June 25th, 2009 by Learning Systems

In LMS training programs, oftentimes trainers ask staff members to work in groups to develop ideas, produce reports, and assume different roles within a group to achieve organizational objectives.

We’ve all seen the corporate art poster that reads “TEAMWORK” at the top, and at the bottom, the old Japanese proverb: “None of us is as smart as all of us.” There’s a photo in the center of hands of placed one over the other, suggesting that cooperation and team spirit yield success.

Some of us with a dryer sense of humor have also appreciated another poster, with the same image and “TEAMWORK” at the top. Below the image reads the slogan: “None of us is as dumb as all of us.”

Which slogan is more accurate, humor aside? Are teams a worthwhile venture in a training program–or in any educational context, for that matter?

Studies have shown that when a strong and clear structure exists, team learning systems can be highly efficient and successful. When lead by an experienced trainer or organized by an LMS online system, the benefits of creating teams for training purposes outweigh the few hazards of teamwork. But teams do need to be coordinated correctly.

Everyone is born with different talents, and throughout our lives, we each cultivate different sets of skills. We all have something unique to offer. Experienced teachers have always understood this, which is why group projects continue to be assigned to students–even in this individualistic day and age.

However, despite the fact that “teamwork” is a sort of buzzword in the corporate world, businesses often make only put forth a superficial effort to create a functional and trusting team environment. Many managers continue to nurture competitive work environments, convinced that the strongest employees will rise to the surface.

This becomes a major obstacle to corporate team-building efforts–managers themselves often possess weak teamwork skills or don’t really believe in teamwork, and so imparting and fostering these skills in others becomes difficult and unrealistic.

But when teams are organized and guided with good faith, a successful team learning experience creates a happy, productive staff. But when teams are handled poorly–tasks are unclear, competition exists, etc.–the opposite scenario becomes true: a tense, unhappy, and unproductive staff.

Because of this, both trainers and trainees benefit largely from team-building learning systems. LMS training can help to organize teams and assign individual tasks and aid in the development, distribution of goals and roles amongst team members.

LMS training can also be used to provide teamwork skills training. Teamwork is something that is taught–it’s not an innate understanding or knowledge that comes natural to most people. There are plenty of team-building learning systems online. Coggno offers a wide range of cost-effective courses on areas ranging from Group and Team Management, to Workplace Communication, to Team Dynamics and Motivation in the Workplace.

Team development LMS training can help both managers and staff become better communicators and achieve organizational goals together.

June 12th, 2009 by Learning Systems

When adopting or creating LMS online courses, imagine yourself as a student. The whole idea of online courses is centered around convenience and usability for all learners.

Convenience is crucial in the online education world. Students can access an LMS course from any computer, without requiring special software. Course assignments, tests, and activities can be completed at a student’s leisure, any time of day and anywhere. With the growing number of places providing Wi-Fi–and various projects throughout the country that are working to create city-wide free internet–LMS online courses are optimally flexible to learners’ busy schedules.

LMS providers like Coggno offer a range of user-friendly tools. Students can watch videos, simulations and screen recordings. They can complete comprehensive tests and assessments interacting with a simple interface. Using Web 2.0 programs like discussion forums, blogs, and wikis, students can interact with each other and develop a sense of group dynamic and community, which is often key to learners’ success.

These are just a few possibilities that your LMS online course may provide students. But what about special learners such as the visually-impaired? For visually impaired students, many of the exciting features available in an LMS online course can be tweaked.

Ergonomics, the science of designing technology according to human needs, has led to useful and fascinating developments not only for people with disabilities, but for everyone. The ease with which people interact with an LMS can be facilitated by ergonomic accessories.

Various kinds of keyboards that make life easier for users include expanded, miniature, and chorded (with one key per digit per hand) keyboards. There are also large print keyboards with high contrast colors, such as black on yellow. Sticky keys, Clicklock and Togglekeys (two Microsoft Windows features) are still other assistive technologies that make online learning more accessible to all people.

