Want to write for eLearning Weekly? July 4, 2009
Posted by B.J. Schone in eLearning.Tags: Blogging, Blogs, eLearning, InstructionalDesign, Learning, technology, Training, Writing
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Up to this point, I’ve used eLearning Weekly as my own personal blog to talk about my experiences with learning and technology. I’d like to open up the format for others to contribute so we can all benefit from different perspectives. If you are interested in writing for eLearning Weekly, please email me at 
. I’m open to most topics related to learning and technology. I will allow vendors and consultants to contribute if and only if they contribute new ideas and perspectives. I will not allow people or companies to push products or services to my readers.
eLearning Weekly is read by thousands of people each month. This could be a great opportunity for you to get visibility and engage in dialog with peers around the world. I look forward to your contributions!
Email me at if you have questions or to submit ideas. Thanks!
P.S. – I will continue to write for eLearning Weekly, too. I’m not leaving. 
25 Awesome Virtual Learning Experiences Online June 25, 2009
Posted by B.J. Schone in eLearning.Tags: Design, Development, eLearning, Learning, technology, Training
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It’s good to refresh your design habits every so often, and that’s why I was excited to see a post on 25 Awesome Virtual Learning Experiences Online over on the Ace Online Schools site. A variety of new ideas is key, and the online experiences highlighted in this post cover everything from “history to geography, astronomy to anatomy, literature to government.” Peruse the examples and try to identify new ideas and techniques you can use to enhance the learning materials you design.
One example that caught my eye was the Mount Vernon Virtual Tour, which does a fantastic job of letting the learner explore the different floors and rooms of the mansion. The user interface is clean and very effective. I could see an interface like this being used to give employees tours of factories or important working areas where detailed knowledge is important.
Take a look at the full post: 25 Awesome Virtual Learning Experiences Online
eLearning Skills Then and Now June 11, 2009
Posted by B.J. Schone in eLearning.Tags: AICC, Design, Development, eLearning, Learning, SCORM, technology, Tools, Training
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Have you noticed a change in the focus of your eLearning skill set over the past few years? I’ve noticed a change in mine. I’m doing more work with existing products and services, instead of developing things from scratch. And I find that I’m doing more research and development of learning technology tools now that so many options are available. I’m also doing less and less work with the LMS. I’d like to know: Is it just me? Have you seen your role change? And if so, how?
Here’s a summary of my most-heavily used skills, then and now, ordered by most-used to least-used:
Old skills
- LMS skills (SCORM / AICC)
- Development skills (ex. HTML / CSS / JavaScript)
- Adobe Flash
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Captivate
- Troubleshooting
- Project management
- Internal marketing and communication of learning initiatives
Current skills
- Project management
- Research and evaluate learning / technology tools
- Internal marketing and communication of learning initiatives
- Development skills (ex. HTML / CSS / JavaScript)
- Troubleshooting
- LMS skills (SCORM / AICC)
How about you?
Social Learning Resources June 6, 2009
Posted by B.J. Schone in eLearning.Tags: Design, Development, eLearning, Learning, productivity, sociallearning, SocialNetworks, technology, Tools, Training
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I wanted to highlight a few social learning resources this week that I find to be very valuable. Take a look at the slideshows below for several perspectives and best practices for using social learning at your organization.
Defining Your Social Learning Strategy
Social Learning and Internal Communications
Harnessing the Power of Social Networks in Teaching and Learning
Social Learning Success Stories, Models, And Roles
Also, be sure to check out these books:
25 Tools: A Toolbox for Learning Professionals May 22, 2009
Posted by B.J. Schone in eLearning.Tags: Design, Development, eLearning, technology, Tools, Training
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Jane Hart recently published the Top 25 Tools for Learning Professionals. This list was compiled by surveying learning professionals from around the world, and a majority of the tools listed are free!
Check out the slides below for an overview of the tools, and be sure to visit Jane’s site for more great information.
Heading to the Corporate University Summit May 16, 2009
Posted by B.J. Schone in eLearning.Tags: Chicago, Conferences, cus09, cusummit, eLearning, Learning, mLearning, MobileLearning, productivity, ProfessionalDevelopment, technology, Training
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I will be heading to Chicago on Tuesday for the Corporate University Summit, a corporate learning and development conference. I will be presenting a session on mobile learning on Wednesday, and I plan on spending the rest of the time making connections with peers and absorbing as much I can from the other presenters.
Here are some of the sessions/presentations that sound most interesting to me:
- Keynote: How to Succeed in the Brave New World of “Pull” vs. “Push” Learning (Phil Morel, Microsoft)
- Social Networking: Learning Theory in Action (Avi Singer, Undertone Networks)
- MTV Networks All Access Workplace Learning & Performance Management (Custom Technology Solution Case Study) (Jeremy Tillman, TrainUp.com, and Bouvier Williams, MTV Networks)
- Panel: Use Innovation to Drive Informal & Alternative Learning
If you will be attending the conference, please say hello! If you will not be in attendance, let me know if you have questions about the conference or any of the presentations. I will be happy to get answers and report back.
How to Get the Most Out of a Conference May 7, 2009
Posted by B.J. Schone in eLearning.Tags: conference, Conferences, DevLearn, DevLearn2009, eLearning, eLearningGuild, InstructionalDesign, Learning, productivity, ProfessionalDevelopment, Training
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Conferences have been on my mind quite a bit lately. I will be presenting a session on mobile learning at the Corporate University Summit in a couple weeks in Chicago, and I’m getting ready to submit a proposal or two for DevLearn. So you can see why I was pleasantly surprised today when I ran across an excellent blog post on how to get the most out of a conference. The post is by Dan McCarthy, and he wrote it over on his Great Leadership blog. Here’s a summary of his suggestions:
- Choose your conference wisely.
- Take time to to explore and experience the surrounding area.
- Try to suspend your judgement, be open minded, curious, and open to possibilities.
- Watch your diet and stay fit.
- Force yourself to network.
- Don’t be one of those attendees that race up and down the trade show isles with a shopping bag, avoiding eye contact with the vendors, and grabbing handfuls of useless junk.
- Keep a running list of ideas, insights, and action items; your key take-a-ways from each day.
- Have fun, but be on your best behavior.
- Ship your stuff back to your office.
- Don’t forget to thank your manager for allowing you to attend.
- Share something with your team or coworkers.
- If you can, offer to be a presenter, break-out facilitator, discussion moderator, or any opportunity to get involved.
Read Dan’s full post, How to Get the Most Out of a Conference, for more information on each of his suggestions. And if you see me at a conference, please stop and introduce yourself!
Additional resources:
