iTunes store onto your iPod and you will have to trawl various forums to find out how to do it because Apple don't make it easy for you.) Also, although it does say that the reader stores pdf's blog entries etc...These need to be converted into the correct format by the accompanying software. Without buying one and trying it out, its going to be hard to assess how much of a faff this is going to be. I'll see if I can do that...and report back.
update: Decided that I wouldn't pursue this at this stage. However, if there are any small businesses in the Yorkshire and Humberside area that could find a use for this, contact us and we will see if we can use your business as a pilot case.
I visited the Sony site to see if I could get a handle on the features. The main thing I noticed was there was nothing on there that really told you how you would get training material onto the reader. This would need to be straightforward for people to adopt it for use in their businesses. It seems that you can download books, but you have to do it through the sony connect store using some software that is provided with the reader. (sounds a bit like the ipod and iTunes...just try getting anything that isn't bought from the apple iTunes store onto your iPod and you will have to trawl various forums to find out how to do it because Apple don't make it easy for you.) Also, although it does say that the reader stores pdf's blog entries etc...These need to be converted into the correct format by the accompanying software. Without buying one and trying it out, its going to be hard to assess how much of a faff this is going to be. I'll see if I can do that...and report back.
update: Decided that I wouldn't pursue this at this stage. However, if there are any small businesses in the Yorkshire and Humberside area that could find a use for this, contact us and we will see if we can use your business as a pilot case.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
iPod and beyond
Sorry there was no posting yesterday, I got bogged down with putting all the abstract stuff that I've come across into some sort of formal format. I tried to develop some sort of descision tree format as there is so much that you can do around elearning and an ipod. I must confess that this morning I did get sidetracked. My boss asked me to investigate how ipod can be used with projectors. I did find that you can connect an ipod to most projectors with an A/V cable, and to a telly....but I also found this after entering the bowels of geekdom: the early days of the ipod mini projector Of course its not n the market yet, but computer nerds all over the world are finding lots of wierd and wonderful ways to use the iPod...is this the sign of things to come?
iPod and beyond
Sorry there was no posting yesterday, I got bogged down with putting all the abstract stuff that I've come across into some sort of formal format. I tried to develop some sort of descision tree format as there is so much that you can do around elearning and an ipod. I must confess that this morning I did get sidetracked. My boss asked me to investigate how ipod can be used with projectors. I did find that you can connect an ipod to most projectors with an A/V cable, and to a telly....but I also found this after entering the bowels of geekdom: the early days of the ipod mini projector Of course its not n the market yet, but computer nerds all over the world are finding lots of wierd and wonderful ways to use the iPod...is this the sign of things to come?
Monday, August 21, 2006
ipod continued
After investigating the possibility of getting Flash elearning modules onto ipod, I discovered that it really isnt that simple - not impossible - but a bit fiddly. This is Bomski's (our boy wonder) explanation: "most of the conversion tools that turn flash into video.... need a linear timeline (no stopframes)most of our content is held in a containing movieclip in a single frame" I asked him for a simple explanation and it seems that Flash is like a videotape and the animations are made up of single frames; if our content was spread over many different frames, we could export it to video easily, as it stands, all our animations are held in one frame, so we would have to hack it and spread it across many frames, in order to get it into an acceptable state for conversion.
Maybe this idea should be shelved for a later date, as the beauty of our modules is that they are very interactive and this feature would be lost even if I did manage to convert them to mp4 format. Perhaps we could offer the same courses, but done in a different format using perhaps some of the animations from the flash modules but embedding them into powerpoint before converting to video. The possibility is there for later if anyone wants to trial it anyway.
update:click here to see how I overcame this
Maybe this idea should be shelved for a later date, as the beauty of our modules is that they are very interactive and this feature would be lost even if I did manage to convert them to mp4 format. Perhaps we could offer the same courses, but done in a different format using perhaps some of the animations from the flash modules but embedding them into powerpoint before converting to video. The possibility is there for later if anyone wants to trial it anyway.
update:click here to see how I overcame this
ipod continued
After investigating the possibility of getting Flash elearning modules onto ipod, I discovered that it really isnt that simple - not impossible - but a bit fiddly. This is Bomski's (our boy wonder) explanation: "most of the conversion tools that turn flash into video.... need a linear timeline (no stopframes)most of our content is held in a containing movieclip in a single frame" I asked him for a simple explanation and it seems that Flash is like a videotape and the animations are made up of single frames; if our content was spread over many different frames, we could export it to video easily, as it stands, all our animations are held in one frame, so we would have to hack it and spread it across many frames, in order to get it into an acceptable state for conversion.
Maybe this idea should be shelved for a later date, as the beauty of our modules is that they are very interactive and this feature would be lost even if I did manage to convert them to mp4 format. Perhaps we could offer the same courses, but done in a different format using perhaps some of the animations from the flash modules but embedding them into powerpoint before converting to video. The possibility is there for later if anyone wants to trial it anyway.
Maybe this idea should be shelved for a later date, as the beauty of our modules is that they are very interactive and this feature would be lost even if I did manage to convert them to mp4 format. Perhaps we could offer the same courses, but done in a different format using perhaps some of the animations from the flash modules but embedding them into powerpoint before converting to video. The possibility is there for later if anyone wants to trial it anyway.
from powerpoint to ipod
Managed to get a powerpoint presentation into video format and onto an ipod, the quality is fantastic and I think that this could prove to be a really useful tool for training. Now I'm going to create a vodcast which will involve me setting up an RSS feed so that itunes can access it. This will mean that any employees who have an ipod (or even when they dont they can still download itunes and view on their PC) can subscribe to a series of video casts whether they be powerpoint or instructional videos. I am also going to look at converting Flash in the same way too as many of our modules are in this format.
Oh i also tried out youTube for uploading a video version of a powerpoint presentation:
Oh i also tried out youTube for uploading a video version of a powerpoint presentation:
Sunday, August 20, 2006
from powerpoint to ipod
Managed to get a powerpoint presentation into video format and onto an ipod, the quality is fantastic and I think that this could prove to be a really useful tool for training. Now I'm going to create a vodcast which will involve me setting up an RSS feed so that itunes can access it. This will mean that any employees who have an ipod (or even when they dont they can still download itunes and view on their PC) can subscribe to a series of video casts whether they be powerpoint or instructional videos. I am also going to look at converting Flash in the same way too as many of our modules are in this format.
Oh i also tried out youTube for uploading a video version of a powerpoint presentation:
Oh i also tried out youTube for uploading a video version of a powerpoint presentation:
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Camtasia
Today I am going to download a trial version of Camtasia. This software allows you to capture screen movements and so is excellent for creating tutorials. You can even add video and audio to give it that complete learning experience. Once I've done this, I'm going to load the finished product onto a video ipod to see if it would be a feasible tool for the small business to use for training. I'm also going to use some free software to turn an ordinary powerPoint presentations into a video format and in turn make that available to download onto mobile devices such as a video ipod.
OK step one: I used a trial version of this really great software Presentation_to_Video_Converter to turn a powerpoint presentation into a video format. It really was very simple to do. You simply open up your presentation in this software set up how you want it to play and when you are ready, press start. As it was capturing the presentation it makes a transition through the screens and you can record a voice over or add sounds. Once finished, you can upload it to the web via google's new video upload program. This is a beta version and you can use others such as uTube. I'm not sure as yet whether the whole world can see it if they wish, I shall have to have a look into that. Here is the finished product: I think it shows how you could easily put together a presentation and post it to the web for people to watch wherever and whenever they needed. Great for the small business on a budget!
