The RCAT (rapid content authoring tool) market continues to be healthy with nothing to slow it down – uh, except maybe one thing (more on that later).

Early Signs for 2012

Yeah, I know we have just jumped into January, but in a review of the past several months, authoring tools continue to follow a similar path amongst themselves with certain feature sets. However, where you would expect some to move towards – they haven’t, which is disappointing on multiple tiers.

Jump on the Bandwagon

I am still surprised on how vendors who are offering assessment only tools are staying in the game. Perhaps their audience is unaware of LMSs who offer assessment tools. Perhaps they are unaware of online authoring systems offering assessment features. Perhaps they are unaware of the RCAT space as well.  Whatever the reason happens to be – they need not worry anymore – everyone is doing it.

Here are some other features that are RED HOT

• Templates – growing at quick clip. This will become one of the biggest features in 2012 – especially with people wanting to create simulations without being an e-learning developer
• Assessment/Survey/Polls – If your product doesn’t have it – you need it.  A scan across the market is clearly showing that this has become a required feature in an authoring tool. However, the ability to do real time via mobile – i.e. ask question, people in the room respond – real time polling – hasn’t caught on yet in this space. I hope it does – especially with SaaS products.
• PowerPoint – Ability to integrate or use PPT in your courses. I absolutely hate this – as it has damaged the content authoring tool space. Some vendors push heavily on PPT, implying that a great WBT is really a PPT converted to Flash.  It isn’t.
• Flash output – still red hot. Why?
• Lack of easy to use – You would think, rapid content authoring tool – i.e. “rapid”, means you need it quickly – at least for some folks. Thus,  ease of use is a strong requirement. I’m still stunned at the number of products who feel this does not apply.  Listen, Authorware is dead, so why create a product that is trying to bring it back to life with your own product?
• Peer Review – Gaining speed. If your product is SaaS based, push the pedal to the metal and make this a must. People want it.
• Proprietary – Gaining traction. In this case, I hope this never gets over the hill.  It is one thing to have a product which offers multiple options incl. proprietary, along with SCORM, etc., but it is another to offer only proprietary.  The latter is slowly gaining speed, which is an advantage to LMS vendors who have a CAT in their own product – which is SCORM,PENS/IMS compliant.

Over 98% of the LMS/LCMS/learning platform have at least one compliance standard, so why use a RCAT that doesn’t?  If it is the latter, and your system accepts SCORM 2004 only (which thus accepts 1.2 and so on – backward compatibility), then ur RCAT won’t work – if it doesn’t support it.

• Mobile with tablets – finally gaining ground. Still has a way to go. As in other e-learning markets, vendors seem bent on staying with smartphones for RCAT and not focusing nor utilizing the capabilities of tablets – especially iPad/iPad2 and to a latter degree Android. One vendor focuses only on Blackberry (not just Playbook but their smartphone like product). As a great quote from Batman Year 1 says, “Didn’t you get the memo”?  When the market data is validating that people are not using BBs even in the business world, why would you believe otherwise? The Playbook is a dud, don’t make your product one too.
• Desktop. Still in the majority. It’s bizarre really, when SaaS is red hot in every other e-learning segment and yet in RCAT, desktop still rules. Please make it stop.

On the horizon

• SaaS – while desktop still rules, SaaS is slowly gaining converts.  I believe SaaS is the way to go – the only way to go and consumers are showing that to be the case. While some of the big names are still clinging on to “desktop” only, some of their smart competitors are dumping it and focusing only on SaaS.  Smart, very smart. By the end of 2012, I’m forecasting that SaaS will finally overtake Desktop – but it won’t be by much.
• Characters – images of real people. While RCATs never really offered a robust set of Clip Art for their customers (heck, most offered ZERO), they are now slowly offering images of people – not cartoon like, or an outline – but actual stock people images. eLearning Brothers offers such a product – and RCAT vendors are starting to add it into their own product. Makes sense.  Super slow. Will it attain mass adoption – I doubt it.

Potential is there, but you do not have to buy a third party product to integrate into your own. Lots of royalty free stock photo options here – you still have to buy the license mind you, but you can find truly “free” without giving credit to anyone and add it.

• HTML5. In the latest podcast featuring Volkner Zimmerman who is on the executive board at IMC-AG, he explicitly states that HTML5 is necessary in any course output for mobile. The same statements are made by others in the space as well. I concur. Flash isn’t going anywhere, except maybe the route of leaded gasoline. HTML5 is the new “Green”. Get it now.
• Screen capture, audio editing.  Still in the infant stage. Vendor adoption is slow. Again, why?
• Avatars – moving them all over the screen, speaking (aligning to their lips moving).  Slow growth here. I believe once Articulate and some of the other big names truly launch products (such as Storyline), the market will wait. Which is too bad.

 If I’m a vendor and I want to make my product a “one stop shop” and dissuade people from purchasing Snag-It or downloading lots of freebies that do the same thing, wouldn’t I want this in my product? Seems logical, especially since it is a necessary tool in any content authoring toolkit for end users.

• Output to Facebook. I guess some folks believe that everyone wants to take courses in Facebook. That this is going to catch on like wildfire. That everyone uses Facebook, you know the 20 something crowd.  Here is a news flash: It’s not true.

Reality:

• StumbleUpon generated more traffic in the last two quarters then Facebook
• Many companies ban access to social media sites, especially Facebook
• Data shows that people tend to “read others posts” and information and not post themselves. Research from companies show that the majority of employees who have access to Facebook are “lurkers”. That is to say they go and check out to see if other employees are on FB, read their info and again, read their posts.
• 60 to 70 year-olds is still the fastest growing audience on Facebook (from an overall year perspective)
• The data in terms of how many people are using FB is misleading. The data is how many people have accounts. It doesn’t mean that they are actively or even barely using the product.
• Privacy issues continue to plague Facebook
• Not even in the education sector, are all students using the product. So, why force them to do so?

