In this issue:
1. Influent Announces Influent Resource Exchange (I-RX)
2. IITA Releases White Paper
3. Introducing the Digital Learning Organization
4. Interview with Rich Karlgaard of Forbes Magazine
5. Call for Proposals to CTW and Sessions at the *new* Help Online 2000 Symposium
6. E-newsletter preference results are in…
7. Your Professional and Continuing Education
1. Influent announces Influent Resource Exchange (I-RX)
On Tuesday, March 21 Influent Technology Group announced the launch of the Influent Resource Exchange (I-RX) Web site, http://www.influent-rx.com. This site is designed to provide you with resources and networking for your professional development. David Holcombe, Influent’s President and CEO, says “we anticipate that traffic on the Resource Exchange site will become robust very quickly…it’s all part of building communities, and exchanging information in an easy to use, graphically compelling format.”
Quick facts about Influent Resource Exchange:
- Use of the site is completely free - and always will be.
- All postings are instantly live to the Internet. You can update, edit and/or delete them at any time.
- You can choose from almost 100 categories to post - or recommend additional categories.
- You can post live URL links instantly and update them at any time.
- You can upload any .txt, .rtf or .pdf file for viewing, printing or downloading by Exchange members.
- You will always have complete control of your account and the postings you make.
Holcombe concludes “We encourage you to join, post resources, access resources and enjoy this site!”
2. IITA Releases White Paper
The ITTA (Information Technology Training Association) had its annual Colloquium recently and generated a white paper, IT Executive Leaders Give Insight Into Future of IT, http://www.itta.org/whitepaper2000.htm. Over one hundred IT industry leaders gave their input. The ITTA is the trade association for IT Training professionals. The association takes an active leadership role in legislative efforts, professional development and business management conferences, and sets industry standards.
The Colloquium 2000 was an industry think tank aimed at further instructing IT professionals how to explore strategies, markets and products. The participants were IT experts, corporate training managers, training and software vendors, members from the distance learning world, and industry associations. “With more and more capital expenditures going toward Information technology, our society’s future well-being is directly related to our ability to learn and use Information Technology,” said Peter Squier, ITTA President.
The white paper summarizes the Colloquium’s discussions, findings, and recommendations. ITTA hopes that the paper empowers its members to prepare for the future of IT training and education. For details on how to become an ITTA member, visit http://www.itta.org/joinus.htm.
3. Introducing the Digital Learning Organization
Another professional association you need to be aware is the Digital Learning Organization (DLO), http://www.DigitalLearning.org. DLO was launched last July by the Training Media Association. The association’s goal is to provide a home for companies that produce and distribute digital learning programs and resources to the workplace.
The term digital learning is broad: it refers to any form of program, product, delivery system, and learning management system that is delivered to the workplace in some digital format. In concrete terms, this means any learning which arrives over a network, on a DVD or CD-ROM, sent in by Satellite, etc. Robert Rosell, President of DigitalLearning.Org said, “many members are people who have been developing in a variety of formats -- print, video, multimedia, Internet.”
The DLO’s focus is on a wide-range of training topics: from HR related products, business skills, technology (IT) products, training programs, health & safety, to legal compliance. The organization complement’s ITTA (see article above) who is very successful in the IT training arena. The DLO has a broader mission which is about using technology whare ever you need to learn in the workplace. The DLO and ITTA have a reciprocal relationship.
Robert says that “companies who are producing and distributing workplace learning tools and resources have terrific opportunities and some equally impressive obstacles.” Among those are the search and establishment of industry standards for the delivery of streamed rich media and learning management systems. Both are huge issues. There are also the issues around copyright in the digital arena that need to be addressed along with the protection of intellectual property. He says, “we have issues around the integration of different approaches to learning in the workplace.” DLO plays an important role in helping member companies move forward on all these issues. For membership information, visit: http://www.netcrafters.net/TMA/join.htm.
