The Boggs e-Learning Chronicle

Britannica Fires Back In Accuracy Comparison Debate When Pitted Against Wikipedia

The Britannica vs. Wikipedia Accuracy Debate; Encyclopedia Britannica has assailed an article in the journal Nature that questioned its accuracy,  by the Associated Press.

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks

 

Asia May Be Best Market For Online University Education

The online  Finanical Times News portal has an article about online MBA, business training, " The ‘great whiteboard hope’ of online learning", By William Barnes

The article  looks at how and why online business education has not really taken off in the United States and Europe because students prefer the classroom experience.  They believe traditional programs are better and believe the traditional MBA programs are held in higher esteem with employers.    The article then looks at how online education is taking off in Asia and why.

Very interesting stuff, especially if you are connected in anyway with University e-Learning.

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks

Two Sides of a Coin: Younger Works Fear Being Viewed As Inexperienced, and 50 Somethings Worry They Are Viewed As Being Too Old, With Out-Of-Date Skills.....

Yesterday, March 28th, in the Career Journals section of the Wall Street Journal in their column called The Jungle they had an article "Highlight Skills Rather Than Age To Blunt Prejudices". 

It is a titillating look various strategies employed by people in the workforce to deal with age bias.  And certainly, it offered some good tidbits if you are struggling with these issues. 

I guess I wonder how much more this will be a problem for older workers.  I have had several posts about the effect of  aging baby boomers in the workforce.  Its a literal fact that the generation that is suppose to replace the baby boomers is smaller in size and less qualified (not as many college graduates).  The fact is business is getting tougher, and more competitive.  Companies need people that have skills and experience.

In our own industry, the learning management systems industry / e-learning, the majority of the time, we need to hire experienced people.  So I guess I see this as becoming a non-factor as waves of baby boomers retire over the next few years.  There are already many articles about how companies and firms are coming up with unique strategies to keep people working longer, even after they retire.  Below is the last big post we did on the impact of the aging baby boomers in the workplace.

The Maturing Workforce as it Effects the Government, Oil and Gas, Mining, and Utilities Industries

Best Regards,

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks

 

Another Look at e-Learning vs. Traditional Class Based Learning.....

Michele Webb on her blog, Blogo1 has a post on Comparing Costs: eLearning vs Traditional .  Its a good post for folks not familiar with this topic in e-Learning. 

Below is a previous post on the subject:

Cost Comparison: Instructor-Led Training Vs. e-Learning

Here is a link to our e-Learning ROI white paper as well.

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks

Oxford's Joint Online Learning Project With Yale and Stanford Goes Belly Up

Could this be a sign of  overcapacity in regards to university credit / college  driven consumer e-Learning?

Oxford online learning project folds

Well if every university world wide is hanging out a shingle saying "Got e-Learning" with no real differentiation in terms of quality or strategy, go figure.........Maybe its just that they were not able to transform the essence of their respective brands in an online environment? 

As the King of Siam said in the Rogers and Hammerstein musical, the King and I, Tis a puzzlement......?

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks

 

Bersin & Associates Research Says That Across Industry, Organizations Allocate an Average of 5 Staff Members Per 1,000 Learners

They stated this number varies greatly across several different industries.  The their latest statistics on Training can be found in their recently published Corporate Learning Facts Book.

The NetDimensions Blog reported, "According to the recently released Corporate Learning Factbook: during 2006 "U.S. organizations will spend a total of $46.6 billion on training (including staff salaries)."

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks

New e-Learning Title....

Leading e-Learning by William K. Horton of ASTD

Pub Date: February 2006

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks

The Maturing Workforce as it Effects the Government, Oil and Gas, Mining, and Utilities Industries

Another interesting article about the aging workforce and its impact across various industries.  The article identifies the Government, Oil and Gas, Mining, and the Utilities industries as industry verticals that will be hit hard by the upcoming demographic changes.

