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20 Free eLearning and Corporate Training Resources

By www.corporatetrainingelearningblog.com
Published On :: Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:39:00 -0400

Article by Guest Blog Contributor Karen Schweitzer.

Are you an instructor or trainer looking for new ways to entertain and engage your students online? The Internet is loaded with free tools, blogs, and informational sites that are designed to aid and improve your courses. Here is a list of 20 free eLearning and training resources worth checking out:

Tools

  • CourseLab - CourseLab offers a free eLearning authoring tool that can be used to effectively create web-based training. Some of the features users will find with this system include layout, editing, rich-media support, rapid development, testing, and interactivity.
  • MyiCourse - Instructors can use this site to create free online courses or universities for educational material. MyiCourse gives users the ability to create public or private courses on just about anything.
  • Utilium - Utilium is a free beta site that provides instructors with the tools they need for organizing and sharing learning materials. This site makes it easy to inspire and engage students through videos, articles, podcasts, and other rich sources.
  • Prezi - Prezi is a unique presentation tool that uses zooming technology instead of slides. With Prezi your ideas flow freely on a stage that can be zoomed in on and out of for further explanation.
  • Yugma - This free online conferencing tool makes it easy to host web conferences and online meetings. With Yugma Free, users can share their desktop with up to 20 attendees.
  • Open Huddle - Open Huddle is a beta site for presenting or instructing people online. This site provides you with files, video, audio, chat, and drawing boards for interacting and collaborating with your students.
  • Campfire - Campfire can be used for online group chat and education. This site allows users to instantly create password-protected chat rooms for collaborating and working out important questions. Campfire comes at a cost, but users can try it free for 30 days.
  • Slideshare - Slideshare provides a way to upload and share presentations. Once the presentations are uploaded, they can be shared privately or publicly and work well for webinars.
  • SourceForge - This site provides a free authoring application that can be used to assist instructors in creating free eLearning seminars. SourceForge employs the eXeLearning tool which provides the ability to publish web content without knowing HTML or XML markup.
  • ClassMarker - ClassMarker features a free way for instructors or presenters to test students online. Simply sign up for a free account for access to an array a quiz creating materials. The quizzes can even be linked directly to websites or emails.

Blogs

  • eLearningLearning - eLearningLearning is an online community blog dedicated to organizing and collecting material about eLearning. Within this blog, users can find information about eLearning technology and media, events, and ideas.
  • eLearning Technology - eLearning Technology is a blog that provides information and resources on the latest in the business of learning. Just a few of the concepts discussed in this blog include trends, software, rapid eLearning tools, and open source eLearning.
  • eLearningSpace - The eLearningSpace blog offers information, knowledge, and networks that are specifically designed for eLearning instructors.
  • Corporate eLearning Strategies and Development - This blog provides information that explores technology for eLearning. Within this blog, instructors can find resources, ideas, technology, and more.
  • Thoughts from Training Time - This blog deals with the issues and ideas that can be found in corporate and government training.

Informational Sites

  • eLearningPost - The eLearningPost site provides blogs and articles that instructors and trainers can use for information. Within this site, users can explore views, news, and stories that surround eLearning, corporate training, instructional design, and much more.
  • eLearning Magazine - eLearning Magazine offers a free place for instructors and trainers to find a wealth of information through articles, reviews, case studies, and more. This public information center is also an excellent place to find forums and exchange ideas with others.
  • Web-Based Training Information Center - This free info center provides information and resources on web-based training trends, surveys, and more.
  • Learning Circuits - Learning Circuits is a free informational site from the ASTD. The goal of this site is to provide a large database of eLearning and training knowledge as well as efficient training technology.
  • BusinessBalls.com - BusinessBalls.com provides free materials, exercises, tools, ideas, and templates that instructors and other eLearning professionals may find helpful.

Guest Blog Contributor By-line:

This post is from education writer Karen Schweitzer. Karen is with the About.com Guide to Business School. She also writes for OnlineCollege.org, an accredited online college resource.


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Videogame Based Training: Effective or Just a Joke?

By www.corporatetrainingelearningblog.com
Published On :: Sun, 5 Aug 2012 12:26:00 -0400

For several years, employers have tried to develop "relevant" and creative ways to successfully train new employees. After all, employees are more likely to pay attention to training videos and seminars if they can actually relate to the content. While there have been some pretty outrageous attempts over the years—just take a look at the 1989 Wendy's training (music) video designed to instruct new hires how to properly pour coffee—some of the methods do work.

More recently, the use of videogames has been growing in popularity in the hopes of captivating "millennial" employees—those who fall between 18 and 29 years of age.

For example, Hilton's Garden Inn, which is one of the first companies to implement videogame-based training, uses a PlayStation game called the "Ultimate Team Play" in order to teach new hires about customer service and loyalty. Players are immersed in a virtual 3-D Garden Inn where they must pass a series of customer-related scenarios in order to "win" the game.

