A Holistic Approach to Learning

Flexible and Effective eLearning Programs Combine Real-time and On-demand Training

Prepared by Heather Petersen and Sarah Owens 1 handl Consulting Prepared by handl Consulting www.handlconsulting.com handl Consulting Reserved. Copyright 2008. All Rights

Introduction
Determining which eLearning solution is the right fit for your organization starts with an assessment of learning program requirements. A traditional learning management system (LMS) is a substantial investment that provides sophisticated but complex learning features to an organization including delivering, tracking, and managing training. The traditional LMS offers asynchronous or on-demand capabilities, allowing participants to take courses at the time of their choosing. While an LMS can be the right choice for companies with highly complex talent management needs and a primary interest in on-demand learning, many organizations are moving toward more user and budget friendly learning solutions that also extend learning capabilities into the live training arena and enable rapid knowledge transfer. Adobe Acrobat Connect Pro and Adobe Presenter deliver core learning management features while offering an easy-to-use, affordable solution, which extends into the live domain, enabling effective, interactive, and complete eLearning experiences.

Assessing Learning Needs

In choosing software for managerial or educational purposes, organizations look to balance the needs of a comprehensive learning system with ease of use, quick deployment, and intuitive design for non-technical users. While many organizations benefit from the core features an LMS provides, advanced functionality sometimes goes untouched, especially in light of the steep learning curve involved in implementing and employing many Learning Management Systems. The most utilized aspect of an LMS is its learning management functionality. Core learning management features include the ability to design a prescriptive curriculum; to run completion, score, and interaction reports; to offer group enrollment and notifications; and to validate completion certification. Content management, creation, and deployment, including course development with surveying capabilities and content access controls are also standard with most learning management systems. This core learning management functionality satisfies the asynchronous or on-demand needs of most organizations where learning occurs at a time of the students choosing, but does not involve real-time access to the course instructor. In addition, many organizations may also require live, or synchronous, training capabilities not provided by an LMS. Synchronous eLearning involves the exchange of ideas and information with one or more participants during the same 2
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period of time and includes training led over the Internet, in real time, by an instructor. Real-time training via the Internet provides the closest substitute for a traditional classroom, allowing participants to interact at the same time and collaborate from different locations. In a live virtual classroom, public and private chat, Q&As, surveys, and breakout rooms allow for maximum engagement and communication to ensure that the highest level of learning is achieved. Training is most effective when a combination of synchronous and asynchronous methods used. In general, organizations utilize live and on-demand training in three areas: Skill and competency development -- graded and ungraded training courses for student/workforce development Critical knowledge transfer -- readily available sales and channel training to keep operations running smoothly and effectively Information broadcasting -- corporate announcements ensure employees are knowledgeable and up-to-date The latter two informative areas, critical knowledge transfer and information broadcasting, necessitate the rapid communicate of information. Through rapid training means, learners can quickly gain necessary skills and climb the learning curve.

Figure 1.0: Organizational Training Uses Rapid and Long-term training and instructional methods

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Beyond the core asynchronous and synchronous training capabilities outlined above, some organizations have more complex needs and require a more extensive (and expensive) solution. These companies could be designing and implementing a performance management system with requirements such as skills-gap analysis, succession planning, and multi-rater assessments. Or they may be looking to manage their staff and facilities through a central system to track evaluations, availability, and utilization of staff or manage classroom facilities, books, and tapes or other items. As these features extend beyond the core learning management features, a full scale LMS may be appropriate in these situations.

Learning Management with Acrobat Connect Pro and Presenter

Many organizations are focused on maximizing the learning environment by providing core learning management features that are easy to use and extend to the live environment. For organizations focused on core learning features and rapid knowledge transfer, Adobe provides this functionality through two products: Acrobat Connect Pro - the leading solution for high-impact web conferencing and eLearning offers both live and on-demand training functionality. Requiring only a web browser and Adobe Flash (already installed on over 98% of computers), almost everyone has instant access to the information and training. With ease of use and flexible viewing options, Acrobat Connect Pro assists with the rapid transfer of knowledge. Adobe Presenter software that enables the rapid creation of Adobe Flash presentations and eLearning courses within PowerPoint. Adobe Presenter integrates with Acrobat Connect Pro to deploy, manage, track, and deliver content. Acrobat Connect Pro and Adobe Presenter offer core learning features, including: Learning management functionality -- customizable curriculums with prerequisites, completion, and mastery requirements, custom reports and data for course completion, lesson scores, and responses for individual interactions, group enrollment & notifications, completion certification IDs and more. Content management -- an integrated content repository for managing content, searchable content options, reusable learning objects for creating, storing, and reusing content in multiple courses and curriculums, and access controls for setting permissions. Content creation and deployment -- assessments and polling with response-based branching, data-tracking for powerful learning assessments, informal knowledge exercises, and surveys.