OK, so its not the best quality, but I didnt really tweak the settings, in fact I'm not sure I even selected the right format in the software. You can improve the quality by taking note of google's quality parameters
OK step one: I used a trial version of this really great software Presentation_to_Video_Converter to turn a powerpoint presentation into a video format. It really was very simple to do. You simply open up your presentation in this software set up how you want it to play and when you are ready, press start. As it was capturing the presentation it makes a transition through the screens and you can record a voice over or add sounds. Once finished, you can upload it to the web via google's new video upload program. This is a beta version and you can use others such as uTube. I'm not sure as yet whether the whole world can see it if they wish, I shall have to have a look into that. Here is the finished product: I think it shows how you could easily put together a presentation and post it to the web for people to watch wherever and whenever they needed. Great for the small business on a budget!
OK, so its not the best quality, but I didnt really tweak the settings, in fact I'm not sure I even selected the right format in the software. You can improve the quality by taking note of google's quality parameters
Friday, August 18, 2006
Camtasia
Today I am going to download a trial version of Camtasia. This software allows you to capture screen movements and so is excellent for creating tutorials. You can even add video and audio to give it that complete learning experience. Once I've done this, I'm going to load the finished product onto a video ipod to see if it would be a feasible tool for the small business to use for training. I'm also going to use some free software to turn an ordinary powerPoint presentations into a video format and in turn make that available to download onto mobile devices such as a video ipod.
OK step one: I used a trial version of this really great software Presentation_to_Video_Converter to turn a powerpoint presentation into a video format. It really was very simple to do. You simply open up your presentation in this software set up how you want it to play and when you are ready, press start. As it was capturing the presentation it makes a transition through the screens and you can record a voice over or add sounds. Once finished, you can upload it to the web via google's new video upload program. This is a beta version and you can use others such as uTube. I'm not sure as yet whether the whole world can see it if they wish, I shall have to have a look into that. Here is the finished product: I think it shows how you could easily put together a presentation and post it to the web for people to watch wherever and whenever they needed. Great for the small business on a budget!
OK, so its not the best quality, but I didnt really tweak the settings, in fact I'm not sure I even selected the right format in the software. You can improve the quality by taking note of google's quality parameters
OK step one: I used a trial version of this really great software Presentation_to_Video_Converter to turn a powerpoint presentation into a video format. It really was very simple to do. You simply open up your presentation in this software set up how you want it to play and when you are ready, press start. As it was capturing the presentation it makes a transition through the screens and you can record a voice over or add sounds. Once finished, you can upload it to the web via google's new video upload program. This is a beta version and you can use others such as uTube. I'm not sure as yet whether the whole world can see it if they wish, I shall have to have a look into that. Here is the finished product: I think it shows how you could easily put together a presentation and post it to the web for people to watch wherever and whenever they needed. Great for the small business on a budget!
OK, so its not the best quality, but I didnt really tweak the settings, in fact I'm not sure I even selected the right format in the software. You can improve the quality by taking note of google's quality parameters
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Pod Training
You've heard me mention Vodcasting earlier; that is, creating a video podcast to be downloaded and watched later from any device that can run it, namely ipods or some mobile computers and phones. This is not just a thing of the future and we should perhaps be thinking in terms of the demographics of our workforce and the fact that many of the younger employees are already fully au fait with this technology. Pod training could be the next big thing; it has many possibilities and advantages. See this page for more insight
There are now a number of technologies available as free downloads that convert your powerpoint presentations, flash content and other elearning formats into movie files. From this you can then convert them to MP4 format to run on video ipods. your users can subscribe via the itunes software that can be downloaded from Apple and they can download your vodcasts straight to their ipod video. Alternatively, users can download the video format direct from your server to their pcs or wap capable mobiles.Ineed to look into this a lot deeper, I would like to set one up and try it on a video ipod.
There are now a number of technologies available as free downloads that convert your powerpoint presentations, flash content and other elearning formats into movie files. From this you can then convert them to MP4 format to run on video ipods. your users can subscribe via the itunes software that can be downloaded from Apple and they can download your vodcasts straight to their ipod video. Alternatively, users can download the video format direct from your server to their pcs or wap capable mobiles.Ineed to look into this a lot deeper, I would like to set one up and try it on a video ipod.
Pod Training
You've heard me mention Vodcasting earlier; that is, creating a video podcast to be downloaded and watched later from any device that can run it, namely ipods or some mobile computers and phones. This is not just a thing of the future and we should perhaps be thinking in terms of the demographics of our workforce and the fact that many of the younger employees are already fully au fait with this technology. Pod training could be the next big thing; it has many possibilities and advantages. See this page for more insight
There are now a number of technologies available as free downloads that convert your powerpoint presentations, flash content and other elearning formats into movie files. From this you can then convert them to MP4 format to run on video ipods. your users can subscribe via the itunes software that can be downloaded from Apple and they can download your vodcasts straight to their ipod video. Alternatively, users can download the video format direct from your server to their pcs or wap capable mobiles.Ineed to look into this a lot deeper, I would like to set one up and try it on a video ipod.
There are now a number of technologies available as free downloads that convert your powerpoint presentations, flash content and other elearning formats into movie files. From this you can then convert them to MP4 format to run on video ipods. your users can subscribe via the itunes software that can be downloaded from Apple and they can download your vodcasts straight to their ipod video. Alternatively, users can download the video format direct from your server to their pcs or wap capable mobiles.Ineed to look into this a lot deeper, I would like to set one up and try it on a video ipod.
Storyboard software
Meeting this morning and all the inevitable catch-ups after meant that didn't get started until around 1.30 today...then got bogged down with trying to hunt down some news stories for the portal. Never mind, I did get some time to look at some story board software.
I'm not entirely certain whether anyone creating elearning content would ever want or need to go to the expense of using storyboarding software, but if you can stretch to around £150.00, it really does bring your ideas to life. You can create scenes and scenarios, customise characters and basically do a mock-up of how you want the module to play out. It would possibly be more useful to someone planning some roleplay scenarios, but I could see a use for it in content creation. There's something about holding a pencil in your hand though, that gets the imagination flowing...perhaps I'm getting old. I'll post the links to the software once i have a few to compare...watch this space
I'm not entirely certain whether anyone creating elearning content would ever want or need to go to the expense of using storyboarding software, but if you can stretch to around £150.00, it really does bring your ideas to life. You can create scenes and scenarios, customise characters and basically do a mock-up of how you want the module to play out. It would possibly be more useful to someone planning some roleplay scenarios, but I could see a use for it in content creation. There's something about holding a pencil in your hand though, that gets the imagination flowing...perhaps I'm getting old. I'll post the links to the software once i have a few to compare...watch this space
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Avatars
Today I'm going to look at avatars. An avatar is basically a graphical representation of a user (usually) and is meant to make the computer environment a more friendly place. Software such as Site Pal can be used to customise a virtual person that sits on your site or program and basically says what you want it to. It can be used to guide, greet and generally help a user along. Simon in our office has already customised a trial version of a virtual "Abby" which even has my voice on it...spooky, but I think you'll agree that it could be quite an effective support tool. Plus if the user does have to call in for help, they will have a voice that they recognise on the end of the phone. I'll put the link on here later today so that you can have a look at it.