Johnson & Johnson and Volvo use videogame-based training as well.

While videogame-based training is certainly innovative, it does come with some challenges. For starters, it's hard to determine whether employees will actually internalize the lessons, or if they will just have "fun" while playing. Thus, the game has to be carefully tailored to help employees actually learn valuable lessons at the end. It's also undetermined whether videogame-based training downplays the seriousness of the company culture, which may worry some larger (and more serious) corporations.

Beyond that, however, videogame-based training can be a cost effective way to train people and encourage their continuing education. Companies can save money by not sending employees to expensive conferences or off-site courses. Information can be learned at the office or at home with the help of a PlayStation, Xbox, or Wii. Videogame-based training is also extremely eco-friendly as it omits the need for hardcopy materials (paper and ink) and reduces the release of gas emissions as a result of car and plane travel. 

So what do you think? Are videogame-based training programs ingenious or ridiculous? Would you use them?

Guest Blog Contributor By-line:
Pepper Givens is a freelance writer whose foremost passion is writing for her blog about education.  While her primary writing focus is trends in higher ed, Pepper also enjoys writing about personal finance, parenting, sustainable living, small business strategies, and more. She can be reached for questions or comments at pepper.givens@gmail.com.


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8 Tricks to Stay Focused During Training

By www.corporatetrainingelearningblog.com
Published On :: Sun, 12 Aug 2012 12:35:00 -0400

It’s not every employee’s favorite task but it’s time for your online training course and you would rather sift through your emails than make the time to log on. But you know you have to get it done. Don’t let other work distractions get in the way of your course; here are 5 tricks to stay focused:

Schedule it: Depending on how long your online course is, schedule it into your calendar and set a reminder. Making time for it, instead of just finding the time, will help you actually complete the work. Adjust your day accordingly to fit around your training course.

Time it: Choose to take the course during your lightest time of the day and when you are most ready to work. Typically the first two hours after lunch or when you first arrive at work are good times. 

Close your door: Don’t be afraid to close your door and post a ‘do not disturb’ sign. Keeping your door closed will deter people from walking into your office and distracting you.

Log off: Log off your email and any other websites that are distracting, including your company's internal instant message application. Log off and stay off until your course is complete.

Turn off notifications: Turn your phone ringer off on both your cell phone and work phone until you complete your course. You can even turn off your email notifications to help you remain on task.

Just say no:If you are in the position to do so, just say no. There are times when it is okay just to say ‘no, thank you’ at work. If someone comes to you for help or a question, it is okay to ask them to come back at a later time or to seek help elsewhere.
Sit up straight:Not only is sitting up with both feet on the floor and your shoulders back good for your posture but it's also great for your ability to focus. Getting your body ready can help you stay focused on your course.
Allow for a break: Some courses take a long time to complete and you may want to schedule a break in the middle. Allow yourself to get up for a cup of coffee or take a restroom break. Five minutes should help, then it’s back to the course! 


Guest Blog Contributor By-line:
This guest post is contributed by Debra Johnson, blogger and editor of nanny babysitter.  She welcomes your comments at her email Id: - jdebra84 @ gmail.com.


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3 Digital Training Techniques to Adapt from Online Schools

By www.corporatetrainingelearningblog.com
Published On :: Sun, 9 Sep 2012 21:11:00 -0400

As more and more people desire flexibility while getting their education so they can keep their full-time jobs or raise their family, many are pursuing online programs. Though some people are skeptical about their effectiveness, online programs have mastered the use of technology to ensure that students have easy access to learning. That said, there are a few techniques employers can use from online programs that can help during new hire training, especially for remote workers.  Let’s take a look at these techniques.

Webinars/Key Note Slide Shows
Since online students don’t physically attend brick-and-mortar institutions, professors pre-record digital videos and webinars for these students.  Your digital training video can replicate one of these "lectures"—something simple, broken apart in several different headings so that your new employees can better absorb the information. Learners should also have control of the video, so that if they miss a part, they can simply rewind and play it again.

Discussion Boards 
Since there is no physical interaction, online students must depend on discussion boards and forums to ask questions and raise thought-provoking questions about their assignments. You can apply the same idea and create a forum for your new hires: they can post questions about the company in general or about rules and regulations mentioned in the company handbook. Open forums allow any team members to respond, plus all questions and answers are shared across the team.

Virtual Tours 
Many brick-and-mortar schools now also offer online programs. To help their online students learn about the school, "online virtual tours" provide a glimpse of the campus. When you hire a remote worker, host a virtual tour of the corporate office to help your new employee feel like he or she "belongs." It can even help those who work in a regional office who may never get the chance to travel to the corporate office.