4. Call for Proposals to CTW and Sessions at the *new* Help Online 2000 Symposium
Editor's Note: Spring Break only comes once a year, and it's about time! The winter has been harsh with snow, ice, rain, and storms. Our attendees are breaking out their Bermuda shorts and flip flops while rejuvenating themselves as technology trainers.
Our attendees will be learning a lot during their Spring Break.
Some of the highlighted topics follow:
To Certify or Not: The Three Perspectives of Certification Sean Patrick Brooks
Sean Brooks, http://www.convergys.com, identifies three owners of software certification: the person seeking certification, the certification provider, and the hiring manager. Brooks has organized a panel of nationally prominent people from each of these three perspectives to open a dialogue about software certification. Depending on where you're coming from, you'll learn more about each perspective.
Certification Seekers
If you're considering acquiring certification, understand what you can expect from various certifications and what certification means to you. Does it represent a bigger paycheck or consulting fee? Do organizations value certification? Are you willing to be married to recertification? Remember that certification is not the same as direct work experience, and a particular certification may only hold value until the next upgrade. How can you find out what certification is worth to hiring managers?
Certification Providers
What are some of the hidden advantages of being a certification provider? How do providers discover future market needs? The best source of market intelligence for the certification provider is dialogue with hiring managers.
Hiring Managers
Hiring managers want people who can "do" the job, not hold a piece of paper saying that they answered questions correctly. Certification clearly demonstrates that the person is capable of study, and managers should look to certification for those qualities. It shows that they are capable of attention to detail, and many managers look to other demonstrable areas in the candidate's vitae for key qualities in their technical staff, while others expect certification to fit the bill. What else will you, as hiring managers, be looking for from certification?
The panel is an important session for everyone in IT. It is too easy for us - certification companies and certification candidates - to identify certification shortcomings without first looking at the roles and expectations of everyone involved. For more information, visit http://www.influent.com/ctsb.
5. RX for Web-Based Training
Never before have learning technologies been more rapidly deployed. Deployment for video technology spanned over 20 years, CDROM over 10 years, but Web-based training has grown from an experimental concept to full implementation in just 3 years. With such mind-boggling speed, organizations world-wide have been implementing e-learning solutions without the time to document and share lessons learned. A top industry panel is convening at The WBT Executive Summit in San Diego, CA USA April 26-27, http://www.influent.com/wbt2000, to explore how to keep from making mistakes that can cost money and creditability.
Five top global experts will address your problems and challenges regarding Web-based training justification, planning, design, development and implementation. Moderating the panel is Dr. Eric Parks, President/CEO of ASK International, http://www.askintl.com. Eric has written over 50 papers addressing all facets of e-learning and for over 5 years has served as contributing editor to the newsletter, Technology for Learning.
The distinguished panelists are:
- Steve Jensens, Vice President of Performance and Learning, ANC Rental Corporation: Mr. Jensens pioneered distance learning in the rental car industry. He is currently implementing an online learning initiative addressing Performance Consulting competencies for trainers.
- Chris Corwin, Director of Training, GE Capital Mortgage Corporation: Chris initiated one of GE Capital's first e-learning projects addressing compliance training. Overcoming many challenges, Chris has successfully implemented a mandatory Internet-based online curriculum that is rapidly gaining popularity.
- Pam Kelinger, Director of Training, Symbol Technologies: Pam help found Symbol University (SU), an extranet online virtual university in 1997. With extensive custom and off-the-shelf courseware, SU has served up learning experiences to end-users worldwide. Recently Symbol Technology was awarded national recognition for its innovative wireless learning technology that allows learning anywhere.
- Trina Wolfgram, Director of Digital Workplace Learning, Hewlett-Packard Company: Trina is responsible for implementing a Digital Hardcopy online learning curriculum addressing the theory, operation and maintenance of Hewlett-Packard's highly regarded printers.
6. A Reader Asks...
Diane Fasching asked: "Does anyone know of CBT's or any other tools that would facilitate our construction managers learning basic safety commands in Spanish to communicate with construction site workers?"
The community replied with:
"Nothing helps learning foreign language skills better than hearing them. Hearing them in the context of job safety is even better. I would produce an audio cassette/CD program dealing with safety issues and give it to the construction site managers to listen to on their way to and from work. A program in Spanish for English as second language workers would complete the circle. Easy to produce, inexpensive, effective." Jim Boring, JBCCNOW
"I've found that the AltaVista search engine has a translate facility where you can enter the desired verbiage in either English or another language, i.e., Spanish, French, German, etc. and ask for the translation in English. Try it. It's a quick resource for your folks, assuming they have access to the Internet." Ray Barros, Training Analyst, Coors Brewing Company
7. Call for Proposals for CTW
It's that time of year again. Computer Training World 2000 (CTW) will be held August 21-23 in San Francisco. Visit http://www.influent.com/ctw2000/index.html for information on submitting proposals.
8. Your Professional & Continuing Education...
Listed below are events or activities that you can attend for your own professional development:
CONFERENCES
WBT Producer Conference & Expo
ACE User Conference
April 26-28, 2000
San Diego, California, USA
WBT Producer is targeted towards those who develop, design, or create online learning and Web-based training (WBT). ACE is the Allen Communication user conference. You can find out more about these events by visiting http://www.influent.com/wbt2000.
WBT Executive Summit
April 26-27, 2000
San Diego, California, USA
The WBT Executive Summit is for Training Directors, managers, and other executives who are responsible for the strategic implementation of online learning/Web-based training.
SEMINARS
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FEATURED SEMINAR:
How to Conduct Needs Assessment
==> April 24-25, 2000 -- San Diego
==> May 8-9, 2000 -- Chicago
==> July 6-7, 2000 -- Boston
==> July 20-21, 2000 -- San Francisco
==> August 14-15, 2000 -- Boston
==> September 25-26, 2000 -- Atlanta
** Use interviews, surveys, and observations to assess performance development needs
** Apply those results to develop appropriate training solutions
** Make recommendations that yield sound business results
If you register now for any available "How to Conduct Needs Assessment" session offered through the month of September, you can save $100 off of the registration fee just by mentioning this special code (EBDIS). But you MUST register for your session with our customer service department no later than March 24, in order to take advantage of this special discount. Visit http://www.influent.com/seminars/needs.htm for full seminar details and phone customer service at 508.651.9531 for the discount.
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Project Management Workshop: A Field Guide to Success
==> April 24-25, 2000 -- San Diego
==> May 8-9, 2000 -- Boston
==> June 29-30, 2000 -- Chicago
** Learn effective project management strategies for your:
-documentation and technical writing projects
-online information and Web development projects
-computer-based training projects
-multimedia training projects
For full seminar details, visit http://www.influent.com/seminars/project.htm.
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One-Stop Documentation
==> April 17-18, 2000 -- Dallas
==> May 8-9, 2000 -- Atlanta
==> July 17-18, 2000 -- Boston
==> August 28-29, 2000 -- Chicago
==> September 11-12, 2000 -- New Orleans
** Develop a single manual for training and ongoing performance support
** Create single source print and online documentation that people will choose to use
** Maximize user independence and reduce support costs
For full seminar details, visit http://www.influent.com/seminars/onestop.htm
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Designing, Developing and Implementing Effective Web-Based Instruction
==> April 24-25, 2000 -- San Diego
==> May 8-9, 2000 -- Boston
==> June 29-30, 2000 -- Chicago
** Utilize a systematic design process to improve learning and reduce time to market for your web-based instructional programs
** Learn how to increase interactivity while keeping bandwidth issues under control
** Discover how to focus your web-based project on the learning and end-user performance
** Successfully manage the entire design, development, implementation, and maintenance process
For full seminar details, visit http://www.influent.com/seminars/designing.htm.