Barely moving (please change that)

• eBook publishing capability – I see this as a real winner by 2014, but right now only a couple of vendors are offering it within their RCAT, heck even LMS.  The Kindle Fire, Barnes and Noble’s version are still heavy e-book driven. People are reading a lot of eBooks on tablets too.
• Widgets/add-ons. Think marketplace – whether it is free – created by the vendor or links to widget directories to use in your product – i.e. open source or APIs or an exchange.  People like free. A couple of vendors are offering this as a feature. I would love to see it grow, but I just do not see it in the foreseeable future – heck not even in five years. 
• ADA 508 compliant or the European version of ADA 508. Still shocking that this is not a standard feature in RCAT space.  Even in tools that are geared towards education, this isn’t a standard feature. More vendors seem interested in PPT, then having this as a spec in their product. Disgusting. 
• Text to Speech – This feature has been around for several years and now it is slowly appearing in a few RCAT products. It has real potential, regardless if you offer a standalone RCAT or have a CAT built into your learning platform. You want to be innovative and still have customers? TTS and even STT (speech to text) is the right way to go. I’d offer both.  There is a reason Dragon software is hot. People like STT.
• Works on Mac. For the desktop products it is still amazing at the number which do not work on Macs. This isn’t 1995 here. People are buying lots of Apple computers, especially laptops.  Interesting to note, that there are RCAT SaaS vendors who pitch working with Safari and thus all browsers, yet tell people in their own product – preference to IE.  I can’t tell you the number of SaaS RCAT vendors who pitch Safari, even Chrome and then their product looks funky in those browsers.  Funky doesn’t make people want to use your product.
• HD output. People love to pitch YouTube output and now they are starting to embrace HD. 

If you are going to offer HD output and even push it – then you have to offer tablet capability – since the iPad for example offers the ability to have it seen in HD.  Think how many people at companies, even in education, have HD screens? Heck, they are lucky if they have audio cards connected to their computers or even are using Windows 2007. 

• Gamification capabilities. This is going to be huge by 2013 in the consumer marketplace. Vendors who start offering this now in SaaS based products are ahead of the game. End users love gamification features. Should be a standard feature – not only in RCAT, but learning platforms in general (but, I digress). 

Bottom Line

The RCAT market better realize the obvious – they are being attacked on multiple fronts. From learning systems who have CAT built in, to online authoring systems to even mobile learning platforms.

Thus you need a new strategy, a new game plan. Even if you have never read Sun Tzu, the “Art of War“, you should know how to strategize and how to win.

Growing is what business is all about. There are lots of great products out there who have failed to grow and thus died because they failed to understand the market, especially where is it heading.

They ignored the obvious, believing that their product will always be great, so why change?

Change is invetiable. Winning is a necessity.

Losing is unacceptable, unless you like being in last place.

Note: Please take a moment and complete my new survey on LMSs and e-learning. The results will be published on this blog in mid February. As a thank you to those who fully complete the survey, you will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a Blu-Ray player. The Blu-Ray will be region free, thus you can set it to either PAL or NTSC.

Take me to the survey

E-Learning 24/7 (please note: due to TK12, there will be no blog next week – however I will be tweeting live from the event and posting frequently in the E-Learning 24/7 Linkedin group. Including mini product reviews.)

The buzz, hype, demos, salespeople, awful expensive food, hotels that overcharge (I always find better deals on Expedia or sign up for the hotel’s e-mail newsletter) and yes, sometimes beyond awful seminars.

The best way to prepare for the onslaught of trade shows (including seminars) is to be prepared. Hence, this guide. The first segment is for buyers, potential and current customers.

The second segment is for vendors – including insight from fellow vendors on various trade shows.

Trade Show Battle – Come Prepared

Before entering the floor, you need a game plan.

My game plan always includes the following:

• Scope the floor – I take a quick glance on where everyone is located – some people like checking out the map they give you – but half the time you can’t figure that out, especially when they number the booths.
• Observe who is on the path from the door right down the middle – these are often the vendors who paid the most money, especially at the entry points along each pathway, except for the farthest right and left.

Similar to the way stores setup their end caps, the same applies to trade show floors. Pricing is typically based on foot traffic – and it is no secret the most traveled pathway is the one right in the middle.

• Day 1 – review the floor. I look to see whom I’m interested in going back to and chat. I check out the giveaways (hey, at least I’m honest) and gauge if the vendor has a demo or just a CD/DVD with their product – for you to take back with you to your room.
• Part 2 of Day 1 – depending on interest, I may go back and hit a couple of booths. Only a couple, the rest can wait until the next day (Assuming the trade show floor is open for two or more days)
• Day 2 – I hit the floor full throttle. I know whom I want to see and visit. If I see folks who are chatting amongst themselves, I do not even enter, because they aren’t interested in me as a potential customer – they are interested in themselves. A red flag.

Reality and no it is not an episode of the Real Housewives on the Trade Show Floor

I know there are people who will visit the conference’s expo section, where the vendors are listed, prior to the show. However, the masses will not do so for a couple of reasons.

• You have other things to do – prepare which seminars to attend, what time is your flight coming in and leaving, coming up with a game plan or just winging it
• The expo site often is nothing more than a small blurb, the vendor’s web site and some shows now enable the vendor to have a contact/e-mail form. The latter is intriguing, but based on my experience, no one ever responds to the inquiries and if they do, it is a form letter
• You can download the map. Did I mention that it is typically worthless? Nowadays the trade shows/conferences have apps you can download. The problem is that for the trade show (expo floor) it is just a combination of the web site you can see and the map. How about geolocation as a component? That way, if I am walking around with my smartphone/tablet I can see where I am in relation to where the booth I want to visit is located.
• The expo app often contains vendors who list absolutely nothing but their name. Worthless.