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Training catalog -- registered learner access to a published set of ondemand and live training resources for open or manager-approved selfenrollment. In addition, Adobe allows for easier use of learning management features than many Learning Management Systems. Since Adobe Presenter is a plug-in for PowerPoint, any business user can easily transform PowerPoint content into an engaging eLearning course or presentation. Adobe also offers ease of access, since content can be played in any browser with the Adobe Flash Player, which is installed on over 98% of computers across all platforms. Adobe includes a quick and simple method of creating and publishing rich multimedia presentations that incorporate audio, video, simulations, and animations in learning content. Content authors can publish directly to Connect Pro from PowerPoint, eliminating the need for cumbersome import processes, such as FTP.
Figure 2.0: Adobe Presenter Publishing Options Content created with Adobe Presenter can be published directly to Acrobat Connect Pro from PowerPoint or saved in a variety of formats.

Beyond Learning Management A Holistic Approach to Learning

Adobes ability to enable both live and on-demand training sets the Adobe solution apart from traditional learning management systems. Acrobat Connect Pro offers a complete eLearning solution that includes four necessary components for the successful transfer of knowledge: Easy content authoring -- subject matter experts, rather than tech experts, can rapidly create presentations and eLearning training course content with ease. Simple-to-use tools assist with design and publishing, producing an engaging and quality presentation each and every time.

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Live virtual classrooms -- instructors can connect with students using audio, video, and interactive simulations to address a variety of learning styles, just like they would in a physical classroom. Other features, such as public & private chat, as well as Q&A, ensure high levels of comprehension and learning. Curriculum management and tracking -- instructors can easily manage their curriculum using tools within the Connect Pro solution. Learner participation and quiz scores for course credit can be tracked within the virtual classroom. Reporting tools give instructors a clear view into learners progress, without having to spend hours grading assignments after class time. Convenient content management -- user administration, tracking, reporting, and integrated content management is readily available across all Acrobat Connect Pro applications through a fully searchable content library.

Figure 3.0: Acrobat Connect Pro A Holistic Approach By integrating four necessary components of learning, Adobe offers a complete solution.

The "synchronous or live component creates an online virtual classroom, bringing a valuable additional dimension to eLearning. Presenters and participants are in the same meeting room at the same time, enabling real-time interaction. Participants can always ask questions and presenters can answer them on-the-spot, ensuring that learners clearly understand the presented material. Traditional learning management systems lack live capabilities, making them less-effective tools for eLearning than the Adobe solution.

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Figure 4.0: Acrobat Connect Pro Screenshot Course content created with Adobe Presenter can be delivered in a live Acrobat Connect Pro classroom.

Adobes solution has been recognized as a leader by the eLearning industry for its capabilities. In 2008, Adobe Acrobat Connect Pro earned PC Magazine Editors Choice Award for The Best Collaboration Solution and the CODiE Award for Best Collaboration Solution. Adobe is also viewed as a leader in Gartner Research (Magic Quadrant for Web Conferencing 2007 and 2008).

About handl Consulting

handl Consulting is an independent high-tech marketing firm based in San Francisco, California. Founded in 2001, handl Consulting works with leading technology companies on a variety of strategic efforts including eLearning initiatives. handl has assisted companies with the development of innovative eLearning strategies and comprehensive learning programs, while providing insight into the changing learning landscape. handl has additional expertise in the areas of market research, planning services, and marketing execution. For more information, visit the handl Consulting website at www.handlconsulting.com.

Adobe, the Adobe logo, Acrobat, Acrobat Connect, Flash, and Presenter are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. The names and logos referred to in the sample artwork are fictional and not intended to refer to any actual organization or products. 2008 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All rights reserved.

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