Tech4learning

Online Coaching Support - Side by Side

Now I've long been particularly interested in how technology can be applied to the transfer of learning back into the workplace.  For although the e-learning industry has grown up around the concept of delivering learning, all forms of training have suffered from poor rates of learning transfer.  So regardless of whether your organisation is behind the delivery of content via e-learning or not, there should be room to use systems that reinforce the full learning cycle.

One particular application of technology is to support coaching programmes.  So a new reference to a US-based tool reminded me of a long established UK-based service, so I thought I'd use this posting to highlight both.

Starting closer to home, mye-coach offers a range of featuresto support the organisational coach in keeping on top of their coaching programme and providing the follow-through for each coachee.  As well as offering a written record of coaching conversations, the service offers 165 tools to support all aspects of the coaching process and for coaching in many different areas.  Each tool will either provide a summary of a given topic, a diagnostic instrument, a post-coaching session activity, a knowledge handout or a coach's session guide. 

As an added bonus for visiting their website, the team at mye-coach also offer a range of free coaching resources.

Over in the States, Coach Assistantoffers an online resource that similarly captures a record of the relationship between the coach and their coachee.  But whereas mye-coach looks at the one-to-one aspects of coaching, Coach Assistant also picks up on the sometimes collaborate nature of coaching with a range of features targeting groups of learners working with a facilitator/coach.  You can also upload your own attachments that could provide both educational and follow-up resources for your coachees. 

In some ways both tools are similar in that they are hubs for a wealth of supporting resources.  From my own personal knowledge of mye-coach, this tool very much leans to the true field of coaching, whereas Coach Assistant would look particularly strong in the field of coaching as part of an integrated distance learning approach.

With internal coaching in particular showing itself to be good development option when training expenditure is under pressure, tools such as these will help to leverage this process.

Zentation - the Fusion of YouTube and PowerPoint

In my last posting I commented on how sometimes having two visual channels in use, in particular the video feed of a presenter, alongside their slideshow, can have a detrimental impact on the learner's ability to take in the messages.

So it's not surprising that I'll raise this as a consideration when talking about Zentation - a beta product at the moment - that allows you to synchronise your PowerPoint slides with a YouTube video.  In fact, if you've never thought about this issue or seen an example, then do take a look at the many sample Zentation presentations and judge for yourself.  In particular, after a short while, does your eye gravitate to the video feed of the presenter or do you try to block that out, to just focus on the commentary over the slides?

To use the service you first of all have to upload your video to YouTube. You'll then need to log into Zentation and create a new Account and "Add a New Presentation."  Once you've entered the details of your YouTube video, you next unload your slide and use their ZenSync too to provide precise start timings for each graphic in your presentation.

The service is free is you allow your presentation to remain in the public domain.  Otherwise, for a private presentation, which I'm sure will be the case for many in the corporate learning and development space, you can take out a paid subscription.

Quiet in the Studio, Please!

Once again, my posting features a video-based solution and one that also made me ponder about applying good instructional design (or at least media overload prevention) into video-based learning content.

Instant Video Presenter offers an out-of-the-box kit to enable a subject matter expert to quickly put together a video programme which can be viewed online.  The key element of this "kit" is the green-screen cloth that you pin behind you as you address the camera.  As if you were giving a weather forecast, you can then project whatever image you want onto the green-screen cloth, changing this as required during your "to camera" shots. 

A typical image might be the slides from a PowerPoint slideshow.  You'd need to make sure you kept your text and graphics to one side of each slide, otherwise you'd be in danger of masking your content, of course.

But this is when I started to think about the impact on the learner.  Having recently observed a webinar where the presenter was constantly on the screen, enthusiastically getting his message across, alongside his slides, the participants commented that it was tough to both watch the presenter (whose arms were quite distracting at times) and focus on the slide content.  Of course, I knew this would most likely be the case, as it is a known fact that if your learning content presents two forms of visual media (i.e. a video feed of the presenter and his slides) along with the need to listen, the brain finds it very difficult to process this.  It's much better to have just the slides with a voiceover, as here we are using just one visual channel and one audio channel.

So for me, whereas Instant Video Presenter looks to be a great resource, I think the presenter needs to carefully consider what content they use as their backdrop. 

But do take a look at their great demo video, together with their thoughts on how this kit can be used for employee training.  There is also a free (marketing) "white paper" about the their so-called "learning 3.0", which provides some interesting data and thoughts.  And the pricing is really competitive too, so this solution will not break the bank.

Rapid E-learning - Clearly Articulated

For a developer of a rapid e-learning authoring tool to have an independent publisher commission a book to explain how to use their software is testimony to the market domination of that tool.  To have that book's team of authors led by e-learning development expert, Patti Shank, is proof that this tool can be used to create high quality and instructionally sound content.  And for the book to be over 1,000 pages long and weigh 1.75kg clearly positions this tool as a feature-packed package.