Guest Blog Contributor By-line: 
Nadia Jones is a regular contributor to onlinecollege.org, a website that specializes in e-learning and onlinecollege.org. She also thoroughly enjoys writing articles about careers, recruitment, and job training. She welcomes your comments and can be reached at nadia.jones5@gmail.com.


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Effective E-Learning Techniques for Business Training

By www.corporatetrainingelearningblog.com
Published On :: Thu, 13 Sep 2012 22:14:00 -0400

Business training programs constantly need to be updated in order to keep employees up-to-date on the latest techniques and research in their field. The right training program can quickly teach current employees and new hires the skills they need to know in a short period of time. Additionally, they should be easily accessible and offer detailed explanations that can allow employees to retain the information they learn. Currently, e-learning programs are becoming one of the most frequently used training programs in businesses as they offer a convenient way to teach a wide variety of information to employees in a way that is innovative and fun. Therefore, the following techniques should be used by any company that wants to offer the most effective e-learning programs to their employees.

1.  Easy Access – Employee training programs should always be easy for them to access in order to participate in the program. Most programs require a log-in ID as well as a password. Because these are usually generated by the company, they should be simple enough for an employee to remember while also protecting their security. 

2.  Ability to Track Progress – E-learning programs are most effective when employees are able to document their progress through the program. Therefore, each component of the training should include some form of quiz or test in order to make sure that the information has been mastered. 

3.  Sensory Experiences – Many e-learning programs offer the opportunity for lessons to be viewed in a variety of formats. This can help to enable people with different learning styles to be able to use the same courses in different ways. Additionally, most people learn best when a variety of senses are used. Therefore, e-learning courses that offer videos, voice chats and other interactive methods are best for teaching new concepts. 

4.  Computer Training – When first introducing e-learning programs into a company, it is important to make sure that everyone knows how to use a computer and the related software. Therefore, a brief training on how to access course materials, store work and send information online is important for making sure that every employee will be capable of using the training program. 

5.  Plan Meetings – E-learning programs work best when they are completed in conjunction with public meetings that review the information that the employees have learned. These can be informal meetings held throughout the training program at certain progress markers. This way, the information can be reviewed to make sure that everyone is benefiting from their training. 

E-learning offers many powerful benefits for companies who would like to find an innovative technique for training. However, it is important that online learning is backed by the support of company meetings and hands-on training. In order to make the most of e-learning within a company, it is important to make sure that employees are able to access their materials while keeping track of the new skills that they have learned.
 
Guest Blog Contributor By-line:
Heather Smith is an ex-nanny. Passionate about thought leadership and writing, Heather regularly contributes to various career, social media, public relations, branding, and parenting blogs/websites. She also provides value to www.nanny.net/ service by giving advice on site design as well as the features and functionality to provide more and more value to nannies and families across the U.S. and Canada. She can be reached at H.smith7295 [at] gmail.com.


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3 Important Teaching Strategies for Corporate Training Newbies

By www.corporatetrainingelearningblog.com
Published On :: Sat, 22 Sep 2012 13:41:00 -0400

When someone studies to become a teacher, they learn a number of different teaching strategies that help them effectively impart knowledge to students. Corporate trainers with advanced degrees in adult education are also often exposed to similar strategies as a part of their academic preparation. In contrast, many internal employees who take on training duties at their companies aren't familiar with effective teaching strategies. Many of them are selected to train new and current employees because they are good at their jobs and not necessarily because they're skilled educators. Unfortunately, this can mean that their training efforts don't quite achieve the desired results.

If you've recently been assigned the task of training staff members at your company, and you don't have much prior training experience, here are three important teaching strategies you may want to consider:

1. Differentiation
This strategy essentially involves tailoring your instruction to the specific needs of your trainees. When differentiating, a teacher might present information to a class orally, then show them a video of the same presentation, and end the lesson with a hands-on activity. This would, in theory, give auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learners a chance to grasp the information, since the information was presented in ways that are compatible with the different learning styles of individual students. As a trainer, you should try to differentiate in the same way by orally explaining concepts, providing visuals to support your oral instruction, and facilitating hands-on exercises.

Another part of differentiation is changing up your instruction when some part of it isn't working. If you notice that a particular PowerPoint slide or video doesn't quite get the point across well enough to your trainees, it may benefit you to ditch it and find a different way to communicate the concept you're trying to teach.

2. Assessment of Understanding
One of the most critical things educators are taught to do is to check for understanding. Inexperienced teachers and trainers will often present information to students and trainees without asking them questions about that information. Think about all those quizzes and tests you took in school. You took those for a reason: so your teacher could assess whether or not he or she taught the material well enough. As a trainer, it's a good idea for you to assess how well your trainees understand what you're teaching too. So, ask them questions after you present new concepts and teach them new skills. This will help you figure out if you need to adjust how you're presenting the information.

3. Relationship Building
Learners are more likely to stay mentally engaged with what they're learning if they like and respect their teacher. This is something that's true of K-12 students, college students, and adult students in corporate environments. And it's something first-year teachers who are too distant and stern often learn the hard way. When you're training staff members at your company, it's helpful for you to establish a rapport with them. You can do this in simple ways, such as telling jokes, praising them when they participate, and peppering your lessons with personal anecdotes. Once you win them over, they'll be a lot more receptive to what you're trying to teach them.

Inexperienced trainers sometimes feel uncomfortable during the first few training sessions they lead. Don't be too hard on yourself if everything doesn't go as you plan in the beginning. If you're an expert at what you're teaching as a trainer and you use effective teaching strategies like the ones listed above, you'll become a skilled corporate educator in no time.

Guest Blog Contributor By-line:
Nancy Wood is a former educator, freelance writer, and blogging enthusiast who writes for onlinecollegeclasses.comand other e-learning related sites. Please feel free to leave comments for Nancy below. She loves hearing from her readers!


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5 Ways to Convince Your Boss to Spring for the Online Training You Need

By www.corporatetrainingelearningblog.com
Published On :: Sat, 23 Mar 2013 20:52:00 -0400

Times are tight. Though you may have found an online training program that will teach you the skills you need to get to the next level in your career or at your company, your boss may not want to pay for the training. With so many companies cutting their budgets and freezing spending, not many managers are open to what they see as "unnecessary" spending for employee training.

No matter how reluctant your boss is to spend the money, you can convince him (or her) to pay for your online training if you are persuasive enough. Here are a few tips:

Show How It Will Improve Your Performance

Online training is an investment -- for you and for your boss. In order to convince your boss to make that investment, you need to show what the reward will be. Make a case for how the training will have a direct impact on your job. Perhaps it's an SEO training course that will help you to improve your company's site ranking and increase traffic. Or maybe it's a training course on effective communication that will help you improve department relationships and provide better customer service.

The more specific you can be in showing how the training will improve your performance, the better the likelihood that you will get the approval you seek.

Offer to Train Others on What You Have Learned

You can provide more bang for your company's buck by offering to train your co-workers on the education that you get. You can present the concepts you've learned in a summary of your training, or you can create your own training module based on the knowledge you've gained.

Be careful that you do not violate any copyright rules. Do not use proprietary information or materials in your training. Focus instead on creating your own training.

Ask to Do the Training at Home

In addition to the financial investment, time may be an issue. There may be projects that require too much of your time to allow you the free time to complete the training. You can get around this obstacle by offering to complete the training on your own time at home. While you may not be getting paid for the time, you will be doing something that will pay off later.

Show Why the Program Is a Savings

There are usually many options for your online training. You can show that the program you have chosen offers savings over the other options available. In comparison to what else is available, you can make it seem like the program is a bargain-basement savings. You can make it seem like you'd be losing money if you didn't sign up for the program.

Secure Discounts

Some online training programs may offer scholarships, grants or discounts to some students. Find out what's available, and apply for whatever you can get. Whatever reduction you can get will help you to make your case more easily.

Training for workers may be tight in many companies, but you can use these tips to improve your chances of convincing your boss to let you get the online training you need. Start looking for opportunities today and get your pitch ready!
 
 
Guest Blog Contributor By-line:
Alexis Bonari contributed today's post.  Her website is collegescholarships.org.  She also writes guest posts for other websites and blogs.


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Why Cloud Based Learning is the Next Big Hit in Corporate Training

By www.corporatetrainingelearningblog.com
Published On :: Mon, 12 Oct 2015 18:03:00 -0400

Smartphones can do an amazing amount of things, and educating employees is only one thing on that long list. Since nearly everyone has a smartphone, more employers are choosing to offer education to their employees through this medium. M-learning, the trend of education via mobile devices, has really taken off in recent years, and it’s no wonder why.  M-learning utilizes the cloud to distribute information to employees, and an increasing number of businesses are eager to jump on this innovation.

Excellent Savings

Cloud based learning is far more cost effective than traditional training. Instead of having to hire a trainer, print up tons of training materials, and work out schedules to get everyone together at the exact same time, cloud based learning eliminates many aspects of this process. All you have to do is establish one set of training material, upload it to the cloud, and have your employees access it. You’re not going to incur any additional costs along the way.

Enable Remote Learning

Training doesn’t have to be scheduled around business trips. With cloud based learning, your employees have equal access to the material, no matter where they are. They’ll be able to reference the material if they need clarification in a business situation, and that will streamline processes. Everyone is able to get on the same page at the same time with remote access.

Instantaneous

As soon as you compile your training material, you can place it on the cloud. Cloud Learning Management systems are simpler than traditional systems. The cloud host manages everything you upload to it, and you won’t have to deal with any technical aspects. In the blink of an eye, everyone will have immediate access to their learning materials. Should any maintenance be required or any technical hang ups occur, the cloud staff will handle them immediately. No one’s learning experience will be interrupted due to any down time.

