Upside Learning

MARCH 24, 2010

Earlier this month, Tom Kuhlmann talked about 10 things to do before your eLearning course goes live. His post makes great sense but what really caught my attention was the statement he began with. “It’s amazing how fresh eyes can find things you might have overlooked during production. So, before launching your elearning course, it’s a good idea to have others review it.

Instructional Design 235

Instructional Design eLearning Developer ActionScript Develop 235

Upside Learning

JANUARY 29, 2010

I have great respect for Apple as an organization particularly because I use an iPhone and I think the iPhone has definitely become one of those game-changers in the smartphone world and by a large margin. I was looking forward to the Apple iPad even more so as we have been doing good stuff on mobile learning and putting up applications and tools on iPhone as pilots and on a trial basis.

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Apple iPad Industry Augmented Reality 229

Upside Learning

APRIL 16, 2010

“How To&# is a procedure which is defined by someone in number of steps. The web is full of sites that share information and tutorials about “How To&# design and develop characters. However it is also important to know the “Why” to designing a character. Knowing the answers to “Why&# helps one take decisions about the design process.

Custom eLearning Development 222

Custom eLearning Development Design Tutorial Instructional Design 222

Upside Learning

APRIL 21, 2010

I have been involved with Rapid eLearning Projects at Upside and also creation of our own Rapid Authoring Framework that sits in our LMS (UpsideLMS). Naturally I do a lot of sifting around Rapid eLearning. I thought it would be a good idea to share my list of top 25 blog posts on the subject. These posts cover varied topics around rapid eLearning including authoring tools, effective techniques, and decision considerations.

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Rapid eLearning Instructional Design Blogging ActionScript 214

Upside Learning

MAY 31, 2010

Related posts: UL Fun-e-toons: Rapid Learning UL Fun-e-toons: Learning Management UL Fun-e-toons: eLearning By Pages. Tags: Humor eLearning eLearning Development eLearning Program Learning Management Online Learning UL Fun Cartoon UL Fun e toons.

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Tagging eLearning Developer Developing eLearning Learning 212

Upside Learning

MAY 20, 2010

At Google I/O event last year HTML 5 capabilities were demonstrated to developers for the first time. This year at the Google I/O some important announcements have been made which will make HTML 5 development easier across different browsers. . On day 1 of the I/O Google has made many announcements like release of open source, royalty-free video format WebM, Chrome Web store, opened up Google Wave, released open source Font API and directory etc.

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Google Dreamweaver Flash to HTML5 Conversion HTML 206

Upside Learning

JUNE 3, 2010

Previously when I discussed freeform and template-based rapid content authoring tools, I kept software simulation tools aside. The main reason was that such simulation tools are not always used for developing just any type of learning but focused on training content creation for a specific software application or system. The software simulation in turn, can be divided into screen capturing tools and interactive simulation development tools.

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Simulations Software Simulation Screencast Rapid eLearning 204

Upside Learning

MARCH 16, 2010

Ambient Insight has last month released a report on how the global market for self-paced eLearning products and services will grow through till 2014. It estimates the market had reached US $ 27.1 billion in 2009. The demand is growing at a 5 year compound annual growth rate of 12.8% and will take the world market to US $ 49.6 billion by 2014. Key highlights (as shared in the executive summary are): - North America will continue to be the biggest market. - By 2014 Asia (which includes Australia

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Global Market Corporate eLearning eLearning 202

Upside Learning

FEBRUARY 2, 2010

As social technology growth continues to march on and dynamic learning grows to be the need of the day, it is little surprise that social media has now become an integral part of learning as well. Various elearning development companies are integrating the popular social media services like Twitter, YouTube etc. right into their courses and LMS. A couple of months back, the Adobe Captivate blog demonstrated a twitter widget that can be integrated within a Captivate Flash output to send a tweet (

Social Media 196

Social Media Flash Library ActionScript 196

Upside Learning

MAY 10, 2010

eLearning Network today released the below graphic providing some stats about the US eLearning market in 2009. Click To Enlarge The Image. Earlier this year I had mentioned about Ambient Insight’s report on global self based eLearning market forecast. That report put the world market in 2009 at $27.1 billion making US the biggest market with a huge 60% share of world market.

Market 191

Market eLearning Survey Global 191

Upside Learning

MARCH 15, 2010

Adobe recently announced AIR for Mobile devices. This is an outcome of the Adobe initiated Open Screen Project , which was started a couple of years back. The Open Screen Project was started to help create a singular experience on multiple devices (using Flash) be it Computers, Mobiles, TV or Game consoles. There are several futuristic videos about how it will work available at [link].

Flash to HTML5 Conversion 191

Flash to HTML5 Conversion Open Project Flash 191

Upside Learning

MAY 13, 2010

Adobe recently released eLearning Suite 2 comprising of Captivate 5, Flash Professional CS5, Dreamweaver CS5, Photoshop CS5 Extended, Acrobat 9 Pro, Presenter 7 (available on Windows only), Soundbooth CS5, Bridge CS5, Device Central CS5 in it. One of the most significant improvements in this version is the availability of Captivate 5 for both Windows and Mac OS platforms previously it was only available for Windows users.

Adobe 176

Adobe Dreamweaver Photoshop Joomla 176

Upside Learning

MARCH 3, 2010

It’s been a year since we started blogging (March 03, 2009) and we are raring to go another notch high. With 142 posts, over 75,500+ page views, and more 600+ subscriber base, it’s been an enjoyable journey so far. A big thanks once again to all our loyal readers for taking the time to read and for leaving your valuable comments. We sincerely appreciate your continued patronage.

Blogging 168

Blogging Write Blog Blended Learning iPad 168

Upside Learning

MARCH 14, 2010

No related posts. Tags: Humor Custom eLearning Custom eLearning Development eLearning By Pages UL Fun Cartoon UL Fun e toons.

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Custom eLearning Development eLearning Tagging eLearning Developer 193

Upside Learning

MAY 20, 2010

ID is an interesting domain to be involved in. On the one hand, you are continuously learning about different work environments as you are called upon to resolve different performance issues. On the other hand, your understanding of the domain, and your role in it, changes over time. As an instructional designer, you start by learning a whole lot of theories and models.

Instructional Design 279

Instructional Design Instructional Instruction Resources 279

Upside Learning

APRIL 30, 2010

We have been experimenting with development of Augmented Reality [AR] applications for some time now. Earlier this week we released the first Indian Layar app called Pune Layar and had earlier created a simple Car Game using FLARToolkit. While developing these applications we considered many alternative tools & technologies to develop such applications for learning.

Augmented Reality 279

Augmented Reality Tools Develop Toolkit 279

Upside Learning

JULY 20, 2010

A couple of month back I had shared a list of top 30 online resources for instructional designers to keep up with. That post seems to have got good circulation. Recently I came across this discussion on LinkedIn – best book for beginning instructional designers. The discussion has thrown up a great list of books for instructional designers worth sharing with our readers too. e- Learning and the Science of Instruction by Ruth Colvin Clark & Richard E.

Instructional Design 279

Instructional Design Beginner Blended Learning Instructional 279

Upside Learning

MARCH 10, 2010

Everyone’s been talking about Social Learning Environments (SLEs), the internet offers a plethora of tools that could become a part of a SLE. While some of these tools cost money, the bulk of them are free. We can construct our very SLE using these free tools. Jane Hart wrote about ‘How to Create a Social Learning Environment’ in the November 09 issue of Inside Learning Technologies.

Learning Environment 279

Learning Environment Social Learning Environment Social 279

Upside Learning

JUNE 16, 2010

The LMS has been a hot discussion topic for some time now. There have been posts discussing its survival and a few posts before that discussing its future – Jane Hart posted what is the future of the lms reviewing useful of LMS, followed up by a similar post by Harold Jarche suggesting LMS is no longer the centre of the universe. Clark Quinn brought in a little balance by highlighting what the LMS could be used for and to what extent in his post – a case for the LMS.

Analysis 277

Analysis LMS Social Networks Open Source 277

Upside Learning

APRIL 23, 2010

As games continue to establish themselves into our daily lives, the future as we know it will not be the same. They don’t just hold the power to influence our life, but also have great implications for Learning. Below are a few interesting talks from TED’s past, focusing on games, which are sure to get you thinking. 1. Jesse Schell: When games invade real life.

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Games Toys Simulations Player 276

Upside Learning

NOVEMBER 8, 2010

Earlier today, I stumbled on this bit of research on the Gartner site; while it dates back to August there’s some interesting speculation about the Future of Work. “People will swarm more often and work solo less. They’ll work with others with whom they have few links, and teams will include people outside the control of the organization,”. “In addition, simulation, visualization and unification technologies, working across yottabytes of data per second, will demand an emphasis on new perceptual

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Gartner Simulations Social Networks Pattern 272

Upside Learning

MAY 7, 2010

The Learning Circuits Big Question this month asks – “ What will the workplace learning technology look like in 2015 ”. The question is inspired from a post by Derek Morrsion – Technology to Enhance Learning in 2015 , quite an interesting post, a must read. I can only wonder at the pace of change of technology that the world has seen in last decade.

Learning Technologies 271

Learning Technologies Authoring Tools Technology Simulations 271

Upside Learning

OCTOBER 7, 2010

As designers of electronic learning and information, we often find ourselves confronted by the purpose of the learning. Electronic Learning is about performance and content; in a sense instructional design is not purely creative; it is design with intent. Our storyboards and design documents need to be an extension of this intent. Design documentation may not be about solving problems, but it can help avoid them by providing an elegant way to document design intent.

Storyboard 270

Storyboard Media Instructional Instruction 270

Upside Learning

JUNE 11, 2010

The future of elearning is mobile. Even with the present challenges mobile learning of non-standard screens, operating systems, browser support there is no real doubt that mobile learning is fast becoming widely accepted to deliver and help manage activities around learning delivery. As mobile learning gains ground there will be (and already is) a growing need to look beyond notifications for users and quick-follow-up assessments through mobile devices.