The Maturing Workforce – Managing the Crisis Before It Hits by Eric Lesser on the ASTD Site

This article provides strategies to address the issue such as:

• Redirecting recruiting and sourcing efforts to include mature workers

• Retaining valued employees through developing alternative work arrangements

• Preserving critical knowledge before it walks out the door

• Ensuring that mature workers are able to use technology effectively in the workplace

• Providing opportunities for workers to continually update their skills

• Facilitating the coexistences of a multi-generational workforce

All of these suggestions have been provided before in much of the literature & articles on this topic.  Here are some previous posts about this the aging workforce.

ASTD's Article on the Impact of the Aging Baby Boomers In Manufacturing

The Boomer Brain Drain...

Generation X and their impact on e-Learning...

More on the aging workforce..

Workers staying in the workforce longer [aging baby boomers] and its impact on e-learning and learning management systems       

This will have a big impact on e-learning / the learning management systems industry as companies and organizations look for ways to improve their training and performance support mechanisms.

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks

New SyberWorks Media Center Article: Choosing the Right Content-Authoring Tool For Your e-Learning Needs

Check out our latest news & article.  Here is the press release:

Choosing the Right Content-Authoring Tool For Your e-Learning Needs

The article is located in the SyberWorks Media Center: e-Learning Articles & Resources

I have also included it in the post below:

Choosing the Right Content-Authoring Tool For Your e-Learning Needs

By Dana Fine, Senior Instructional Designer, SyberWorks, Inc.

There are several hundred e-Learning tools out in the marketplace today.  Selecting the proper course-authoring tool for developing your company’s online training content is no small undertaking.  Today we are going to look at some solid strategies to help you select the course-authoring tool that is right for you and for your company’s e-Learning / Learning Management Systems initiative.  First we will start with some basic concepts.

What is a Content-authoring Tool?

According to Wikipedia.org, “a content-authoring tool is a software application used to create multimedia content typically for delivery on the World Wide Web. Content-authoring tools may also create content in other file formats so the training can be delivered on a CD (compact disc) or in other formats for various different uses. The category of content-authoring tools includes HTML, Flash, and various types of e-Learning authoring tools.”

Course-authoring tools can create online courses, while content-authoring tools create subject specific online content. Subject Specific Online Content more than likely has less features and functionality than an online course created with a course-authoring tool, but, this depends upon the software used to create the content.  In the e-Learning industry, we generally use the two phrases interchangeably, and in this article, I will do so also.

What is a Learning Management System?

Learning Management Systems (LMSs) are web-based software application platforms used to plan, implement, and assess learning processes related to online and offline training administration and performance management.  LMSs provide an instructor a way in which to create and deliver content, monitor learners’ participation, and assess student performance.  LMSs also provide learners with interactive features, such as threaded discussions, web conferencing, discussion forums, and other methods of communication.

Generally, a Learning Management System has its own online content-authoring tool as part of the overall system. There are content-authoring tools / systems out there in the market that call themselves “Learning Management Systems”, but really are just front-end and / or presentation-authoring tools, with little or almost no LMS functionality.  A good Learning Management System should work with many types of content-authoring tools.

In fact, many companies may start out using one or two content-authoring tools along with their Learning Management System.  As their e-Learning initiative grows and changes over time, they use different types of content-authoring tools to achieve the various effects needed.  This is often due to business changes and the fact that in many corporate training scenarios, a Learning Management System or other larger, more complex enterprise software systems use content-authoring tools to develop the online training content that is managed.

What does SCORM/AICC compliant mean?

SCORM stands for Sharable Courseware Object Reference Model (SCORM), which is a set of specifications that, when applied to course content, produces small, reusable e-Learning objects. A result of the Department of Defense's Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) initiative, SCORM-compliant courseware elements are easily merged with other compliant elements to produce a highly modular repository of training materials.

