Technology: Friend or Foe

In my disucssions with other eLearning developers, it's becoming apparent that Technology decision makers have all the tools we need to deploy engaging content, but they put so many roadblocks in the way.

So, what's this telling us?

Technology is putting the servers and other hardware in our hands to host powerful media driven content.
Technology is putting powerful applications on our desktops to create powerful media driven content.
Technology has so many controls and standards in the name of "security" that we can't deploy our new content.

So what's the deal? Why is it so difficult to persuade Technology to loosen the stranglehold on their precious servers and networks to allow us to be the Extreme corporation we can be?

• Is it really the potential for hackers and client information? If so, why not have a separate redundant server for training?
• Is it really the expectation of bandwidth demand? Will we truly be experiencing 5000 unique users all logging in at the same time? What if it's only 500?
• Is it an incompatibility of training content with the current server and network configurations that would require "millions" of dollars to adjust? (and what's with servers going down for maintenance in the middle of the work day? Sorry, that's a separate topic)

Or is it really the fact that the Technology decision makers just aren't up-to-date on the latest applications and plug-ins. Is it that they are afraid to say, "We don't know"??

Big T, if you're out there listening, please join us in our journey to deliver the most engaging content we can. The real winners here are the learners and the corporatation AND the clients!

Thanks for listening!
~peace!

Podcasting and Collaboration

I came back from NY with a lot's of ideas. Podcasting was one at the top of my list.

I did a brief test and launched it out to our LMS to see if it would fly.
The decision makers like the fact that we could put out an audio file quickly and affordably with high quality, but they were confused by the intent of the content and had a hard time grasping it as training.

They did like the fact that what audio I did record with my iPod saved us over $1000 on the first try.

My next test is to publish the podcast as an audio book or reference manual that is still launched via the LMS and would track the downloads to the learner.

The other test we are doing is using the iPod as a collaboration tool. I bring my iPod to SME meetings and record the discussions and post the mp3 to a shared database. They are quite apprehensive of Wiki's or Blogs but they're ok with databases. I have shared with my SMEs that our database is just a local Wiki as it is. But we're tied to land lines. We should go web based so we could access it in multiple ways. More to come on this.

On a lighter note: I have a new nickname, my co-workers and business parnters have dubbed me as "Elliott's Mini-Me" I'll take that as a compliment!

Peace!

This is Fotodog reporting.
Podcasting is taking off.
It's not a bandwagon, it's a locomotive.
Let's go.

Web-Based Training Kiosk Provides Custom Course CDs

Reported from the Penn State Website.

Penn Staters now have another alternative in offering and receiving supplemental training--custom Web-Based Training (WBT) course CDs. Web-Based Training offers over 1,600 free technology and business and professional development tutorials. With the new CD-burning kiosk, faculty members can have WBT courses bundled and loaded onto the kiosk according to academic course number. Students who are unable to download the courses or use them with an online connection can now use the kiosk to create a CD of the assigned or recommended WBT tutorials for their academic course.

What an opportunity to not only reach students who miss a class or have scheduling conflicts but also to deploy a catalog of courses for those learners with interest in your subject.

At a cost of $7 a CD for the student, I find that totally reasonable.
As a parent, I'd definitely support having this techonology for my kids. (of course it'll a while before my child enters college.

Extreme Thinking is tiring

I've been back to work now for just a few days and I can't begin to tell you how many opportunities I've had to share my experiences in the Extreme lab with Elliott.

Dude, I'm still stoked about what can happen here. I just need more time.

Time is an element that both intrigues and scares me. Mastering one's time is somthing that takes years to accomplish. I feel like I'm regressing.

For those who who think Extreme Learning is out the realm of possibilities for their companies, may need to try another avenue. This is an answer to many of our issues. Not THE answer but one answer.

this is the first webcam production for me.
I apologize for any technical difficulties

End of day 2

Possibilities.

The realm of possibilities played against the dark forces of technology and legal trouble me.
I am both excited and frustrated.

Long live optimism.

Fotodog Reporting

Learning is Fun

I'm sitting here at the end of Day 1 of the Extreme Learning Lab at the Masie Center.

It is rare that I am this jazzed about anything.

People at work will be sick of me and my "Elliott's Disciples" mentality I'll have.

on a different note: Saratoga Springs is a great little city!