Technology
Transfer of Training in a 2.0 World
Mar 10th
If you follow ALA Learning, you’ve probably realized by now that I’m an e-learning addict. In my last post, Fighting for Attention, I shared some insight into how to add digital pizzazz to your e-learning efforts. Today I want to invite you to come and play inside my digital sandbox, and check out three intriguing tools I’ve been tinkering with to help with transferring knowledge from the classroom back to the work environment.
Twitter Gaming
I was a huge fan of Terminator and Terminator II: Judgment Day. Needless to say that was I stoked to learn that Sony would release another Terminator flick after the apocalyptic letdown that was Terminator III. Before the launch of Terminator Salvation, Sony cooked up Resistance 2018, an elaborate game using Twitter, in which members of the human resistance army were using Twitter to decode messages from Skynet. Players earned points by decoding the messages. As players earned points, they rose up the leader boards on the Resistance 2018 website and achieved higher rank in the army.
I’ve been experimenting with the setup of how to make a Terminator-esque Twitter game for my library. A spiel of this sort can be used as a follow up exercise for any class where you need to do a knowledge check. For example, I’ve created a basic reference e-learning module, and the “homework” portion of the class is a massive set of reference questions. While I believe in the value of having folks new to libraries demonstrate an understanding of reference resources, I heard seen in my evaluation surveys that new hires really dislike the chore answering the questions. For my next batch of new hires, I plan to use a Twitter game like Resistance 2018 in which I invite the new hires to use their Twitter accounts to answer reference questions sent by me. As in Resistance 2018, the person who answers a question the quickest with the correct answering (citing their source along the way) will receive the most points. I’ll set up a leader board on a private Sharepoint blog so the newbies can compete for bragging rights.
ExitReality
For years companies have valiantly attempted to transform casual web-browsing into an interactive 3D experience. Platforms like GoGoFrog and 3dxplorer can give you an overall feel for the web in three dimensions. Both sites have potential, but by and large, the result is a clunky 3D browser that subtracts – not add – value to your web surfing experience. ExitReality is one of those tools that I find absolutely useless when used as a method for web surfing; however, ExitReality serves as an outstanding three dimensional meeting platform.
ExitReality is a small plugin that, once downloaded onto a computer, turns any webpage into a 3D space based on a theme of your choosing. Turn a webpage into an apartment, dojo, movie theater, etc. The list goes on. Users can select from more than 100 available avatars and then begin chatting immediately – either with text or through VoIP, thanks to the dynamo that is Flash 10. Rooms vary in size, but most are large enough to comfortably handle a small group of 5-7 participants with plenty of space to move around.
Since the plugin automatically renders websites, you will find that pages that have many links on them are somewhat difficult to use in 3D. As a work around, I recommend designing your own simple webpage using Microsoft Word. Include a few links to material that supplement what was taught in class and then publish your site online using a free web hosting site, like X10 Hosting.
Consider using ExitReality as a live, real-time discussion forum for your learners to meet after class and discuss concepts or ask additional questions of instructors. The added layer of interactivity is nice, and the core functionality of multi-user chat with VoIP is well worth this 4.5mb download.
A 3D intro video to one of my e-learning classes shown on the big screen in Exit Reality.
Bubblr
Bubblr is an easy to use, web-based program that allows users to create comic strips from Flickr photos. After a strip is published, it can be printed, shared by email, or embedded in a blog. I envision Bubblr as a tool to where you can invite learners to demonstrate comprehension of class concepts by synthesizing their knowledge through a comic strip. For instance, I’ll be conducting an orientation soon to provide new employees with an overview of the library. As a follow up exercise, the new employees will need to create a short comic strip that demonstrates that they understand how our branches are arranged. Here is a quick strip that I put together to showcase this neat tool.
Bubblr is an easy to use, web-based program that allows users to create comic strips from Flickr photos. After a strip is published, it can be printed, shared by email, or embedded in a blog. I envision Bubblr as a tool to where you can invite learners to demonstrate comprehension of class concepts by synthesizing their knowledge through a comic strip. For instance, I’ll be conducting an orientation soon to provide new employees with an overview of the library. As a follow up exercise, the new employees will need to create a short comic strip that demonstrates that they understand how our branches are arranged. Here is a quick strip that I put together to showcase this neat tool.
