The evolution of learning technology
Technology correspondent Jon Wilcox takes a look at the past, present, and future of learning technology. In the beginning, there was nothing. Actually, that’s not strictly true; at the beginning of learning technology there was the classroom with a trainer standing in front of a chalk board or overhead projector (OHP). Like Churchill’s famous “This is not […]
How to maximise PowerPoint: Part three
In the third of our mini-guides to maximising the potential of PowerPoint, we look at how to animate charts in your presentations. bits://v/YCeZp34N-58072-36800 See our other guides to maximising PowerPoint: ‘How to keep slides consistent’ and ‘How to add audio.’ Videos created exclusively for TrainingZone.co.uk by TechSmith. In the third of our mini-guides to maximising […]
A short history of elearning
Clive Shepherd and Laura Overton take a look back over learning technology’s recent history and argue that trainers need to get with the times. Download Clive and Laura’s booklet: ‘What every L&D professional needs to know about e-learning.’ Change and opportunity Surprising as it may seem, most educational and training methods are relatively timeless. Most of […]
How to maximise PowerPoint: Part two
In the second of our mini-guides to maximising the potential of PowerPoint, we look at how to use audio more effectively in your presentations. bits://v/IxZepfdk-58072-36800 See our last guide to maximising PowerPoint – how to keep slides consistent – by clicking here. Videos created exclusively for TrainingZone.co.uk by TechSmith. In the second of our mini-guides […]
Hacker training: Fighting fire with fire
As IT security continues to hit the headlines, Jon Wilcox looks at the next generation of hackers set to do battle with the online marauders. Maintaining IT network security is an issue for small businesses, multi-nationals, and governments alike; the threat from hackers remains very real indeed. British citizen, Gary McKinnon is currently appealing against […]
How to maximise PowerPoint: Part one
Following the enormous popularity of our recent PowerPoint tips for trainers, we bring you a series of PowerPoint video tutorials from TechSmith to help you maximise your presentation potential. In the first of our videos, we look at guidelines to keep slides consistent. bits://v/7Ti06InW-58072-36800 See our other guides to maximising PowerPoint: ‘How to add audio‘, ‘How to animate […]
Social networking: The future of learning
Have you joined the social networking revolution? Kirstie Donnelly looks at how these online tools can enhance the learning experience. The proliferation of social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter is changing the way we interact with each other. Take the fact that in May 2009, 734 million people visited at least one social […]
Recap Exercises
I have been running a number of week-long training programs that are pretty intensive in that they contain a lot of technical knowledge. I have been trying to include as many practical and fun elements as I can but am running out of ideas for fun recap exercises to do. I usually split the attendees […]
How to win friends and influence people
In the effort to deliver more for less, organisations are increasingly turning to learning technologies yet while they offer great promise, staff resistance can often hinder their success. Laura Overton gives her hints and tips on how to engage managers and learners. At last month’s Learning and Skills group event, I was involved in a […]
Are they listening at the back? PowerPoint tips for trainers
John Stokdyk looks to the TrainingZone community for advice on how to create successful PowerPoint presentations. Many members have added their comments below – keep them coming! And why not join the PowerPoint users discussion group on site? Our thanks to Garry Platt for the great ‘How Not to Use PowerPoint’ YouTube find. One of the […]
Social networks and internet need to be ‘interwoven’
The social networks and internet of tomorrow will mean existing as an ‘internet of subjects’ with our digital identities ‘interwoven together’, according to the views of Serge Ravet, chief executive of EifEL. Addressing delegates at the Learning Forum London this week, Ravet called for developers to create an e-portfolio that can capture our digital stories […]
Learning and Skills 2010
The people behind the Learning Technologies conference are launching a new L&D event showcasing more traditional training methods. Running alongside January’s Learning Technologies exhibition and conference, Learning and Skills 2010 will have four themed theatres: The ‘People Development’ theatre will focus on management and business skills, leadership development, IT skills, specialist skills, culture and language. […]
Office gadgets from the future
While genetically modified chimpanzees that are able to make calls, prepare tea and send emails are yet to be invented, there are plenty of other futuristic gizmos and inventions on the market that could give your office that hi-tech feel. Here are seven gadgets for your office, straight from the set of Star Trek. The […]
Life after PowerPoint: Alternative software tools for great presentations
It may seem that Microsoft PowerPoint has the presentation software market covered, but there are other solutions available, both for your desktop machine and via the web. Technology correspondent Jon Wilcox investigates alternative presentation tools and resources. For many users, Microsoft PowerPoint is the default presentation tool. Long-standing, largely stable, and an integral part of […]
Ceratops or chameleon? Developing skills remotely
The recession has put a squeeze on budgets and is requiring trainers to drastically rethink the way they deliver training. Faced with the problem of delivering global training without a budget for travel, Michael Brown took a deep breath and set off on the technology route. Much to his surprise he found found it to […]
NEWS: Toshiba launches portable laptop/projector training twinset
Laptop manufacturer Toshiba has set a new standard for portable learning tools with a new “mini-notebook” and projector combination weighing less than 2kg. John Stokdyk reports.Taken separately, neither the 10-in NB200 PC nor the TDP-F10 LED projector are at the absolute cutting edge, but together they strike a pleasing balance between portability and quality. If […]
Please Sir, can I have some more… elearning, blended learning, wikis, forums, blogs?
Learners are chomping at the bit to embrace more learning technologies, faster than training managers are planning on implementing them. Francis Marshall reveals some interesting findings from a European survey, which reveals that learners are not nearly so concerned about visual quality as they are about expert sources, that mobile learning and podcasts are far […]
Virtual learning: More than a Second Life
Despite reports of corporate ghost towns across Second Life, virtual training is moving on apace, with the UK helping to lead the way in its shift to the mainstream. Technology correspondent Jon Wilcox looks at some current applications, and gazes into the virtual future. When thinking about virtual training, the first perception for a lot […]
The brave new future of elearning
Poor quality, un-engaging online learning programmes are severely damaging the reputation of elearning as an extremely effective training tool, says Debbie Jones, and the failure by organisations and training managers to assess the benefits of new elearning technologies will have long-lasting and painful repercussions for many UK organisations. The need to deliver meaningful, cost-effective training […]
Does elearning have a future?
In the 1990s elearning was the bright new hope in L&D, promising time- and cost-efficient training, but in reality it promised far more than it could deliver at the time. Ten years on and elearning appears to be casting off its tarnished image and enjoying a resurgence in popularity. Donald H Taylor assesses the lessons […]
