XpertLearning holds a workshop on ROI for the HR and Training Professional

Dubai, August 23, 2010. Towards the end of July, XpertLearning conducted a survey to identify topics of interest for HR and Training Professional. The results of the survey indicated that most participants were interested in the topic “ROI for the HR and Training Professional”. In this light, XpertLearning held a workshop on “ROI for the HR and Training Professional” at the Arjaan Rotana Hotel in Dubai. The event brought together key professionals and executives within the Learning & Development arena, from high-profile companies across the Middle East. The agenda for the event was as follows:

• Introduction

• Doing More for Less

• Building the Vision and Mission of L&D

• Success Criteria – What do you measure?

• Justifying Budgets

• ROI calculation practices

The session was chaired by Paul Michael Gledhill, Director and Co-Founder of XpertLearning, and facilitated by William Spindloe, Business Development Director at XpertLearning.

At the end of the session, the attendees were requested to provide their feedback. Below are some of the comments received.

Holograms H-Learning: The future of learning

The rapid developments in Information Communication Technology (ICT) have made tremendous changes in the many fields of life. Educational institutions along with businesses in the corporate world have been quick to take advantage of technological services via integrating ICT into education and training, which in turn has produced new models of education such as e-learning, distance learning and blended learning. These models have changed the face of learning as well as playing an essential role in the increase of the learner population and also providing a good opportunity to learn at any time and/or place.

Recently, technological developments are playing an important role in improving the educational process. For example, we see many educational institutions using sophisticated technological tools such as touch screens, new software and others. Scientists are working very hard to provide an advanced technology, which can benefit them in many areas. 3D Hologram Technology (3DHT) is one of the most creative of these solutions.

Holograms have broken out of the world of science fiction and fantasy and are about to become common currency between London and New York, Sydney and Mumbai, Shanghai and Moscow. Live and life-size 3D TelePresence holograms can now interact with their remote audiences whether they are a band performing on stage, a politician delivering a keynote speech, or a CEO holding an interactive meeting with colleagues around the world.

Musion Systems Limited is a company which is based in the UK and is the exclusive master global licensor for the Eyeliner holographic projection system. Musion’s Eyeliner technology has developed life-size holographic figures with full motion and with no latency between sound and image. Using a high-speed (20mbites/sec) MPLS Internet connection it is, quite simply, transforming the future of communication. So, if you want to make a major speech, you can stride the stage, not just sit at a desk. If you want to use 3D motion video images, they appear seamlessly beside you, not on a separate monitor. You can communicate in real time – no time lapses – with both on-stage colleagues and audiences. Eyeliner is a system that is fully bi-directional and interactive; you can see them just as clearly as they can see you. Just about the only thing you can’t do is shake their hands – or at least, only virtually.

All of this is possible only with Musion Eyeliner foil technology. But its uses go far beyond the boardroom or the political stage. Entertainment, education, design and engineering collaboration, product launches – the list goes on.

The importance of 3D Hologram Technology on education

In this area we can take advantage of 3D Hologram Technology (3DHT) in different forms. For example, holograms now allow students to be taught by a “virtual teacher” who could be many kilometers away. The process goes a step beyond video conferencing in that the hologram teacher appears to be in the classroom, and can see and speak to the pupils as if they were all in the same room. The system used by Edex, the largest supplier of Internet connections to the UK education market, at the BETT2000 educational technology show in London. Moreover, 3DHT can enhance the educational process by bringing famous characters to life again from the past, and they speak about themselves and/or explain something as an assistant teacher. For instance, there have certainly been many worthy philosophers and learned men in world history perhaps none more celebrated that the Greek Philosopher Plato. Unfortunately we are unable to talk with Plato as he is from a past period, while we are in the present period moving into the future period by hologram. In Seoul’s Alive Gallery Project, holograms and 3-D animation technology bring 62 world-renowned masterpieces of Western art to life again. In this project we can see the Mona Lisa answering questions from students, such as “Why don't you have any eyebrows?” she is answering, “When I was alive, a woman who had big forehead was considered a beauty … so most women had their eyebrows taken off for beauty”. Or, Michelangelo explains the fresco technique he is using to paint “The Last Judgment”. He explains the work of another masterpiece he had completed earlier on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. A pop-up screen shows a close-up of the famous “Creation of Adam”.

Janine Croft, Managing Director of XpertLearning, the leading e-Learning solutions provider in the Middle East, visited Musion Systems Limited studios during a visit in London. She was left spellbound by the technology. “Teachers replaced by holograms. It sounds like something from a science fiction movie or T.V. show. How awesome is that if holographic teachers or trainers could be sent to you, without you having to move or travel?”, said Janine.

She further added, “We, at XpertLearning, actively support the introduction of new learning technologies. As an organization that is seen to be one of the visionaries for the future of learning and technology within the Middle East region, we see the hologram as being a key technology/feature moving forward for the future. It will change the way people communicate/interact with each other.”

For more information about the Musion Eyeliner System, please visit http://www.musion.co.uk/.

Leadership Development Channel: Now available in Arabic!

XpertLearning, in collaboration with SkillSoft, a leading SaaS provider of on demand e-learning and performance support solutions for global enterprises, government, education and small to medium-sized businesses, is proud to announce that the Leadership Development Channel (LDC), an on-line leadership resource from Books24x7, is now available in Arabic.

Middle Eastern nations are rapidly expanding their internet usage so more and more content is in the national language. According to World Internet Statistics, latest recorded figures show that from 2000 to 2009, Arabic language on the web grew 2,297 per cent, easily ahead of Russia's 1,359 per cent. Of the world's total 1.8 billion web users, 60.2 million (3.3 per cent) are Arabic speaking (Gulf News, 2010). The mushrooming of Arabic on the internet can be attributed in part to ambitious policies such as those advocated by the United Arab Emirates, which leads the Middle East region with 74.1 per cent internet penetration (Gulf News, 2010). As many as 3.5 million of the 4.8 million residents in the UAE are online. Since 2000, the UAE has witnessed a 384 per cent increase in internet user growth, during a financial and social renaissance that has propelled the Emirates onto the world stage (Gulf News, 2010).

However, inspite of this growth, the Chief Strategist of Etisalat, the UAE’s largest telecommunications company, Ali Al Ahmed, reported that there is not enough Arabic content on the Internet to take full advantage of newly built broadband networks in the region (The National, 2010).

The new Arabic LDC offering from SkillSoft goes a long way to bridge this gap.

LDC is a unique collection of 100 on-demand programs (videos) in multiple learning formats featuring best-selling business authors, experts and CEOs, who can have the biggest impact in motivating and challenging the thinking of learners. Offerings include:

• Leadership QuickTalks - Concise, just-in-time, application-based learning from best-selling business authors and leaders! These five minute video learning programs are designed for immediate and contextual application to drive success in the workplace.

• CEO QuickTalks - The CEO QuickTalks feature the best thinking from Bill Marriott, Bob Wright, Blake Nordstrom and more of today’s top business leaders and practitioners.

• Video On-Demand Programs - Covering key competencies including business acumen, diversity awareness, attracting and retaining talent, and more; offers a suite of video learning assets targeted to drive excellence at all levels of the organization.

• Live Events - Provides executives with cutting-edge thinking in business and leadership through live and interactive presentations featuring the most recognized and sought-after thought leaders including Marcus Buckingham, Stephen Covey, Ken Blanchard and more. Up to eight Live Events are produced annually.

Video programs range in length from one minute to two hours. Many are downloadable to your computer or video iPod!

These video resources are ideal for:

• Self-Development: Just-in-time learning

• Individual Coaching: use QuickTalks for one-on-one coaching

• Team Meetings: use a QuickTalk to start your weekly meeting

An online brochure for the Arabic LDC is available here.

For more information about the Arabic LDC and for pricing, please contact XpertLearning at info@xpertlearning.com or call +97143910504.

mEKP Takes Learning to the Field: NetDimensions Set to Revolutionize Training Delivery with World's First Truly Portable LMS

Hong Kong, July 26, 2010: NetDimensions (London Stock Exchange, AIM: NETD), a global provider of performance, knowledge and learning management systems, announced today the commercial release of a revolutionary new product, mobile EKP (mEKP).

“We believe that mEKP is the world’s first full-featured personal learning environment that runs completely off a USB flash drive – no installation required,” said NetDimensions Managing Director and CEO Jay Shaw.

"There are any number of offline players that do simple course tracking. They generally install on Windows machines and have limited functionality. This is different," he added.

mEKP is the end-user version of the Enterprise Knowledge Platform (EKP) learning and performance management system, NetDimensions’ flagship product. mEKP runs directly from a USB flash drive or other storage device and can be accessed via browser on Windows and Mac OS computers.

"Our commitment to a component-based, open standards architecture in EKP is what makes mEKP work," said NetDimensions Chief Information Officer Ray Ruff. "Form-factor and user personalization flexibility is a reflection of that commitment."

A truly portable e-learning environment, mEKP supports not only courseware and exam delivery, career development reviews, news articles and end-user reporting but also direct, tracked access to technical documentation, maintenance and operating procedures, full-motion videos, high bandwidth graphics and other workforce content libraries.

The mEKP system features the same security options and permissions settings as EKP and supports high-level encryption of flash drive content. The recommended default encryption containers comply with the U.S. government approved Advanced Encryption Standard.

Current NetDimensions clients can deploy mEKP as an additional EKP service; mEKP is designed to periodically synchronize updated user data with a linked "master" EKP.

Companies that use other learning and human resource management systems can deploy a mEKP network configured to transfer data to and from their existing systems.

Designed for Disconnected and Mobile Workforces

mEKP is designed for organizations with employees who work at remote locations and have limited or restricted Internet connectivity.

Expected user groups include workers on offshore oil rigs, ships and submarines as well as private and public sector employees working in places where bandwidth may be prohibitively expensive or where training materials such as videos and simulations are simply too large for practical network-based delivery.

mEKP can be deployed to field-based workforces, including to sales people, airline crew, first responders, military personnel and public utilities staff.

At the same time, mEKP addresses the challenge of delivering training to new recruits and to employees who have limited access to computers in the workplace, for example, to floor staff in factories, stores, restaurants and hospitals.

“Our experience with clients around the world tells us that people find uses for our products we can't even imagine when we introduce the products,” noted Shaw. "We're sure the same will be true for mEKP."

Paul Michael Gledhill, Director and Co-Founder of XpertLearning, says “mEKP is an amazing product, the first within the Middle East region. We already have some of our larger customers adopting it within this region and we expect many more to acquire this outstanding product. We are currently engaged in an active marketing campaign of mEKP and so far, we have received interest from many of our customers and prospective clients”.

For more information about mEKP, visit www.netdimensions.com/mekp or contact us at XpertLearning on +97143910503 or email info@xpertlearning.com.

Masie e-Learning Research Grant

Through our strategic alliance with Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University, XpertLearning has come to learn of the following opportunities for research grant. We, at XpertLearning, believe that there is a lack of corporate research on e-Learning within the Middle East region. We encourage and promote research within this area for the benefit of the region. Our partnership with Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University gives us access to such opportunities and we strive to spread this knowledge among the masses within the region. Below is an outline of the Masie e-Learning Research Grant:

The Masie e-Learning Research Grant is launched by Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University to support and encourage the conduction of planned research that addresses the design, development and implementation of e-Learning in the Arab World. The grant is established to encourage research and development in the various dimensions of e-learning; support the production of original work that would further broaden and enrich research in e-learning; promote e-learning and further enhance e-learning methodologies and practices contextual to the Arab world.

The grant is named after Mr. Elliott Masie; Mr. Masie is an internationally recognized futurist, analyst, researcher and organizer on the critical topics of workforce learning, business collaboration and emerging technologies. He is the editor of Learning TRENDS by Elliot Masie, an internet newsletter read by over 52,000 business executives worldwide, and a regular columnist in professional publications.

The Masie e-Learning research grant is limited to original research projects (not initiated before) that are to be conducted within the Arab World setting and address issues pertinent to e-learning implementation in the region. The projects could be in the form of qualitative/quantitative research or best practice case study.

All submissions will be evaluated by an international well renowned Jury on the basis of:

1. Originality and innovativeness of the proposed project

2. Relevance to the Arab World

3. Timeliness and manageability of the project

4. Focus on Research Question

5. Strength of the proposed research strategy

6. Propose Research findings communication strategy

Research Fund Values

The fund allocated to the Masie e-Learning Research Grant ranges from 3,000 to 10,000 US Dollars per annum; it is decided upon based on applications submitted.

Dates and Deadlines

Announcement of the Award Annual Cycle: 1st of February of each year

Deadline for Submission of Proposals: 15th of August of each year

Proposals Review and Evaluation: 15th of August – 1st of October

Declaration of the Winners: Opening of the HBMeU Annual Congress on January 31st, 2011

For submissions or more information, please contact us at XpertLearning on +97143910503 or email info@xpertlearning.com

NetDimensions Next Steps

Next Steps 2010 is your once-a-year opportunity to see what's coming next from the NetDimensions team and learn how your peers are using and profiting from NetDimensions products and services today.

Day one will give you a thorough look at how companies like yours are deploying the newest NetDimensions technologies. With case studies, corporate snapshots, best practice discussions and product overviews, this full day of client and company sessions will give you more of the tools you need to get the most out of your NetDimensions investment.

On day two you'll receive hands-on training straight from NetDimensions' chief architect and technical consultants. The second-day Master Class certificate program at Next Steps 2010 will be led by Ray Ruff, co-founder and Chief Information Officer of NetDimensions.

The certificate program will include “Learning-in-a-Flash,” a hands-on training session on NetDimensions’ revolutionary mEKP portable learning solution. Another session will be dedicated to how EKP works with integrated talent management (and will show you how to deploy the new EKP Appraisal Editor for performance management). A third session will explore regulatory and compliance issues around assessment and the enterprise (see the Next Steps 2010 website for more information on all the Master Class sessions).

Participants who complete the program will be awarded a Master Class certificate (view a sample Master Class certificate here).

“We believe that this is a great opportunity for individuals within the corporate world to learn and share best practices from organizations which have successfully adopted and implemented the Learning Management System, EKP. We hope that such an event receives maximum attendance and turns out to be very successful”, said Paul Michael Gledhill, Director and Co-Founder of XpertLearning. XpertLearning is one of the leading e-Learning solutions provider and strategic partner of NetDimensions within the Middle East region.

Sign Up Today!

Sign up for the Master Class today (or any time on or before August 20th) and aside from saving money with the early bird discount (USD100 off the standard price), you'll get a chance to win an Apple iPad.

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to learn how you can take fuller advantage of your NetDimensions investment to free up your organization to do what it does best (and get a chance to win an Apple iPad).

Register for Next Steps 2010 and enroll in the Master Class today.