A computer system used to artificially create human speech is called a speech synthesizer, and can be implemented in software or hardware. A text-to-speech (TTS) system turns normal language into speech.

Though many computer operating systems have included speech synthesizers since the 1980s, and despite their increasingly mainstream status, TTS systems have a long way to go in terms of sophistication. Clarity of voice is generally the measure of a synthesizer’s quality, but other challenges the programs face include the task of keeping up with the world’s growing vocabulary—new words, names and places.

The ability to verbally communicate with a program adds a new dimension to an online course experience, and may be the key to accessing and interacting with an LMS online course for visually-impaired people.

Other exciting LMS features for visually-impaired people are audio tools like Coggno’s Apple Podcast Producer. Podcasts are another increasingly mainstream medium, because of their convenience, sharing ease, and the creativity they allow. Podcasts can be used in an LMS online course to provide and reinforce learning material; record lectures, interviews, and discussions; and act as announcements, updates and reminders for LMS students.

Podcasts are easy to create, produce and share, and learners do not need an iPod to listen to them. Podcasts are normally in the form of mp3 files, meaning they’re accessible to all learners. Indeed, accessibility for people with disabilities means accessibility for everyone. The greater variety of features you use on in your LMS online course, the greater ease with which your students learn.

June 5th, 2009 by Learning Systems

LMS online exam preparation classes are effective and serve a practical purpose: helping people start their path on a new career without interfering much with their lives. 

For those who have already completed a program or degree in their fields, taking the big test–be it a board exam or other standardized test–can be an enormous cause of stress. Oftentimes institutions offer preparation courses and set up group study sessions, but these aren’t for everyone.

When I study, I require two things. First, I need my own space. I need to at least have the illusion (even if there are other people in the room) that I am alone, or at least that my thoughts will be able to follow their own track without interruption. I need to be able to talk to myself, to take long pauses and concentrate on one point, going over it in my head, over and over. 

The second thing I need in order to study for an exam is a means to practice. This is where LMS online prep courses come in. Class notes and old tests are imperative; I am myself an avid note-taker. But they only serve to a certain point. What I really is solid review and an outside source that objectively understands the relevant information for the exam. And then practice.

Exam preparation may take some time, but what it doesn’t require shelling out a lot of money. Many LMS online exam prep courses are an appealing option not only for the low cost, but for other reasons as well. 

Preparing for an exam can be done online at your own pace, in a timeframe that you yourself set, and at times of the day when you choose. Online courses provide practice, refresher and review assignments, and supplementary activities. Some also offer online tutorial support.

Online courses are a low-cost, convenient and practical form of getting certified or simply knowledgeable in a field. And some typical concerns about eLearning–for example, a lack of face-to-face dynamic and teacher-student relationship–become irrelevant in online exam prep classes. This is to say, who really needs that personal touch when studying for a major exam is mostly something you need individual time and practice for?

Another helpful factor in LMS online prep courses is that you can begin any time you choose. And now may be the right time for you to get started. Whether you’re beginning a new career or switching careers, you always hold the power to reassess your circumstances and plan new and exciting career goals. Succeeding on a major test with the help of LMS online exam prep may be your ticket to the future job you’ve always wanted. 

June 2nd, 2009 by Learning Systems

Mike, a college friend of mine, is in a tough situation to which eLearning and LMS online courses could be the answer. 

When Mike returned from his two years in Africa working with the Peace Corps, the economy was in shambles and he couldn’t land a job. A few weeks ago the press found him standing on the corner of 13th and G streets with resume in hand, dressed in a new suit and a sign around his neck saying: “Will work for job.” 

“I’m looking to start working professionally and I’m tired of searching on the internet for jobs” he told NBC news. “I have a bachelor’s in physics and I spent two years in the Peace Corps.”

It hasn’t been a smooth year for Mike and many others. No matter what point in your life you’re at–be it quarter-life, mid-life or somewhere in the middle–you may be finding it necessary to review your options and goals, and reassess your professional direction. 

