August 2005
651.430.0353 | About Rivertown
|
August 2005 651.430.0353 | About Rivertown |
Welcome Welcome to the first issue of the Rivertown Communications newsletter. It's designed for people like you who are responsible for productivity in your company or who create training programs that use today's e-learning and information-technology systems. In this and future issues we'll be discussing real-world solutions to everyday business problems. We'll show how using computer and web-based training, on-line survey tools, learning management systems, and moderated distance learning and distance marketing methods offer measurable solutions. We'll also be looking at emerging issues, like mandated accessible/Section 508 compliant websites and multilingual/localized training. At the end of this newsletter there is a quick look at our company, the services we provide and contact information. We know most of the people this newsletter is going out to and to those of you we don't know well yet, we would sincerely enjoy getting to know you and your organization. Call or e-mail at any time. Table of Contents 1. Designing e-learning for Productivity 2. Free report - "The Effectiveness of E-learning" 3. Why “accessible” websites benefit everyone 4. Duluth “Odyssey” 5. Rivertown Communications 1. Designing e-learning for Productivity It has been suggested that our training departments should really be called “performance improvement departments”. Well-trained employees are much more productive and find their work experience more fulfilling. Training makes a real difference in the performance of companies. Researchers Dr. Laurie Bassi and Daniel McMurrer have calculated that a stock portfolio of firms made up of companies that commit more than an average amount of money to training would have returned an average of 45% more than the S&P 500 index annually. Since the 1960s there have been numerous studies conducted to measure the effectiveness of e-learning. Consistent findings include: • The e-learning approach saves time – anywhere from 25% to 50% or more. Most studies report a 35% to 45% decrease in training time to the same level of competence based on retention (remembering what was learned) and transfer (using what was learned). • There is very strong evidence that e-learning reduces the actual cost of training when compared to instructor-led training. The total cost of training includes cost of development, as well as the cost of delivery. The lower delivery costs for interactive training result primarily from a reduction in training time and the elimination of travel. • People learn better with e-learning because they remember what they learn more accurately and longer (retention) and they are better able to use what they learn to improve their performance (transfer). A study by J.D. Fletcher cites a 15% to 25% increases in learning achievement. • None of these studies and meta-studies reported a decrease in training effectiveness (retention and transfer) as a tradeoff for decreased time. In fact, nearly all writers reported substantial increases in learning. E-learning isn't new. Rivertown Communications has been developing it since 1991 and we were hardly the first to do so. What is new however is that we can finally assume that the majority of our audience will have access to adequate bandwidth and computer resources to receive effective e-learning courses. Over 70% of the (national) population is accessing the Internet with display resolutions of 1024 X 768 or higher. Over 80% of business users have broadband access today, as do 70% of home users. Broadband penetration is projected at over 90% by the end of 2006 across the country. This finally gives us to freedom to include high-resolution images, audio, and even vide streams as appropriate. Business 2.0 puts it this way “Cheap computing, infinite bandwidth, and open standards are powering an epic technological transformation that will churn up huge new opportunities- and perils for those who can't adapt.” A final factor to consider is the fact that authoring systems and development tools are magnitudes better than when we developed our first e-learning course. We can program faster then ever before, while incorporating dynamic media and interactivity to make learning fun and interesting. If you haven't looked at the benefits of e-learning lately, maybe you should. We'd be glad to discuss how e-learning could benefit your organization. Sources: “How to Ride the Fifth Wave”, Business 2.0 July 2005 Stats on screen resolution from BrowserNews Broadband stats from “Nielsen//NetRatings” and others 2. Free report - "The Effectiveness of E-learning" A free report on e-learning and how it may benefit your organization is available for download at: http://www.rivertown-inc.com/website/elearning/elearning.htm This report is quick to read and covers the real-world benefits of e-learning technologies and includes a section on how learners view electronic learning systems. Their opinions may surprise you. 3. Why “accessible” websites benefit everyone In the United States, Section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act mandates that web content maintained by the federal government must be made accessible to people with disabilities (typically visual, audible and mobility). Many states, including Minnesota, have adopted similar accessibility requirements for their information technology (websites, e-learning, etc.). Accessibility issues are currently receiving the same attention usability issues received a few years ago, and rightly so. Nearly 20 percent of the total U.S. population have a disability, and as the population ages, the proportion of people with disabilities grows higher. While it's clear that federal and (Minnesota) state government agencies need to provide accessible web content, it's less clear for private business. At Rivertown Communications, we feel there are a number of good reasons for private organizations to provide accessible web content, including:
Design, development and consulting on accessibility issues is a growing part of our business at Rivertown Communications and we'll be covering this subject in much greater detail in future months. If we can help you in this area, please give us a call. Statistics from: U.S. Census Bureau: Americans with Disabilities 4. Duluth “Odyssey” The Minnesota Board on Aging and Minnesota Department of Human Services is sponsoring the 6th annual "Age and Disabilities Odyssey Conference". The conference is designed to highlight programs and services that support older adults and people with disabilities. Rivertown Communications is presenting a seminar entitled “The Human Side of e-learning: Developing Accessible Websites and On-Line Training that Works!” If you will be attending this conference, we hope you will join us at our session. When/Where: August 22 – 24 th / Duluth, MN For more information visit: http://www.mnaging.org/ageodyssey/ 5. Rivertown Communications Since 1991 Rivertown Communications, Inc. has been designing and developing custom e-learning systems and websites. Our clients range in size from small, single office organizations to global corporations. For more information on our services, click below: E-learning systems Custom system design and development, including learning management systems I-Card (TM) Business-Card CDs to deliver training or educational marketing messages WebPresenter (TM) Internet presentation application Websites Learning sites that are accessible and Sect. 508 compliant Video production To integrate into e-learning or stream from the web Disk duplication through our local partner If you are currently in the planning stages of a technology-based training or marketing program, call us. We would be glad to meet with you to explore how we might work with you to develop your program. Initial meetings are always without cost or obligation and we genuinely enjoy getting to know new people and organizations. Thanks for your time, Robb Jacobs Rivertown Communications, Inc. 651.430.0353 |
