In this issue:
1. Beam me up to eLearning
2. Reader Commentary on the "Terrible Words: Forward, Back, Previous, and Next"
3. Got Thoughts on Instructional Design?
4. Position Announcement
5. Your Continuing Education and Professional Development
1. Beam me up to eLearning!
It is not often that you get to meet or learn from a legend, but on Tuesday, August 22, you will have that opportunity at Computer Training World Conferences & Expo (CTW). Legendary actor/director/producer Leonard Nimoy, of the ever-popular Star Trek TV program, is the special featured keynote at the event this year. Drawing from his rich and varied career, Mr. Nimoy will share with CTW attendees his views on making a difference in your organization, getting satisfaction from your job, bringing value to your students and your company, and overcoming obstacles to achieve your goals.
CTW is comprised of three unique co-located events: The Technology Training Management Conference, The ERP and Large Systems Training Conference, and The Computer Trainers' Summer Camp. eLearning is a major theme running through all three events at CTW this year. Other major themes include change management, certification, reskilling, outsourcing, and new training technologies. CTW will be held August 21-23, in San Francisco, CA. For additional information about CTW, please visit http://www.influent.com/ctw2000.
2. Reader Commentary on the "Terrible Words: Forward, Back, Previous, and Next"
In the last issue of Trends (Vol. 22), a reader sent back her comments on the words "Forward, Back, Previous and Next" used in the article on John Hartnett's "Beauty and the Beast: Effective Interface Design for WBT" pre-conference seminar. Trends appreciates any feedback received from our many readers - thank you for responding!
"In the last issue of trends (vol. 22), students in John Hartnett workshop at WBT Producer Conference "asserted that "Next and Previous" are an immediate movement in their respective directions. Whereas, "Forward and Back" takes the learner to a whole new topic in their respective directions. User interfaces are always tricky. It appears that we have a standard here, so use directional buttons correctly to ensure learner understanding across all WBT."
"If a bunch of specialists in training had a hard time with these words, what do you think is going to happen with the learners? Don't use these words. Say what you mean: Next page, Previous topic, Browser Back. Just because we standardize on these words doesn't mean the user will not be confused."
We ask you, the community, what Internet terms or concepts do your users find most confusing and what techniques do you use to teach these terms? Send your thoughts and commentary to: mailto:rsmith@influent.com. Trends will compile a list and share these troublesome terms with you in the next issue. Then we can all avoid the "terrible terminology trap!"
3. Do you have any thoughts on Instructional Design?
Influent Technology Group announces its call for proposals for the New Media Instructional Design Symposium scheduled October 30-Nov 1, 2000, in Washington, DC, USA. In its fourth year, this unique event focuses solely on instructional design for leveraging new media technologies, including eLearning, distance learning, WBT/CBT/TBT, video and other forms of online learning. If you'd like to learn more about the types of sessions that have been offered in the past, visit last year's program at http://www.influent.com/nmid99.
Why not contribute! If you have an interesting case study to share, or if you have comments about the issues, solutions, and mechanics of instructional design new media, then you are encouraged to submit a proposal. For session proposal guidelines, please send an email to mailto:hfisk@influent.com. Proposals are due by June 1, 2000.
4. Position Announcement
Influent Technology Group has a contract Program Manager position open. This individual will be responsible for developing conference/symposium programs. Candidate must:
-- be very knowledgeable about instructional design
-- have experience developing training using new media
-- be knowledgeable about WBT/eLearning tools and technologies
-- possess excellent project management skills
-- have good written and oral communication skills.
This part-time position is available immediately. Compensation based on experience and performance. If you are interested, please send your resume outlining your experience to mailto:hfisk@influent.com.
5. Your Continuing Education and Professional Development
Here are some upcoming events for your continuing education and professional development:
Computer Training World 2000
Three-Conferences-in-One format incorporating the Technology Training Management Conference, The ERP and Large Systems Training Conference, and The Computer Trainers' Summer Camp
August 21-23, 2000 San Francisco, CA USA
THE event for the computer/technology training profession. This is the event to help you find your way through the issues of eLearning, rapidly changing technology roll-outs, how to move from classroom to technology-delivered instruction, and address certification, outsourcing, and retraining staff challenges. See http://www.influent.com/ctw2000 for more information.
Help Online 2000 Symposium
July 11-13, 2000 (Preconference workshops July 10) Chicago, IL USA
You asked for it! Help Online 2000's unique Symposium format was created to facilitate inquiry and dialogue between faculty and participants. No matter what your platform, audience, or topic, Help Online 2000 will help YOU become a better developer or manager of online Help. General sessions will be led by industry leaders. There will be no commercial element to this event! The focus is on your learning, networking, sharing, and in-depth discussion. Visit http://www.influent.com/hol00/index.html for full details.
Seminars:
Influent Technology Group develops and produces a comprehensive curriculum of seminars that enable attendees to master specific technical and managerial skill sets. Seminars are offered nationwide by a distinguished faculty of industry leaders and experts.
Designing, Developing and Implementing Effective Web-Based Instruction
June 29-30, 2000 ~ Chicago, IL
This workshop will ensure that you are adding value to your organization by stressing learning, not just the presentation of your web-based solutions. This is a hands-on workshop! You will move from the basic design model as it applies to the Web to actually creating some design strategies for your project. Using established worksheets, job-aids, and demonstrations you will have the opportunity to immediately take what you have learned and apply it to your project!
*Special Offer to Trends subscribers: Register for this seminar by June 1, 2000, using the registration Code "EBDIS" and you will receive $100.00 discount!
For more information, please visit: http://www.influent.com/seminars/designing.htm.
Project Management Workshop: A Field Guide to Success
June 29-30, 2000 ~ Chicago, IL
This workshop focuses on the fundamental issues facing project managers, team leaders and project team members. The participant will be lead through a step-by-step project management method that incorporates techniques such as risk management, problem solving, estimating, change management, and managing scope. The participant will leave the workshop with the necessary tools and techniques to manage projects of all sizes.
For more information, please visit: http://www.influent.com/seminars/project.htm.
The Art of Visual Interface Design
June 1-2, 2000 ~ San Francisco, CA
June 20-21, 2000 ~ Chicago, IL
July 13-14, 2000 ~ Seattle, WA
The objective of this highly interactive introductory seminar, complete with a Design Studio component, is to present you with a set of key visual information and interaction design principles. You will leave this seminar with an understanding of how to design, develop, and manage attractive, useful and effective visual interfaces for online information delivery.
For more information, please visit: http://www.influent.com/seminars/art.htm.