Giveaways – Let the Games Begin

• Anyone who tells you they visit the booths just to take a look at the literature and is not interested in freebies is kidding themselves. On the first day, while I am scoping out the booths, I am also checking out the freebies. If it is a booth that I am not interested in – but has an awesome freebie – I assess if I need to talk to the person to score the freebie.

If it is a great freebie, I go for it. If I can do it without talking to someone I go for it – a great time to go is when the salespeople are talking to other customers and you can just go up there and grab it without talking to them.

If they are offering candies, I just walk up and grab one – if it is a tasty treat. The worst thing a vendor can do is not even have a freebie or some candy.

If you can afford a booth on the trade show floor, you can invest $10 to buy a bag of candy.

Demos

Never assume that the demo you are viewing is actually live and available for purchase. Always ask the vendor if it is available to buy and “live”. I recently attended a trade show, whereas the vendor showed off their new product. They gave the appearance the product was available and live. It wasn’t the case.

Another vendor had created a working demo. That is to say, it was still in beta and they had manipulated it to show what it will look like – or at least their vision of it. Hence, always ask.

Some vendors like to hand out just literature. If I wanted just that, I would download your white papers or brochures off your web site.

Equally, I have seen vendors who do not even have their product visible on a computer/laptop or even a monitor. You can rent a laptop/computer at the show (yes, it is not cheap).

It is quite likely you brought your own laptop – so why not show your product on it, rather then handing out a trial CD or telling people to visit your web site and sign up.

Let me ask you a question. How many people do you really think are going to go back to their hotel room and start up their laptop to check out your trial? If you said nearly nil – you would be correct.

Now, how many folks are going to take back your CD to their location and zing it into their computers to check out? If you said some, you would be correct.

There are companies who do not allow an employee to view anything on their computer due to compliance and regulatory issues. So no jump drive, no CD and yes they even block web sites.

The best time to show people what you can offer is on a trade show floor. Spend the time to do so.

Segment 2 – Vendor Venues

I talk to a lot of vendors during my days and yes, even nights. One thing that I always inquire about is trade shows – how did XYZ do for you, what about foot traffic, etc.

Vendors in turn will ask me which ones to attend, what are the winners and losers, what shows will best meet their needs and attract leads and thus sales.

Based on the feedback I hear from vendors, here is their take on a few shows (please note, these are vendors who actually exhibited at at least one of these shows)

Their Take:

• ELEC in Anaheim – awful. Apparently they stuck all the vendors on a lower floor with the attendees for the seminars on a completely different floor. A few vendors told me that they barely got any foot traffic and one even told me that ELEC folks had the gall to come to them, apologize for the show and then ask them if they wanted to renew – for a higher price.
• DevLearn – mixed bag. Some vendors had solid leads, others found that it was a waste of time.

On a side note, the leads vs. waste of time is a common theme when attending trade shows that are not directly targeting your specific niche or vertical.

• ASTD TechKnowledge – if you are an e-learning vendor this is a must show for you. Leads again are a mixed bag. It is one of the few shows I attend yearly. Albeit the one in San Jose was a loser. I’ll be at the upcoming show in Vegas – with iPad in hand, note taking and of course, live tweeting.

• ASTD International – This year it is in Denver, and again it often is a mixed bag. I have heard from vendors who tell me it is a waste of money and others who tell me they scored some sales. A mix of “tire kickers” and “decision makers”.
• Training magazine’s show – A number of vendors who attended told me it was awful and that they were disappointed at the traffic and lack of real leads. I know a couple of vendors who did solid work, but it is not on the high list this year for many vendors.

Another issue comes down to purchasing power. Some shows have lots of traffic, but the majority of folks are “tire kickers”.

I always recommend to my clients to identify shows that have a high percentile of decision makers. There are plenty of shows that are out there that achieve that objective.

Shhh… it’s a secret

Many vendors I talked to tell me that in reality, most shows are money losers for them. They go to be seen – i.e. for folks to remember their name. I know quite a few vendors (more than you would guess) who are cutting down the number of shows in 2012.

I give them kudos – it is a smart business decision.

Salespeople Scary Stories

My biggest pet peeve on the trade show is the lack of interest from salespeople and lack of tact when it comes to them being in a booth. Here are some constant issues I have seen at numerous trade shows:

• Salespeople or salesperson eating their lunch or snacks in the booth. It screams unprofessional. Set up some breaks and go eat elsewhere.
• Sitting down. If you have salespeople at the booth, they should always be standing.
  
• Checking out your e-mail or talking on the phone. Go elsewhere. Your job is to sale your product, not have a chat with Mom nor see who has been emailing you today.
• Never following up. I absolutely hate this and yet it happens all the time. They scan your card and you never hear back from them – then they complain that they are not generating any real leads.
• If a person tells you they are a hot lead or they are extremely interested in your product – follow up after the show ends. I recommend waiting two days after the show since many people are just getting back into the office and catching up.

It is true, that people will not respond to your e-mail, nor your calls. That is reality, but if someone says they are really interested or they want to setup a demo, then follow up.

Bottom Line

A trade show floor can be an experience of a lifetime for both the attendee and the vendor. Some people find it awesome, others find it nerve racking.

Regardless, have a game plan when you enter the floor. It will save you time and energy.

Energy which can be better spent walking out off lame sessions.

Note: I have launched my debut podcast series: E-Learning 1 on 1, featuring CEOs and Senior execs for various e-learning companies. To listen or download, please click – E-Learning 1 on 1. This week’s episode: Robert Gadd, President and Chief Mobile Officer for OnPoint Digital, makers of CellCast.

Note: Join my “circle” on the new E-Learning 24/7 Google+ page. I will be posting daily on the page. Plus providing exclusive data and materials, that will not be available anywhere else.

