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 […]
Stop the courses, I want to get off!
Donald Clark, fresh with indignation at Rob Chapman’s explosive piece asking whether elearning was just a passing fad, pulls no punches himself in describing ‘the curse of the course’. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, that great staple of ‘train the trainer’ courses, is typical of the simplistic junk that is thrown about in the training world, […]
Learning to fly: Financial training for non accountants
Can non accountants really be taught how financial management works in just a few weeks? What’s more, can it actually be made fun? Gina Dyer earns her wings with CIMA’s Business Flight Simulation Certificate, a new interactive course which claims to do just that. Nowadays it seems everyone is an accountant, with financial management (or […]
A masterclass in elearning
Once more elearning seems to be the hot topic in L&D, as more organisations look for time-efficient, effective, and cost-effective, learning solutions. Drawing on his recent masterclass on elearning, Nigel Paine shares some advice on how to make it work for your organisation. I have just finished reading an article called ‘Life After Layoffs’. Most […]
The TrainingZone.co.uk guide to laptop PCs
Laptop computers are a stock in trade for the roving trainer. John Stokdyk sets out the basic ingredients to look for and asks TrainingZone.co.uk members for their advice on the best sizes and types of laptop for training professionals. Not only do laptops make it easy to create content and keep in touch while away […]
It’s official – the training course is dead
Instead of spending money on tutor-led courses, should firms be allocating the budget to tools that enable staff to help themselves? Yes, according to Vaughan Waller, who believes that the technology is finally available to ensure that informal learning can become the dominant source of learning and development. Both when business is good and when […]
Elearning evaluation tips
As L&D comes under increased pressure to prove its value, Arif Ahmed argues that traditional methods of measuring learning may be grossly out of date. This is Arif’s advice on how to evaluate technology-enabled learning. “…the drive for efficiency is pushing performance analytics up the agenda.” Many organisations continue to measure learning through statistics such […]
Learning management systems take to the internet Cloud
The world wide web continues to spread through the training world and is beginning to act as a vehicle for learning management systems (LMSs). John Stokdyk takes a closer look at “learning in the Cloud”. At the recent Learning Technologies event in London, I would have to admit that I didn’t actually catch the biggest […]
Video: 10 ways to thrive in the downturn
The eLearning Network (eLN) is offering advice on how to prosper during the economic downturn. The advice, contained in the video below, is based on a presentation at the recent Learning Technologies event in London by the eLN’s chairman, Clive Shepherd. Shepherd said: “Anyone who works in learning and development needs to be doing all […]
The elearning diet: Not recommended for long term results
Like the Atkins diet, numerous boybands and the dot com bubble, is elearning no more than just a passing fad? Rob Chapman pulls no punches in this outspoken opinion piece about the fate of the elearning industry. The nature of fads is that they generate millions of devotees, deliver results for a short period and […]
Learning Technologies prize draw – winners announced!
Those who attended this year’s Learning Technologies conference and exhibition, or who have read our blog posts, will be aware that the show was a roaring success. The TrainingZone.co.uk stand was certainly busy on both days and it was great to receive such positive feedback from so many existing members. It was also a fantastic […]
Chasing the buzz at Learning Technologies 2009
Technology editor John Stokdyk put on his trail shoes and hit the exhibition floor at Learning Technologies last week to track down the trends that would shape the world of training this year. Here’s what he found. Traditional LMS suppliers face challenges from all sidesThe Learning Technologies exhibition was very territorial. As you came in […]