Increasingly colleges and universities, technical schools and institutes offer LMS online courses. These provide students certifications or degrees, or supplement face-to-face learning. Partly due to the recession and an exceedingly competitive job market, all kinds of people are more actively seeking out LMS online vocational degrees.

What exactly is a vocational course? 

Vocational courses are related to a particular skill or kind of work. In a vocational course, students complete a series of tasks and assignments which prepare them for real work experience. 

Vocational certification programs may include employment areas like social care, health care and childcare; hospitality and catering; leisure and tourism; media and design; construction; business; information technology; and animal care. As you can see, vocational courses traverse a vast landscape of professional possibilities.

When searching for an LMS online vocational course that’s right for you, talk to current or former students who completed the course. Find out whether or not the course included dynamic and practical lessons, strong tutorial support, and qualified professors. Ask specific questions related to your vocational interest and get answers before you begin the online course.

When choosing an LMS online vocational course, of course, practice caution. Think about it: 70% of all post-secondary technical and vocational training is provided by privately owned institutions. Given this, there are some dangers to watch out for–like diploma mills, or non-accredited, fake organizations that sell fake diplomas.

While many buyers who pay for fake degrees do want them to trick employers, many are scammed by fake institutions. In general however, students have an easier time than employers in discovering that an online institution is actually a mill.

Ways to spot a diploma mill range from the obvious (such as blatant offering of a fake diploma) to more subtle clues.

Often no teaching facilities, libraries, personnel, publications or research are available. Promotional literature about the institution may contain grammatical and spelling errors. The website might even display a sample diploma to tempt buyers.

Names of diploma mills are often very similar to well-known and reputable institutions.

Study the organization’s website and note its advertising strategies. If you feel a sense of urgency in the website’s advertising, it may be a mill. Oftentimes prospective students are encouraged to enroll immediately, before tuition or fees are increased, or told that they qualify for a fellowship, scholarship or grant. 

Always do your research before committing to an online vocational program. If you find yourself pulled into a diploma mill, you may be able to realize before it’s too late and pull out. 

Online vocational courses from recognized and accredited institutions can start you on a path to a new career in which financial woes and instability are issues of the past. LMS online vocational certification programs are available in a wide range of career fields, and their self-paced format is designed fit to your life.

May 29th, 2009 by Learning Systems

When I was growing up, educational concepts like eLearning, virtual classrooms, learning management systems (LMSs), and Web 2.0 integration simply did not exist. We had computer class once a week, and then in our tweens AOL instant messaging  was just becoming all the rage.

Technology for educational use wasn’t quite there yet for most of us 80s babies. For example, the option of making a video for class project was always a touchy subject for some of us (like myself.)

I dreaded group projects in elementary, high school and middle school. If your group happened to include a student whose family owned a camcorder, you had it made. If not, there were always boring posters and other visuals you could make…but these weren’t quite as exciting.

Somehow, my group never included one of those hip students with no problems accessing video equipment. Though most middle-class families must have owned camcorders by then, mine did not, and it was always with a mix of gratitude (for sparing us another insufferable poster presentation), enjoyment and envy that I watched the video projects put together by my more high-tech, creative, and, well, usually generally better-off classmates. 

Of course, in the fifteen or so years since then, a lot has changed. Video sharing sites and cheap video camera tools allow anyone to become producers of their own movies. And easy-to-use educational tools like LMSs and eLearning software allow educators and course developers to easily create videos to share with students, and resources to share with other educators. 

For example, Coggno’s LMS and course creation toolkit offer an easy-to-use video tool with some interesting features for educators and course developers. Its simple format allows video creation with just a few clicks, making it accessible for both educators and students.

Creating and incorporating videos using an LMS can transform lessons, activities and even entire courses. And other robust tools in Coggno’s LMS toolkit offer a check-and-balance system. Learning content featured in videos can be checked for understanding using other course tools like quiz and assessment tools.

And for educators who are looking for a video-sharing website, but are wary of incorporating outside Web 2.0 technologies like YouTube into their classrooms, there are educational video-sharing sites such as TeacherTube.