You can even use an avatar to provide support via a mobile device; have a look at this demo of codebaby: www.codebaby.com You can also view a macromedia breeze presentation of a case study of a company called Fountain Tire who used avatars in their elearning; click here to access the case study This presentation is really interesting as it also talks about the strategy of setting up elearning content, an LMS and talks about operational issues that the company faced. Check out one of the courses they created:fountain tire elearning demo using avatars from codebaby
You can even use an avatar to provide support via a mobile device; have a look at this demo of codebaby: www.codebaby.com You can also view a macromedia breeze presentation of a case study of a company called Fountain Tire who used avatars in their elearning; click here to access the case study This presentation is really interesting as it also talks about the strategy of setting up elearning content, an LMS and talks about operational issues that the company faced. Check out one of the courses they created:fountain tire elearning demo using avatars from codebaby
Storyboard software
Meeting this morning and all the inevitable catch-ups after meant that didn't get started until around 1.30 today...then got bogged down with trying to hunt down some news stories for the portal. Never mind, I did get some time to look at some story board software.
I'm not entirely certain whether anyone creating elearning content would ever want or need to go to the expense of using storyboarding software, but if you can stretch to around £150.00, it really does bring your ideas to life. You can create scenes and scenarios, customise characters and basically do a mock-up of how you want the module to play out. It would possibly be more useful to someone planning some roleplay scenarios, but I could see a use for it in content creation. There's something about holding a pencil in your hand though, that gets the imagination flowing...perhaps I'm getting old. I'll post the links to the software once i have a few to compare...watch this space
I'm not entirely certain whether anyone creating elearning content would ever want or need to go to the expense of using storyboarding software, but if you can stretch to around £150.00, it really does bring your ideas to life. You can create scenes and scenarios, customise characters and basically do a mock-up of how you want the module to play out. It would possibly be more useful to someone planning some roleplay scenarios, but I could see a use for it in content creation. There's something about holding a pencil in your hand though, that gets the imagination flowing...perhaps I'm getting old. I'll post the links to the software once i have a few to compare...watch this space
Avatars
Today I'm going to look at avatars. An avatar is basically a graphical representation of a user (usually) and is meant to make the computer environment a more friendly place. Software such as Site Pal can be used to customise a virtual person that sits on your site or program and basically says what you want it to. It can be used to guide, greet and generally help a user along. Simon in our office has already customised a trial version of a virtual "Abby" which even has my voice on it...spooky, but I think you'll agree that it could be quite an effective support tool. Plus if the user does have to call in for help, they will have a voice that they recognise on the end of the phone. I'll put the link on here later today so that you can have a look at it.
You can even use an avatar to provide support via a mobile device; have a look at this demo of codebaby: www.codebaby.com You can also view a macromedia breeze presentation of a case study of a company called Fountain Tire who used avatars in their elearning; click here to access the case study This presentation is really interesting as it also talks about the strategy of setting up elearning content, an LMS and talks about operational issues that the company faced. Check out one of the courses they created:fountain tire elearning demo using avatars from codebaby
You can even use an avatar to provide support via a mobile device; have a look at this demo of codebaby: www.codebaby.com You can also view a macromedia breeze presentation of a case study of a company called Fountain Tire who used avatars in their elearning; click here to access the case study This presentation is really interesting as it also talks about the strategy of setting up elearning content, an LMS and talks about operational issues that the company faced. Check out one of the courses they created:fountain tire elearning demo using avatars from codebaby
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
SWICKIs
Well I'd heard of WIKIs BLIKIs TWIKIs but now SWICKI. I've been looking at this free tool this afternoon and it seems pretty good...it is in Beta stage so there may be a few issues still need ironing out, one of them being making it idiot proof for people like me!! I set one up, embedded it on the left sidebar as you can see, but it wasnt returning any results...I had only told it to search for images it seems, when I went back to alter it, it refused to let me...so a support alert has been sent to the kind people at Eurekstar to see if they can surmise what went wrong. I don't think it was anything I did. Update: they did fix the problem, but for some reason the formatting is now doing strange things, so I have removed it until I can get it sorted...shouldn't take too long.
Anyways, this is how they are supposed to work. You create a kind of search facility that "learns" from your users and builds up a kind of "buzz cloud" as they call it of ideas and search themes. So not only can you perform more focussed searches, but you can find out what everyone else in your "community (area of interest)" is searching for or interested in. Once it gets going it provides you with top ten search lists and the like. I would imagine that it does rely on being heavily used for it to be most effective. But how cool would it be as a tool on your intranet site, set up to do focussed searches for any stuff relating to your area of business..a really effective way at keeping staff informed...You can even set up tag lines that will appear as search criteria which you could direct to your products and services and news stories....
As with most things that I have researched, really getting to grips with them does take time, and I shall no doubt have to return to this at some time. For the moment, my mission is to find out what is out there...
Anyways, this is how they are supposed to work. You create a kind of search facility that "learns" from your users and builds up a kind of "buzz cloud" as they call it of ideas and search themes. So not only can you perform more focussed searches, but you can find out what everyone else in your "community (area of interest)" is searching for or interested in. Once it gets going it provides you with top ten search lists and the like. I would imagine that it does rely on being heavily used for it to be most effective. But how cool would it be as a tool on your intranet site, set up to do focussed searches for any stuff relating to your area of business..a really effective way at keeping staff informed...You can even set up tag lines that will appear as search criteria which you could direct to your products and services and news stories....
As with most things that I have researched, really getting to grips with them does take time, and I shall no doubt have to return to this at some time. For the moment, my mission is to find out what is out there...
Nuvvo LMS
Logged on an tested this free LMS. Very simple to register. They provide a number of free courses which is a good way of getting you to try it out and use it and also shows you what you can do with the system. Once I received the email with my password I was able to log in and try out my training. There are some very good features such as a blog and calendar, also one really good feature is under your list of courses that you are assigned to, is a list of further courses that you may be interested in or could enroll on together with details such as cost etc....perhaps these are some features we could look at incorporating on ours too. I found another blog posting from a well respected learning professional whose blog I sometimes read; Clive Shepherd's blog entry re: Nuvvo
Speaking of picking up ideas and tips for features, perhaps we should be wary of infringement of copyright laws. Apparently Blackboard have claimed a very broad range of features as their own and original ideas and as such, anyone using said features could be sued for infringement...click here to see what they are claiming See also the news story on bbc.co.uk
Speaking of picking up ideas and tips for features, perhaps we should be wary of infringement of copyright laws. Apparently Blackboard have claimed a very broad range of features as their own and original ideas and as such, anyone using said features could be sued for infringement...click here to see what they are claiming See also the news story on bbc.co.uk
SWICKIs
Well I'd heard of WIKIs BLIKIs TWIKIs but now SWICKI. I've been looking at this free tool this afternoon and it seems pretty good...it is in Beta stage so there may be a few issues still need ironing out, one of them being making it idiot proof for people like me!! I set one up, embedded it on the right as you can see, but it wasnt returning any results...I had only told it to search for images it seems, when I went back to alter it, it refused to let me...so a support alert has been sent to the kind people at Eurekstar to see if they can surmise what went wrong. I don't think it was anything I did.
Anyways, this is how they are supposed to work. You create a kind of search facility that "learns" from your users and builds up a kind of "buzz cloud" as they call it of ideas and search themes. So not only can you perform more focussed searches, but you can find out what everyone else in your "community (area of interest)" is searching for or interested in. Once it gets going it provides you with top ten search lists and the like. I would imagine that it does rely on being heavily used for it to be most effective. But how cool would it be as a tool on your intranet site, set up to do focussed searches for any stuff relating to your area of business..a really effective way at keeping staff informed...You can even set up tag lines that will appear as search criteria which you could direct to your products and services and news stories....
As with most things that I have researched, really getting to grips with them does take time, and I shall no doubt have to return to this at some time. For the moment, my mission is to find out what is out there...
Anyways, this is how they are supposed to work. You create a kind of search facility that "learns" from your users and builds up a kind of "buzz cloud" as they call it of ideas and search themes. So not only can you perform more focussed searches, but you can find out what everyone else in your "community (area of interest)" is searching for or interested in. Once it gets going it provides you with top ten search lists and the like. I would imagine that it does rely on being heavily used for it to be most effective. But how cool would it be as a tool on your intranet site, set up to do focussed searches for any stuff relating to your area of business..a really effective way at keeping staff informed...You can even set up tag lines that will appear as search criteria which you could direct to your products and services and news stories....
As with most things that I have researched, really getting to grips with them does take time, and I shall no doubt have to return to this at some time. For the moment, my mission is to find out what is out there...
Nuvvo LMS
Logged on an tested this free LMS. Very simple to register. They provide a number of free courses which is a good way of getting you to try it out and use it and also shows you what you can do with the system. Once I received the email with my password I was able to log in and try out my training. There are some very good features such as a blog and calendar, also one really good feature is under your list of courses that you are assigned to, is a list of further courses that you may be interested in or could enroll on together with details such as cost etc....perhaps these are some features we could look at incorporating on ours too.
Speaking of picking up ideas and tips for features, perhaps we should be wary of infringement of copyright laws. Apparently Blackboard have claimed a very broad range of features as their own and original ideas and as such, anyone using said features could be sued for infringement...click here to see what they are claiming See also the news story on bbc.co.uk
Speaking of picking up ideas and tips for features, perhaps we should be wary of infringement of copyright laws. Apparently Blackboard have claimed a very broad range of features as their own and original ideas and as such, anyone using said features could be sued for infringement...click here to see what they are claiming See also the news story on bbc.co.uk
Monday, August 14, 2006
Toolbook - authoring software
Well Rod, my boss, gave me a list of tools to have a look at...usually I try them out by creating a tutorial, but having downloaded this software and tried a few tutorials, it bore a very strong resemblance to the Lectora tool I tested last week; So to save time and effort, I shan't bother to spend time creating a tutorial. Instead have a look at a sample of what you can achieve with this software by clicking here
It is also important to note that Toolbook can also be launched and progress tracked by slotting it into TotalLMS the Learning Management System also from SumTotal.
It is also important to note that Toolbook can also be launched and progress tracked by slotting it into TotalLMS the Learning Management System also from SumTotal.
Forio Broadcast simulation software
Had a look this morning at some business simulation software that you can broadcast over the web. All good stuff but not really appropriate for this project since it is typically geared toward medium- and long-term strategic and operational issues facing large organizations. Basically you create a model by putting data and equations relating to your scenario, into excel and other areas of the software. Once this is done, this builds the various scenarios and outcomes of different business decisions. You then build a web interface or front end that presents your users with the training module. The idea is that they will be taken through a simulation with a series of problems and decisions which they have to negotiate their way through...as they do so graphs change and they can see the result of their actions. Very impressive if you have to go through say major change management and want to train your managers to steer their staff painlessly through it. Not really for the small business. Have a look here though at a standard simulation: http://www.forio.com
Toolbook - authoring software
Well Rod, my boss, gave me a list of tools to have a look at...usually I try them out by creating a tutorial, but having downloaded this software and tried a few tutorials, it bore a very strong resemblance to the Lectora tool I tested last week; So to save time and effort, I shan't bother to spend time creating a tutorial. Instead have a look at a sample of what you can achieve with this software by clicking here
It is also important to note that Toolbook can also be launched and progress tracked by slotting it into TotalLMS the Learning Management System also from SumTotal.
It is also important to note that Toolbook can also be launched and progress tracked by slotting it into TotalLMS the Learning Management System also from SumTotal.
Forio Broadcast simulation software
Had a look this morning at some business simulation software that you can broadcast over the web. All good stuff but not really appropriate for this project since it is typically geared toward medium- and long-term strategic and operational issues facing large organizations. Basically you create a model by putting data and equations relating to your scenario, into excel and other areas of the software. Once this is done, this builds the various scenarios and outcomes of different business decisions. You then build a web interface or front end that presents your users with the training module. The idea is that they will be taken through a simulation with a series of problems and decisions which they have to negotiate their way through...as they do so graphs change and they can see the result of their actions. Very impressive if you have to go through say major change management and want to train your managers to steer their staff painlessly through it. Not really for the small business. Have a look here though at a standard simulation: http://www.forio.com
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Web Casting and conferencing
Macromedia Breeze...how exciting! I have had the pleasure of attending an online seminar on accessibility, using Macromedia Breeze and I have to say it blew me away.
There I was sat in a virtual classroom with my fellow students; some in Japan, Australia, USA, one guy was even accessing from a laptop on a beach in Fiji..how cool is that? I was even able to pass notes back and forth to my fellow students, talk to the teacher, ask him questions even whilst he continued to speak (he has an assistant who fields questions) The teacher was able to operate a screen show, draw on the board to illustrate points and even take files from the students to show what they had done...WOW! imagine the uses, the only downside is the price...getting one out of Macromedia was like pulling teeth at the time as it was a fairly new product. I'm off to see what I can get out of them now, a year down the line....
There I was sat in a virtual classroom with my fellow students; some in Japan, Australia, USA, one guy was even accessing from a laptop on a beach in Fiji..how cool is that? I was even able to pass notes back and forth to my fellow students, talk to the teacher, ask him questions even whilst he continued to speak (he has an assistant who fields questions) The teacher was able to operate a screen show, draw on the board to illustrate points and even take files from the students to show what they had done...WOW! imagine the uses, the only downside is the price...getting one out of Macromedia was like pulling teeth at the time as it was a fairly new product. I'm off to see what I can get out of them now, a year down the line....
Friday, August 11, 2006
Web Casting and conferencing
Macromedia Breeze...how exciting! I have had the pleasure of attending an online seminar on accessibility, using Macromedia Breeze and I have to say it blew me away.
There I was sat in a virtual classroom with my fellow students; some in Japan, Australia, USA, one guy was even accessing from a laptop on a beach in Fiji..how cool is that? I was even able to pass notes back and forth to my fellow students, talk to the teacher, ask him questions even whilst he continued to speak (he has an assistant who fields questions) The teacher was able to operate a screen show, draw on the board to illustrate points and even take files from the students to show what they had done...WOW! imagine the uses, the only downside is the price...getting one out of Macromedia was like pulling teeth at the time as it was a fairly new product. I'm off to see what I can get out of them now, a year down the line....
