Links Galore!

Thought I'd share my Delicious bookmark page: http://delicious.com/qutepi56

This is a great way to capture all of the links that I come across.

Enjoy!

Top 10 Tools

My top 10 learning tools:

1. Articulate - Rapid, easy to use e-learning software I use frequently to convert Power Point presentation into SCORM packages.
   
2. Moodle - Open sourceware LMS that is simple to work with and store our elearning content for hundreds of employees.
   
3. Power Point - Simple tool that most everyone has access or experience with making it easy to create and share presentations/slide notes. Also great for editing pictures.
   
4. Audacity - Audio editor that I can use to easily edit and convert files into WAV or MP3 format for elearning courses.
5. Format Factory - User-friendly video file conversion tool where I can take video files and shrink them into a flash format.
6. Share Point - Use as company intranet site where all employees are automatically logged in making it easy to access and communicate with employees.
7. Twitter - Wonderful tool to stay current on new topics, software, or articles related to the learning profession.
8. Dim Dim - Free web conferencing service that I like to use as an alternative for meetings when some cannot make the meeting face to face.
9. Screencast - Free and professional-looking video-streaming site I like to use to share videos with employees by embedding code into pages on our intranet. I like that there are no ad banners or links to other videos on my video.
10. Wetpaint- Website tool that is easy to use and accessible by all on the internet that I can make private for certain audiences.
    

Who's it going to be? Three ways to select the best applicant

Suppose you posted a job opening last week and the response is enormous. Hundreds of them know “a thing or two” about elearning. Many are passionate about it because you have been teaching them for the past two years. How do you sift through it and narrow it down to the one you need?

There are three simple qualifying factors that you can use to filter the applications: customer service in the community, elearning designer, and fresh eyes.


Customer Service in the Community

Sharing a passion for the community, whether it is for a specific group or large population, is something that must permeate the entire application. Volunteering, serving a non-profit organization, or reaching out to those in need is a requirement. This position requires the applicant to demonstrate their customer service to the community of elearning developers. Select those who consistently show a record of community service over a period of time. It is something that is revealed by the individual’s everyday actions. Make sure this is prominent in the application to insure success in your quest for help.

Here’s a quick demo of an example from one applicant demonstrating customer service in the community.

Click here to view the example.

Elearning Designer

The ability to appropriately coordinate color schemes, layout, and animation in an elearning course requires an applicant with considerable creativity and persistence. The applicant must be open-minded enough to take chances while at the same time detail-oriented enough to perfect each piece so that content, transitions, color, shapes, pictures, and animation flow seamlessly throughout the entire presentation. In order to identify these traits, you must view all pieces of the applicant’s work and look for consistency in the attention to design. Then, narrow down the applicants further by determining which relates to you the most. While you may seek a new perspective, ultimately, you need to be able to relate to your applicant’s work. Design has subjective aspects to it and ultimately, the best fit applicant will challenge and compliment your work at the same time.

See the example here of one applicant that exhibits these statements.

Click here to view the example.

Fresh Eyes

Whoever said being the new kid in school was a bad thing? We’ve seen it many times, where the new kid gets a bad rap at first but quickly comes up with the coolest ideas and strategies that heightens expectations and changes the environment. Why not look for applicants to do the same thing? For one, the applicant will be at the edge of his or her seat, pencil ready, anxiously waiting and willing to learn with every given task. Also, recall that most new kids tend to learn quickly and possess some sort of prior knowledge about the environment. Narrow the applications by picking out those that may have knowledge and experience in education but perhaps lack years of professional instructional design. Find an applicant relatively new to rapid elearning but one who is knowledgeable in captivating and teaching audiences. You’ll be pleasantly surprised when all of a sudden your new kid quickly takes on an entirely new level of elearning.

Check out this resume of one applicant who encompasses this concept.


Remember, selecting applicants whom you teach on a daily basis is not an easy task. Hopefully this has helped add clarity to the subject.

Good luck!

Build a Background

Tired of the same old design scheme? The background design has the power to set the mood for the entire presentation. Take a stab at creating your own - it's easier than you think!

There are a few ways to approach this. You can start by adding any old image and use the graphic effects in Power Point to make modifications. This includes the brightness, contrast, and recolor effects in the picture tool bar. Different colors and shades of the same image create certain moods depending on the type of content being presented. Take this example below using one image in three different slides.








This can be done with one image or multiple images combined in one. Create each new background as a slide master and use multiple slide masters for one presentation.

Another approach is to create a background from a cropped image or symbol. In your clip art library, try typing in the word "wave" or "swirl". While a variety of images will appear, you will notice that there are some simple images that can be used from the top or bottom of the image. Take a simple image, add a twist of color, enlarge to fit the slide, and wholah - a brand new background! See the example below where a simple image sets the background for the slide.

Clip art Image
Recolored, cropped, and re-sized for background:


This is a great way to show off your creative side while changing the look and feel of your presentations at the same time. Surprise your learners with a fresh look and do it with ease!