Full Integration

The materials can be accessed on any device. HR, upper management, and all other employees can access the same material across any device. Whether it’s their personal smartphone or tablet or their work computer, the lessons will exist on all platforms. No one will have to bounce back and forth between systems to get the most of their lesson.

Size Flexibility

Not every employee will need the same training, and cloud learning takes that into account. Whether you’re attempting a small and generalized training lesson, a series of moderate lessons, or specific lessons for certain types of employees, the cloud can accommodate it. Even if a single employee needs extra help in a certain area, cloud learning makes the process easier. Small or large, simple or complex, the cloud can handle anything you throw at it.

Simplicity of Learning

When corporate learning systems are on the cloud, the process is made infinitely easier. Having that wealth of information at your employees’ disposal will ensure that they’re adequately informed. Training is one of the most important things you can offer to your employees, and no employer can pass up the opportunity to educate their employees. If everyone is adequately trained, they’ll be able to do their jobs with maximum efficiency, which will lead to a boost in productivity.



With cloud learning, innovation is on your side. Taking advantage of technological advances to better your workplace is a no-brainer. Educated employees are more likely to succeed, and your business will go where your employees take it.



Guest Blog Contributor By-line:
Jasmine Cooper is a tech-savvy marketing specialist working at Get Qualified Australia, a company providing skill recognition & RPL services. In her free time, Jasmine enjoys self-improvement literature. 


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6 Tips for Designing Effective M-Learning Apps for Your Corporate Training

By www.corporatetrainingelearningblog.com
Published On :: Tue, 15 Dec 2015 18:41:00 -0500

Mobile learning makes everything a little easier. Schedules are more navigable, and you don’t have to plan for an instructor to deliver real-life training. This new standard changes the playing field. With the advent of mobile training, employees are able to learn from anywhere, and have easy access to information if they need to look something up. As long as the app is designed properly, you’ll get more from mobile learning than you ever could from traditional training.

1. Know what you want to cover
It’s useless to have a corporate training app just for the sake of having one. If the information is too general, no one is gaining anything. If it’s too specific, employees may lose sight of the big picture. Break down the elements of your training into blocks. Each block should have a main point that shows its relationship with smaller points. Breaking things into thorough but bite sized pieces is the best way to go.

2. Figure out how you’re making it available
What platforms do you need to reach with your app? If everyone has a company phone, you’ll want to design your training app specifically for that platform. If your employees use their personal phones, you’ll have to adapt your app for a variety of platforms. The content should read the same on every app. While there may be some aesthetic differences, the key is to make everything cohesive across the board. Everyone should have access to the same info.

3. Add some social elements
The only downside to m-learning is that users typically work within the apps independently. You’re losing the element of discussion you could get at a face-to-face training table. Discussions promote knowledge and are necessary for exchanging ideas. People may have questions and no one to answer them. Work social elements into your app to build a sense of community among employees and instructors.

4. Create video content
There’s more to mobile learning apps than fun graphics and comical sound effects. Working video content into your training app can help people understand complex processes, such as how to work certain pieces of equipment or software that may be pertinent to their jobs. Whether you want to utilize videos of real people or cartoon animation, having a moving representation of what you’re trying to explain will help visual learners perfect their knowledge.

5. Let the learner become the instructor
Role playing exercises are common in corporate training, especially when it comes to customer service situations. We use these techniques because they work by giving everyone a chance to showcase and strengthen what they’re best at. Utilizing features such as user submitted quizzes and polls in your app is great for engagement, and it allows everyone to showcase just how much they know.

6. Encourage feedback
If your app isn’t working for someone, they may not speak up – and that’s especially true if they believe everyone else understands it just fine. Always seek feedback from your employees about how your mobile learning programs are working for them. If you find people are having difficulty, it may be time to redesign the interface or simplify the information. People are willing to tell you how they want to learn, as long as you’re willing to listen.

It can seem overwhelming and confusing at first to throw away a traditional method in favor of an innovation, but the results are worth it. Once you implement mobile learning in your workplace, you’ll never want to go back to training the old way. 


Guest Blog Contributor By-line:
Monique Craig is interested in digital marketing and branding. She’s part of the team at Oneflare [https://www.oneflare.com.au/], Australia’s online marketplace for local service providers.


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7 Steps to an Effective E-Learning Training Strategy

By www.corporatetrainingelearningblog.com
Published On :: Wed, 15 Jun 2016 14:23:00 -0400

E-learning creates endless possibilities for new ways to help our team to upskill. In a world where business practice constantly evolves all of us need to be on our toes and up to date with the latest trends and technology relevant to our industry. It’s no use management being on trend if our staff are left behind.

Below we will set out 7 steps which will help guide you towards creating an effective e-learning training strategy to ensure that your staff are getting the most out of their training and development program at work.