E-Learning 24/7

In 1999, Jones International became the first online university in the U.S. to be accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

By 1999, other online universities were on the scene including the University of Phoenix and Western Governors University which was a consortium of small colleges in the rocky mountain area.

Some online universities offered degrees for as low as $4,800 USD, and a doctorate as low as $12K. Other online universities sounded like brick and mortar institutions: University of Northern Washington, for example.

Some public and private colleges were offering online degrees. Duke for one had an online MBA, the University of Nebraska at Lincoln offered a Ph.D. online (albeit you had to attend two classes on the UNL campus to fulfill the requirements).

Smaller colleges were getting into the act too. At the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where I taught, online classes began in 1999. My offering was the first online journalism class in the University of Nebraska system – a result of a grant from the system itself.

On the K-12 side, nothing was really going on. Everyone seemed happy with traditional classroom learning, although they were unhappy with its output in terms of learning.

Looking at the global landscape, the same – in terms of online universities, it was close to nil. By the mid 2000′s, that started to change.

Positive change that came from a resource you wouldn’t expect – the government. Not in the U.S. mind you, but in various countries around the world.

This change was a result of people taking a closer look at e-learning, its capabilities and possibilities.

The argument that online learning in education was equal or superior to traditional classroom learning began to appear by late 2008. It still has a way to go, but it is happening – and happening faster than its corporate counterpart.

As for the systems people used, well it varied. Popular ones included Lotus Notes, Blackboard and WebCT.

For the masses, it wasn’t all sunshine. They just didn’t believe that online learning in education could really achieve success. After all, classroom learning was the best way, the only way.

They were wrong.

The Results are still coming in

• 6.1 million students took at least 1 online class during the fall of 2010 (Sloan Consortium, 2011) – The survey defined an online class as being at least 80% online
• 21% growth rate for online enrollments compared to 2% growth in the overall higher education student pop. (Sloan Consortium, 2011)
• 385% increase in online enrollments compared to eight years ago (Marketdata)
• 75% of institutions report that the economic downturn has increased the demand of online programs/courses (Sloan Consortium – survey based on 2,500 institutions)
• 51% of college presidents say that online courses provide the same value as traditional classroom, however 29% said that online learning offered an equal value as traditional courses in the classroom (Pew Research Center)
• By 2015, Marketdata predicts that 37% of all post-secondary enrollments will be in online programs
• 50% of college presidents of 4 year colleges and 75% of college presidents from 2 year colleges predicated that by 2021, a majority of undergrad students will be taking an online course (Pew Research Center)
• 77% of college presidents report that their institution offers online courses, 89% of 4 year public colleges reporting the same (Pew Research Center)
• OpenCourseWare, from MIT, started in 2001 and now includes nearly 2,100 MIT courses which have been used by more than 100M people
• 19% of middle school students and 30% of high school students took an online class in 2010 (Speak Up 2011)
• Over 40% of students now designate online classes as an essential component of their learning experience (Speak Up)
• At the Idaho Digital Learning Academy, over 10,000 students are taking online courses
• 75% of prospective online students expect the cost for an online program to be lower than the cost of a classroom based program of similar length and content (Aslanian eLearners Poll, 2011)
• A new state law in Florida requires all entering 9th graders to have at least one online class before they graduate
• Other states who have enacted similar laws: Michigan, Indiana, New Mexico and Alabama
• The Florida law also states that by 2013, a full-time K-12 Florida Virtual School can offer high school diplomas

Okay, sounds great. But funding is an issue here.

Actually its not, at least according to the Start Up survey which found that only 36% of administrators believed limited state funding was a barrier to online courses.

So, if that isn’t the case, what is the issue?

Governmental support

In the corporate setting it is all about buy-in and for most companies, buy-in has to come from the top. When it does, it is easier to move toward and forward with e-learning (granted not everyone is every happy about it). The same can be said at the education level. If the district doesn’t support online learning, it trickles down. If the state doesn’t support online learning, it trickles down.

Thus, if the government doesn’t support online learning, it trickles down – it doesn’t wipe it out though, since many states are going forward anyone – same with districts, but having a government that fully endorses and supports the implementation of online learning can be massive.

With the noted exception of the United States DOE (which while it offers multi-billion dollar grants, it does not specify that you have to use the funds for online learning – it leaves it up to the grant winner), other countries have talked the talk, by providing financial support and resources, specifically for online courses/programs and yes, even online universities.

Just a small sampling of countries

• U.K. which founded the Open University, the U.K.’s only university dedicated to online learning. Attendance is around 150,000 undergraduate, 30,000 graduate. Most of the courses are available throughout Europe, with more than 25,000 living outside the U.K. The U.K. continues to provide funding to Open University and sees enormous value in it.
• Australia committed 31.4 million to support the Australian Curriculum Online. It is part of a 41.2 million package to support the development of online and interactive education and training projects.
• Russia has publicly committed to online learning and even mobile learning in education
• Indonesia recently committed funds and resources to an online university
• Canada has constantly provided funds and support for online learning in education
  
• Since 2007, India has had its universities post videos of their lectures online
• China gives grants to dozens of universities to help them improve their undergrad teaching materials – by putting the materials online
• Kenya continues to be the leader in e-learning commitment throughout Africa

However, the biggest player in Africa is the African Virtual University (AVU), which has graduated more than 40,000 students.

AVU now offers 219 course modules in math, science, teacher education, basic ICT skills and ICT classroom intregration through an online interactive portal. AVU recently received an additional grant of 15.6M USD from the African Development Fund to help strengthen its capacity.

Okay, Got it. Where is this taking us?

Over the past several months, I have been analyzing the market. Assessing, forecasting and projecting based on current data, as well as looking at past data. The assessment is not just focused on the United States, but globally.

