There is more to eLearning…
Many commentators on eLearning suggest that Blended learning is key.
However, what about complementary corporate assets such as Corporate Podcasts or even case-study packs.
This week we look at how standards work and also the core concepts behind Learning Management Systems.

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Many people have decided to leave such social networking sites as they feel that they are either bored or feel that they may be staked! I know the latter sounds a bit extreme but by opening up your personal details, even if done innocently, these sites can allow other (non-friends) to find out about you (subject to how much you reveal on your public site).

A recent Ofcom report, which surveyed 8,500 adults and children, reveals that half of all eight to 17-year-old Internet users - about 4million people - have a personal profile. This compares with 22 per cent of adults. Ofcom said two-thirds of children using social networking sites were on Bebo, while another third were on MySpace and Facebook (Facebook is most popular with adults). The survey showed 16 per cent of parents did not know who can see their children’s profiles. A worrying 41 per cent of children admitted they did not use privacy settings and only 53 per cent said their parents set them rules for use.

NB ‘Non-friends’ can also be defined as commercial companies that can profile advertisements towards you. In addition, one should also consider that it has been reported that snooping by potential employers also takes place.

Another area to consider is the use of such networks in the workplace. The UK Trades Union Council has established some guidelines (see: http://www.worksmart.org.uk/rights/socialnetworking).

One a positive note, over the last 2 weeks I have managed to re-establish contact with a couple of really great business colleagues. It was great to catch-up with them, where they are now - NB Both after at least 10 years. One could argue and question why did it take so long to reconnect? The only answer I can give is that the world is a big place and we all get busy in our own lives.

In the future it is likely that Cyberspace will provide us with virtual worlds with advanced features that connect to existing networks – These worlds will allow people to interact in a chosen identity or identities, introducing the possibility of an even bigger potential for exploitation. I was recently told by an Internet security expert that

the problem with the Internet is that nobody knows if you are a dog and if you are a dog what kind of dog are you going to be!

With such power comes great responsibility – No, this is not just a throw away line or something that can be exploited by a Spiderman movies. It is true. Today we have more power at our fingertips than ever before and it appears that children are apt at adapting to the latest fads and openness offered.

A few years ago I was consulting at a government medical organisation.There an Instant Messenger service was established but on an Intranet only basis. A number of issues were raised in terms of its use:

1. Surely, some outlets need to be enabled to the outside world, especially for true dialogue with trusted partners.
2. The potential to send files instantly can open up security issues.

We again return to the issue of the need for greater guidelines. It is excellent that the TUC have taken a serious view on the risks of Social networking in the workplace but we need more information on the implications of information use being abused, protecting our children and the risk of exploitation from companies wishing to profile current and future customers.

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Categorising different types of Corporate Podcasting
This week we are looking at the many different types of corporate podcasting.
We have gone an additional step by attempting to map opportunities to business functions / examples.

Until next time…

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One way to consider this question is to consider what kind of organisations are taking up new ways of communicating.

From a market segmentation perspective let us look at a few:

Education - Already pioneering educators are providing ipod based learning materials, e.g: lecture notes, full audio versions of lectures and selective course pointers. Blackboard Learning Management systems have already incorporated a feature to store educational podcasts. In terms of standards and content formulation self-driven initiatives appear to be the driving force.

Traditional Media -Someone mentioned to me that the BBC TV are increasingly saying , ‘Download the programme / highlights for free’ - I’m not sure that I have noticed this. Interestingly their i-players has been phenomenally successful. This will obviously make the Director General and their governors happy that their direction is on the right path - especially with their recent announcement of building a multi-media portal.

Marketing and Public Relations - I noticed the term, ‘Digital Marketing’ being used instead of Corporate Podcasting.
It could be that this term is wider, incorporating on-line digital mailing campaigns supported by audio content.

The good news is that although new names are being adopted,there appears to be a general acceptance that content in the form of video and audio is increasingly being accepted as useful for organisations to communicate key facts.

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In terms of tools we have been using Adobe, imac and Camptasia.
Kitwise: 2x 3CCD based DV Cams and 1x single channel wireless mic + 1x wired mic.