So I was pleased - after quite a few months' delay - to get hold of my copy of Essential Articulate Studio '09.

This book provides a very complete guide to using the four elements that make up the Articulate Studio '09 suite, namely Presenter, Quizmaker, Engage and the Video Encoder.  Each of the different aspects of the software are covered - and I mean "each" - so you won't miss out on anything.  In fact, if the book wasn't so long, I would love to read it cover to cover, as although I've used this tool for over four years now, I know I've only scratched the surface of what it can do.

The first chapter provides a quick overview of the tool, including how to install the software.  The next chapter then goes on to look at the topic of rapid e-learning development, including the preparation required before embarking on a project.

In Chapter Three, the authors introduce the main part of the tool, Presenter, and as well as providing a brief introduction to this part, they also look at what to include as part of your project and good project management techniques.  The next four chapters cover all the elements of this application.

Chapters Eight to Thirteen focus on the Quizmaker software and again begin with some of the background preparation when it comes to creating quizzes and surveys.

From Chapter Fourteen to Twenty Five, the book devotes a lot of pages to individual explanations of the different types of interaction that can be created using the Engage program. 

Chapter Twenty Six brings together the publishing aspects of each of the three main software applications, before the final chapter puts the Video Encoder application through its paces.

The book also includes a CD-ROM that contains a 30-day trial of the software itself, together with a copy of the vendor's own documentation, plus links to some of the support resources on their website.

What I most appreciated about this book was the clear explanations provided at each step and the frequent illustrations.  As a frequent user of Articulate Studio, one of the barriers that has held me back from pushing the tool to its full potential has been the uncertainty about what would happen if, for instance, I tweaked something.  With this book, I don't need to worry about the impact something I do might have - I can see it illustrated for myself.  In particular, thanks to the content of Chapter Seven, I now feel much more confident in customising the player templates.

As well as the step-by-step instructions, the book is full of hints and tips on to get the most from the application.  This is probably the closest the book gets to providing some instructional design coaching.  If anything, given the background of the authors, I was expecting more of a focus on how the software could be used to reinforce sound instructional design techniques, but that's my only "minor" criticism of what is certainly a must-have resource for both novice and experienced Articulate Studio '09 users.

Grow Your Own Social Network

For many of us, our first attempt to create an online social network has been based on pointing our browser to Ning.com and fumbling around seeing what happened when you clicked here or there; and all the time comparing our first efforts to other established networking sites or other Ning-based networks that always looked so much more inviting than ours.  Now I'm the sort of guy who likes to have a sense of where he's going and what's possible, so I was delighted last year to notice that the For Dummies series was planning to tackle this piece of web-based software.

The book finally saw the light of day a few weeks ago and I've been reading it in phases.  My first impressions were so favourable that based on what I had read that week, I encouraged another fledgling Ning site developer to persevere with her endeavours.

After giving you a quick tour of a typical Ning site, the author encourages you to join an existing Ning site so you can explore further before even beginning to think about your own site.  Still from the perspective of a regular site member, you are shown how to get the most from the network you joined, including adding multimedia content, communicating with the other members and interacting with others.

Only when you've truly experienced the potential of a Ning site, does the book go on to show you how to take the plunge and create your own network.

You look at the structure and appearance of your site, before going on to customise your home page and organising your members.  You are shown how to exploit forums, notes and chats, as well as how to manage the different types of multimedia you can use, together with getting the most from membership groups and events.

As your site grows in popularity, the author provides you with guidance on the appointment and management of supporting administrators, before looking at some of the ways you can find new members and promote your network.

A high level but still practical chapter on using Google Analytics to learn more about the performance of your network is followed by tactics to keep your network alive and kicking.

The final section looks at how you can further leverage your Ning site by purchasing some of the site's premium services, how you can overhaul the look and feel with CSS code, use the Language Editor to localise the site for different nationalities and embed so-called OpenSocial Applications into the site.

As always with a For Dummies book, the last "Part of Tens" chapter summarises different ways to make money from your site, add further spice to your network and find tools to help manage the environment.

Overall, this book combines both the mechanics of building a Ning site, with a more general discussion of how to successful establish and nurture a successful social network site.

A Complete "Skill-Builder" Blend

Now I'm a big-picture thinker (INTJ in the MBTI world) and in my ideal world, completeness is the key to success (and global domination, but that's for another day).

So I was very impressed to discover the Rapid Skill-Builder solution from the Worldwide Center for Organizational Development.

I discovered them from an e-learning perspective but - as part of their "completeness", their solution is also available as an m-learning solution and t-learning (yes, t-learning - or trainer-led).