One item that has clearly come out is the issue of regional. Despite colleges, universities and the “for-profit” universities such as UoP, there seems to be a lack of interest or perhaps a “wait and see” mentality to penetrate into other global markets.

Not just emerging markets mind you, but countries outside their native country where the college/university or for-profit is based.

Sure there are minor exceptions, but as a whole, international growth is underwhelming disappointing. This approach is similar to what I see on the commercial side.

A vast majority of SaaS companies based in one country, who focus only on that country or region, even though evidence shows more and more people buying systems, regardless of location.

As costs continue to increase at colleges/universities in the states and elsewhere, institutions have to find ways to generate revenue. Rather then charge students more – to offset their budgets – expansion in targeting outside of their region/country for students makes business sense. Especially, when we are talking about online programs and courses.

If I do not have to appear in the classroom, what difference does it make where I am located? It doesn’t. In fact, if you look at colleges and universities that offer online programs at the graduate level (inc. degrees), you are likely to see more students outside of where the school is located than within.

Forecasts

• More students in the traditional age bracket of college (18-22) will be taking online courses/programs than their non-traditional age counterparts (25 and above) by 2020 – as a whole
• More undergrad students at community colleges and small colleges will be taking online courses than their traditional classroom counterparts by 2017 if not sooner
• Online degree programs will see an enrollment increase in the range of 20-25% by 2013, I’m talking about yearly average, again as a whole
• I’m projecting around 7.5-7.8 million students taking at least one online class by early 2013
• Government funding for online learning in education to increase by 15-20% by 2014 – if not sooner, the global economy plays heavily into this
• Increase in costs for some online programs – equal rather then lower to their traditional B&M classroom counterparts – at private universities
• More states offering a universal “online school” or as some states refer to “virtual schools” – a term I hate.
  

It is time to use the same nomenclature to eliminate confusion. In the biz sector it is e-learning, but often referred by some folks as online portal, online university, etc. Why keep it as “virtual” or even the antiquated “distance” learning, which implies something completely different (can we say tv viewing from the heyday?)

Bottom Line

This is a new area that I will be tracking and monitoring. It offers a lot of fascinating possbilities, especially when you toss the school/college/university/for-profit college implements e-learning and then needs to expand on that – i.e. mobile, social, Kinect.

Toss in the cost savings to all learners, emerging markets, financial gains for the schools themselves and yes, even government funding (from whichever country you are located) and online learning is set to surpass its classroom cousin, who has the education system to thank for its long usage.

An education system that is antiquated – not just at K-12, but also in higher education.

Let’s stop this nonsense and realize what many of us already know about online learning.

It works.

E-Learning 24/7

In 2011, I saw quite a few items that resonated. They involved talent management, “hello and goodbye” with vendors, social learning, upswing in mobile learning, new feature sets in the authoring tool space, flat lining in web conferencing and standalone platforms.

LMSs/LCMS/CMS/learning platforms in commercial and open space continued their presence. Some items stood out, others continued in an everlasting awful experience (customer and support service – as a whole).

Here now are five trends and their respected forecasts. These five stood out above the rest, albeit I really found ten that said, “Whoa!”.

The Future

#1

Augmented Reality and Kinect

I know its in the buzz phase, but every day new apps are being developed and launched in the commercial space. If emerging technology has taught us anything, it is only a matter of time until it bounces into our space.

Actually it already has with some end users. I have seen continued interest and downloads for open source AR tool kits. In two past webinars on this topic, average attendance was 180 people from all over the world. One company even went so far as inviting me to speak on the topic to their L&D group.

There are consumer locations that have implemented augmented reality without using a mobile device to view it. Thus, if you are training people, you are no longer limited to using a mobile device with a camera, nor having to rely on geolocation – a big win.

If you have a mobile device with a camera, opportunities are endless. For the mobile learning space – it is a necessity. Especially when people are in the field whether it is with consumers, at a job location, meeting with business clients, whatever.

No longer are they stuck saying, well it would something like this – and show an image or hard doc, now the end user can experience it.

Best of all, whether you are utilizing AR in education (I see this as a massive win for all students) or at a business location, you are no longer stuck with courses, even sims that are either boring, lack constant engagement or as we all know, turn off folks who frankly do not like e-learning.

Augmented reality opens those doors. If you are still a huge fan of ILT or believe a blended learning approach is necessary, why stick only to PowerPoint, handouts and long talks? Why not hand people a tablet with an AR app on it and expand their horizons. Product training becomes real – they interact, engage and see it in real time, rather than a static experience.

Brainstorming? Remember those wonderful sessions. People break out into groups and write their thoughts on white poster paper and then review it with everyone. Boring.

Augmented reality style: people see in real time the brainstorming ideas, they are transformed into a visual design based on the app, people communicate with Twitter or a built in micro blog, voting is possible and final ideas are vetted.

Then in your next session, people see what has been identified, they are no longer left to wonder – what will it look like or will it work.

Kinect

When people think Kinect technology, they think X-Box 360. Yet this is no longer the case. Kinect technology was not created at a Microsoft lab, rather it was created by a group of folks in Cambridge, England.

The technology is revolutionizing every day life. From helping stroke patients, senior citizens at healthcare facilities, to fitness to robotics and in education.

In the past year:

• Apple has filed a patent for 3D Kinect experience using touch free gesturing
• Another Apple patent includes allowing users via touch free gesturing to move content from one device to another (example from your iPad to your television)
• Allscripts merged hospital software with an accurate gesture -based system
• XTR3D is developing gesture recognition software for televisions using 2D cameras such as a computer webcam or the one in your smartphone – to extract 3D out of a 2D image. They plan on launching a version next year on smartphones.
• PrimeSense sells a device without using a Kinect device. You simply hook it up to a computer and it provides a Kinect-like experience.
• Qualcomm acquired GestureTek, which uses ultrasound sensors to track movement via a microphone, rather than a camera. GestureTek develops motion control for tablets, e-readers, smartphones and televisions

Forecast

Expect a few commercial vendors to jump into the augmented reality space for e-learning. Most likely with tablets and smartphones. Open source toolkits already exist, so I am projecting an increased use with education and businesses who have the tech folks in house to build such apps.

