Virtual Classroom...also for the Blackberry

Just had a quick browse after my last blog and lo and behold...Webex are launching a new Blackberry virtual web conference app Q3 2009. Check out this announcement. Let see how the iPhone app works first. The interface on the Blackberry does not bring joy to my heart so lets see how this pans out.

Virtual Classroom for the iPhone

Downloaded the new app for web conferencing from Webex for the iPhone today. I've yet to try it out but if I am to believe their website video it should allow me to dial into a virtual meeting/virtual class via my mobile device, view presentations, see fellow particpants, and connect using VOIP audio. Now if only I could add a video camera? That would be really a fantastic mobile solution for learning on the go. Seeing is believing. Stay tuned for an update. Maybe I can try it out while I am on the beach in Spain this Summer. Classroom learning never looked so inviting.

Blended Learning

Over the past week, I have spent a few late nights indulging in 50 cups of strong coffee wondering whats all the fuss about blended learning and why in theory it sounds easy but applying and sustaining it aint so. Like my coffee, the blend is everything. In a nutshell, I believe success has more to do with how a learning department is structured and staffed and what focus they put on instructional design across multiple channels. It is not a once-off effort but a strategic imperitive that demands resources and new skilsets to rollout and maintain. Other than consistent instructional design and creative thinking, you need what I call a Channel Facilitator. Someone needs to hand-hold users and trainers on how to utilize these cool new tools. Virtual Classrooms, Virtual Worlds, Mobile Platforms, LMS, Social Networks all demand time, effort, patience and understanding in a future looking learning Team. Finally, don't forget content. Who will review all content objects so that they fit to the new learning channel mix? What about a Content Plan? Formats? Tagging? Updates? Did I say it was going to be easy? No pain no gain as they say. Time for another coffee. Decaf this time.

What if?

I know in the past I have spent a lot of time blowing hot air about working from an Internet cloud and leaving your desktop apps behind on earth. Lets say you could do the following: 1. Create rich interactive learning objects using a pure (and secure) web service (not downloading heavy software that needs upgrades or is tied to one computer) 2. Allow your Global team or 3rd parties to make edits wherever they are to the learning objects. 3. Post them to an LMS or LCMS on the web or even add them to a virtual classroom for your audience to view them anywhere, anytime, without plugins, or being linked to a computer that has that particular plugin, etc. How would that feel? I love the idea of not being joined at the hip to a machine and using whatever device I want to create learning and take learning. Whether using a mobile device like my phone or iTouch, using a PC or MAC, Netbook 24/7. Imagine the focus of the Training Group was Instructional Design and producing outstanding content with Technology being secondary. You could create rich content objects appropriately tagged that could seamlessly work on a mobile phone, plug into a Virtual World, be downloaded to an iPod, sit on a website or Video Platform, integrate quickly and easily into LMS or Virtual Classroom, be accessed via a social network, etc. Internet access is all you need. In between major system upgrades, adding software patches and downloading test applications I hope to spend some time thinking about how to address this. Now where did I leave those 6 discs that came with that new Rapid e-learning development Tool?

Gaming Just Got Better

If you haven't seen the latest X-Box offering from Microsoft, then you are in for a big surprise. Now the Nintendo Wii has some real competition. Check out this video of how gaming and simulations are heading for a whole new rethink. The impact on business and fitness simulations cannot be underestimated especially as this opens up a whole new market for people fed up with the current range of game controllers of joysticks and button devices. In general, how we interact with computers could be on the verge of change if Microsofts new game controller or should I say non-game controller takes off. One of the problems I have had with the wii has been using the wand, while running with wii fit or bowling, boxing or tennis, etc. The Microsoft solution means you can potentially scan a tennis racket (the Natal as its called comes with a camera) and use that for playing in an online game. Or as shown in the video scan a skateboard and simply use that with its correct dimensions in a game. Or maybe just use your hands to manipulate screen menus and use voice control for selecting and playing a movie. So it could be the start of the end of keyboards, mouses, joysticks, and button controllers. What about touch-screens. If the future means all you need to do is wave your hands in front of a screen and you can interact with the program, then we could be on the verge of a big shakeup of not just the gaming industry but also the PC market.