The Boggs e-Learning Chronicle

Collaboration-Based Learning Growing at a 34.5% Five-Year Compound Annual Growth Rate

Real-Time Collaboration By Sam S. Adkins

According to recent Ambient Insight market research, the 2006 U.S. market for real-time collaboration-based learning products and services is now over $2.6 billion and growing at a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34.5 percent.

elearning	learning management systems
elearning podcasts	Competency Management

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks, Inc.
SyberWorks e-Learning Podcast Series
SyberWorks LMS e-Learning Implementation Podcast Series

e-Learning Quality Assurance In Higher Ed Distance Learning...

Exploring the mechanisms for assuring quality of e-learning courses in UK higher education institutions by Magdalena Jara and Harvey Mellar,   Institute of Education, University of London

Conclusion:

"The findings suggest that the quality assurance procedures in place in dual   mode higher education institutions require adaptation to be effective when   applied to online courses. These findings show that the online modality and   also the complex institutional environment in which the courses were located,   were affecting the application of these quality assurance mechanisms, obstructing   their capacity to assure and enhance the quality of the courses.

The findings also suggest that the quality assurance mechanisms in place in   the cases studied were affected by the online modality of the courses to different   degrees. From a general – and institutional- point of view, the results   indicate that higher education institutions might need to approach the quality   assurance and enhancement of their online courses from a different organisational   perspective. Online courses seem to require a stronger definition of coordination,   communication and planning strategies, as well as a clearly defined leadership,   than face to face courses. The absence or limited clarity of any of these elements   affected the effectiveness and enhancement roles of several of the procedures,   in particular team meetings and students surveys.

An additional aspect suggested by the results is that institutions and course   teams may need to consider with particular care the strategies to improve the   amount and quality of student feedback. Online courses were particularly affected   by a restricted access to students, which had a direct effect on the quantity   of the feedback gathered and the appropriate representation of student views.   In this sense, it seems that student representation, in its present form, is   not a useful mechanism as a channel for student opinions. The data suggests   however that the relationship established with tutors may be a route worth   exploring for improving student representation. "

Note: "A ‘dual mode’ institution is one that as well as offering regular programs on campus, also makes available a proportion of its courses in a distance format. This in fact is the oldest and possibly most established form of distance education in higher education", according to Dr.  Tony Bates,  Director, Distance Education and Technology, Division of Continuing Studies, The University of British Columbia,Vancouver, B.C., 2000.

elearning	learning management systems
elearning podcasts	Competency Management

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks, Inc.
SyberWorks e-Learning Podcast Series
SyberWorks LMS e-Learning Implementation Podcast Series

The Impact of Wikis....

Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything
by Don Tapscott, Anthony D. Williams

"Tapscott (management, Univ. of Toronto; The Digital Economy)and Williams give readers a thoughtful look into the future through their study of the collaborative environment that has revolutionized business today. Tapscott's New Paradigm think tank, where Williams works as research director, sought out companies and individuals having a significant impact on industries based on their openness, peer production, information sharing, and global action. The result is a forward-looking economic model wherein connected individuals engage with companies in web-based communities to embrace a new art and science of productivity and innovation called wikinomics. The authors discuss several Web 2.0 applications and the need for open-source software and open-access publishing to achieve success. In-depth profiles of companies and individuals make the book helpful for all types of businesses. The book was even written in a collaborative spirit, as the authors polled the public for suggestions on the subtitle through an online forum and encouraged readers to participate in blogs and wikis pertaining to the book. Highly recommended for public and academic libraries."

Library Journal - Mark McCallon, Abilene Christian Univ. Lib., TX

Wikinomics

elearning	learning management systems
elearning podcasts	Competency Management

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks, Inc.
SyberWorks e-Learning Podcast Series
SyberWorks LMS e-Learning Implementation Podcast Series

Light Dawns On Marblehead....

The Theory & Practice Section of the Wall Street Journal yesterday had an article, "Companies Find Online Training Has Its Limits" by George Anders. The thrust of the article is essentially, hands on learning verses e-Learning.

The article goes on to discuss how in some situations, hands on training is also needed, "There is no substitute for having skillled tradespeople in the aisles, informally spreading knowledge," says Roger Anderson, Home Depot's director of learning for store associates. The article goes on to talk about the use of video, but sites an example of how REI has "trimmed their role in recent years", in favor of   role play. 

e-Learning and learning management systems are one of the tools in box. Clearly, e-learning should be part of your overall training program.    Ideally, it should be combined with informal learning, role play, hands on training, etc.  It's kind of a  no brainer, at least for folks in the training industry.  The article is also very short sighted in that it only looked at this from a limited aspect.  It did not discuss the other uses of e-learning like certification and competency within the context of performance management.  Quite franking, I expected alot more from the Wall Street Journal...

elearning	learning management systems
elearning podcasts	Competency Management

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks, Inc.
SyberWorks e-Learning Podcast Series
SyberWorks LMS e-Learning Implementation Podcast Series

New March 07 SyberWorks Media Center Article

Below  are  links to the corresponding press release and the latest article posted in the e-Learning Articles section of the SyberWorks Media Center. 