These vendors, I believe will consist of:

• Vendors who offer an authoring tool or game sim and will develop additional product lines tied to Augmented Reality
• Vendors new to the space focusing on developing and launching AR apps for the mobile crowd
• Custom development shops developing AR apps for customers (business, education, etc.), who do not have the inside staff to build such an app

Costs and quality will vary. A very good or great custom shop, whether it is one person or dozens, will be pricey. For vendors creating standalone apps for the masses on a variety of offerings or new product lines, costs will need to be significantly lower, otherwise it will not be successful.

It would not surprise me, if a vendor or two develop partnerships with AR houses to build, or create AR apps using open source toolkits.

Those that enter this space will truly be cutting edge and thus adoption will be slow.

Kinect technology and gesture free will equally make an appearance in 2012. I am projecting that the number of vendors who enter this space to start slow, but gain steam – at least with some aspect, by the end of 2012.

If you had to decide which of the following: AR or Kinect technology will be more widely used in 2012, I’m betting on Kinect technology.

Great opportunities in education (K-12 and higher ed) and even with companies, although I see it more with mid size and large. Costs will vary, again lower price points are needed. What is great about Kinect technology is that it will work with tablets, eventually smartphones and televisions.

#2

Talent Management

Continues to be a growth market. The Big Dog vendors jumped in two years ago, with some components and have now vastly expanded. Smaller size vendors are now entering the foray.

The problem though lies in the fact that once you add some features, eventually you will need to add more and more (HRIS modules for example), which then places you into the ERP space and those vendors.

Thus, your competition expands:

• Large size vendors such as Saba, Cornerstone On Demand, SumTotal, Taleo, SuccessFactors – recently acquired by SAP
• Talent Management only systems that have existed in the market for years
• ERP solutions that offer various HR modules plus Payroll, Billing mods

Some of the Big Dogs are offering as close as you can get to a mini ERP system with modules targeting HR specs including compensation and billing.

My take is that some systems with such features, perceive there is a market of those who are not interested in such solutions from Oracle, SAP, Peoplesoft, Lawson or Workday. The would rather have a streamlined solution.

Downside to such an approach – especially for small to mid size vendors

Loss of customers. Despite what some people are saying in the space, there are still a large quantity of customers who are not seeking and/or do not want any talent management functionality – even if it is turned off in the system.

I have a client with over 100,000 users who had no desire to select a system with talent management, because they had no desire to use it. Thus the argument that companies plus 10,000 or even 50,000 all want TM/PM functionality, is ludicrous.

Forecast:

Continued growth, especially with small to mid size vendors. Added capabilities for mobile (please read my forecast on mobile learning – regarding future growth).

For the larger size vendors, I expect that by the end of 2012, to see a few systems drop their core learning features to 10% of their entire product. They truly become a mini HR ERP with robust talent management functionality, rather then their initial premise of a LMS.

#3

Social Learning

Total stagnation. I will admit it is one of the most disappointing features that failed to deliver in 2011. The “gerbil in the wheel” mentality continues, despite over 30 different types of social media. Here are a couple of reality points that most vendors fail to recognize:

• Most end users access off site their systems, unless they are hourly and their only option is to access via work
• People who use Facebook and Twitter prefer those over your own FB like page and micro blog. I only know of a few vendors who have integrated FB and Twitter APIs into their systems – so it is actually Twitter and Facebook.
• Video blogging exists – so why are we still seeing blogs?
• Wiki usage is down – again, why I am still seeing wikis?
• Collaboration is only as good as those who constantly use it and utilize it – it is like anything else that involves groups – some people are active, some are not – but if you offer collaboration offer some additional feature sets that people want to use, and helps them with their jobs, not just “collaboration” which consists of features we have seen in web conferencing
• Skype – add it – its “hot”
• Thousands of API directories out there with thousands of social media components you can add – any commercial vendor today could implement these, right now open source people are – so why lose it potential revenue?

Forecast

Flat. I have seen very few vendors moving forward with cool functionality. Social learning is becoming a generalization of anything that involves collaboration. It is embarrassing and worse a disservice to learners.

#4

Mobile Learning

Hot. I’ve talked about this topic extensively, so I won’t bore you on repetitive details.

However, at the minimum you should be offering (regardless of your product line)

• Online/offline synch – there is a demand here, and recent data shows that more consumers are selecting tablets with Wi-Fi over 3G or 4G
• Self contained app for content authoring tool vendors – iOS should be a priority here, then Android, Windows. Blackberry is flat and it no longer is the king kong in the business world
• iPad/iPad2 and future version support – utilize the features, beyond just having it be seen in Portrait mode or landscape
• Add dropbox or something similar – I have seen this with a few vendors in the RCAT space, and it makes sense – Dropbox is hot – why not offer instantpaper capability too?
• HTML5 support – sorry Flash fans
• M-Commerce

Forecast

Still going to be red hot in 2012, regardless of the product line or market – i.e. web conferencing, content authoring tools, standalone platforms, content aggregators or LMSs. If I am an extended enterprise system that enables mobile learning features, my new term is now m-commerce.

You can still say e-commerce, but there are people who are now recognizing the buzz word, “m-commerce”. The new talk is the power of talent management with mobile.

A wonderful article on it, is here. Recommended reading for anyone using or planning on incorporating talent management, incl. recruiting.