There I was sat in a virtual classroom with my fellow students; some in Japan, Australia, USA, one guy was even accessing from a laptop on a beach in Fiji..how cool is that? I was even able to pass notes back and forth to my fellow students, talk to the teacher, ask him questions even whilst he continued to speak (he has an assistant who fields questions) The teacher was able to operate a screen show, draw on the board to illustrate points and even take files from the students to show what they had done...WOW! imagine the uses, the only downside is the price...getting one out of Macromedia was like pulling teeth at the time as it was a fairly new product. I'm off to see what I can get out of them now, a year down the line....
Done it again!
In my usual inimitable style I have got sidetracked once again! Well not really, it is kind of associated with podcasting in that you post an audio file for anyone who subscribes to listen to. OK business uses: The manager is at a conference and wants to report his initial thoughts to his blog...he may not have time to get to a computer before his next seminar. He can simply call a number (he will have already set up his audio blog - very easy setup btw) and record his thoughts. It will immediately appear as a play icon like the one I made earlier below:
The call is free if you are in the states but outside a long distance charge applies. I have written to blogger to see if this service can be done locally in the UK...watch this space...right back to pod web and broadcasting...again!
The call is free if you are in the states but outside a long distance charge applies. I have written to blogger to see if this service can be done locally in the UK...watch this space...right back to pod web and broadcasting...again!
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Podcast at last
Here's my first attempt at creating a podcast:
powered by ODEO
If you want to see further episodes of this podcast, go to odeo.com If you want to subscribe to this or any other podcast (and there are millions)just sign up for an account. You can then click on browse at the menu list at the top, then at the right hand side there is a box called browse podcasts, either click on your interest area or click on more tags if you want to search for something more specific such as my podcast; then in bottom right hand corner is a search box where you search for something more specific, type in abby's first podcast for example and you wil be presented with the podcast and a pink button that says "subscribe" just click there and you will be notified every time a new podcast is created in that series; via your "audio inbox" which you access when you log in to odeo.com. This is great for use in training. Imagine having a training course and a link a podcast of your tutor's voice giving you some reassuring tips and guidelines.
powered by ODEO
If you want to see further episodes of this podcast, go to odeo.com If you want to subscribe to this or any other podcast (and there are millions)just sign up for an account. You can then click on browse at the menu list at the top, then at the right hand side there is a box called browse podcasts, either click on your interest area or click on more tags if you want to search for something more specific such as my podcast; then in bottom right hand corner is a search box where you search for something more specific, type in abby's first podcast for example and you wil be presented with the podcast and a pink button that says "subscribe" just click there and you will be notified every time a new podcast is created in that series; via your "audio inbox" which you access when you log in to odeo.com. This is great for use in training. Imagine having a training course and a link a podcast of your tutor's voice giving you some reassuring tips and guidelines.
Podcast at last
Here's my first attempt at creating a podcast:
powered by ODEO
If you want to see further episodes of this podcast, go to odeo.com If you want to subscribe to this or any other podcast (and there are millions)just sign up for an account. You can then click on browse at the menu list at the top, then at the right hand side there is a box called browse podcasts, either click on your interest area or click on more tags if you want to search for something more specific such as my podcast; then in bottom right hand corner is a search box where you search for something more specific, type in abby's first podcast for example and you wil be presented with the podcast and a pink button that says "subscribe" just click there and you will be notified every time a new podcast is created in that series; via your "audio inbox" which you access when you log in to odeo.com. This is great for use in training. Imagine having a training course and a link a podcast of your tutor's voice giving you some reassuring tips and guidelines.
powered by ODEO
If you want to see further episodes of this podcast, go to odeo.com If you want to subscribe to this or any other podcast (and there are millions)just sign up for an account. You can then click on browse at the menu list at the top, then at the right hand side there is a box called browse podcasts, either click on your interest area or click on more tags if you want to search for something more specific such as my podcast; then in bottom right hand corner is a search box where you search for something more specific, type in abby's first podcast for example and you wil be presented with the podcast and a pink button that says "subscribe" just click there and you will be notified every time a new podcast is created in that series; via your "audio inbox" which you access when you log in to odeo.com. This is great for use in training. Imagine having a training course and a link a podcast of your tutor's voice giving you some reassuring tips and guidelines.
Done it again!
In my usual inimitable style I have got sidetracked once again! Well not really, it is kind of associated with podcasting in that you post an audio file for anyone who subscribes to listen to. OK business uses: The manager is at a conference and wants to report his initial thoughts to his blog...he may not have time to get to a computer before his next seminar. He can simply call a number (he will have already set up his audio blog - very easy setup btw) and record his thoughts. It will immediately appear as a play icon like the one I made earlier below:
The call is free if you are in the states but outside a long distance charge applies. I have written to blogger to see if this service can be done locally in the UK...watch this space...right back to pod web and broadcasting...again!
The call is free if you are in the states but outside a long distance charge applies. I have written to blogger to see if this service can be done locally in the UK...watch this space...right back to pod web and broadcasting...again!
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Mobile Blogging interrupts play
Just helping out a colleague this afternoon and I got to thinking about mobile blogging. She wanted to develop a team blog as a customer first initiative, where any member of staff could post good news stories from our customers. Problem is a lot of our staff who could get some good stuff together actually work off site...so mobile blogging...they can send photos and text straight through to the blog in the same way that site bound staff are doing.
Then I got to thinking, what a great way of collecting evidence for NVQs and online portfolios...this needs delving into as I would imagine there are many possibilities for use in virtual college that we haven't yet explored.
Only trouble is I need to focus on one topic area, in my excitement I am flitting from one idea to another...as the ideas spark off new ideas I'm getting easily distracted and could end up with not much to show for my efforts other than a load of abstract ideas...Note to self: write ideas down and get back to job in hand...so podcasts - where were we?
Then I got to thinking, what a great way of collecting evidence for NVQs and online portfolios...this needs delving into as I would imagine there are many possibilities for use in virtual college that we haven't yet explored.
Only trouble is I need to focus on one topic area, in my excitement I am flitting from one idea to another...as the ideas spark off new ideas I'm getting easily distracted and could end up with not much to show for my efforts other than a load of abstract ideas...Note to self: write ideas down and get back to job in hand...so podcasts - where were we?
RSS comes before pod
So suppose you are a university lecturer and you decide that you are going to record all your lectures by video or audio. You may then post your podcasts on your site. How are you going to get your podcasts to everyone who needs to hear or see them? Well, you need an RSS feed.(as mentioned yesterday some code in a file that describes the content of your website so that people out there can "subscribe" or register an interest in it.)
Using a free desktop or web based aggregator(software for registering your interest and subscribing to a list of feeds in your interest area)Your students will subscribe to your RSS feed. They will then be notified everytime you upload something to your site and will be able to download the latest lectures to their computers.
RSS can have lots of uses from pulling in traffic to your site, to sending automated newsletters. This is a whole topic in itself which I will cover in detail in layman's terms and post back here later - for now I need to dip into pod, web and broadcasting.
Using a free desktop or web based aggregator(software for registering your interest and subscribing to a list of feeds in your interest area)Your students will subscribe to your RSS feed. They will then be notified everytime you upload something to your site and will be able to download the latest lectures to their computers.
RSS can have lots of uses from pulling in traffic to your site, to sending automated newsletters. This is a whole topic in itself which I will cover in detail in layman's terms and post back here later - for now I need to dip into pod, web and broadcasting.
