It is unbelievable to think how much can change in a year, or even a few months, thanks to the growth of the electronics industry. Our personal access to knowledge and information is ever transforming to make it easier for us to get data we need quickly and efficiently so we can spew it back up at the next person we see, making it seem like we know what we’re talking about.

Are you looking for ways to increase the effectiveness of e-learning; consider adding a facilitator to your program. That’s right, a facilitator for e-learning. Why would we want to introduce a facilitator into e-learning? E-learning is designed to allow individuals to take courses on their schedule. It is a way to reach large numbers of people quickly and cost effectively, so why insert a facilitator into it. Wouldn’t that just undo all of the benefits?

There is a lot of debate about the effectiveness of e-learning and whether or not it is being over used. When I speak of e-learning, I'm referring to traditional e-learning where all of the materials are online and the student goes through the material at their pace. Based on my experience and what I read, there isn't any clear black and white answer on whether it is being over used or effective, which makes it confusing and difficult for those that are looking to use e-learning for the first time to make a decision.

We should all be aware of what WHMIS is, but for those of you that are out of the Government Compliance loop, WHMIS is the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System which is a mandatory provincial legislation that is designed to provide workers, employers, suppliers, contractors and the general public with fixed standards of the necessary information needed to reduce or eliminate injuries and illnesses that may be persistent while handling hazardous substances.

I’ve been receiving a lot of junk mail both at work and home lately. Of course this is nothing new except for maybe the misuse of the word junk mail.

What I should be saying is that I get a lot of scrap paper in the mail, because as soon as I get a stack of flyers and advertisments I immediately stick them in a pile to be wrote on and torn into something very unrecognizable as I’m sure others do when they’re too cheap to buy post it notes.

“How much does it cost to create an e-learning course?”. Of course the answer is the often the dreaded “that depends”. That response sounds like such a cop-out but it really depends. Let me explain.

Wake up and smell the coffee! It’s the 21st century and technology is booming, especially e-learning, are you in the loop about this hot learning trend?

According to Wikipedia the definition for E-Learning is the use of any type of technology that explores several different learning styles. It is education via the internet, network or standalone computer. E-learning is the use of electronic applications and processes to enhance the learning experience. You will be sure not to fall asleep in this virtual classroom.

One of the most popular models for instructional design is ADDIE. This step-by-step approach offers an effective and efficient design method across five phases:

1. Analyze: Identify the needs and constraints of the user (e.g. existing knowledge, skill level). Determine any technical and structural requirements for the instructional materials (e.g. duration, organization).
   

At BizXcel, we think that you can teach old dogs new tricks. We are always venturing into new territories in order to serve you better. One of these areas is the training and coaching services we offer.

Traditionally, this is a very personal service that has lended itself well to face-to-face interaction. While this is usually the best way to coach or train, with companies becoming more globally dispersed and travel costs increasing, it is making it more difficult for them to access the training and coaching they need.

Over the last few issues, we've discussed how time and budget constraints and learning styles are compelling companies to switch to e-learning for training. The final reason many companies are making this shift to e-learning is because of their employees.