By Ramon Guiu

You have probably heard the (rather exciting) news of Xyleme’s new “iPad app that creates apps” - Pastiche™.  We believe that it’s a revolutionary product that will change the way organizations define blended learning and we’re proud of our continued work on its development. We will try to keep release cycles for the Pastiche™ app short and agile with new versions to be released every 5-8 weeks and numbered with even numbers as follows: v 1.0, v1.2, v1.4 etc.

Keeping true to that process we just released a new version to the App Store last week.  Based on early user feedback we decided to release Pastiche v1.2, a slightly modified version with two major user interface features. This release also includes a few minor design improvements.

Here are the latest feature updates: Read more…

Technorati Tags: blended learning, elearning, iPad, Pastiche™, Xyleme

Ramon Guiu iPad, mobile learning, News blended learning, elearning, iPad, Pastiche™, Xyleme

 By Roberta Gogos

Last month Xyleme had the pleasure of presenting a webinar with none other than elearning luminary Elliott Masie on “iPad, a Game Changer for Blended Learning”. During this webinar event Elliott Masie shared valuable insights on how the iPad is transforming learning within organizations, and why organizations need to offer training on the iPad.

Elliott Masie and Xyleme’s CEO, Mark Hellinger, covered a lot of ground so rather than giving a synopsis I have selected the most insightful “iPad-isms” to give readers a taste of what was discussed.

Read more…

Technorati Tags: blended learning, elearning, Elliott Masie, iPad, learning content, Mark Hellinger, mobile content, Pastiche™, Xyleme

Sarah Danzl mobile learning blended learning, elearning, Elliott Masie, iPad, learning content, Mark Hellinger, mobile content, Pastiche™, Xyleme

While the focus of this post is not specifically Apple or the iPad, it’s almost impossible to talk about successful mobile strategies without recognizing that the iPad has created a transitional moment for the Learning & Development world. The reasons why have been the subject of countless blog posts, but I think DreamWorks founder Jeffrey Katzenberg, in this video from TechCrunch, says it best:

“[The iPad] it’s the first device that actually is a reflection of me – or us. It’s so revolutionary that it’s no longer about me adapting myself to somebody else’s set of programmings or the way in which a device is going to engage. It is the reverse. It is as though I’m looking in a mirror.”

I love this description because it encapsulates what should be the crux of any mobile learning strategy. That is, recognizing that mobile content delivery should be fully controlled by the learner. In other words, what content the learner wants; where and when they want it; and how they want it delivered – with no constraints.

While it took the iPad to make learner-controlled content a reality, this level of flexibility is now the gold standard for delivery to any device, be it tablets, smart phones or any number of performance support devices.

For learning organizations, the clear challenge to meet this gold standard in their frenzied rush to mLearning will be to NOT repeat the mistakes that were made in the move from classroom to on-line training. It’s been 15 years since the introduction of computer-based training and our industry still struggles with delivering engaging eLearning, developing it in a cost effective way and achieving positive learner outcomes.

We all know that old habits die hard, so here are 10 repeat offenders that could deliver a devastating blow to your mLearning strategy:
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Technorati Tags: blended learning, elearning, iPad, learning content, mlearning, mobile content, mobile learning, Richard Baruaniuk, XML

Dawn mobile learning blended learning, elearning, iPad, learning content, mlearning, mobile content, mobile learning, Richard Baruaniuk, XML

A couple of weeks ago, Xyleme presented at Intelligent Content conference hosted by the Rockley Group. Intelligent Content isn’t a training event; rather it’s a small conference showcasing how leading edge companies are exploiting the value of content through XML, open formats, and standards. I think the Rockley Group’s definition hits the nail on the head:
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Technorati Tags: Ann Rockley, blended learning, content reuse, Intelligent Content, multi-channel publishing, Single Source

Dawn Instructional Design, Learning Content Management Ann Rockley, blended learning, content reuse, Intelligent Content, multi-channel publishing, Single Source

Clark Quinn is brainstorming around how we really learn – versus how we are instructed. In his blog posting “Facilitating Learning”, he is explaining why the new role in the organization will be for ‘learning facilitation’ and not for ‘instruction’ or ‘training’. As Clark writes, “knowledge is not what’s going to be useful going forward, but skills in applying that knowledge.”

Interesting “Thoughts on New Learning” posting by George Siemens. George refers to Eric Kalvert’s blog post pointing out that “humans have an innate motivation to participate in shared knowledge and that it is this motivation that makes writing for ‘real’ audiences more rewarding for students than writing for an individual ‘teacher’.”

Tom Kuhlman is blogging about how to empower learners by involving them in the teaching process. In his blog posting “3 Creative Ways to Empower Your Learners”, he also shares some examples of how leveraging rapid e-learning tools and their ability to create multimedia content can help achieve higher levels of learners’ engagement.

Mark Berthelemy gives his own definition of Blended Learning in his latest blog post. “It could be argued that all learning is blended, but some teaching is not blended. All good teaching is blended” – a great line in the posting that I would like to highlight.

Technorati Tags: blended learning, Clark Quinn, George Siemens, Mark Berthelemy, rapid e-learning, Tom Kuhlman

admin Industry Talk blended learning, Clark Quinn, George Siemens, Mark Berthelemy, rapid e-learning, Tom Kuhlman

I’ve been in the training and development business for nearly 20 years now. Things certainly have changed a lot in that time.

My first job out of graduate school was as an Interactive Designer for a small but growing multimedia development firm. I was hired to be part of a multi-million dollar project for a major automotive manufacturer. We were creating CD-ROM based training for service technicians. Each course cost over $1 million dollars! They were fantastic, cutting-edge, pushing the envelope in every way.
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Technorati Tags: blended learning, elearning, instructor-led training, single-source content development

Stuart Instructional Design, Single Source blended learning, elearning, instructor-led training, single-source content development

Jay Cross has started a conversation on the Future of Organizational Learning and Development. Great ideas have been shared so far. We are looking forward to the discussion on April 21st!

Michael Hanley analyzing 5 factors that are contributing to the emergence of informal and non-formal learning. Blended learning, Talent management and Learning 2.0 are discussed in the first part whereas Knowledge centers and Learning simulations in the second part of his blog posting.

Brandon-Hall just published a new 526-page report entitled “Learning Technology Products 2009: Authoring Tools, Learning Management Systems, and Learning Content Management Systems” that contains short one – to three – page profiles of the products featured in three Brandon Hall Research KnowledgeBases: Authoring Tool KnowledgeBase, LMS KnowledgeBase and LCMS KnowledgeBase.

Thinking outside the blocks (yes “blocks,” not box): New ways of learning with shiftables. Now, this is a post Bryan Chapman uploaded in February, but I had to include it. Wow, it is amazing!

Technorati Tags: blended learning, enterprise learning, informal learning, LCMS, organizational development, organizational learning, workplace learning

admin Industry Talk blended learning, enterprise learning, informal learning, LCMS, organizational development, organizational learning, workplace learning