TeacherTube, created in 2007 by a Texan superintendent, is one example of how Web 2.0 is creeping creatively into our LMS-based and online learning systems. 

More and more teachers are using TeacherTube as an aid for lesson plans and a place to post student projects. TeacherTube now has over 50,000 videos posted, and also features activities and competitions for schools such as classroom makeover contests. 

A video is an effective tool for prompting LMS students to interpret and analyze instructional material. And why not allow students themselves to create video projects, whether it’s for an online or traditional course? 

Studies find that when students are allowed to take a piece of knowledge and create something with it, their understanding of the topic is much more thorough than if they were to simply take in the material. 

Moreover, these days camera equipment is less expensive and more accessible to the general public. Using an LMS, students are able to upload their own videos to share their interpretation and creative expression of the learning material with other learners as well as their instructors. 

Students can engage in an exciting and collaborative learning activity using LMS video creation tools and/or sites like TeacherTube. Tools provided by LMS systems like Coggno allow students and educators to develop creative and collaborative learning content within a controlled and safe setting. LMSs like Coggno offer a user-friendly video tool for creating engaging instructional videos. 

May 27th, 2009 by Learning Systems

There are a number of misconceptions surrounding the purpose and function of learning management systems (LMS) and the related area of eLearning. It is perhaps an erroneous first step to look at these two areas as being distinctly separate. While it is true that each of the concepts that are presented here do have distinct definitions, they nevertheless form an integral partnership with one another, a virtual (no pun intended, but applicable) symbiotic relationship. Let’s take a look at how each of these concepts is defined in order to better understand the dynamic relationship they share with one another.

A LMS is a software package that an organization (be it business or educational) can utilize to provide instructional material and resources to personnel/students. Typically, an organization will integrate a LMS into their existing computer systems, or it can be a stand alone package. Whatever the case, a LMS is a tool that is used to offer training, educational courses, evaluation mechanisms and a whole host of other benefits. Usually, these resources can be accessed from computers that are provided on location and/or online.

Electronic learning or eLearning (also known as technology support learning [TSL]) is a means of instruction that is facilitated by technological means. In other words, it’s an educational experience that uses computers and other technology to provide training, classes, testing and other needed functions. Classes provided online, with either a virtual instructor or done remotely, is an example of eLearning.

At this point, a clear picture should be developing on the synergy that exists between a LMS and eLearning. In short, a LMS is the means and structure by which one facilitates eLearning. In an educational environment, for example, a LMS can integrate teaching and learning functions to enhance the overall use of resources, as well as the dissemination and absorption of information.

This is accomplished by the development and management of classes, information accessibility, student accomplishment analysis, progress tracking, and even the delivery and presentation of classes. With a LMS, eLearning is not limited to a single location. An educational organization can provide its offerings to a wide range of students in diverse locations as a result of online capabilities of a LMS.

There is little mystery, as one can see, about these concepts. LMS’s and eLearning allow effective and wide-reaching instructional offerings. It is within this understanding that Coggno, a software developer has stepped forward. This company that specializes in LMS’s, has offered to provide public schools free eLearning tools with its software. This move in the midst of educational budget cuts only serves to highlight the practicality and resource efficiency that these concepts provide. Coggno, for its part, is providing a much needed service to the public.

May 27th, 2009 by Learning Systems

Every organization realizes a need for both resource efficiency and training/information dissemination. Indeed, much time, energy, and budget allocations are directed to these functions. With a learning management system (LMS) delivering an organizations eLearning requirements, many training/educational delivery problems find quick resolution.

For the uninitiated, a LMS is a software package that enables an organization to deliver educational/training materials to those who need it. This can be done either on location, utilizing computers and other technological means, or online from remote locations. eLearning is simply the concept of utilizing technology to teach or receive instructional material.

Ok, this sounds great, but why should you care? The reason is simple and it goes to the point that we started this article off with: “Every organization realizes a need for both resource efficiency and training/information dissemination.” This is what an LMS and eLearning can do. An educational organization, for example, has the need to instruct students in the most effective manner possible. This entails not only classroom instruction, but also testing, evaluation, class management and more.