What online tools are you using to maximize training transfer?
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Loading ...5 Tips for Trainers to Prevent TechFail
Feb 4th
Rewind to Monday, February 1, 2010. It’s 11:45 am at the Harford Public Administration offices.
It’s a typical Monday morning: catching up on email, social media, mailboxes moving slowly toward zero. I prepare to jot down some notes for this post on the ALA Learning Blog. I open my trusty laptop and start banging away at some ideas about marketing your trainings and marketing yourself.
I take a break and find some video blogging resources on the web and >>>WHAMMO<<< surreptitious website redirection to an unknown Web site, leads to an extremely large popup ad that says:
YOU HAVE BEEN INFECTED…DOWNLOAD OUR PRODUCT NOW.
The background on the screen becomes an ugly green/yellow color and says:
YOU ARE INFECTED SAVE YOURSELF!
Well it said something like that making me think a zombie had entered the interwebs. I clicked the X to close the program, which of course installed the bleeping thing. I tried the faithful CTRL + ALT + DEL keys and discovered I lost Task Manager.
To sum it up, it’s a Monday morning and I lost my computer.
Yeah. Good times. The upshot is that my laptop has now been nuked. Wiped out. Toast.
But I am such a twenty-year plus veteran tech head, of course I saved my data on our network. Right? Well, no not quite everything. So that stuff is toast. I lost two projects in various stages of brilliance.
Did I mention that my brand new HTC Hero (an Android based smartphone), with 50+ apps and set up to my specs also decided to take a holiday to bricktown? Yeah, great day Monday was, so as we stand today (Thursday) the Hero had to get fully wiped–as did the laptop. But, I got an upgrade to Windows 7 so I have that working for me! Yeah me.
So, what does this have to do with training you ask?
There are so many aspects to creating and delivering training and presentations that inform and transform that sometimes we forget some essential training tech tricks that save our sanity. I like to think my bad day of tech inspired this list so that you may not have a day like my “Techfail” Monday.
Training Tech Tip One: If you need it, back it up.
Backing up your important data should be as automatic as the sun rising. You will always be thankful for backed up copies of your presentations, research, writing and photographs when your computer goes belly up–which it will when you least want it to do so. Make sure you do this on a regular basis. If you are a mobile trainer, you may want to back your stuff up in the cloud (as in applications and/or data that live on the web) and on a handy portable hard drive.
Now ask yourself: Do you have your vital training materials backed up? If so, could you reach them if you needed them while you are out of the office?
Training Tech Tip Two: Don’t cry over spilled anything.
Think of this as the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy tip. Don’t panic. Stuff happens. Everyone has had something unexpected happen while training. The room you booked for training is being used for a storeroom or extra office space. You will show up and no one remembers that you were coming that day, and no one is available for training, and can you come back next Thursday. Thanks. Goodbye.
Perhaps you will double confirm and show up at the wrong time, floor, building, street, town or state because someone left the trainer out of the loop. Perhaps the room is uncontrollably too hot/cold/moldy/drafty/sunny for you (and your participants) to be comfortable during four–days of training. Perhaps you are doing an all-day training on “Using the Internet for Beginners” and there is NO internet access whatsoever because of a fire early that morning. Roll with it and adapt. Remix on the fly.
Now ask yourself: Have you had a bad start to a training day followed by the one of your best trainings ever? Were you able to transform your tragedy into a learning opportunity for not only your learners but for yourself?
Training Tech Tip Three: Be prepared for technology to fail.
Being prepared for technology failure will save your bacon and make you look like the training deity that you are. Make sure that you could get across most if not all of your learning objectives without anything that uses electricity or batteries. Just you and your tools (voice, handouts, facilitation skills, adaptability, experience, flipcharts) and some time should be all you need to do your presentation in a pinch.
A very easy way is prepare for tech fail is to think about doing computer training without a computer. What would you say? How would you demonstrate certain skills or point things out? Would you want to have screen shots to hand out as back up plan? Detailed instructions on basic tasks participants could do back at their computers without you standing over them?