1.  Decide On Your Objectives & Plan Accordingly
Planning is essential in ensuring that the resources you put into e-learning are well spent. Identify what type of training is most needed within your organization at this time. Is the training required uniform across the board, or do you have a need for various types of training?

Take into consideration what skills the course will develop, how it will do this and what theoretical frameworks it will be based upon. Next, you need to consider the learners themselves, what are their requirements? We all learn in different ways and to ensure that your staff get the most value out of the e-learning training, you should aim to personalize the training insofar as possible.

By setting out your objectives in advance, it will be easy to measure the success of the program at the end.
       
2.  Make It User-Friendly
Above all else an e-learning environment must be user-friendly. If the learner has difficulty in navigating around the website or accessing the webinar then everything else becomes secondary. Pay close attention to making the material accessible to all staff and giving an introductory tutorial to make sure that everyone knows how to access their course.

The language used should be clear and concise, learners want and need to be able to extract the relevant information without having to wade through extra academic style details which do not pertain to how they will use the skills they are developing.

3.  Give Students a Plan
Many learners feel more secure when they are given a clear overview of the course syllabus. Knowing what material they will cover in the coming weeks allows them to do preparatory work if they wish and relieves stress that may arise out of the unknown. This course overview should also outline what is expected of the students, and how they can expect to be assessed.

4.  Get Them Talking
Group interaction and collaborative learning is sometimes seen as not particularly relevant to an e-learning syllabus. However, overlooking this aspect of training may leave students feeling isolated leading to a lack of interest in the training. Not everyone enjoys group work, but it is a feature of most workplaces and even those who don’t enjoy it will probably expect some degree of collaboration during their training. Collaborative activities where students work together to solve a problem create a wonderful learning opportunity for everybody involved. Each learner can contribute the skills that they have been developing, contributing to the good of the whole, and students can identify different ways of approaching tasks.

Social media is useful for collaborating, as are forums where ideas can be exchanged.

5.  Set Up an Assessment Strategy
Any training program requires an element of assessment to ensure that the learners are processing and retaining the relevant information. It also allows the students to put what they have learned in the e-classroom to practical use. Some people will prefer to assess the students at the end of each module with a simple multiple choice quiz, while others opt for a collaborative group project at the end of a unit.

How the learners will be assessed should be agreed upon before they begin their course, and outlined to them so that they can prepare for it as they progress. Assessment not only gives you as the e-learning coordinator the chance to see how staff are progressing with their training, but it also gives the learners a sense of achievement which will drive them forward and keep them motivated.

6.  Solicit Feedback
It is important to ask for feedback to check that your e-learning program is actually delivering what you hoped it would. Be sure to discuss the learning outcomes with both the learners themselves and their team leaders, this will allow you to see if the both parties have derived benefit from the training. Where the learner feels that they have, but their team leader is not seeing it, then perhaps the training needs to be tweaked to ensure that it is more relevant to the worker’s daily workload.

You can solicit feedback using online surveys, face to face chats or online chats where the learners come together for a session.

7.  Keep the Learning Going
Many learners, and indeed, instructors can tend to see training and development as having a set start and finish date. While this may be strictly true, training within an organization should be approached as ongoing. Life itself is a constant journey on the path of learning, why should work be any different. Encourage your staff to engage with their career development in this light. Set up structures by which they can approach you with regard to continuing their learning once they have completed one e-learning course. Perhaps there is an advanced course you could run or a course of study which will complement the first one. Every time your staff upskill in a way that improves their productivity and sense of purpose at work you will see the return in spades.

I hope that this overview has given you a few ideas on how to get started implementing your own corporate e-learning training strategy. With adequate planning and a positive approach, you may find that e-learning can make a huge difference to staff morale in your workplace.


Guest Blog Contributor By-line:

David Grover is a Communications Manager at Timeo, a useful tool for businesses in the UK. He’s also a freelance career coach, who’s always eager to share his experience. In his free time, he enjoys traveling.


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Corporate Training Through Drama

By www.corporatetrainingelearningblog.com
Published On :: Sun, 18 Dec 2016 15:51:00 -0500

You may not think it, but a key form of training could be missing from your repertoire. If you are not using drama in your corporate training routine, then you should think about adding it immediately. Here’s how this form of training can be such a powerful tool – and what it will help your employees to learn.

Improved Leadership Skills

The first area in which your team can improve their skills is in leadership. When using a drama workshop, trainees are often encourage to form groups and create their own short plays or role plays. This means that someone has to take charge. If you are concerned that some of your employees already have enough leadership authority, then you can select other employees to take charge. When they have to organise something very different to the workplace environment, they can learn a great deal. They may also be surprised to learn that in fact, organising a short piece can be very similar to organising a project. They will learn delegation, how to assign tasks based on skills, and how to manage conflicts between team members. They will also take responsibility for the efforts of the whole team and the results that they come up with.