Essentially, via either a face-to-face route (short 2-3 hours workshops), or one via e-learning or a mobile device, you can offer your employees a complete competency development programme that literally covers every topic you would hope to find.  You could seamlessly blend the different methods too.

Whichever route you take, the formats are the same, with video scenarios used to demonstrate the theory and either trainers' notes or audio narration to deliver the facilitation aspects.  Consistent supporting materials help both the trainer and learner through the material.

The material has also been validated by the UK's Institute of Leadership and Management, an organisation I particularly respect, having worked with them in previous roles.  In fact, the material can be studied as part of more formal accredited programmes.

The pricing is transparent and very attractive, especially as you are offered a complete out-of-the box skills and competency development approach.

This is definitely a solution worth investigating if you have a clean sheet and are looking to introduce blended learning into your learning and development strategy.

E-learning Tools for Manufacturing

When it comes to my knowledge of generic e-learning content, I'm very familiar with the wide range of soft skills and IT applications training programmes available from the leading players in the market.

But when it comes to the manufacturing sector, I'll be honest to say that I've never really thought much about the need for generic e-learning training.  I've worked on custom e-learning projects for the chemical engineering industry that underpinned an on-the-job apprenticeship training programme, so didn't think much beyond that initial requirement.

So I was interested to come across Tooling U, a US-based provider of online training for the manufacturing sector, who offer a very wide range of e-learning courses in all matter of topics.

As well as covering the use of specific types of machinery, they also have courses that introduce the employee to the underlying processes surrounding the use of these tools.  They've also recently launched a range of soft skills modules for factory floor supervisors.  Given my own background in soft skills training, I reviewed the demo of one of these new modules and - putting aside the US feel to it - I was impressed by the instructional design and overall look and feel.

They also offer a range of m-learning versions under the TU Mobile brand.

I can't vouch necessarily for the technical content, but if you are in the manufacturing sector, then I'm sure you'll want to take a look.

Video Conferencing - The Next Generation

I've been producing webinars for over four years now, but recently I've been asked to host web-conferencing sessions as a direct replacement for more expensive video conferences.  At times a web-conference has cost less than 25% of the cost of a hardware-based video conference.

So - for once - I was interested in seeing a flyer that fell out of a magazine the other week.

Nefsis offers web-based multi-party video conferencing services that can offer a video wall of attendees, alongside a shared desktop application, document or PowerPoint slideshow.

The all-in pricing starts from £225 per month for 5 concurrent users, enough for a small tutorial class, or £315 per month for 10 users, enough for an interactive webinar audience.  You can get quotes for higher volumes of users.

A variety of screencast demos will give you an idea as to how the service works.

New Things in the Box

One of my early blog postings was about the web-based file storage and sharing service, Box.net.  At the time I thought that the file sharing aspect would be good support for a collaborative learning situation.

Now they've recently added a number of features which actually help to more clearly position this service as possible collaborative learning platform:

Tasks enables you to build a workflow around a specific content item, such as review a document (maybe an assigment), upload a new version (i.e. the completed assignment) and approve it (aka grade it).

Global Folders enables you to open up a folder to a wider audience in the form a specific website, either pubically or for an invited audience only.  This would enable you to post the entire content for a course online.

Web Documents brings the power of the wiki to your Box.net account.  You can create to-do lists, share research, write meeting notes and draft documentation with your invited collaborators.

With just these three features Box.net has turned their file hosting service into a much more powerful tool that would support collaborative learning.

Huddle and Collaborate

Digging deeper into LinkedIn, I noticed an application link for a web-based collaborative working tool, Huddle.

Now I've used other similar tools in the past such as Google Sites and BaseCamp, all of which had their pros and cons.  So I was keen to take a look and seeing that it was also free to start with this tool, I took the plunge and signed up.

As well as a homepage that doubles as your dashboard, you can use whiteboards that offer similar features to some of the more rudimentary wikis, assign tasks to yourself and others (with the ability to add deadlines in - a feature amazingly often overlooked by competing systems), hold threaded discussions and organise online meetings, as well as maintain profiles of team members.

With regard to the online meetings, although not offering a true web-conferencing system, you can integrate other tools by including a link to that platform within the meeting invitation.  But what I was really pleased to see was the automatic inclusion of an integrated teleconferencing service, with a good spread of dial in numbers for European countries, including a very favourable call rate of 8p per minute for the UK.  Using this service in conjunction with a free web-conferencing service such as DimDim, which only offers a US dial-in number, would be a great combination.

Another attractive feature of Huddle was the ability to create Word and Excel documents without having to have either of these packages installed on your computer.  The web-based software for this is provided by the popular Zoho service.  It was a shame that they don't yet offer the option to use Zoho's presentations software package.

You can enjoy the service for free, but when you outgrow your 1GB storage limit, you can upgrade to other packages for a monthly fee.