August 27th, 2008 by Robin Green
Picking out a suitable learning management system can be similar to picking out anything else—if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Shun incredible promises and analyze for yourself: will this learning management system work for your business and educational needs?
If you think you have found a satisfactory learning management system, determine whether your vendor comprehends the fundamental requirements. You both ought to be clear regarding your business needs, objectives, methodologies, and design or content creation and interface you desire.
Next, devise a budget. Don’t get caught up in the excitement and disregard what might seem like financial minutiae. Extra fees add up fast. Also, find out if this is a learning management system that can be run by someone without IT training—how complicated is it?
Lastly, ascertain reliability. Do the free trials and take a test drive. If you obtain choice support now, your search may be over.
August 27th, 2008 by Robin Green
Most learning management systems have tracking and reporting features, which you can use to monitor or track, say, the online activity of employees throughout your organization on your company web site. Check which people have been doing their assigned homework—reviewing the employee handbook, reading weekly memos, keeping up on the latest news on the company, and so forth—through your learning management system.
Surveilling employees via a learning management system may be especially helpful in legally binding situations. Say somebody’s accused a fellow workmate of harassment. Some may not be exactly sure of what constitutes harassment and what doesn’t. An employee handbook with specific explanations accessible via the company’s learning management system would be perfect. Now you can ascertain who has (or hasn’t) been responsible enough to put some effort in and refresh their memory to avoid unnecessarily unsavory moments.
August 27th, 2008 by Robin Green
Learning Management System fiends, take notice. The 2008 Innovations in Managed Learning Services Conference will take place Sept. 16-18 in Clearwater, FL.
Director of Business Development for Expertus Jason Baker will present “Nine Ways to Trim Operational Expenses to Fund Strategic Learning.” Topics include how to create and exhume funds to improve training delivery without altering budgets.
Jim Brolley, Sr. Director of Global Learning for Harley-Davidon, Inc., will discuss CLO Best Practices, his company’s Learning Management System implementation, and more.
Steve Uzzell, a U.S. top advertising and corporate photographer, will discuss “Open Road Minds: An Exploration of Creative Problem Solving,” using his metaphorical photographs. Uzzell’s goal is to make any venture, even when related to a Learning Management System, an adventure.
August 26th, 2008 by Robin Green
For the littler ones, babies in particular, here’s a learning system toy based on the epic biblical story of Noah’s Ark.
Similar to Leapster in concept, Noah’s Ark Animal Adventure is a learning system that teaches animals, patterns, counting, colors, shapes, and various other topics. Users can even hear the story read out loud, in its entirety, grasping their attention further. This early learning system toy plunges kids into games, education, and even a little religion.
Beware, parents, that this is not a full-time game. As well, keep in mind that children will be traversing a period of getting accustomed to the learning system to then be able to manage it and enjoy its entertaining qualities. From approximately six months up to three years of age.
August 26th, 2008 by Robin Green
Getting kids to stop playing and focus on straightforward learning can be impossible. And no wonder! Wouldn’t you prefer to play too? There’s a reason why Facebook, MySpace, and other programs are banned in some work places. It’s always a relief when both come together. A stellar example of this join is LeapFrog Leapster Learning System Game.
Designed for children pre-K through fourth grade, Leapster teaches them critical thinking skills, math, reading, creative thinking, story comprehension, and vocabulary, among others.
It is a handheld computerized learning system with an interactive touch screen and pen, multiple skill levels (adjustable so kids learn at their own pace), step-by-step tailored tutorials, and you can update it as your child grows.
A learning system possibly better than Barney.
August 26th, 2008 by Robin Green
Consider the following case:
Would you take your canine, feline, or other companion to a veterinarian who obtained a degree by taking distance learning courses? A Learning Management System is one of the best things that can happen to an institution, educational or not—but is it the best thing that can happen to veterinarians? What about their unwitting patients?
The Veterinary Services Careers Program (VSCP) Learning Management System training includes, apart from instructor-led classes, distance learning courses, which are available online, on VHS and on DVD. Impressively convenient. But effective? That’s another story.
Not all Learning Management Systems yield beneficial results. Consider whether this is a topic of importance to you, and check your veterinarian’s (or other professional’s) credentials to assure peace of mind.
August 26th, 2008 by Robin Green
People are often a product of their surroundings. A learning system, and maybe e-learning in particular, ought to grant its audience respect. Any inbuilt biases the authors may have—classism, sexism, homophobia, racism, etc.—need to be cast aside for the learning system to have any significant chance at making a positive impact.
Authors must consider whether due care has been taken to avoid discriminatory factors, such as gender stereotyping and oppressive language, in the content. For example, refraining from utilizing the male pronoun (him) as standard for members of either sex/gender, and substituting terms like blind, deaf, and dumb with visually challenged, differently-abled, etc.
Efforts should be made to accommodate diversity and plurality. Sensitivity is imperative for a learning system’s outreach to be positively widespread.
August 25th, 2008 by Robin Green
Websites abound today instructing teachers how to enhance their materials online, and many benefit from remote education and copious new educational resources. But is this learning system discriminatory?
According to the US Census Bureau, in 2003, 73% of Asians had computers in their household, while 64% of whites, 45% of African Americans, and 44% of Hispanics did. Of these, 67% of Asians had internet access, while 57% of whites, 36% of African Americans and 36% of Hispanics did.
Is it fair to infer that an internet-based learning system is racist? Should those privileged with internet access at home, then, not take advantage?
The privileged individuals are just the group with an extra resource to help highlight and deconstruct these racial divides, these socioeconomic imbalances. Internet classrooms have the potential to become a revolutionary deconstructive learning system, in every way.