Increased Creativity

Creativity can be essential in the workplace. It can aid with problem solving, as well as helping more effective strategies to be developed within projects. It’s also a fantastic attribute to help manage the work-life balance. You need to help your employees to develop this creative side, and how better to do that than by helping them to act? With a short drama workshop, they can be encouraged to write and perform their own plays. This will allow them to work on finding inspiration and developing ideas. It’s also very fulfilling for them to be able to see the results of their work come to fruition. Many creative pursuits are longer term, but this format allows them to put in the work and get feedback within a short space of time.

Enhanced Teamwork

Especially if the members of your groups work together in the office, you can really strengthen their ability to work as a team. This is key to getting the finished piece organised and performed to the best possible standard. They will learn how to offer constructive criticism, and how to take it. They will learn to adapt, and how to take the best parts of everyone’s ideas to make an overall project that works. Working as a team to complete their drama workshop is essential for making a more cohesive and collaborative workshop.

Better Personal Development

It is also important to encourage personal development in your employees, as well as self-belief. Some of them may be shy at the idea of role play or drama, thinking that they would never be able to put together a good performance. This is a common belief for most who have never tried it before. Once they get into the swing of things, they can however prove themselves wrong. The ability to perform and do well in the exercises will astound them, giving them more belief in themselves. It may even spark a newfound interest or hobby! What is important is that your employees not only learn new things, but also have a good time. This will help the lessons to stick, which is great for ongoing development.

If you are interested in putting together a training experience beyond the norm, this is definitely an option to explore. Rather than the normal boring options, it creates an experience to remember.

Guest Blog Contributor By-line:


Jessica Gust is a Marketing Assistant at Localpeek.co.uk- a new postcode finder. She is passionate about new marketing strategies, she is always eager to share her ideas through blogging.


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33-1/3 to Light Speed and Back Again

By carnationsoftware.com
Published On :: Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:05:34 -0600

My personal experience with technology from the early years of computers in the 1970’s to today in 2008


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Say it & Mail it iPhone app

By www.carnationsoftware.com
Published On :: Sun, 05 Jul 2009 17:34:35 -0500

A very easy and convenient way to record and email a voice message
from your iPhone or iPod Touch to yourself or to others.
http://www.carnationsoftware.com/SayitMailit.html


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Say it & Mail it Version 1.4 for iPhone

By www.carnationsoftware.com
Published On :: Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:36:53 -0500

Say it & Mail it version 1.4 was submitted to the iTunes Store today. It should be released in a couple of weeks and will be a free upgrade. You will be able to send a voice memo, picture and map location to an iPhone as an instant message. Pretty cool!


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Say it & Mail it for iPhone and Leo Laporte's Blog

By www.carnationsoftware.com
Published On :: Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:36:50 -0500

Leo Laporte is a Radio and TV Personality.
He hosted Tech TV for many years and now is host and producer of the TWiT Netcasts at http://twit.tv


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Say it & Mail it for iPhone hits #6 in Top Paid Business Apps in the iTunes Store

By carnationsoftware.com
Published On :: Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:14:32 -0500

You can take a look at Apple's web page to see their featured business apps for iPhone and the current top 10 selling apps.
http://www.apple.com/iphone/apps-for-everything/work.html


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Using Say it & Mail it from your iPhone for blog posting

By carnationsoftware.com
Published On :: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:06:58 -0600

It is very cool to use your iPhone from anywhere and post to your blog. All you need to do is record your audio, take a photo or movie, turn on the map location switch and send your email to your blog.


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Say it & Mail it LITE - Free version to be released soon

By carnationsoftware.com
Published On :: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:11:46 -0600

A free LITE version of 'Say it & Mail it' has been submitted to the iTunes store and should be available in a week or so.


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Say it & Mail it - Handpicked App of the Week at Yappler.com

By www.carnationsoftware.com
Published On :: Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:55:07 -0600

'Say it & Mail it' for iPhone and iPod Touch has been chosen as one of the Editor's handpicked apps of the week at Yappler.com
The quickest way to email a voice memo from your iPhone or iPod Touch to yourself or to others.


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Say it & Mail it - Cyber Monday Sale

By www.carnationsoftware.com
Published On :: Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:59:19 -0600

'Say it & Mail it' for iPhone and iPod Touch is on sale today only on Cyber Monday. $1.99
Record and email voice memos using your iPhone or iPod Touch.
Use it to email reminders to yourself or email messages to anyone.


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Say it & Mail it Lite Free version released in iTunes store for iPhone and iPod Touch

By carnationsoftware.com
Published On :: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:41:38 -0600

Record and email voice memos using your iPhone or iPod Touch.
Use it to email reminders to yourself or email messages to anyone.


