• Global Virtual Training Resources

    e-Book Review: Getting Started with Synchronous e-Learning

    September 10, 2010 /

    The e-Learning Guild recently published an e-Book by Patti Shank entitled: Getting Started with Synchronous e-Learning. This 48-page research report is based on a survey conducted by the eLearning Guild with over 3,000 respondents.

    The report includes an interpretation of the survey data with a range of tables and charts. If you are trying to determine which synchronous e-learning (also referred to as virtual classroom) tool to purchase, there is an analysis of the top vendors, including the top applications by used by organizations based on their size and industry affiliation.

    Intertwined with the data analysis are definitions, tips and best practices for designers and facilitators. If you are trying to learn synchronous e-learning facilitation techniques, Shank provides presentation tips and examples including screen shots of various virtual classroom activities.

    Finally, if you want to dive deeper into the world of synchronous training, the report concludes with a generous list of references and resources.  This report is a quick read and well worth the time to see current research and pick up a few tips on for successful synchronous e-learning.  Access to the report is provided to Guild Members, Member Plus, or Premium Members.

    Disclosure:  I am a member of the e-Learning Guild

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  • Online Facilitation

    Chatting It Up

    August 24, 2009 /

    I remember the first time I taught a course via web conference many years ago. My co-worker and I were both new to the technology, and it was the blind leading the blind. We noticed the chat feature and promptly turned it off as we decided that we didn’t want people chatting while we were talking – that would be too distracting, we surmised.

    Now as an experienced web conferencing practitioner, I can’t imagine a web conference without an active chat panel. Do I expect participants to chat as the facilitator speaks? Yes. Is it distracting, or does it mean they aren’t paying attention? No. If you copy and paste the chat text at the conclusion of a web conference and review what participants typed, you will usually see that the majority of the text contains comments about the session, answers to questions posed during the session and clarifying questions from participants. According to the eLearning Guild’s 2008 research report on Synchronous Learning Systems, chat ranks at the top of the feature satisfaction list and feature ease of use, and it’s the fifth most commonly used feature.

    In today’s world of texting and microblogging, participants are more comfortable than ever with the chat panel in a web conference. Encourage your audience to use the chat area early in your session by doing something simple such as typing in their location. Give feedback early by acknowledge those who are the first to use the chat area, to send a signal that you will be responding to chat comments. As you verbalize a question, post it in the chat area as well. You may receive verbal and chat responses, which means more participants had the opportunity to contribute. The facilitator doesn’t need to respond to every chat comment or example, just acknowledge that there are many good examples and highlight a few. Weaving chat comments and questions into the verbal discussion or presentation opens up a huge door for interactivity.

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  • Global Virtual Training Resources

    ELearning Web Sites

    January 7, 2009 /

    It’s a new year and a great time to set goals. One of mine is to keep my finger on the pulse of what’s going on in the e-learning industry. I’ve compiled a list of useful e-learning websites, many with free newsletters that may be of use.

    Association for Talent Development
    https://www.td.org/
    World’s largest organization dedicated to workplace learning and performance professionals. Learning Circuits is ASTD’s online e-learning source for the latest learning technology news and ideas. Go to ASTD home > Publications > Learning Circuits.

    Brandon Hall Research
    http://brandonhall.com
    Independent research on e-learning trends, best practices, tools and vendors.

    Chief Learning Officer Magazine
    http://www.clomedia.com/
    Articles on a variety of topics and trends in training, and is especially good for organizational issues and innovations in e-learning.

    Distance Educator
    http://www.distance-educator.com/
    Provides publications and research from education, corporate, government/military sectors and is a good site for current news in e-learning. Free weekly newsletter.

    E-Learning Centre
    http://www.e-learningcentre.co.uk/
    Comprehensive portal of information on e-learning, covering key issues and links to key publications and reports.

    E-Learning Guild
    http://www.elearningguild.com/
    The Guild provides a good source of surveys and reports on trends in e-learning. Different levels of membership provide access to different information, however the free membership level includes a subscription to Learning Solutions eMagazine and eLearning Insider.

    Learning for International NGOs (LINGOS)
    http://ngolearning.org/
    Mission is to facilitate the creation, development and support of learning environments in the humanitarian relief, development and environmental sector. Members gain access online courses and e-learning tools.

    MASIE Center Learning Lab and Think Tank
    http://www.masie.com/
    Source of information on technology, business, learning and workplace productivity run by Elliot Masie. Free e-newsletter subscription called Learning TRENDS.

    Society for Applied Learning (SALT)
    http://www.salt.org/
    SALT is a professional society that offers resources and conferences for those in the field of instructional technology. Sponsors three journals: Journal of Instruction Delivery Systems, Journal of Interactive Instruction Development and Journal of Education Technology Systems.

    Sloan-C
    http://www.sloan-c.org/
    A Consortium of Institutions and Organizations Committed to Quality Online Education. Publishes the Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks and the Sloan-C View, a free weekly newsletter.

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