Calling users/reviewers of Performance Support Tools
By Emma King | March 12, 2008
Anybody subscribed to my blog is going to see a trend toward collecting information regarding Performance Support Tools for the next few posts. Either collecting information from the Vendors, or collecting from the growing community of users.
Researching the use of Performance Support Tools within our workspace, is an extensive task, as the definition span many technologies/softwares and philosophies.  This however, is a specific interest of mine, having seen the tools/concept develop over the past 10 years.Â
Tools such as Learning Guide Manager, Datango, APS, Assistware, STT Trainer, Eedo, SHO Guide, uPerform are all products that offer levels of Performance Support/EpSS/e-Performance/Real Time Learning.
Therefore in my quest for more knowledge, I’m calling all individuals/companies who have either prototyped, tested, reviewed, purchased, piloted, installed or mulled over such tools, to give me some feedback regarding the tools, development processes, end user experience and overall satisfaction regarding this Performance based technology.
Information collated will be part of a Brandon Hall Research Report Series, there will also be a workshop held at 2008 Brandon Hall Innovations in Learning Conference
To give feedback, please goto Performance Support : Software Evaluation
Topics: EPSS, Performance Support, Real time Learning, Research, e-Performance | No Comments »
Performance Support (EPSS)
By Emma King | February 7, 2008
EPSS (Electronic Performance Support Solution), Performance Support or Real time learning is now becoming a widely supported reality. More and more vendors are providing solutions within their toolsets to support Performance Support.
I am writing a number of white papers based upon the methodology and the toolsets in the marketplace and forming consulting services related to the selection of tools for organizations.
If you are currently reviewing Performance Support Tools for your organization, or have tested some of the toolsets out there, I would appreciate your feedback for inclusion within our reports.
Please either respond to this blog, or email me directly at emma@brandon-hall.com
Topics: EPSS, Performance Support, Real time Learning, analysis, consulting services | 1 Comment »
How Many Hours did it take to create this?
By Emma King | November 13, 2007
I received a survey from Bryan Chapman this morning asking people to take a survey to tell him how long it takes to create, instructor-led, face-to-face (classroom-based) learning where you are.I then received this amazing piece of animation from my cousin, and I wonder… how many hours it took to develop this… Have a great weekAnimator vs. Animation by Alan Becker
Topics: Animation, ILT, analysis, innovative | No Comments »
Its all in the packaging
By Emma King | October 12, 2007
I spent the weekend carrying out some Home improvements, doing some carpentry… Personally for me there is nothing like the achievement of wood being molded into something productive. I remodeled my best friend’s children’s bedrooms, creating a loft and a teenage sofa bed combination. Both need a bed, both have the same requirement to sleep but both have different purposes.Â
Isn’t it the same in Learning?One person wants interactive simulations, another wants documentation, another Performance Support (EpSS), some want wikis, discussion boards, a means of Change Management for materials, all from one single tool… Are there tools that meet that range?Â
I was very impressed to experience such Innovative Technology at the Brandon Hall Innovations in Learning Conference. Some of the vendors are providing a one stop shop for your learning needs, and not in a disappointing respect, in a totally pioneering,  exciting and refreshing way. Follow the links to review the sponsorsHowever, it really all is in the packaging and delivery.Â
I was privileged to work along side Bryan Chapman, as a Shootout Referee for the Brandon Hall Event. During two shootouts, one for PowerPoint and one for Simulation tools, we were able to witness so many impressive tools, each taking the same content and packaging it in so many different ways. Some repurposing PowerPoint into some very slick and productive and interesting training, whilst the simulation content builders truly highlighted that they are pushing the boundaries of technology and moving into publishing materials to comprehensive Performance Support tools as well as the standard Show-Me, Guide-Me, Help-Me modules. The technology was impressive, the vendors enthusiastic, and the delegates of the conference seemed enthralled by the products they voted winners.
So why do people make things unnecessarily difficult?? I was frustrated for 20 minutes today just trying to open the box as I was upgrading my version of Microsoft Project. I plead with technology vendors trying to make their software seem easier to use, to stop using the method of death by packaging! First impressions last and if frustration can be found in opening a box, does it really encourage you to wade through the installation and learning of the software?
The same applies for any internet or intranet websites, especially Learning Delivery systems. If people get disillusioned navigating to their training, then they will have no patience when they embark upon the course.Is your training losing momentum through accessibility or ease of use???Â
Do your learner’s walk away from your training remembering the pain of accessibility, the challenges of installation instead of the content? The greatest training in the world will lose it’s power if it is hard to access… Have you reviewed your learner’s experience?  Often the areas in which we lose  ‘points’ are the areas that are easiest to address.
Topics: analysis, delivery, innovative, packaging | No Comments »
Informal or Formal. Whats your preferred choice?
By Emma King | September 11, 2007
I received notification from a prospective client last week, that he wished to proceed with our estimate for a project; it read: “K lets go hd wth qwtâ€. As delighted as I was to get the project, I was shocked that a Fortune 1000 Company executive responded in this manner. It prompted me to send a form, for the new client to complete which formalized our business together… but it reminded me of how we are being influenced by acronyms and SMS messaging and how our busy lives induce informal methods of response.
Do you find informal methods of communication creeping into your everyday life?
As I thought more about it, I was reminded of a news piece in the British Press last year entitled “Exam chiefs ridiculed for allowing ‘text speak’ English answers†and I realized cyberspace and technology can corrupt our everyday knowledge of a literary response. Despite my challenges with my English teacher Mrs. Ward at High School, I am grateful that I can at least bring a paragraph together, even if it doesn’t meet the literary standards of some readers.
Do you believe that txt should be accepted in the business work place as a means of terminology within any form of formalized communication? My personal opinion is no.
The definition of texting is:  “The objective of txt is to use the fewest number of characters needed to put across a comprehensible message. Hence, punctuation and grammar are largely ignoredâ€.  Wikipedia.org.
Would a text message stand up in a court of law as a piece of evidence? This is something companies need to consider… I am still trying to find the answer. Any lawyers know?Â
So from a formal/informal standpoint what is considered acceptable blogging?  Is there blogging etiquette?  While researching blogging as a whole, I was encouraged by the vast informal approach to blogging and I take my lead from that trend. Formal Blogging, as with Formal Reports and eLearning pieces, don’t capture my attention, and I have recognized the same within my client base. Convoluted entries or lengthy terminology based learning blinding you with science and that requires instant research to understand the entry or lesson, does not a good teacher make. [Note the play with words, and may not be grammatically correct but you get my point… Right???]
Blogs can range from a travel log, a discussion on your working day, to more challenging subjects that encourage you to respond or research, but my personal view, is that blogs need to be written as a conversational piece, be real to the issue at hand and be presented in an informal style.Â
My blogs will be based upon fact, using links to other blog sites…will be an open forum for you all to talk about your research and learning experiences. How you can still make learning FUN whilst covering all aspects of the learning curriculum, and encourage you to share how you learn and what you think makes the difference to your learning programs. I will also invite you to detail how the latest technologies improve or confuse your everyday life and provide you with a platform to ask those questions that you want to ask about technology. Maybe you haven’t wanted to ask within a more formal environment, here now is your opportunity.
Confused, enthused, bemused? Tell me why. Â
Topics: Formal Learning, Research, blogging, informal learning, sms | 2 Comments »
Emma King has entered the building - Welcome
By Emma King | August 27, 2007
As a reader and contributor of many blogs and as a new member of the Brandon-Hall Research Team, I was challenged by what to say in my first entry. I took my lead from reading some entries of my fellow analysts.I reviewed again Bryan’s Article from April 2007 - Learning Professionals on the Move and it related to where I am right now. I am a learning professional who has been on the move….
Four years ago I relocated from the UK to the US, just recently I moved companies to form my own. So how do you get the word out there… that Emma King has left x building… and is now setup in y building still enthused and passionate about learning with technology??
Taking the leap into research and consulting, felt like the next step in a my career… and upon setting up my consulting company, with a trusted friend, powerhouse and now colleague, I was struck by the wide reach Linked-In had when I changed my details. It made me realize what a benefit there was to this system, and I was overwhelmed by the recommendations that streamed in from former clients and colleagues regarding my former work.
Such systems are essential to the success of startup companies or individuals who are global travelers, both personally and professionally. IF and Only IF you keep your details up to date. Keeping up to date with and adding to your network using your address book is essential as just one update in your profile and for those that request profile updates either weekly or monthly they can receive your new position or contact details…
Now if you are anything like me, do you have several email addresses, phone numbers, home addresses? All that needs some level of management? Do you get overwhelmed by the need to login into all of them?? For example; I have my EscP Consulting email address, my Brandon Hall email address, my Chapman Alliance Email address, my Gmail address for my personal, family and friends (being a former network administrator, I am far to aware of the power of company administrators to filter your emails which have personal tones) and I have instant messenger email addresses from the early days of Yahoo, Hotmail and AOL. And I started to ask the question… how many addresses does one really need?
How do you manage all these items and start to consolidate them up into a manageable format? Personally I have chosen to use use forwarding, and reply to addresses… setting my forwarding to one account for business related items and forwarding to another for personal items, you can also setup many pop addresses within Outlook and other mail programs. If I am relocating emails I choose not to use Out of Office Messaging but forwarding as it enables a level of filtering of undesirable emails, and if you do choose to respond to email from your new account you can then reply using your new email account or select the reply to address you wish to correspond with. Consolidating is the key.
My Linked in Network reach has expanded by 24,437 new people since August 24 from just 174 personal contacts, its amazing how wide and how global that reach is, and learning how to write a profile that encompasses who you are and what you do, can be the best promotion tool of you as an individual or business professional. To date it has proven essential to the success of my business enabling me to reach a wider audience regarding my work with Brandon Hall and the Chapman Alliance and in my independent consultancy.
So as a challenge and as a conclusion… today as I write this entry it reaches just me… I wonder by August 2008, how wide this audience will be, what we have learnt from each other and what learning technologies we will be embracing?The future of networking and the future of learning enthralls me, researching new technologies delights me and their analysis and implementation is my passion.
Welcome to the World of Emma King
Topics: Research, networking tools, new technologies | 3 Comments »