Web Meetings for Mac and Linux

No matter what Operating System a person is using, they can now start to meet with other from all over the world through the web. One of the top providers of cloud based communication and collaboration, ISL Online, has released an ISL Group for Mac and Linux. ISL Groop is a web conferencing software for online gatherings, webinars, web collaboration and e-Learning. No additional hardware requirements are needed. Other users can get access to one's computer if allowed and import their presentations.

Microsoft TechNet slashes prices

Technet has just made it easier to for employees to get all of Micrsoft's software. Their new subscription price just dropped to $200 and then every year after that the price is $150. That means for the people who already have a subscription, the price will be lower when it comes time for them o renew. Also, as a bonus subsribers can also be signed up for beta and versions of new products. This new package deal comes with six e-Learning courses and TechNet managed forums. Users can find out if the software they want is included in the package by going to:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/default.aspx

Online Education Beats the Classroom

There was a report that was done almost a year ago by the SRI international stating that students who learn online perform better than the ones who are instructed in a traditional classroom. The data was taken from 1996-2008, even though most of the studies were done for K-12, there were some results for college students and adult education. The results shown that students that took some classes online rank in the 59th percentile and students that learned through the classroom ranked in the 50th. What will this mean for online learning for the future? Of course all K-12 students won't start learning online, but what about the students who have to learn at home because they are sick, etc? Online learning has really changed with web videos, live audio and instant messaging.

Trends of E-Learning

I did some research and found some information on some interesting trends that are being introduced to the e-learning world. The first one that stood out to me was a review of businessmen from TransPerfect were presenting ways that companies can create courses that can be easier to people of different languages. As a bonus, translation cost could be cut as well. One idea that was presented was to provide a translator kit to the trainer that included information the course objective, target operating systems and target hardware. A new technology that was released on June 1, 2010 was CourseMill 6 and one of the anticipated features is the delivery of course content to mobile phones. This way, trainees with smartphones can access their course work when they are on the go. Instructors can make updates visible to their students as well. For my classmates, it is like having VIP and BlackBoard on your phone but better. The trainers/trainees can integrate their class schedule to their personal schedules. Reports and other information is organized to the most recent files so documents are easier to find. The online audit trail tells who has been making changes to the courses, curriculums, gradebook items and student registrations. Metadata search is also included so it is easier for the students to find courses.