AICC standards apply to the development, delivery, and evaluation of training courses that are delivered via technology. AICC stands for the Aviation Industry CBT [Computer-Based Training] Committee (AICC), which is an international association of technology-based training professionals that develops training guidelines for the aviation industry.

Many e-Learning content-authoring tools are SCORM/AICC compliant.  A rule of thumb is, as long as the content-authoring tool is SCORM/AICC compliant (creates SCORM/AICC compliant courses) and the Learning Management System is SCORM/AICC compliant (works with SCORM/AICC courses), they will work together.

Factors to Consider When Evaluating Content-authoring Tools

Situational Parameters

Remember that not all tools are appropriate for all training delivery methods.  It’s important to consider the context in which course-authoring tools will be used. As you gather information, keep in mind that as long as your online training is founded on good instructional design principles, the interactivity produced by the authoring tool you choose will strengthen the learner’s experience.

Training Objectives & Delivery Methods

What type of training are you providing? Is it a blended learning experience?  Will some training be online and some in classrooms? This will help determine which course authoring tools and LMSs you can use. Will you provide training on a CD Rom? Are your learners certifying on a product, service, or procedure?  Are you teaching someone to use a certain software program?

Media Needs

What types of media will you use? Does the content-authoring tool of your choice support those file types?

Resources and Ongoing Support

Do you have the resources to support the types of online training you wish to develop?  Graphic designers?  Appropriate subject matter experts? Voice talent? Video producers? Models? Production Designers? Outside user testing? Etc.

What about after the training is developed?  Does the training need to be refreshed periodically, anywhere from in 6 months to a year or beyond?  Will any tests associated with the training change on a regular basis?  Will you have the right resources and support in place for any ongoing e-Learning content development needs?

Funds & Timing

How much is budgeted for the project? Will you have a team of people to develop the training?  Should you outsource?  What things are specific to the type of training you will be developing that may be compromised by outsourcing?  How steep is the learning curve associated with the tools you are thinking of using for the project?

Interactivity

What level of interactivity is required for the training? Simulations and other dynamic learning activities are great to have, but are they really appropriate or needed for the type of online training you will be developing? Flash has become the standard tool used for many interactive learning activities. If your authoring tool works with Flash, how much more do you need?

Plug-ins

Some course-authoring tools may need plug-ins, but this has become much less of a problem in e-Learning today than it was just a few years ago.  Obviously, if you are dealing with a group of learners who are not technically savvy, have older browsers (IE 4.0 or below; Netscape 4.0 or below), or mostly use slow dial up connections, plug-ins become a real liability in regards for delivering online courses.

Platforms

What platforms will the training be delivered on? Does the online training you develop have to work across a combination of platforms such as PC, MAC, UNIX or others? Does it have to work across a variety of operating systems and / or browsers?

Total Cost of Ownership

It’s always best to evaluate any software or systems acquisition by looking at the total cost of ownership (TCO).  TCO is a financial metric designed to help assess direct and indirect costs related to the purchase of any capital investment, such as (but not limited to) computer software or hardware.  In this case, the TCO would include the cost of the application, training, upgrades, maintenance, and any other costs associated with the company owning the product over its lifetime.

Conclusion

The course-authoring tool that best meets your needs will depend entirely upon your situation.  In the long run, applying due diligence during the evaluation process will save you time and money.

About the Author:

Dana Fine is a Senior Instructional Designer at SyberWorks, Inc.   SyberWorks is a custom e-Learning solutions company that specializes in Learning Management Systems, e-Learning solutions, and custom online course development.  Dana is also a frequent contributor to the Online Training Content Journal.

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks

Six Apart Introduces Business Focused Blogging Tool

Six Apart To Sell Business Friendly  Blogging Tool

I have said many times that blogging has yet to be applied in a corporate /e-Learning context:

Saying Its So, Does Not Make it So...Even in e-Learning

Blogs are being used for corporate communication and marketing purposes and from the write up in the article, it seems to be suited for those purposes.

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks