ASTD's Learning Circuits Express - 7 September, 2001

TrainingZone

ASTD’s Learning Circuits Express – 7 September, 2001

By TrainingZone

Learning Circuits Express is a free information service provided by Learning Circuits, ASTD’s online magazine about e-learning (http://www.learningcircuits.org).

1. Simulation Levels in Software Training
2. LCMS Roundup
3. ASTD TechKnowledge Conference & Exposition
4. SmartForce Acquires E-Learning Units
5. E-Learning Firms Buddy Up
6. THINQ’s New Service Targets Mid-Sized Firms
7. E-Learning Vendors Sign New Contracts

1. Simulation Levels in Software Training

Web-based training is a common method for instructing end-users on how to work with software applications effectively. A key aspect to WBT programs is the use of simulations. However, even relatively simple software applications can be extremely complex and require a large range of user interactions. But building a simulation of every application feature makes the training module as complicated as the application. For this reason, instructional designers employ several techniques to simplify simulations for training, including screen capture, point-and-click, data input, multiple paths, and full simulation.

FULL TEXT: http://www.learningcircuits.org/2001/sep2001/karrer.html

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2. LCMS Roundup

E-learning promises to deliver just-in-time learning. A learner gains access to a data repository, answers a few questions, and, voila, the system delivers the precise piece of information when and how they need it. Unfortunately, most organizations have yet to experience such a smooth information exchange. Enter the learning content management system.

FULL TEXT: http://www.learningcircuits.org/2001/aug2001/ttools.html

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3. ASTD TechKnowledge Conference & Exposition

The ASTD TechKnowledge® Conference community is going interactive! Visit www.astd.org/e-learningnews to sign up for the FREE e-learning newsletter featuring tips from ASTD TechKnowledge® speakers, exhibitors, and participants. Then stop by www.astd.org/astdTKcommunity to explore the new ASTD TechKnowledge® Community featuring discussion groups, live chats, resources, and much more. You still have time to take advantage of the advance registration discount for ASTD TechKnowledge® 2001 in Charlotte, NC, USA from October 9-12. Visit www.astd.org/discount to find out how you can save when you register for Charlotte and Las Vegas together.

VISIT: http://www.astd.org/ASTDTechKnowledge

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4. SmartForce Acquires E-Learning Units

Two new acquisitions by SmartForce are aimed at helping companies train professionals in sales and competency-management skills.

SmartForce has agreed to buy the Web-based IMPAXselling.com unit from IMPAX, a sales performance improvement company based in Westport, Connecticut. IMPAXselling.com, launched last year, offers products that train sales professionals via the proprietary IMPAX Process. Products include training for inside telesales organizations and inbound and outbound call centers. IMPAX has also allied with SmartForce to distribute its new Practical Inside Sales product worldwide.

SmartForce also will acquire SkillScape, a privately held company based in Victoria, Canada, that provides competency-management systems to help organizations assess and fix key organizational and individual knowledge gaps. The system offers custom solutions that support career development programs, project staffing programs, and other human capital management initiatives. SmartForce believes the acquisition will elevate e-learning customization and provide tailored learning programs. SmartForce anticipates that it will issue approximately 175,000 American Depository shares to the holders of SkillScape's outstanding capital stock.

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5. E-Learning Firms Buddy Up

McGraw-Hill Lifetime Learning has added Corpedia and PrimeLearning to its growing list of e-learning partners. Under a new global distribution agreement, MHLL will offer PrimeLearning's entire library of business skills products--300-plus hours of materials on communication, customer service, interpersonal skills, leadership, management, project management, sales, and team building. MHLL has agreed with Corpedia to co-develop more than 100 hours of e-learning courses targeted to senior executives. The courses will be promoted and distributed by Corpedia and MHLL global sales and reseller networks. The pact also makes MHLL the co-exclusive reseller for Corpedia’s current library of e-learning business skills and compliance courses. MHLL will immediately offer 60 Corpedia branded courses, including Executive Effectiveness, Innovation, Leadership, Business Growth Strategies, and Managing Change. The two firms join other MHLL partners that include ELI, Docent, and Saba.

NetDimensions, a Hong Kong-based LMS provider, has partnered with Headstrong, a Fairfax, Virginia-based digital business solution provider, to target e-learning needs of multinational companies. Product development, quality assurance, and knowledge-sharing initiatives are planned. "The partnership will allow the two [companies] to deliver e-learning solutions that are scalable, reliable, and truly multilingual," says Steve Kucia, Headstrong's managing director. Headstrong's Manila-based global development center will provide testing and quality assurance services for new releases of NetDimensions's learning management system Enterprise Knowledge Platform.

Content provider XanEdu, a division of ProQuest, has signed an agreement with America Online to provide its content on AOL’s Research and Learn Channel. "The agreement will give millions of college students access to information that's course-centric in its search and delivery technologies," said XanEdu general manager Lew Gossage. Learners can access XanEdu’s academic content organized by specific subjects and disciplines of interest. AOL customers will have the opportunity to purchase subscriptions to premier research resources from XanEdu’s digital archive.

Question Mark, a provider of Web-based testing and assessment software for use with PCs, local area networks, the Internet, and intranets, has partnered with Applied Skills & Knowledge, a designer and administer of surveys and assessments. The two have agreed to integrate Question Mark Perception testing and assessment software with AS&K's consulting and outsourcing practices.

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6. THINQ’s New Service Targets Mid-Sized Firms

Identifying a market that the former Headlight sought to serve, THINQ Learning Solutions has created a new product for mid-sized companies that need LMS capabilities without the management and maintenance overhead of an enterprise-scale LMS. Called THINQ Learning Manager, it’s based on THINQ TrainingServer Learning Management System technology. According to THINQ, it offers mission critical learning management capabilities along with minimal up-front investment and easy implementation.

The mid-tier solution, aimed at companies with up to 5,000 employees, is a hosted ASP service that frees companies from the burden of managing and maintaining new applications. Learners can enroll in classes, launch online learning courses, and view transcripts. Administrators can create courses, schedule classes, produce reports, analyze current enrollments, assess skills, and assign instructors, resources, and rooms.

"We're seeing a relatively high demand for hosted LMS solutions for mid-sized companies," says Michael Brennan, senior analyst with IDC. "A platform such as THINQ's offers these organizations many of the same features and functions of an enterprise system at a fraction of the cost."

THINQ Learning Manager is available for US$2.50 per learner for a minimum of 500 learners and a US$25,000 initial investment for services, plus fees for courses taken.

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7. E-Learning Vendors Sign New Contracts

KPMG Consulting has expanded its partnership with custom course developer DigitalThink. KPMG has adopted DigitalThink's E-Learning Platform and is offering the e-learning firm’s full catalog of e-business, IT, and soft skills courseware to its 10,000-plus employees. Included in KPMG’s company-wide learning strategy is the introduction of individualized learning paths for each employee using DigitalThink Learning Management. A new component, DigitalThink Reporting and Analysis, enables KPMG to track the contributions of its learning initiatives to its overall bottom-line business objectives while monitoring the individual development progress of each employee.

Canadian publisher Thomson Corporation has tapped LMS provider Learnframe to help deliver training to its 45,000 employees. Following a lengthy selection process, Thomson chose Learnframe over larger players because its technology would permit more seamless integration with Thomson’s own content. Thomson, which recently purchased NETg, is becoming a player in e-learning. Indeed, it has agreed to invest US$25 million to Universitas 21 Global, a consortium of 16 universities that plans to offer online IT and business degrees over the Internet. The consortium will focus on meeting needs in Asia and Latin America. Analysts at WR Hambrecht + Co. contend that the commitment on Thomson's part "borders on foolhardy" given the competition from companies in Hong Kong, such as Sylvan and NextEd, that are already attempting to address this market.

CUNA Mutual Group, a financial services provider to credit unions and members worldwide, has tapped Click2learn to develop an enterprise-wide learning center serving 5,000 employees. The initiative will also support product and service training to more than 10,000 credit unions served by the organization. The learning program will be based on Click2learn's LMS, the Aspen Learning Management Server. CUNA Mutual selected Click2learn following an exhaustive selection process in which 100 training managers and learners tested the effectiveness and performance of several learning management systems.

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