#5

SaaS

Super hot. If you are not “in the cloud” jump in. A recent review of my directories are showing a significant jump in SaaS only solutions. If you are a RCAT, move to the cloud. Desktop is finished.

What is amazing though, is how many SaaS based vendors are failing to grasp the global marketplace. If you are in the cloud, there is a strong likelihood that people are exploring your system, that are not in your country or region.

My personal view is the brick and mortar philosophy still exists with many vendors. They see themselves only for a specific region or a few regions, forgetting they have a web site and more importantly, a SaaS based product.

Even if you do not have a sales office in a specific country, don’t worry – you will still attract customers. A huge key is digital marketing.

Forecast

On Fire. Expect a large swath of vendors to move into a SaaS only product. Multilingual is a must here. As noted in previous posts, people prefer their native language not just English.

Bonus: One of the hottest emerging markets is Mexico.

Too many vendors are focusing only on the U.K. – it is already becoming saturated.

Double Bonus #6 – since it is the holiday season

Online Authoring Systems

A year ago, the hot ticket item was Lite LMSs. They are still around, but what I am seeing is an uptick in online authoring systems.

Components include:

• SaaS based course authoring tool – it is the primary feature
• LMS streamlined functionality – some reports, minor analytical date, e-mail messaging (I have even seen SMS – sweet), batch uploading of users and yes, I have seen two vendors add some tracking functionality
• Assessment/Survey tool – I’m starting to see this as a feature (not required mind you)
• Low cost
• Proprietary content – again, typical feature (these systems do not enable you to upload content using any other tool but there own – hence online authoring system)
• Non compliant – i.e no SCORM, AICC or PENS – however, I am now seeing a few vendors offer PENS (created by AICC back in 2005, but slowly gaining traction)
• Peer review

There are quite a few vendors in this space, but IMO the best one is dominKnow’s Claro. Many folks know of Mindflash.com and Articulate Online. Please note that not all vendors in this space offer the above components.

There are some vendors who are going beyond these components. Claro enables true HTML5 output.

Forecast

Expect a large increase in the number of content authoring tool vendors implementing online authoring systems. Those who want to get ahead of the competition should explore course marketplaces – including those that offer free courses. If I am a RCAT vendor who has a LMS, ditch the LMS and switch to an online authoring system.

This is my major hot trend for 2012.

Bottom Line

Based on what I am seeing, 2012 is going to be the best yet. But wait, it gets better. The first week of January, I will be posting a podcast of five additional trends.

Have a happy holiday and great new year! See you back in 2012.

As noted: there will be no blog post or podcast next week.

E-Learning 24/7

The line to get in was long. Chatter was everywhere. Anticipation was running high.

When the film ended, there was no joy. To put it politely it was horrible. Not bad, horrible. The graphics were underwhelming (I saw better with Logan’s Run), the storyline was boring. Overrated was the universal opinion by moviegoers.

The same can be said for Cornerstone OnDemand. Everyone wants to see it. The hype on the product was huge, after all, the company’s revenue has increased significantly over the past two years.

I thought to myself – “wow, this is going to be great”.

Afterward, my feelings changed. Just as they did with Tron.

Overall Ratings

Good

• Career Center
• Search Connect – their search capability within the product
• Setup of Pricing – extremely robust – impressive
• Podcast capability – every LMS should have this feature
• Leader board within “Connect” their social learning component – however, I did not see any type of incentive tied to it
• Administration side – extensive set of options
• System preferences

Average

• Social Learning in general – can’t anyone come up with something fresh?
• E-commerce
• Performance Management feature sets
• Reporting
• Event management
• Customization for the front end – nothing extraordinary – pretty much the same I’ve seen on other products that offer branding/skinning and the client creating their own design

Poor

• User Interface – outdated and confusing – oh and bad
• Admin – overwhelming at times and confusing as well
• Viewing courses and the catalog
• Product in general

What?

• Additional charge for “Connect” their social learning set, unless you purchase the Extended Enterprise Cloud (then it is included). With more systems including a solid social learning component, it should be included in all their products at no additional cost.

COD provided me access to their “Learner” and “Performance” clouds. You do not have to purchase all their clouds, rather you can pick and choose.

Cloud Offerings

• Learner
• Performance – according to COD many of their customers only want this cloud. The cloud comes with succession, performance and compensation.
• Recruiting
• Extended Enterprise

Main Features

Home Page

Upon entering the LMS, you will see the home page. You can customize it with your own look and feel.

Here it is in its original form (with no design changes)

With a different look

Because the product enables the ability to do some serious tweaking to the home screen, the following can be viewed or hidden

• My Training – courses selected, date, start/not yet started/completed, launch
• Browse for Training – think course catalog
• Curriculum – identifies pathways (term used by COD) to the best courses to meet your developmental goals
• Month at a Glance – view upcoming instructor led trainings or webinars
• Browse for Training – typically identified by subject then drill down (example: accounting, finance)
• Browse by Topic
• Your interest and waitlist tracking
• Advanced Search

The home page also lists a series of headers, which I would state are similar to tabs.

The tabs are

• Home
• Learning – view your transcript, events calendar, browse for training, interests and waitlists, distribute training units (admin view only)
• Connect – additional fee unless you purchased the Extended Enterprise Cloud. If you did not, this tab does not appear
• Performance – assuming you purchased the “Performance Cloud”, otherwise not visible
• Succession – see above
• Compensation – see above
• My Team – visible only to the manager, dept. head, etc. and admins
• Reports – visible only to the admins and managers (if selected) – dashboard, standard reports, custom reports
• ILT – view events, manage events and sessions (only visible to admin), vendors & instructors (only visible to admin), facilities & resources (only visible to admin)
• Content
• Admin
• Certifications

Whichever tab you select, you will be provided additional options. For example, under the “Home” tab

• Welcome – your main screen
• Scheduled tasks
• People finder

As noted before, you can decide which sub headers you wish to include, as well as tabs.