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LMS Mobile Version SCORM 270

Upside Learning

SEPTEMBER 30, 2010

Technology around us is evolving at a rapid pace and is in turn affecting a speedy evolution of learning technology. Work is changing and, to keep pace with it, training is changing too. Which of these technology changes will impact training the most? I think mobile applications are the game changer for training. Let me explain why I think that way.

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Mobile Change Training Train 269

Upside Learning

MARCH 1, 2010

There really is very little different about designing mobile learnin g from other forms of learning. The guidelines that apply for effective learning are really not much different but for the change in context. These are five tips I give customers who are setting about implementing some form of mobile learning, even if it is the smallest component in a blended solution.

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Mobile Learning Mobile Tips Blended Learning 269

Upside Learning

OCTOBER 21, 2010

Last month our ID team got their feet wet with the learning campaigns in the Age of Empires II – Age of Kings. I’d recommended that all IDs play the game for a few hours to understand how different ‘gamey’ elements are from the conventional ‘interaction’ we use in conventional courseware. It was quite amazing to see Furrowed brows, a disinclination for conversation, intolerance for interruptions, and a general reluctance to stop playing at the end of the day; they were engrossed in the game-play

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Media Interactive Instructional Instruction 267

Upside Learning

DECEMBER 8, 2010

As our services in game design and development advance, we’re often asked how ‘social gaming’ paradigms can be used in learning games. My instant response to those would be ‘yes’ it’s possible; but faltered on further details. I’ve been doing some thinking about social games; what makes them tick. Some thoughts: We must bank on the capital sins – wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony; while these are ‘no no’s in the real world, social games seem to capitalize on them to a la

Games 266

Games Social Player Learning 266

Upside Learning

FEBRUARY 9, 2010

The iPad is here. After all the hype, which it didn’t quite live up to, there was a lot of commentary web-wide on whether it’s suitable for elearning, or a specific type of learning. Here at Upside our camp is divided, there are iPad lovers and there are iPad baiters. The lovers are typically Apple fan-boys who are crazy about anything Apple, so their devotion to any bit of technology that Steve Jobs throws into the market is taken for granted.

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iPad Simulations Apple Lotus 264

Upside Learning

DECEMBER 9, 2010

Mobile learning is certainly a hot discussion topic with elearning and training solutions providers in Australia – like anywhere else in the world. In my meetings with clients and prospects in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne over that last couple of weeks, it is clear that the interest in mobile learning is very strong. Yet, the most common question is – how do we actually use it in workplace?

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Mobile Blended Learning Performance Support Micro-Learning 263

Upside Learning

MARCH 9, 2010

Mobiles are fast becoming the platforms of choice for all we do in life – browsing, chatting, other social interactions, & even starting to be used for learning delivery as well. At Upside Learning we’ve been creating various learning applications for mobile devices including apps for iPhone, Blackberry, & Android; browser based courses; short movies/animations etc.

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Mobile Tips Create iPhone 263

Upside Learning

NOVEMBER 3, 2010

When was the last time you were so involved in what you were doing that you forgot yourself? You lost track of time? You were ‘in the zone’? All of us can recall such moments – while reading a book, listening to music, playing a sport, in an online computer game. But I wonder how many of us have felt this during an online course, or inside a classroom when being taught?

Media 260

Media Design Instructional Instruction 260

Upside Learning

FEBRUARY 17, 2010

In the past I have written a few posts mainly focused on making the process of selecting the right LMS for your business need – be it internal training management or selling training as a business. We looked at a series of things focusing on the right way to go about open source LMS , in case you are switching to a new LMS system , the critical consideration on how to decide between hosted and behind-the-firewall option , and even a few tips on what not to do while selecting an LMS.

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LMS Tips Firewalls Hosting 260

Upside Learning

MARCH 30, 2010

We often create scenario based courses for the engineering industry. Because they are for engineers; we consider the best way to represent graphics and animations is to use 3D isometric views with orthographic projections. Trained engineers and technicians find it easy to read this type of graphic [if rendered properly] as it has clear projections on all three axes.

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Project Create Wikipedia Engineering 260

Upside Learning

DECEMBER 30, 2010

Where is the knowledge we have lost in information? — T. S. Eliot. That’s a pertinent question that we need to ask ourselves. We take immense pride in meeting project deadlines and delivering courses within budgets; however, somewhere in our quest to showcase our potential, we may have forgotten about the core objective — Delivering Knowledge. So, what differentiates knowledge from information?

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Knowledge Informal Budget Learning 259

Upside Learning

OCTOBER 25, 2010

The final list of top 100 tools for learning for 2010 is now out on Jane Hart’s website. I understand this list is more inclined towards tools that learning professionals use for their own learning as opposed to those used for creating learning programs or training sessions. I see great gains made by some of the tools while I have not even experienced them as yet.

Social Networks 259

Social Networks Survey VoiceThread Tools 259

Upside Learning

APRIL 29, 2010

Moodle is a good LMS with which has grown over the years and offers a host of functionality and features that are very useful to have in an LMS. Add to it the fact that its open source which makes it free to use, has made it very popular. Moodle has been able to sustain itself and keep evolving through its community, resulting in its emergence as a good option for anyone wanting to use an LMS.

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Open Source Association Learning Management System Cost Open 258