Mobile Blogging interrupts play
Just helping out a colleague this afternoon and I got to thinking about mobile blogging. She wanted to develop a team blog as a customer first initiative, where any member of staff could post good news stories from our customers. Problem is a lot of our staff who could get some good stuff together actually work off site...so mobile blogging...they can send photos and text straight through to the blog in the same way that site bound staff are doing.
Then I got to thinking, what a great way of collecting evidence for NVQs and online portfolios...this needs delving into as I would imagine there are many possibilities for use in virtual college that we haven't yet explored.
Only trouble is I need to focus on one topic area, in my excitement I am flitting from one idea to another...as the ideas spark off new ideas I'm getting easily distracted and could end up with not much to show for my efforts other than a load of abstract ideas...Note to self: write ideas down and get back to job in hand...so podcasts - where were we?
Then I got to thinking, what a great way of collecting evidence for NVQs and online portfolios...this needs delving into as I would imagine there are many possibilities for use in virtual college that we haven't yet explored.
Only trouble is I need to focus on one topic area, in my excitement I am flitting from one idea to another...as the ideas spark off new ideas I'm getting easily distracted and could end up with not much to show for my efforts other than a load of abstract ideas...Note to self: write ideas down and get back to job in hand...so podcasts - where were we?
RSS comes before pod
So suppose you are a university lecturer and you decide that you are going to record all your lectures by video or audio. You may then post your podcasts on your site. How are you going to get your podcasts to everyone who needs to hear or see them? Well, you need an RSS feed.(as mentioned yesterday some code in a file that describes the content of your website so that people out there can "subscribe" or register an interest in it.)
Using a free desktop or web based aggregator(software for registering your interest and subscribing to a list of feeds in your interest area)Your students will subscribe to your RSS feed. They will then be notified everytime you upload something to your site and will be able to download the latest lectures to their computers.
RSS can have lots of uses from pulling in traffic to your site, to sending automated newsletters. This is a whole topic in itself which I will cover in detail in layman's terms and post back here later - for now I need to dip into pod, web and broadcasting.
Using a free desktop or web based aggregator(software for registering your interest and subscribing to a list of feeds in your interest area)Your students will subscribe to your RSS feed. They will then be notified everytime you upload something to your site and will be able to download the latest lectures to their computers.
RSS can have lots of uses from pulling in traffic to your site, to sending automated newsletters. This is a whole topic in itself which I will cover in detail in layman's terms and post back here later - for now I need to dip into pod, web and broadcasting.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Podcasts Broadcasts Webcasts
Well Friday went badly, spent the morning researching e-portfolios for the capturing informal learning thing. Then my lap top bust...turns out it was just the cable, but much time wasted trying to get it fixed. So a short hours day and no update to Friday's blog!
Never mind, today started better. I have spent most of the morning testing some programs that need uploading - yawn! but someone's gotta do it and I'm too much of a control freak to let anyone else do it :-).
Right back to the real job in hand...just about to start looking at how casting whether it be web pod or broad (hmm perhaps there's more ways of casting out there too...)can work for e-learning. Let you know more later.
Found out that before you understand podcasting etc, you need to understand RSS (really simple syndication - or rich site summary whichever you prefer) Basically it is a distributable "What's new" for your site. You really need one if you are going to be podcasting or blogging and want your audience to be notified any time you add something to your site. See tomorrow's entry for more detail...
Never mind, today started better. I have spent most of the morning testing some programs that need uploading - yawn! but someone's gotta do it and I'm too much of a control freak to let anyone else do it :-).
Right back to the real job in hand...just about to start looking at how casting whether it be web pod or broad (hmm perhaps there's more ways of casting out there too...)can work for e-learning. Let you know more later.
Found out that before you understand podcasting etc, you need to understand RSS (really simple syndication - or rich site summary whichever you prefer) Basically it is a distributable "What's new" for your site. You really need one if you are going to be podcasting or blogging and want your audience to be notified any time you add something to your site. See tomorrow's entry for more detail...
Podcasts Broadcasts Webcasts
Well Friday went badly, spent the morning researching e-portfolios for the capturing informal learning thing. Then my lap top bust...turns out it was just the cable, but much time wasted trying to get it fixed. So a short hours day and no update to Friday's blog!
Never mind, today started better. I have spent most of the morning testing some programs that need uploading - yawn! but someone's gotta do it and I'm too much of a control freak to let anyone else do it :-).
Right back to the real job in hand...just about to start looking at how casting whether it be web pod or broad (hmm perhaps there's more ways of casting out there too...)can work for e-learning. Let you know more later.
Found out that before you understand podcasting etc, you need to understand RSS (really simple syndication - or rich site summary whichever you prefer) Basically it is a distributable "What's new" for your site. You really need one if you are going to be podcasting or blogging and want your audience to be notified any time you add something to your site. See tomorrow's entry for more detail...
Never mind, today started better. I have spent most of the morning testing some programs that need uploading - yawn! but someone's gotta do it and I'm too much of a control freak to let anyone else do it :-).
Right back to the real job in hand...just about to start looking at how casting whether it be web pod or broad (hmm perhaps there's more ways of casting out there too...)can work for e-learning. Let you know more later.
Found out that before you understand podcasting etc, you need to understand RSS (really simple syndication - or rich site summary whichever you prefer) Basically it is a distributable "What's new" for your site. You really need one if you are going to be podcasting or blogging and want your audience to be notified any time you add something to your site. See tomorrow's entry for more detail...
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Looking at tools for capturing informal learning
Much of what we learn is informal, both at home in our private lives and on the job. I went to a very good lecture by Donald Clark about this subject, really hoping to find some ways of capturing this type of learning and recording it so that the learner could get some recognition for it. It was obvious after Donald's talk, it hit me...of course! you can't formalise informal learning, it loses its value if you do. However, we all live in the real world and this is an area that companies are all looking to get into...you see it every day e-portfolios, blogs etc. I have to agree with my boss, perhaps the theorists are missing a big piece of the puzzle; and, if we can find that piece maybe we will be able to offer something that is useful for both managers and employees alike without formalising the process too much. My boss has some pretty good ideas as to how this could work...it is my task of the day to hunt down some tool that could help us achieve this. Who knows perhaps the answer is right under our nose!
Looking at tools for capturing informal learning
Much of what we learn is informal, both at home in our private lives and on the job. I went to a very good lecture by Donald Clark about this subject, really hoping to find some ways of capturing this type of learning and recording it so that the learner could get some recognition for it. It was obvious after Donald's talk, it hit me...of course! you can't formalise informal learning, it loses its value if you do. However, we all live in the real world and this is an area that companies are all looking to get into...you see it every day e-portfolios, blogs etc. I have to agree with my boss, perhaps the theorists are missing a big piece of the puzzle; and, if we can find that piece maybe we will be able to offer something that is useful for both managers and employees alike without formalising the process too much. My boss has some pretty good ideas as to how this could work...it is my task of the day to hunt down some tool that could help us achieve this. Who knows perhaps the answer is right under our nose!
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Using Lectora continued
I think last night's post was a bit optomistic...I did plan to return to the computer and continue creating the Lectora module that I had started, but events conspired against me together with this morning being taken up with various admin tasks. However, on checking my emails, I found that the kind man at Trivantis (makers of Lectora) had sent me a quickstart document grrr could have done with this yesterday. So if this quickstart guide is any good, my progress this afternoon should be swifter.
Update: Here it is - I didn't do anything too fancy..it took me too long to just do this basic package...I will endeavour to add another advanced module if I have time later: Click here to view a basic guide to Lectora Publisher
Update: Here it is - I didn't do anything too fancy..it took me too long to just do this basic package...I will endeavour to add another advanced module if I have time later: Click here to view a basic guide to Lectora Publisher
Using Lectora continued
I think last night's post was a bit optomistic...I did plan to return to the computer and continue creating the Lectora module that I had started, but events conspired against me together with this morning being taken up with various admin tasks. However, on checking my emails, I found that the kind man at Trivantis (makers of Lectora) had sent me a quickstart document grrr could have done with this yesterday. So if this quickstart guide is any good, my progress this afternoon should be swifter.
Update: Here it is - I didn't do anything too fancy..it took me too long to just do this basic package...I will endeavour to add another advanced module if I have time later: Click here to view a basic guide to Lectora Publisher
Update: Here it is - I didn't do anything too fancy..it took me too long to just do this basic package...I will endeavour to add another advanced module if I have time later: Click here to view a basic guide to Lectora Publisher
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Using Lectora Publishing Tool
Fired by the relative ease it took to set up a PowerPoint Producer e-learning module, I decided to do a similar thing for learning how to use Lectora. I have to say that it has not been as easy to use as I first thought. Perhaps, like anything in life, the more features it has, the more wading through the manual you have to do. I'm sure that it will seem easier once I have got to the other side. For the sake of my sanity and the time constraints that this research is offering me, I am going to put together a very simple package using Lectora and maybe return at a later date, once we have a candidate for a case study that we can trial it on. The products of my efforts will be posted here later this evening.
Using Lectora Publishing Tool
Fired by the relative ease it took to set up a PowerPoint Producer e-learning module, I decided to do a similar thing for learning how to use Lectora. I have to say that it has not been as easy to use as I first thought. Perhaps, like anything in life, the more features it has, the more wading through the manual you have to do. I'm sure that it will seem easier once I have got to the other side. For the sake of my sanity and the time constraints that this research is offering me, I am going to put together a very simple package using Lectora and maybe return at a later date, once we have a candidate for a case study that we can trial it on. The products of my efforts will be posted here later this evening.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Interactive Messaging Services continued
Have been speaking to O2 this morning.
Basically the package they can offer is fully customisable and covers, among other things:
Follow up texts and reminders
Weekly tips and memory aids
Quizzes and feeback questionairres (max of 4 questions)
They can also set it up so that when a customer presses a button it opens your WAP site on their phone.
The charges seem reasonable all that remains now is to find a company that we can pilot it on and do a case study.
We could also use the same system for SMS marketing so perhaps we could attribute some of the costs there...
Hopefully will be talking to some of O2's competitors to see if the prices that I have been quoted are competitive....watch this space!
Orange don't offer this service.
Update 3.8.06 still not got a reply from any of O2's competitors.
Basically the package they can offer is fully customisable and covers, among other things:
Follow up texts and reminders
Weekly tips and memory aids
Quizzes and feeback questionairres (max of 4 questions)
They can also set it up so that when a customer presses a button it opens your WAP site on their phone.
The charges seem reasonable all that remains now is to find a company that we can pilot it on and do a case study.
We could also use the same system for SMS marketing so perhaps we could attribute some of the costs there...
Hopefully will be talking to some of O2's competitors to see if the prices that I have been quoted are competitive....watch this space!
Orange don't offer this service.
Update 3.8.06 still not got a reply from any of O2's competitors.
Interactive Messaging Services continued
Have been speaking to O2 this morning.
Basically the package they can offer is fully customisable and covers, among other things:
Follow up texts and reminders(we can already do this from RMS)
Weekly tips and memory aids (we can already do this from RMS)
Quizzes and feeback questionairres (max of 4 questions)
They can also set it up so that when a customer presses a button it opens your WAP site on their phone.
The charges seem reasonable all that remains now is to find a company that we can pilot it on and do a case study.
We could also use the same system for SMS marketing so perhaps we could attribute some of the costs there...
Hopefully will be talking to some of O2's competitors to see if the prices that I have been quoted are competitive....watch this space!
Orange don't offer this service.
Update 3.8.06 still not got a reply from any of O2's competitors.
Basically the package they can offer is fully customisable and covers, among other things:
Follow up texts and reminders(we can already do this from RMS)
Weekly tips and memory aids (we can already do this from RMS)
Quizzes and feeback questionairres (max of 4 questions)
They can also set it up so that when a customer presses a button it opens your WAP site on their phone.
The charges seem reasonable all that remains now is to find a company that we can pilot it on and do a case study.
We could also use the same system for SMS marketing so perhaps we could attribute some of the costs there...
Hopefully will be talking to some of O2's competitors to see if the prices that I have been quoted are competitive....watch this space!
Orange don't offer this service.
Update 3.8.06 still not got a reply from any of O2's competitors.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Wowed at the WOW academy
A Bmedia event held at the WOW academy last night. I went along hoping to do some networking and hoping I could get some ideas or make some contacts for future projects.
There was a good turnout, mainly people from media companies, dealing with video and DVD production both for online and regular marketing streams. I spoke to a young man from a fledgling company born out of the Think Business incubation unit at Bradford University. They were specialising in video production but also animation. The girl shown in the photo was kitted out with the lastest technology used for CGI and animation...similar to the type used in the making of King Kong Movie. As she moved around, the software captured her movements and projected them to the animated model on the screen.
We were also given a talk and a 3D film show by the Innovations Manager Hashim Hashim - so good they named him twice! The end of the film turned the cameras on the audience and we all saw ourselves in glorious 3D! Awesome (although I have to say I did feel a little nauseous after the clip from an alien invasion where the audience were flying in a space craft at warp factor infinity!)
I have to say, though, the best part for me was the 3D printer that they had there. Imagine being able to design something in 3D on the computer, then to send it to print only to have a perfect plastic model come out of the tray! fantastic! Wonder if they do 3D photocopiers...could have some fun with that at the office Christmas party.
I'm not sure that any of the technologies I saw could be used in e-learning due to the high production costs, but certainly we could consider using DVDs or online video streaming to add a bit of va va voom to training courses.
If you want more information about the WOW academy visit the WOW academy website or tel:01274 433343.
There was a good turnout, mainly people from media companies, dealing with video and DVD production both for online and regular marketing streams. I spoke to a young man from a fledgling company born out of the Think Business incubation unit at Bradford University. They were specialising in video production but also animation. The girl shown in the photo was kitted out with the lastest technology used for CGI and animation...similar to the type used in the making of King Kong Movie. As she moved around, the software captured her movements and projected them to the animated model on the screen.
We were also given a talk and a 3D film show by the Innovations Manager Hashim Hashim - so good they named him twice! The end of the film turned the cameras on the audience and we all saw ourselves in glorious 3D! Awesome (although I have to say I did feel a little nauseous after the clip from an alien invasion where the audience were flying in a space craft at warp factor infinity!)
I have to say, though, the best part for me was the 3D printer that they had there. Imagine being able to design something in 3D on the computer, then to send it to print only to have a perfect plastic model come out of the tray! fantastic! Wonder if they do 3D photocopiers...could have some fun with that at the office Christmas party.
