Powerpoint is a really useful tool for creating quick graphics or to make simple changes to existing images.  We’ll be writing about a series of posts on this over the next few months to help you use Powerpoint for e-learning. You’ll also find these tips useful if you put together text-based training material or regularly use images in a blog for example.

In this post we’re going to focus on clip art.  A lot of clip art looks clunky and old fashioned but with a couple of minor changes you can often transform it into something that looks fresh and fits with the feel of your course. This can get complicated if … Continue Reading

I’ve came across a free course on e-learning accessibility that will be of interest to those developing  e-learning courses. It’s ‘masters’ level content from the Open University which is available as a free trial module on the OU’s Learning Space site.

The module is wide ranging but some of the key areas it covers are:

• Overview of Accessibility and disability.
• Different types of impairments
• Assistive technologies
• Reasonable adjustments (and avoiding disadvantaging non-disabled students)
• What to do when a learning objective can’t be achieved

To see the full content of the course and try it for yourself  follow this link: http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3049

I came across this web accessibility infographic recently and, although it’s really written for web designers, it will be helpful for those of you developing e-learning too.  It’s from an organisation called Webaim and there’s lots of other useful stuff in the resources section of  their site so it’s worth taking a look if you want to make your e-learning more accessible. I found their Dyslexia simulation particularly interesting -  so if you want to find out what someone with Dyslexia might see when they look at a passage of text take a look here: Dyslexia Simulation and see how you fare reading the text…. Continue Reading

Happy World Book Day!

If you have school-age children you’ve probably been making something with them to take to school or dressing them up to celebrate World Book Day. My daughter’s school are having a hat competition and we had great fun making this hat inspired by ‘The Snail and The Whale’  by Julia Donaldson – it’s one of my favourite books to read to read to the kids.

Here’s some pics of our contribution:… Continue Reading

I would like to wish all of our customers, friends and visitors a Happy New Year!

I know a lot of people find this month a bit depressing but I’ve always loved January. A fresh start and a whole new year to look forward to, with all that that might bring.  

Although you could of course do it anytime,  the start of a new year encourages you to to reflect on the last 12 months and plan what you want to learn and achieve this year. What’s gone well, what didn’t and what do you need to improve on?  At home we also … Continue Reading

Why are many managers reluctant to carry out Appraisals? Well, there are of course many reasons but we’ve found that when it gets down to it most of them are nervous about it and don’t feel confident in their ability to handle difficulties that can crop up. 

Other reasons learners have raised with our trainers include:

• Don’t fully understand the Appraisal scheme or find it too cumbersome.
• Not on-board with the concept of Appraisal and Performance reviews and don’t see the benefits.
• Equality and Diversity issues – unsure of what they should be saying where there are issues with absence or planned leave like maternity/paternity.
• Find the … Continue Reading
  

Liz Scott specialises in improving business performance through management training, coaching and mentoring. She’s also the lead trainer on our new blended learning programme ‘Coaching for Performance’ which includes e-learning, tutor support and classroom sessions.

We asked her some questions about how coaching fits into business performance and if it should be something organisations spend money on in times of recession.

Q .  Most training budgets are under pressure at the moment so it coaching really a priority?

The major benefit of coaching … Continue Reading

The HSE estimate that up to 4000 people a year die from Asbestos related illnesses. That includes 20 tradesmen a week  -  approximately 8 joiners, 6 electricials and 4 plumbers die every week and many people are still unaware of the risks they face daily.  In the North East alone 1,446 people have died from mesothelioma (Asbestos related cancer.)   It can be hard to appreciate the danger when it might take 40 years to have an have an effect.

Up to nine million UK homes and one and a half million workplace properties have some … Continue Reading

We’re not suggesting that you replace all of your classroom training with e-learning but there are many reasons to include online methods your training mix. Here’s some of the key reasons why organisations turn to online learning.

1 Urgent training need for the masses
For larger organisations with staff in multiple locations e-learning can be the fastest and most effective way to deliver it. Many will have their own in house e-learning teams and develop content themselves but in some … Continue Reading

There are numerous definitions of e-learning.  Some focus on how the learning is accessed and some on the media used to create it. Some are straightforward and concise like that of the oxford English dictionary and some are detailed like Clark and Mayers example. My personal favourite tops the list but other than that they are in no particular order. 

e-learning is…..

“The use of information and computer technologies to create learning experiences. ”
William Horton

“…essentially the computer and network-enabled transfer of skills and knowledge…” 
Wikipedia

“…The delivery of a learning, training … Continue Reading