An LMS can perform all of these functions in an efficient manner. Consider these benefits of utilizing an LMS for eLearning:

• Schools will be able to instruct a greater number of students
• Students progress will be able to tracked efficiently
• Faculty and teachers can be easily accessed
• Information is easily accessible and disseminated
• Students experience more time and convenience in learning endeavors
• Enhanced opportunity to complete courses

These are only a small sampling of the benefits that are enjoyed by utilizing an LMS.

What should be noted is that these are all benefits that educational entities seek on a general basis but are often unable to attain because of budget constraints or manpower that such moves would require. A LMS is a practical, and more importantly, budget friendly means of accomplishing the progressive goals that educational organizations rightfully endeavor toward. There is little question, in the final analysis, of the benefits that eLearning and a LMS can provide an organization.

Indeed, one such organization that develops software that delivers online training tools is taking the initiative that illustrate this very point. Coggno is providing public schools that accept its offer, with free LMS software to provide them with eLearning capabilities. As more and more states slash educational budgets, their ability to adequately serve students is hampered. Coggno understands that these problems can alleviated by implementing eLearning solutions. By offering LMS tools to public schools, Coggno is not only providing a public service, but also showcasing the ability of these concepts.

May 26th, 2009 by Learning Systems

I’ve written before that during strenuous economic times, many people choose (wisely) to upgrade their skills and expertise through LMS online courses. 

Supply Knowledge (SK) is one online system that may suit your needs. SK provides sourcing, procurement and supply management professionals with relevant and recent information and tools. 

SK’s tools and programs are practical, easy to find, and designed by practitioners.

On Supply Knowledge’s website there is a quote from Barack Obama on February 24: “I ask every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training. This can be community college or a four-year school, vocational training or an apprenticeship. But whatever the training may be, every American will need to get more than a high school diploma.” 

With this call to higher education in mind, Supply Knowledge sets out to provide certification programs and LMS online courses at a low price. The courses are self-paced and self-directed, providing flexibility and convenience to learners with busy schedules. 

SK offers dynamic and up-to-date programs in Strategic Sourcing Management, as well as the CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management) Exam Preparation using ISM’s training material. 

Now SK’s online CPSM Bridge Exam Preparation is available through Coggno’s marketplace. If you are a procurement professional who already holds CPM credentials, the course will help you prepare to take an exam to become a Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM). 

The certification course was developed by instructors who graduated from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), and uses ISM-approved material.

The course includes an introductory section with information about the certification exam, and tips and hints for succeeding on the exam. Following this is a section for each of the three exam modules. 

SK is one LMS online provider that understands a simple concept: that transferring knowledge from the short-term memory to long-term is a process easily facilitated.

One of the most effective ways to help your brain absorb course material is repetitive review. Think of it this way: though you may park your car in hundreds of places throughout your lifetime, you probably remember easily enough where it is each time you leave it. And you just as easily forget where it was parked after you no longer need to find it there. 

However, if one day you parked your car in a random place in the parking lot, and then walked by it few times throughout the day, you might remember for days or even weeks where it was on that particular day.

This is a simple strategy for putting course content into your long term memory. When you learn something new, try to review the main points on the same day. Take notes on the LMS online material and keep them accessible. 

Supply Knowledge is a prime example of an LMS course provider that practices repetitive review. Throughout the course the learner is asked to complete many quizzes and case studies to test his or her knowledge. Each module ends with a quiz which helps students remember all the material included in that section, and upon completing the course there is a final quiz to prompt further practice and preparation for the CPSM exam. 

Another course offered by SK and available on Coggno’s website is Market Research for Sourcing and Procurement. The course teaches learners how to conduct market research, “to identify qualified (or qualifiable) suppliers or contractors that can meet your organization’s requirements.” 

The course a thorough yet concise overview about the ins and outs of market research, in a robust and effective online format. Enter Coggno’s marketplace and  discover LMS online courses for polishing your professional skills today.