I'm not sure that any of the technologies I saw could be used in e-learning due to the high production costs, but certainly we could consider using DVDs or online video streaming to add a bit of va va voom to training courses.
If you want more information about the WOW academy visit the WOW academy website or tel:01274 433343.
Wowed at the WOW academy!
A Bmedia event held at the WOW academy last night. I went along hoping to do some networking and hoping I could get some ideas or make some contacts for future projects.
There was a good turnout, mainly people from media companies, dealing with video and DVD production both for online and regular marketing streams. I spoke to a young man from a fledgling company born out of the Think Business incubation unit at Bradford University. They were specialising in video production but also animation. The girl shown in the photo was kitted out with the lastest technology used for CGI and animation...similar to the type used in the making of King Kong Movie. As she moved around, the software captured her movements and projected them to the animated model on the screen.
We were also given a talk and a 3D film show by the Innovations Manager Hashim Hashim - so good they named him twice! The end of the film turned the cameras on the audience and we all saw ourselves in glorious 3D! Awesome (although I have to say I did feel a little nauseous after the clip from an alien invasion where the audience were flying in a space craft at warp factor infinity!)
I have to say, though, the best part for me was the 3D printer that they had there. Imagine being able to design something in 3D on the computer, then to send it to print only to have a perfect plastic model come out of the tray! fantastic! Wonder if they do 3D photocopiers...could have some fun with that at the office Christmas party.
I'm not sure that any of the technologies I saw could be used in e-learning due to the high production costs, but certainly we could consider using DVDs or online video streaming to add a bit of va va voom to training courses.
If you want more information about the WOW academy visit the WOW academy website or tel:01274 433343.
There was a good turnout, mainly people from media companies, dealing with video and DVD production both for online and regular marketing streams. I spoke to a young man from a fledgling company born out of the Think Business incubation unit at Bradford University. They were specialising in video production but also animation. The girl shown in the photo was kitted out with the lastest technology used for CGI and animation...similar to the type used in the making of King Kong Movie. As she moved around, the software captured her movements and projected them to the animated model on the screen.
We were also given a talk and a 3D film show by the Innovations Manager Hashim Hashim - so good they named him twice! The end of the film turned the cameras on the audience and we all saw ourselves in glorious 3D! Awesome (although I have to say I did feel a little nauseous after the clip from an alien invasion where the audience were flying in a space craft at warp factor infinity!)
I have to say, though, the best part for me was the 3D printer that they had there. Imagine being able to design something in 3D on the computer, then to send it to print only to have a perfect plastic model come out of the tray! fantastic! Wonder if they do 3D photocopiers...could have some fun with that at the office Christmas party.
I'm not sure that any of the technologies I saw could be used in e-learning due to the high production costs, but certainly we could consider using DVDs or online video streaming to add a bit of va va voom to training courses.
If you want more information about the WOW academy visit the WOW academy website or tel:01274 433343.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Interactive messaging services
Only doing a half day today so this will be continued tomorrow. Today's topic covers the use of the Mobile Telephone as a medium for push and pull campaigns not necessarily for marketing purposes in our case - although I'm sure we will find a use for it there- no, this is more for capturing feedback, doing polls and maybe even quizzes. The scenario may be to send a text once a student has completed their course telling them about another course...or maybe asking them to press 1 if it was good 2, for OK, 3 for don't know etc. Perhaps it could be used to close the loop for standards compliance training...they respond to say they have read the training and fully understand...perhaps they can be asked a question or two to test them.
Anyway, emails have been sent to the big Mobile Phone companies...lets see who is the best eh?
For an explanation on what 02 offer in the way of these services, click here
Anyway, emails have been sent to the big Mobile Phone companies...lets see who is the best eh?
For an explanation on what 02 offer in the way of these services, click here
Interactive Messaging Services
Only doing a half day today so this will be continued tomorrow. Today's topic covers the use of the Mobile Telephone as a medium for push and pull campaigns not necessarily for marketing purposes in our case - although I'm sure we will find a use for it there- no, this is more for capturing feedback, doing polls and maybe even quizzes. The scenario may be to send a text once a student has completed their course telling them about another course...or maybe asking them to press 1 if it was good 2, for OK, 3 for don't know etc. Perhaps it could be used to close the loop for standards compliance training...they respond to say they have read the training and fully understand...perhaps they can be asked a question or two to test them.
Anyway, emails have been sent to the big Mobile Phone companies...lets see who is the best eh?
For an explanation on what 02 offer in the way of these services, click here
Anyway, emails have been sent to the big Mobile Phone companies...lets see who is the best eh?
For an explanation on what 02 offer in the way of these services, click here
Research project underway!
Hopefully this blogspot will detail my findings of my research into software and hardware for e-learning
Today's lesson: Microsoft Producer used in conjunction with word to give a truly media rich feel without the high cost and a degree in geekdom that you need for other tools - in fact its free with every copy of Microsoft 2003!
View my very crude novice attempts here. Now I know its not as it should be but I wanted to show a no nonsense newbie approach to new software hoping that as I learn how to use it I can teach it real-time.
I should've included a section on how to publish and upload these files to a server once finished, as that will be a bit tricky for the web novice, but I'm not gonna change it at this stage, as I think its approachable and naive and possibly a little less intimidating and hey, I've got no make-up on either!! shock horror! Watch this space for the new improved version...
Let me know what you think.
Today's lesson: Microsoft Producer used in conjunction with word to give a truly media rich feel without the high cost and a degree in geekdom that you need for other tools - in fact its free with every copy of Microsoft 2003!
View my very crude novice attempts here. Now I know its not as it should be but I wanted to show a no nonsense newbie approach to new software hoping that as I learn how to use it I can teach it real-time.
I should've included a section on how to publish and upload these files to a server once finished, as that will be a bit tricky for the web novice, but I'm not gonna change it at this stage, as I think its approachable and naive and possibly a little less intimidating and hey, I've got no make-up on either!! shock horror! Watch this space for the new improved version...
Let me know what you think.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Research project underway!
Hopefully this blogspot will detail my findings of my research into software and hardware for e-learning
Today's lesson: Microsoft Producer used in conjunction with word to give a truly media rich feel without the high cost and a degree in geekdom that you need for other tools - in fact its free with every copy of Microsoft 2003!
View my very crude novice attempts here. Now I know its not as it should be but I wanted to show a no nonsense newbie approach to new software hoping that as I learn how to use it I can teach it real-time.
I should've included a section on how to publish and upload these files to a server once finished, as that will be a bit tricky for the web novice, but I'm not gonna change it at this stage, as I think its approachable and naive and possibly a little less intimidating and hey, I've got no make-up on either!! shock horror! Watch this space for the new improved version...
Let me know what you think.
Today's lesson: Microsoft Producer used in conjunction with word to give a truly media rich feel without the high cost and a degree in geekdom that you need for other tools - in fact its free with every copy of Microsoft 2003!
View my very crude novice attempts here. Now I know its not as it should be but I wanted to show a no nonsense newbie approach to new software hoping that as I learn how to use it I can teach it real-time.
I should've included a section on how to publish and upload these files to a server once finished, as that will be a bit tricky for the web novice, but I'm not gonna change it at this stage, as I think its approachable and naive and possibly a little less intimidating and hey, I've got no make-up on either!! shock horror! Watch this space for the new improved version...
Let me know what you think.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
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