September 2005
Dear Rivertown Customer,
Our newsletter designed for people like you who work with today's e-learning and information-technology systems. In this and future issues we'll be discussing how to solve everyday business problems using real-world computer and web-based solutions. We'll be looking at emerging issues, like making your websites and e-learning accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities and how to deliver multilingual training.
At the end of this newsletter is a quick look at our company, the services we provide and complete contact information. I welcome comments and would enjoy getting to know you and your company. Call or e-mail at any time!
Robb Jacobs
Rivertown Communications
Table of Contents
1. Accessible Websites and E-learning (Duluth “Odyssey” - Part 2)
2. Free “Developing for Accessibility” presentation
3. Digital Learning Forum (DLF)
4. Coming Soon - Video Blog
5. Rivertown Communications
1. Accessible Websites and E-learning (Duluth “Odyssey” - Part 2)
Rivertown Communications presented a seminar entitled “ The Human Side of E-Learning – Developing Accessible Websites and On-line Training that Works!" at the recent age and disabilities conference in Duluth. Our interest in the area of making websites and e-learning technology accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities is two-fold:
First, we believe it's the right thing to do. While State and Federal law requires us to develop accessible information technology in many cases, we believe there are compelling reasons to develop to promote accessibility anyway. For someone with a visual, audible, or mobility disability, a website may be their safest, most convent way to shop or obtain information. If we make sure that our websites are accessible, we are both helping members of this group while opening our sites to a larger potential user base.
Secondly, at Rivertown we believe that when we design accessible websites and e-learning, we are making our sites more usable for everyone. Most of the design factors that go into an accessible website, are helpful for everyone.
At the beginning of the presentation, I asked how many people were confused by the regulations and what was needed for an accessible website. Oven 95% of the people raised their hand.
If you are not sure if your website is accessible or not there are a number of web-based tools that will help you find out. For one of our favorites, go to: http://www.contentquality.com This page will allow you to evaluate your website using the “Cynthia Says” validation tool. It's easy and informative.
If you would like to do further reading on this subject, we recommend: “Construction Accessible Websites” by Jim Thatcher, Paul Bohman and others. It's informative and easy to read.
2. Free “Developing for Accessibility” presentation
If you would like us to present an abbreviated version of our Odyssey seminar to your company or organization, please contact us. We will be available to deliver a limited number of ½ hour presentation explaining Accessibility/Section 508 requirements and what you need to do to comply.
We'll briefly cover State and Federal law, define “accessibility”, demonstrate the difference between an accessible and a non-accessible website, and show you the main areas to concentrate on to make your sites accessible.
To book a time, call: 651/430-0353 ext. 111.
3. Digital Learning Forum (DLF)
If you are a professional (or student) involved with using digital technologies for training, you may be interested in attending the monthly “Digital Learning Forum” group meetings. Each meeting features a short networking period, followed by a formal presentation on a current topic related to current learning technologies. This month's meeting is on Tuesday, September 13 and the topic is “E-ducation: Maximizing Interaction in the Online Environment” and is presented by Jeanne Anderson, Ed.D, Doris Bolliger, Ed.D, and Tom Hergert, Ph.D. Contents:
Why interact? E-learning and distributed education in all forms face challenges regarding learner engagement. In both synchronous and asynchronous environments e-learning systems offer tools for interaction and for building learning communities. Creative application of these tools can enrich the learner's experience and can mean the difference between successful, robust courses and simple drill and practice computer aided instruction.
Our presentation will use current research, personal experience, and published best practices information to explore why and how tools for interaction should be employed. Instructor to student, student to student, and student to content interactions are essential in complex learning settings. We will demonstrate communications and content tools in the course management system and discuss how each of them has been used in actual courses.
Attendees will be asked to discuss these issues as they relate to their individual circumstances. Participants will be able to distill ideas and concepts from the presentation and the discussions to help them in designing effective, interactive, community-building e-learning experiences.
When and where:
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
University of St. Thomas – St. Paul Campus
O Shaughnessy Educational Center (OEC 454)
5:45-6:15 Networking/Refreshments
6:15-6:30 Business Meeting/Organizational Discussion
6:30-7:30 Program
See map at www.stthomas.edu/maps/stpaul.htm
There is no charge for attending. I hope to see you there.
4. Coming Soon - Video Blog
Rivertown Communications, Inc. has just completed videotaping and editing a training series on our Compass Plus survey system. Initially this content will be available on DVD, however we're considering a new technology for easy and inexpensive distribution. The company that created the innovative “Ultra Key” chroma-key software system is currently testing their newest tool called “Vlogit”. This system will allow a user to videotape, edit, and upload a video segment to the web for playback from a library. Viewers will be able to search the library and playback a desired video clip
We see both training and marketing applications for this system and we will be testing this system with some of our content as soon as possible. As soon as we have a test site created, we'll publish the link in this newsletter. We'd appreciate your comments on our test application.
For an early look at this product, go to: http://www.seriousmagic.com/products/vlogit/
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 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 - 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 partner with you to help develop your program. Initial meetings are always without cost or obligation and we genuinely enjoy getting to know new people and organizations.
Sincerely,
Robb Jacobs at 651.430.0353 ext. 111