home

=Training in the 21st Century =
 * PLEASE NOTE: This wiki was created by Marlene Manto for a specific purpose. The site is NOT being maintained so please be aware that information and/or links may be out of date. **

Introduction
How is training in the 21st century different than before? Because in the past, teachers and trainers had limited tools in their 'toolboxes'....chalk, pens, books, whiteboards, learning guides, overhead projectors, VCRs etc. However the 21st century has provided an avalanche of //new// e-tools!

Check out this video and ask yourself....are //you// a 21st century teacher?

media type="youtube" key="pJYpsB3o0Uc?fs=1" height="385" width="480"

So being a 21st century teacher/trainer does not mean that you are doing anything different....only that you are taking advantage of the many new tools available which can...
 * Make the learning experience more engaging for your learners
 * Help your learners to feel more supported
 * Make some of the difficult tasks easier for you
 * Save you time...and help ease your //stress levels//! :-)

Let me introduce you to a number of people who were experiencing common issues, but found that the simplest solutions somtimes make a big difference....

Issues and Solutions
**Kristina’s issue**: Arranging suitable dates/times to meet with staff she is mentoring, for group get-togethers. This tool is simply a 'meeting organiser' and is an easy way to find out when everyone is free for your next meeting or get-together. There is no sign-up form. No password to choose. No fuss at all! Just go to WhenIsGood and organise your next meeting or event in next to no time.
 * Solution**: When is Good
 * Resources**: Check out the video demo to learn more (note the links across the top which start from the basics but then explain more)

Managing learning journals for staff and trainees on work placement and work experience. Blogger is a free blogging platform run by Google. A blog is essentially an online diary or journal, usually maintained by an individual who maintains and updates it with regular entries. Unlike a paper diary though, this can include audio, video, links and images. The video Blogs in Plain English is an excellent introduction to what blogs are about, and then when you are ready to begin, the video How to create a blog with Blogger is a good start. Looking for examples? Check out Jessica Watson's blog or Luke’s work experience blog...or a blog documenting a project journey.
 * [[image:twoladies.jpg width="110" height="141" align="left"]]Carmel & Liz’s issue:**
 * Solution**: Blogger
 * Resources:**

Needing to discuss important study topics with trainees...while managing a business across a number of locations. This is a simple little tool, but can make a big difference to communication! QuickTopic' is a 'single topic web forum that's also fully email-enabled. You can start a topic in 10 seconds and participants can use just email to participate, or they can use the web board, or both as the need arises. This tool makes communication easy and prevents the situation where a multitude of emails flick back and forth in a discussion, and end up entangled in everyone's In Box.
 * [[image:hairdresser.jpg width="79" height="151" align="left"]]Susan’s issue**:
 * Solution:** QuickTopic [[image:elearningshoestring/QuickTopic.jpg align="right" caption="QuickTopic.jpg" link="@http://www.quicktopic.com/"]]
 * Resources:** Here are some examples of how QuickTopic is being used...don't forget to check out Quick Topics for Educators

**Nancy’s issue:** Finding suitable resources to reinforce learning, and assist with understanding. LORN is a gateway to online training resources...It's like a 'Google' for learning objects (click here for definition). LORN allows trainers to access more than 2,500 quality, copyright cleared, (mostly) free online learning resources from repositories across Australia.
 * Solution**: LORN
 * Resources:** Find out more about LORN here. Following are some examples of what you can find, however why not go straight to the **LORN website** and search for yourself! Examples: Administer Medication (Pt. 1) or Drive a Forklift (Have a go at Task 3: Pick up, Move and Stack a Pallet)

Needing to demonstrate something over and over again...and wishing he could just find a suitable video to use, or make a ‘once only’ video demo. YouTube is a video sharing website which allows users to locate existing videos, upload their own, and share videos with others. There is an amazing amount of instructional material including an Education section. (If your organisation has firewall issues with YouTube, try TeacherTube.)
 * Gerry’s issue:**
 * Solution:** YouTube
 * Resources:** Examples of what you can find on the **[|YouTube website]** are: How to tie a sling, Auto Retractable Safety Syringes Training, How to use a bandsaw or Internet Safety for Teens. In fact, start your search with the words 'How to...' and you will be surprised what you find.

**Dave’s issue:** Gathering a number of useful online links but then finding that the list becomes too long, and the Bookmarks are not available on other computers at different locations. Delicious is a social bookmarking service that allows you to tag, save, manage and share web pages all in one place...which means that your Bookmarks/Favourites will be available to you anywhere and from any computer, are easy to find, and can be shared with others in a group.
 * Solution:** Delicious[[image:Delicious.jpg align="right" link="@http://www.delicious.com/"]]
 * Resources:** Start with the video: Social Bookmarking in Plain English for an explanation of the concept, and/or this One-Pager Guide to Social Bookmarking . You may also be interested in The Ultimate Guide to Delicious Social Bookmarking - a comprehensive collection of tutorials, advice, resources, tips and tools, or Using Delicious in Education - a 20 slide presentation.

**John’s issue** Having his Powerpoint slides readily available to everyone after he has presented at a conference. Slideshare is a site which allows you to upload and share your presentations eg. PowerPoints, as well as add audio to make a ‘webinar’! When you upload a Powerpoint you receive a unique URL which can be sent out in an email or put up onto a website or Learning Management System (LMS).
 * Solution**: **SlideShare**
 * Resources:** Start by checking out some that others have uploadedincluding the Powerpoint used for the 21st Century Training session that I have uploaded, and another called 'Elearning on a Shoestring' Another great example of an uploaded powerpoint is Death by PowerPoint....a must see. :-)

**Jurgen’s issue:** Too many emails just to share links, set dates, collect information (recipes!) ....everything needs to be in one spot with a single entry point, and easy to use. A wiki can be as simple as an online whiteboard...or as complex as a corporate website. It is essentially a website that can be edited...by yourself, your learners, your colleagues...depending on permissions allocated. Wikipedia is a wiki. One of the more commonly used wikis is Wikispaces (which is this one).
 * Solution**: Wikispaces
 * Resources:** This video the concept of a wiki and here is how you Get Started.. You might also find [|50 Ways to Use Wikis for a More Collaborative and Interactive Classroom] is a useful resources, although it has a school focus, and other examples are Horizon Project and E-learning on a Shoestring.

A place to find (usable and free) photos for training, AND a place to store and share photos.
 * [[image:photographer.jpg width="77" height="96" align="left"]]Matt’s issue:**
 * Solution:** Flickr[[image:Flickr.jpg align="right" link="@http://www.flickr.com"]]
 * Resources** - Get started with the videos 'Photo sharing in Plain English', and 'How to use Flickr', then you might want to check out the Flickr FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions), 7 things you should know about...Flickr (this is a PDF document) or Photo sharing With Flickr.com (a simple one-pager about Flickr)

**Vicki’s issue:** to be available to support a group of learners... but shiftwork means this could be from various locations and different times. Sk ype is a software application that allows users to make voice calls over the Internet and 'see' when someone is online. A Skype communication can be as simple as a quick text message, or as complex as a multi-user video call with file exchange and sharing of desktops.
 * Solution:** Skype
 * Resources** - Get started by watching the video 'Making a video call with Skype' Other interesting resources are [|Using Skype in the Classroom (or just learning how to use it!)] - a blog entry and 10 minute video on how to set up and use Skype in a training environment....and 50 Awesome Ways to Use Skype in the Classroom - another blog posting containing lots of ideas to 'teach students in dynamic ways'.

Trying to support a group of trainees when they work in different locations and have different shifts. Wiggio is a free tool which helps with the management and communication amongst groups. You can share and edit files, manage a group calendar, poll your group, post links, set up conference calls, chat online and send mass text, voice and email messages to your group members.
 * Alice’s issue:**
 * Solution:** Wiggio
 * Resources:** You can take a Test Drive to see what Wiggio is like, and check out the Tutorial to get started. The FAQ is also a good source of information.

**Janice’s issue:** Working with colleagues on the same document...and ending up with lots of versions flying back and forth on email! (Not to mention never being sure which is the most -to-date copy). And then there's the whole issue of working from more than one computer.... :-( **Solution:** Dropbox Dropbox allows you to sync your files online and across your computers automatically....up to 2GB for free!
 * Resources:** A good place to start is to take the tour, and the beginning video explains the principles of Dropbox. Once you've got the idea there is an explanatory video which shows you how to set yourself up for an easy life!

**Andrea’s issue:** Wanting to develop a ‘learning ethos’ and quick communication across her organisation. Yammer like Twitter...except that it is internal to the organisation. It enables users to communicate, collaborate, and share more easily and efficiently than ever before. It reduces the need for meetings, increases communication across silos, surfaces pockets of expertise and connects remote workers.
 * Solution:** Yammer
 * Resources:** Here is a video about Yammer and what you can do with it, however if you struggle with the principles behind using a social media tools such as Yammer inside your organisation, you might want to read Yammer: Social Networking, Micro Blogging, or just a better way to work? When you're ready to go with it, first check out Yammer Best Practices -- Increase Adoption & Engagement.

Additional Resources

 * Fire Safety resource for a hospital environment
 * Where else will kids think to put the web in the world? (thought-provoking video)
 * A Vision of 21st Century Teachers (another thought-provoking video) :-)

Contact Details [[image:Marlene10_003.jpg width="122" height="151" align="right"]]
SA E-learning Coordinator Australian Flexible Learning Framework
 * Marlene Manto **
 * Ph**: 08 8226 1673
 * Email:** marlene.manto@flexiblelearning.net.au

Logo created with: www.cooltext.com All photos are CC licensed Flickr photos:
 * Acknowledgements:**
 * SecondLife classroom: Photo by Daneel Ariantho
 * Kristina: Photo by Christiana Care
 * Carmel & Liz: Photo by Maxine McKew
 * Susan:Photo by Mark Emery Photography
 * Nancy: Photo by michale
 * Gerry: Photo by Matt.Thompson11
 * Dave: Photo by Eden Pictures
 * John: Photo by Lou Angeli Digital
 * Jurgen: Photo by Analia Manetta
 * Matt: Photo by xJasonRogersx
 * Vicki: Photo by Muffet
 * Alice: Photo by Old Shoe Woman
 * Janice: Photo by Old Shoe Woman
 * Andrea: Photo by Joe Houghton