Press Release:

New SyberWorks Media Center Article: "Competency Management and Training Plans in Learning Management Systems (LMSs)"

Article:

Competency Management and Training Plans in Learning Management Systems (LMSs)

elearning	learning management systems
elearning podcasts	Competency Management

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks, Inc.
SyberWorks e-Learning Podcast Series
SyberWorks LMS e-Learning Implementation Podcast Series

Keeping Learners Interested

Surviving the shipwreck: what makes online students stay online and learn? by Johannes C. Cronjé, Debbie E. Adendorff, Salome M. Meyer, and Linda van Ryneveld

ABSTRACT

"Although much is written about reasons why students drop out of online courses, little is said about what makes them stay. This article reports on an experiment whereby online students were exposed to a learning experience modelled on the US television series Survivor. Twenty-four students were put into tribes and allowed to vote one another off the island at the end of each week. Students who were voted out of their tribes, were still on the course, but could no longer rely on the support of their peers. The course had a very high dropout rate, and students reported that the experience was extremely stressful. Yet there were fifteen students who completed the whole course. The question is why? This article identifies and discusses three aspects that contributed to the success of those who completed: The game metaphor, the roles and competencies of the facilitator, and the affective dimensions of peer support in a non-contact environment."

elearning	learning management systems
elearning podcasts	Competency Management

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks, Inc.
SyberWorks e-Learning Podcast Series
SyberWorks LMS e-Learning Implementation Podcast Series

Learning Strategy Book...

While its a little dated (2000), its a good resource for someone new to e-Learning....

e-Learning Strategies for Delivering Knowledge in the Digital Age
by Marc Rosenberg

Overview:

"..............E-Learning explains the basic principles of a comprehensive Web-based learning strategy—how to link your organization’s Web sites, Web-based training, courseware, and all the other components of online learning. With an underlying focus on the "why"—and not just the "how"— Rosenberg provides a roadmap for growing and sustaining an e-learning culture that’s based on twenty years of observations, best (and worst) practices, and conversations with leaders in the learning technology fields. Divided into three parts, E-Learning offers an essential balance between building great e-learning (design and technology issues) and implementing it (acceptance and support issues). Within each chapter, examples illustrate many key components of an effective e-learning framework.

Unlike other technology-focused guides to Web-based training, E-Learning is the first book that tackles the overarching strategic issues—problems facing any organization experimenting with the tremendous promise of Web-based learning and knowledge management.

elearning	learning management systems
elearning podcasts	Competency Management

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks, Inc.
SyberWorks e-Learning Podcast Series
SyberWorks LMS e-Learning Implementation Podcast Series

March Episode of the SyberWorks LMS e-Learning Implementation Podcast Series......

Here is our latest press release and LMS e-Learning Implementation Series podcast:

Press Release:

SyberWorks LMS e-Learning Implementation Podcast #6: Interview with Joanne Scouler, e-Learning Specialist for Telelogic, Inc.

Podcast:

Episode 6: Interview with Joanne Scouler

Joanne Scouler, e-Learning Specialst for Telelogic, Inc. talks about their use of the Syberworks Hosted e-Learning Solution to provide online customer and vendor support training.

SyberWorks  LMS e-Learning Implementation Podcast Series: Episode #6 Transcript

elearning	learning management systems
elearning podcasts	Competency Management

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks, Inc.
SyberWorks e-Learning Podcast Series
SyberWorks LMS e-Learning Implementation Podcast Series

Using Learning Management Systems For Compliance Training...

Personneltoday.com  has an article, E-learning is better suited for delivering compliance training than mass learning   

Much to the chagrin of e-Learning 2.0 (or may be its 3.0 by now) pundits, this is one of many  important reasons why companies use learning management systems to manage and track their training programs.

elearning	learning management systems
elearning podcasts	Competency Management

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks, Inc.
SyberWorks e-Learning Podcast Series
SyberWorks LMS e-Learning Implementation Podcast Series

Interview with Jakob Nielsen on e-Learning

The elearningpost blog had an interview with Jakob Nielsen.  It's classic Nielsen, so I was not really suprised by what he said.

Jakob Nielsen on e-Learning

elearning	learning management systems
elearning podcasts	Competency Management

Dave Boggs
SyberWorks, Inc.
SyberWorks e-Learning Podcast Series
SyberWorks LMS e-Learning Implementation Podcast Series