6 Responses

1. many and varied
   Depends on what kind of material you are writing and the functionality you require.
   I like Macromedia Authorware as the results can be very exciting and it has good assessment ability.

2. web based training software
   I agree with Antony. It does depend on what you want. For web-based learning I like WebCT and for collaborative learning I like FirstClass (the learning curve is quite steep, though) and WebBoard (which has a shorter learning curve).

   Hope this helps.

   Heather Glyn

3. Macromedia Dreamweaver Course Builder
   I would recommende Dreamweaver Course Builder – the results can be impressive, professional and enables AICC compliant courseware to be produced.

   If you need any training on Dreamweaver, we can provide it.

   Rod
   pdc online (Tel 01423 546958)

4. BlackBoard products worth testing
   Our company uses BlackBoard products for university partners, integrating the LMS into our own and customers’ SIS.
   We also use a continuous publishing system that our commercial training partners use with our own in-house LMS. Again, we integrate that LMS into their own systems and find that this suits the needs of our commercial training partners better than an “off the shelf” LMS available on the current market.

   For our university partners we have found that BlackBoard provides a well structured learning environment, synchronous and asynchronous communication tools, a variety of quiz and assessment tools, group facilities, announcements screen and much more.

   However, if trainers using any “off the shelf” LMS do not test their training products for cross-platform compatability they can run into problems for users.
   Asynchronous tools such as Discussion Boards can be slow to download – especially if you are trying to reach an international user.

   To overcome this problem, we have set up quality control systems to ensure all training materials are tested before use on any system, and we offer 24/7 customer support – because our business relies upon users being able to access their materials globally.
   To ensure rapid download we have a global (replicated) server network – this allows even the “heaviest” courses to download efficiently to users around the world.

   While universities tend to be very passionate about their own choice of LMS (eg WebCT) we have found that the “off the shelf” brands are broadly similar in form and function. As our company produces training solutions for a global customer base, we have to look for scalability – a product that will carry thousands of users worldwide.

   Janice Jones,
   Account Manager
   NextEd Pty Ltd
   http://www.nexted.com

5. Depends on what you want to do
   There are many kinds of products and technologies on the market for e-learning management, delivery and content – 100’s in fact. So we need to have a better understanding of what you’re trying to use it for.

   For a general guide to e-learning technologies and issues see the elearnity white paper at http://www.elearnity.com/whitepaper

6. New web based training software
   Take a look at http://www.Seminar4web.com

   The Seminar system is meant for trainers, not computer specialists. So you may love it or you may hate it, according to whether you enjoy getting down to variables and attributes, operands and parameters, and grappling with HTML. Seminar keeps you away from that stuff.

   There’s a downloadable working demo, so you can find out whether you like it.