Narrowing the Distance

Google’s Chrome web store has been open for a couple days now and there are already hundreds of web apps available.  One such app called sliderocket may be a solution several of you have been looking for to create online training and presentations.

What is it? According to the site, SlideRocket is a revolutionary new approach to presentations. It’s the only presentation software that allows you to create stunning presentations, manage them intelligently, share them securely and then measure the results.

What does this mean in English?  SlideRocket allows you to create awesome presentations that are interactive.  What’s more, it comes with built in analytics so that you can track who’s viewing your presentations, how often, etc…  Another HUGE bonus is that it’s all done in HTML5, so it is viewable on iPads and iPhones unlike flash based presentations.

In the demo I watched, I was able to add interactions, audio, video, images, text, twitter feeds and much more.  The collaboration features are excellent as well.  And the cost… there’s a free lite version, then the full version is $24/month or $240/year.  This may sound expensive but I use rapid eLearning tools like Articulate currently.  The price for the studio version is around $1400 (58 months worth of sliderocket), and this doesn’t include any collaboration or tracking capabilities.   I’m not saying that sliderocket has all of the capabilities of some of the rapid eLearning tools however, so it’s probably not the best comparison.  I am saying you should give it a try though!  See the video below for more information:

I am becoming more and more of a Skype fan every day.  At first I just used it for the occasional instant message or video call.  Then I started using it in place of my office phone.  And just recently my colleague and I used Skype to conduct a full day training session in another state.  So if you haven’t taken full advantage of Skype here are some things to consider:

• The new beta version of Skype allows for up to 5 people to be in a video chat at a time (it is beta though, so don’t be surprised if an issue pops up from time to time).  My organization is starting to use this for shorter more frequent meetings instead of scheduling full day staff meetings once a month.
• Skype offers screen sharing.  In the past I used GoToMeeting ($50/month) for most of the trainings I conducted online.  Now using Skype I can easily switch between a video feed from my webcam and my computer screen if I am showing a PowerPoint (or if I just want people to stop looking at me).
• Skype is now available on your TV!  That’s right, you now have a legitimate business expense if you want to upgrade to a new flat panel (that’s a joke, I’m not a tax person, so don’t complain if you get audited).  It’s still early on and only applies to a few internet connected widescreen TVs (Panasonic and Samsung), but it’s promising none the less.  In addition to the TV, you will also need a special web cam that runs approximately $150.  Check here for more information from Skype.

What other uses are there for Skype?  Looking forward to hearing your thoughts…

One of the most used technologies to increase my effiency is desktop sharing.  In case you are not familiar with the term, desktop sharing simply allows you to share your desktop with one or more people.  I use it often for training people far away or in different locations, collaborating with colleagues or to troubleshoot technology problems.

If you are interested in giving desktop sharing a try, there are no shortage of available applications.  Among them include:

• GoToMeeting
• Windows Live Meeting
• Vyew
• ShowMYPC
• WebEx
• TeamViewer

There are plenty more options out there, but this is a start.  A few things to note:

• Not all options are free.  GoToMeeting, Windows Live Meeting, and WebEX may offer free trials, but do cost money to keep.  Others, like TeamViewer may offer a free version for non-commercial use.
• Know what you are looking for.  Some options only allow one user to view your computer.  That may work for simple collaboration or technical support, but will hardly work for trainings.

What do I recommend?  Although free is great, I like GoToMeeting.  The cost is low enough and it offers several features that are great for training small groups.  If you need to train a larger group, you can upgrade or purchase GoToWebinar, which allows you to have hundreds of participants and provides advanced features like polling, access levels and more.

I’ve tried many of the other options out there, and while they usually work fine, I find most slow to load and react.  This may work for collaborating with a colleague, but if you are working with a client I recommend spending the $400 or $500 extra a year and use GoToMeeting.  Their newest version has integrated voice capabilities, which is a huge advantage over using a land or mobile line to call a long distance number to communicate (I always just used skype).  Finally, GoToMeeting does allow those you are connecting with to show their screen.  You can take control of their mouse and keyboard or vice versa as well.  Others may offer this same feature, but it’s worth mentioning either way.

Through working with groups and agencies who are solely supported by grant funds to create e-learning solutions, we have discovered the existence of a graveyard full of incredible processes, products, and tools that are wasting away in boxes and on bookshelves. As e -learning tools have become more effective and cost efficient, there are significant benefits for your grant funded work.

1. “Fundability” is essential when applying for a highly competitive grant, because you can not accomplish your next great adventure without financial support. One attractive feature to set your project apart from the rest is to incorporate e-learning solutions. It is no longer cost prohibitive to develop and disseminate your findings and products on the web. The ability to do this well allows funding sources to see that your project has the potential to impact a large geographic area long after the funding is complete.

2. “Accessibility” to the benefits from the grant outcomes have typically been limited by how close you were to where the work was done or your connection with the people who did it. With e-learning solutions, people all across the globe can benefit from the efforts of your organization at anytime and at anyplace.

3. “Timelessness” is essential because once the funding is spent, projects are typically over and never seen again. However with e-learning solutions, the work accomplished through your project can be made available through web-based tools even after the funding is over. Extend the life of your project by finding a partner up front that will commit to hosting your work for you once the project is complete. Consider approaching colleges, universities, businesses, and other non-profit agencies as potential partners. The cost of hosting is relatively insignificant and the benefits for everyone are endless. If you are having trouble finding those partners, there are many no-cost solutions on the web that can accomplish this. Take time to dig through our blog to investigate a few that we have highlighted.

The possibilities are endless with the tools available to all of us. If you have a success story incorporating e-learning solutions in your grant funded work, take a minute to comment on this post.