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ai

Say it & Mail it Version 2.0 released for iPhone and iPod Touch

By carnationsoftware.com
Published On :: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:24:10 -0600

Say it & Mail it is the quickest and easiest way to email a voice memo from your iPhone or iPod Touch to yourself or to others.

This new version lets you 'Shake it & Mail it'. You can optionally shake your iPhone or iPod touch to start and stop recording. Then just one tap to email a voice memo.


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Say it & Mail it FREE to first 50 people who use it to locate and report oil soaked birds along the Gulf Coast

By www.carnationsoftware.com
Published On :: Wed, 09 Jun 2010 08:59:54 -0500

I was motivated by a news report showing an ABC correspondent having trouble getting through by phone to report a flock of oil-soaked pelicans. The news report made me realize that the iPhone is a great tool for reporting the location of birds needing help. It's built-in GPS capabilities make it a natural for reporting the location of birds needing help.


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Playing audio in the Mountain Lion Mail app

By carnationsoftware.com
Published On :: Sun, 10 Feb 2013 19:40:21 -0600

PROBLEM:

When you receive an email with an audio attachment (for instance, voice memos sent by 'Say it & Mail it' from your iPhone to your Mac as a .wav file), you would expect to see a QuickTime audio player that lets you play the audio.
Instead, you may see an icon which requires you to double click to open the QuickTime Player app. Or you may see an iTunes icon which requires you to double click to open iTunes.

SOLUTION...


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By www.contactmusic.com
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By www.contactmusic.com
Published On :: Mon, 28 Feb 2022 08:00:04 +0000


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By www.contactmusic.com
Published On :: Mon, 28 Feb 2022 08:00:25 +0000


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By www.contactmusic.com
Published On :: Mon, 28 Feb 2022 10:00:25 +0000


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By www.contactmusic.com
Published On :: Tue, 01 Mar 2022 08:00:04 +0000


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By www.contactmusic.com
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Published On :: Tue, 01 Mar 2022 10:00:26 +0000


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By www.ebizindia.com
Published On :: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 11:19:28 PST

Insider secrets to creating stunning bonsai trees and plants. Over 95 pages of great bonsai information.


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Published On :: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 11:19:28 PST

This book contains over 100 science experiments that are geared for grades K to 12. Yes the classic egg in the bottle and the erupting volcano are here, but you'll find many, many more fun and educational projects that are easy to do with ordinary household items.


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By www.ebizindia.com
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Infidelity! Cheating husbands? Cheating spouse? Extramarital Affairs - adultery and divorce. Signs of a cheating spouse. Surviving marital infidelity, extramarital affairs. Adultery sign.


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By www.ebizindia.com
Published On :: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 11:19:28 PST

Dog Training - How To Train Your Dog In One Evening


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DO YOU HAVE A NEW DOG OR PUPPY?


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Puppy potty training in 7 days! Learn how to potty train your puppy in as little as 7 days.


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Detailed step by step guide to fast and effective dog house training.


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Published On :: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 11:19:28 PST

Dog training system, including obedience, potty and house training. Works for your adult dog and puppy.


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Published On :: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 11:19:28 PST

Discover amazing secrets to saving time and money by learning how to obedience train your dog properly, and easily, without wasting time using training techniques that don't work.


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Published On :: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 11:19:28 PST

Step by Step easy-to-do plans on How to build toy train table. Instantly downloadable, build in 3-hrs.


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This home inspection checklist manual will show you how I make more than two hundred and fifty thousand dollars a year as a home inspector! This manual will show you what I have learned in the last decade to be able to make this kind of money as a home inspector.


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STOP PICKING UP AFTER YOUR DOG AND LEARN HOW THIS PROVEN TECHNIQUE CAN CHANGE YOUR DOG'S BEHAVIOR WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS


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Downloadable E-book about Training Kids to improve running speed using the latest Sprint Training Ideas known by the Elite Sprinting community. You will be hard pressed to find the contents anywhere else on the net or in print!


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By www.feedforall.com
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Regardless of whether you manage an RSS feed or syndicate existing feeds, it is a good idea to become familiar with what constitutes fair use under copyright laws. Fair use allows portions of copy written material to be reproduced or republished without the consent or permission from the copyright holder.

What is Fair Use?


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By www.feedforall.com
Published On :: Tue, 20 Mar 2007 09:00:00 -0500

You have an RSS feed and you have worked hard to get the word out. According to your logs you have subscribers! Now the hard part: how to retain the subscribers to your RSS feed. Follow these simple steps to insure that your subscriber base will grow.

1. Original Content
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Tips for Maintaining RSS Subscribers


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By www.ebizindia.com
Published On :: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 12:37:28 +0530

Thousands of cars become government & bank property every day through various seizure and surplus laws. The constant exchange of vehicles and the enormous expense to store them, means amazing deals and guaranteed rock bottom prices for you! As Much as 80% - 90% OFF!


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