It is important to brief the speaker on the following areas:

• Articulation of words, including gaps between long speaking sections
• Ensuring what we call, ‘in range’ shots. We use a cover cam that records from a wide angle and in parallel the main camera that focuses on the speaker. The wide angle cover cam includes capturing any slides/powerpoint activity to assure post production timings.
• We have it on good authority that the attention span for viewers is approx 45 seconds, therefore, the camera person may ask for selective shots after a conference to create subtle interludes between the session. NB In addition, avoid panning in and out too much.
• When recording an audience it is best to get a disclaimer signed that also authorises the permission for recording them.
• For video podcasting it is likely that the final images/output will be small, therefore, selective recording of close-ups is recommended.
• Sound quality is important - an external mic on a long cable is recommended (safely positioned) for audience questions.
• In a conference situation a variety of seating arrangements are possible - a personal preference is what we describe as workshop style, i.e: lay out tables in a clustered diamond shape with 4-5 seats - again with safe access.
• Take stills of specific exhibits for inclusion at a later date.
• Test all equipment, keep spare batteries & audit pre+post packing.
• Agree a high-level structure of the session but allowing the speaker/facilitator to be creative.

At the end of the day it is all about creating a valuable experience even if a 3 hour session becomes 12mins of video.
In terms of educational seminars - Video Screencasting / latter inclusion within an online education seminar agreeing core
subject areas, fading between each one with a good intro, flags to each section and a good summary can all help to make a worthwhile refresher and engaging viewing experience.

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Corporate Podcasting and Training
This week we are looking at how New media and Corporate podcasting strategies can help enhance / support learning.
For example:

• Integrate audio and video into your traditional Internet / Intranet
• Incorporate podcasting into training initiatives as refresher knowledge nuggets!
• Develop eInduction strategies that contain New media elements (social bookmarking & then communicating associated findings)
• Re-burn the content you develop into a SCORM object so that it can be both reused and accessed via a Learning management system (LMS), for example: MOODLE, Blackboard/WebCBT or SumTotal
• Share knowledge about new products with a dealer channel through a separate feed mechanism

Until next time!

Best Regards

Dr Savi

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Last Wednesday Knowledge Hemispheres recently edited the video for Bal Rashmi Children’s orphanage (see below).
I wondered if the the power of Web 2.0 and New Media tools is being used to help spread a message of hope.

The power of YouTube, Ning and Facebook have the potential to spread knowledge and also unite people around a common cause.

For example:

• Short field based documentaries
• Community based volunteer sites
• Inserting into Podcasts (video and audio) advertisements to help raise funds
• Announcements on areas of need and development
• ‘Live’ updates from those taking part in Sponsored events
• Journalists logging key, ‘on the ground’ facts
• Corporate charity activities - if involved - e.g: Corporate podcasts with updates
• Linking schools and initiatives together through Youtube type channels / Video sharing sites

I recently met an exBBC producer who said that the good thing about new media was that no longer are enormous transporters required to carry audio and video equipment to produce shows. He was right but only for mobile and web-content. However, good editing tools and associated skills can help in developing engaging content.

There must be an opportunity here for new media to usher in an era of reporting with hope for humanity in mind.

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This month we focus on how the monthly video podcast rather than the fortnightly audio podcast will change.

To summarise:

Video podcasts will now not be monthly. Instead, they will focus on specific examples or talking through case studies
Audio podcasts will be fortnightly and instead of a selective Corporate Podcasting topic followed by a white paper, they
will be shorter and focus on everyday potential corporate application of New media tools, for example: Corporate Podcasting,
internal communication strategies and complementing general marketing and sales approaches.

Premium casts and a downloadable course will be available over the coming weeks.

My personal Thanks to Travis Vega for his awesome music.

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Corporate Podcasting and Public Relations (PR)
I noted with interest a recent call to a big theme park that they had selected a new PR organisation for their ‘digital marketing’ strategy. Unfortunately, they were not friendly in talking about why they considered new media as being an important tool to them.

This week’s podcast coincides with the start of Season 2 of the Corporate Podcasting show.
An increase in the frequency of new shows hopes that we can capture and share the innovation that is happening today.

Back to this week…
We need to understand the role that Podcasting or new media tools can have for both the communications strategy and marketing strategy of an organisation. Yes, there is a difference as messaging has to be considered both from an internal and external perspective. Podcasting application to PR, especially with RSS enabled feeds provides a great measurable and consistent form of both reusing content but also providing it in a branded manner.

We’d love your feedback.

Best Regards

Dr Savi

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Your help and dedication is extremely valued.

Shows coming soon…

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