Counting the costs and benefits of e-learning

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As the Internet and computers have grown in prominence, we’ve increasingly found ourselves moving our learning online, but there are still a lot of companies who insist on putting all of their training into the physical space. Naturally, we at Webanywhere are huge advocates of improving training provisions using online methods – though not at … Read more

6 Things You Need to do When Starting Your e-learning Project

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With Learning Technologies 2015 starting tomorrow we understand that plenty of you will be considering building your own e-learning projects after coming by stand 79. Getting started can be a little overwhelming, so we put together this handy guide to help you get started. It’s just 6 things you need to do when starting your … Read more

7 ways to improve uptake of your LMS

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] A successful LMS deployment depends on more than just the technology involved. The strategies that the management team use to launch the LMS are just as, if not more, important if you wish to ensure it is a success. We’ve examined several key techniques that you can use to improve take up within your … Read more

ITV choose Google apps to transform the Workplace

ITV, the largest television network in the UK has chosen Google apps to transform their business, moving away from the legacy of Microsoft Exchange. ITV aims to promote learning, stimulate creativity and foster collaboration in the workplace.  Many individuals have now realised the benefits of free Google tools such as G-chat, G-mail and G-hangout, as … Read more

Domino’s Pizza takes a slice of e-Learning

With the increased pressure on training budgets in such a fast paced environment, Dominos needed a robust platform which they could achieve high return at relatively low cost.  The decision to choose an open source LMS system was driven by Webanywhere’s ability to provide rapid deployment, and the proven track record as a robust, scalable learning … Read more

Totara LMS, One Year On

Learning management systems for employee onboarding

“Totara LMS was launched at Learning Technologies in 2011. As we come to the end of 2011 there are over 80 organisations using Totara and a community of over 30 partners globally selling, supporting and developing Totara. Clients of Totara range from some of the largest corporate organisations including Tesco, Vodafone Ireland, Michelin, Cable&Wireless, Logica … Read more

Create Engaging Presentations with your LMS

Most readers will know that there are plenty of web tools and apps which are freely available to download. But while there are ever-increasing numbers of free resources, how many are actually of any use in making our lives easier, more productive or more efficient?

The irony is that while the supply of free resources is accelerating, the demand for these also seems to be growing in response to the need for more flexible, cheaper and on-demand applications. The problem is that even after hours of trawling the internet and reading numerous  blog entries (like this one!),  willing users may be no nearer to finding the right software tool for them.

One such example is the area of business presentation software. After the recent ‘Death by PowerPoint’ uprising, and the advancement of new web 2.0 tools, users are scanning the marketplace for solutions that not only extend their presentation capabilities, but provide real audience engagement and drive the changes in behaviour that are desired outcomes for most business presenters.

This is of particular importance for HR and Training Managers that use Learning Management Systems (LMS) within their organisation. Since an LMS is designed to track and report on individuals’ progress, sometimes it is beneficial to create learning plans that incorporate a variety of tools within the learning environment as opposed to repeatedly force-feeding a SCORM activity with the standard reading followed by a test or quiz.

Create presentations within your LMS

Having considered this dilemma, I believe I have identified a useful solution option. It’s called Prezi, and is available at www.prezi.com. I’ve seen several free or low cost online presentation tools which enable the user to create Flash animations, but in this writer’s view, very few provide the invigorating presentation experience that Prezi does. Instead of the viewer being subjected to a long series of standard PowerPoint slides (which can sap the willpower of even the most enthused and dedicated audience), the Prezi tool delivers a dynamic interface which is all created in a single page that the PC or laptop screen tracks, in a similar way to a smartphone touchscreen.

Within the Prezi tool, users can also embed other Web 2.0 tools which include YouTube video, images, audio media files and even Screenr files (for on-screen demo recordings). This means your now-fully-interactive presentations can throw off the shackles of static PPT slide shows for good, letting you engage with the audience in previously unknown ways!

Training managers can even embed Prezi presentations using the HTML code within their LMS and link to them directly within individual courses. Although this presentation is not trackable (unlike a SCORM object) within the LMS, it can be used as an introduction to a topic, as a learning object which can be referenced from within a discussion forum or an online quiz.

That’s about all for now!

  • If you are a content provider looking for an affordable way to create your own learning content and host it online to provide a new client service, please go to our website at www.traininganywhere.co.uk.
  • To learn more about Prezi you can visit this website www.prezi.com

Conor Gilligan, Head of Corporate Operations at Webanywhere Ltd