Now ask yourself: How would you deal with a technology failure while training? Would you be able to get across your training objectives without technology?
Training Tech Tip Four: If you think you need it, bring it.
Over the years, I’ve created my own technology kit for off site trainings.
The BGIMD Basic Training Technology Survival Kit©:
Computer stuff:
- One 50 Foot Network Cord
- One 25 foot Rotating Head Extension Cord
- One/Two Surge protectors
- 24 port hub
- Projector
- Laptop
- USB 8 in one kit
- USB hub
I also may throw in a small webcam and speakers if needed.
Boy Scout Stuff:
- Extra Batteries for Remote Keyboard/Mouse/Presentation Remote
- Flash Drive with Materials (if I am working outside of my home library system)
- Healthy Snack Food (a low blood sugar trainer is a mean trainer)
- Markers, pens and sometimes writing pads
- An extra shirt or two to adapt to the crowd
Ask yourself: Do you have your own “training kit”? What’s in it? What do you always seem to need but forget to carry to a training site?
Training Tech Tip Five: Back that cloud up!
The cloud (as in applications and/or data that live on the web) is a great tool to organize and back up your information. You can use tools in the cloud to create training curricula; share materials and resources; bookmarks and links; all accessible from any computer with an internet connection. You may be able to eliminate all of your handouts or point trainees to a site with all of your class information in one handy place.
Just remember to have a copy of whatever you put in the cloud somewhere in real life. If you use a wikispace to create your content and that wikispace gets attacked your data could be wiped out. A more likely scenario is that your favorite cloud resource is purchased/goes bankrupt and you no longer have access to the data you created. Would that throw a wrench into your plans? Sure it would.
Now ask yourself: Do you have up-to-date copies of all of your cloud materials? Are you ready if your cloud service goes offline?
I hope these five tips and the follow up questions help you become better trainers and help you avoid a technology disaster. Have you survived techfail in training? Share your stories and tips in the comments!
Maurice Coleman (ALA Learning Bio) is a Trainer for the Harford County (MD) Public Library, Speaker, Consultant and Organizer/Producer of T is for Training, the Library Training Podcast. He blogs when the mood hits at
The Chronicles of the (almost) Bald Technology Trainer and tweets a few times a day.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Open Books
Aug 26th
Google Books announced today that users can download over a million public domain titles in an open source format. “.epub” is the file extension of an XML format for reflowable digital books and publications. Sony Reader, iPhone and iPod Touch are popular digital readers that support .epub, as does software Adobe Editions and MobiPocket.
Though I don’t see a way to search specifically for these titles, on an item page look for a Download button to see if your chosen title is available in the new format or try http://books.google.com/m
Many libraries have already embraced digital downloads and trained staff on how to use Overdrive or NetLibrary. Despite the qualms we may have about the Google book deal, our digital patrons be all over this.
Will we?
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Mind Mapping Tools: From Pencils to Web 2.0
Mar 7th
If you haven’t ever tried mind mapping tools, you may be surprised at how valuable they are in helping people learn.
My first introduction to the technique was over 20 years ago at a presentation by David Thornburg, author of Unlocking Personal Creativity: A Course in Idea Mapping. In those days we used paper and color pencils to be creative.
One of the exercises I currently use in teaching Effective Time Management for Library Staff online for Infopeople involves mind mapping. The goal of the exercise is to create a life map, i.e. a visual recap of the roles one plays in life. Below is my most recent life map. I designed it using Inspiration software. There is a free 30 day trial download available for both Macintosh and Window users.
Here’s another mind map I also did using Inspiration for one of my courses; I loved having such a wide variety of shapes, colors and graphics. This map recaps a concept from Many Moons by James Thurber—that each of us has a unique perception of what exists. If you missed the book when you were young, be sure to look for it at your local library.
If this quick look didn’t give you enough of a flavor of the technique, I suggest you look at the Mindmapping in 8 Easy Steps tutorial by Joyce Wycoff, author of Mindmapping: Your Personal Guide to Exploring Creativity and Problem-Solving.
And for those of you willing to try a free web 2.o mind mapping tool, there is Bubbl. Below is a simple example I did as a very simple introduction to Bubbl for my time management course participants.
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