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Free eBook: Learning 2.0 for Associations February 7, 2008

Posted by B.J. Schone in eLearning.
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Michele Martin over at The Bamboo Project Blog recently posted about a free eBook titled Learning 2.0 for Associations (PDF). The eBook was written by Jeff Cobb over at the Mission to Learn blog.

Michele puts it best, so I’ll let her tell you about it:

In a little over 100 pages, Jeff does a fabulous job of describing the tools of Web 2.0 and how they can be used for various learning activities. He also has some nice concrete examples and a long list of resources at the end. Definitely something to check out and add to your reading list.

And Jeff’s summary of the eBook starts like this:

This report considers how approaches to learning have evolved and what impact the new technologies dubbed “Web 2.0” are having. In it you will find examples of ways in which associations are using these new technologies and what possibilities they may represent for your organization’s professional development and other learning initiatives.

I’m always anxious to hear more people discuss (e)Learning 2.0, but I really like how Jeff goes into detail about how people interact, collaborate, and learn together. It also looks like this eBook is a great intro for people who are relatively new to the learning 2.0 world; Jeff’s writing is very clear and easy to understand. He also uses simple, but effective, graphics to illustrate his points. Great stuff!

Free eBook: 162 Tips and Tricks for Working with e-Learning Tools December 18, 2007

Posted by B.J. Schone in eLearning.
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The eLearning Guild has just released a free eBook titled 162 Tips and Tricks for Working with e-Learning Tools. The Guild describes the eBook as follows:

The eLearning Guild asked members for their favorite tips for using software for the creation of e-Learning. Members could submit tips in any or all of the following five categories:

  • Courseware authoring and e-Learning development tools
  • Rapid e-Learning tools
  • Simulation tools
  • Media tools
  • Combining and deploying authoring tools

A total of 122 members responded to the survey, contributing 162 usable tips. As with our previous Tips eBook efforts, the tips range in length from one-sentence ideas all the way up to page-long discourses. Some are very basic in nature, and others are quite advanced. We have not edited the tips in any way, other than to correct spelling – everything you see in this book is in the tipsters’ own words. As a result, these tips will be useful to any designer or developer looking for best practices to incorporate into their own production process.

I submitted several tips for this eBook; you can see them listed on page 14. I’ve only skimmed the rest of the eBook, but I like what I see so far. Check it out!

Free PDF: Top 100 Tools For Learning 2007 September 11, 2007

Posted by B.J. Schone in eLearning.
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Jane Hart, from the Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies, released a free PDF summary report of the Top 100 Tools For Learning 2007. Jane did a ton of work to gather, research, and organize this information – and it shows. This is a great reference for anybody who wants to learn about new and exciting tools for sharing and teaching information. You will undoubtedly learn about several new tools, and there’s an excellent breakdown that shows which tools are free, which cost money, and which platform each tool utilizes (ex. PC, Mac, or online).

The report is a fantastic resource. Take a look – and share it with your co-workers! (I did!)

Also, here is another reminder to take a look at Jane’s directory of over 1,700 learning tools. I’ve written about it before, and I continue to be a big fan. Thanks, Jane!

Free eBook: Engaging Interactions For eLearning September 6, 2007

Posted by B.J. Schone in eLearning.
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I am constantly looking for ways to make learning experiences interesting and engaging. It can be really difficult; some content is just dreadfully boring. I decided to compile 25 eLearning interactions that improve the learning experience, and I put them into a new eBook, Engaging Interactions For eLearning. You can download a copy of the eBook from its official web site: http://www.EngagingInteractions.com. I also plan on blogging about the different learning interactions over the next several weeks on the eBook’s web site. I look forward to comments and (constructive) criticism to help me improve what I have so far. Please contribute! And I hope you enjoy the eBook!

Free eBook: The Insider’s Guide to Becoming a Rapid E-Learning Pro August 31, 2007

Posted by B.J. Schone in eLearning.
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Tom Kuhlmann, the host of Articulate’s Rapid E-Learning Blog, recently released a free eBook called The Insider’s Guide to Becoming a Rapid E-Learning Pro. The eBook is well worth your time whether you’re an eLearning newbie or a seasoned pro looking for a quick refresher. It covers several best practices for working in eLearning, and it is a very quick read.

Rapid eLearning has a negative connotation in some circles; many people associate it with boring page-turner PowerPoint "courses." (In fact, the term Rapid eLearning is still up for grabs. See this post for a few ideas of its definition.) Don’t let the Rapid title scare you. Thankfully, much of the eBook focuses on general design principles that lead up to the development of eLearning materials. And I was impressed to see that development tools are not discussed until page 33 of the 46-page eBook.

Tom does a good job of emphasizing the importance of aligning your learning materials with your organization’s (or client’s) real goals. This is pretty standard stuff for most folks, but I’m glad it is included – especially for people who are new to the field. Tom also covers basic needs assessment / performance gap information, explains best practices for working with your clients, and provides tips for measuring the results of eLearning.

Grab the eBook here.

(Note: You have to sign-up for a free newsletter to get the eBook. The newsletter is pretty decent from what I’ve seen, but you can always unsubscribe if you’re not interested.)