One of the most interesting features of COD is the way to view courses/content/materials etc. While most systems enable this with simply clicking “course catalog” and/of offering a keyword search, COD offers three ways.

• Advanced search – recommended by COD as the best method. I found it to be worst especially for end users who are totally brand new to a LMS or e-learning in general.
• Browse for training – end user can browse via topic, plus see “suggested training” and a list of content/courses that might benefit them
• Browse by topic

For me, “browse for training” seemed to work the best, especially for newbies or those of us with limited patience.

How to view the catalog

Regardless of the option you select, the screen will go to the catalog area whereas a toolbar is viewable by all.

If you decided to go with “Advanced Search”, the toolbar appears with all the boxes checked and you will see everything in the catalog.

Let’s stop right here. One of the most irritating components of this catalog is this darn toolbar. While it may suggest simplicity, I found that hardly the case. Part of my reasoning is because of how COD defines terms within each little area. On more than one occasion, a learning item could appear in multiple areas, thus creating redundancy.

Online Class

• WBT
• Webinar
• Online course – your own or third party

In my initial discussion with COD, defining an online class was no easy task. Especially when the redundant factor kicked in.

Event

• Webinar – yep, you can view it also in online class – makes perfect sense to me – okay not really
• ILT/classroom training
• Calendar to view events you are assigned to or have signed up to attend

Curriculum

• Courses under subject headers – example “accounting”
• Courses can be online or ILT or both
• You can drill down under a subject, so you have a sub-subject area

Library

• Resources – docs, video/audio files, podcasts, PPT, etc.
• COD informed me that the library could contain links, but I was unable to verify if they would work because I was in a demo site

Posting

• Announcements or posts in general

Test

• Any test related to any course OR any test not related to any course

In all my years, I cannot recall one time I was asked to take a test within a LMS that was not part of a course. Sure, if you offered the GRE, that would qualify under test not related to any course, but why have that within your system?

Material

• PDF, docs, clips – nearly the same as resources – again, repetitive

Certification

• View certificate
• Print out certificate

I’m not going to lie, but this was an exhausting catalog search when selecting the advanced search function. Sure, you can go with a keyword, but considering that most people do not use keywords, let alone wildcards, stating that this is the best method to find what you are looking for in a catalog is hard to believe.

Here is the window for the course toolbar. As you can see it includes some filtering options.

I strongly recommend using the filters for the catalog, especially if you have a significant amount of content contained within.

While I could continue with the variety of different windows on the end user side – because this is an extensive system – it makes sense, especially in time constraints to jump over to the admin side.

Let me be very clear on this – the admin side is extremely robust but at the same time, cumbersome.

Admin Side

Before delving into this side, grab a cup of coffee or tea and listen to the soothing sounds of Booker T and the MGs.

Take a deep breath, because we are off on a wild ride.

As aforementioned, this may be one of the most robust admin sides I have ever seen. But seeing can be deceiving, especially with COD.

Don’t get me wrong, the feature set and capabilities are all there – perhaps more so then needed – especially if I am not selecting the Extended Enterprise Cloud.

I found the admin side on the whole daunting. Unless you have solid experience being an administrator or lots of time, the amount of info, features and capabilities can be overwhelming.

At times I felt exhausted and wondered out loud if someone who had zero tech skill sets could utilize this product on a daily basis without cursing their superiors. I can’t decide.

Part of the problem I had with the administrator side was the lack of a home dashboard. With people today having so little amount of time, this could be a very useful and beneficial feature for any administrator.

Yet the product prefers to go with the toolbar and sub set of options.

The toolbar

• Tools – extensive
• Catalog – lots of options
• Preferences

• Proxy Enrollment
• Org units
• Security
• Users

When you selected any of the above options, an extensive set of choices are visible.

For example, under catalog management

• Coupon administration
• Course catalog
• Curricula administration
• Evaluation administration
• Library administration
• Manage materials
• Order form management
• Subjects management
• Training forecast administration
• Training providers
• Training purpose administration
• Training request form administration
• Training unit administration
• Training update tool

Whew.

Let’s take a quick look at the options under “course catalog” that the administrator can set.

Without turning this review into the next “The Blah Story” (with a reported 7,300 pages and yes it is a real book), I wouldn’t be doing COD justice unless I informed you that this solution offers a lot of reports, from within you are offered an uber selection of choices.

The product also features a very impressive assessment tool which is worthy of an “A”. Again, lots of capabilities as part of the tool.

Bottom Line

This isn’t a bad system, but it is not a system that can match up with some of its other competitors in this space.

I’m sure COD will argue that people have options – lots of options, that their end users and clients love the product, and that people always want more then less.

Yet, research on the brain does not back this up.

Studies in neuromarketing have found that although consumers say they want lots of options, in the end they find it difficultly in selecting which ones best meet their needs. It is all tied to how the brain works.

But you do not need research to present information that many folks in e-learning already know – that people tend to use the same features over and over again. Thus, having more isn’t always a good idea.

Unless you are like the band Queen and want it all.

E-Learning 24/7

Before announcing the winners, I have seen a trend regarding mobile learning, that can easily mislead folks.

Mobile Learning

Two years ago there were some folks who believed that mobile learning where tools, etc. that you could not access via a LMS nor were available on a desktop or SaaS based solution. It was an interesting concept, but as we continue to move forward, I believe can no longer apply.

What has been applying is the term mobile learning and how it it pitched to consumers in the e-learning sector, especially with LMS/LCMS/Learning platform vendors.

Here are the spins

• Our system offers or has the capability for mobile learning (some use variance of the system offers)
• A few systems pitch that they have full mobile learning capability, especially with the iPad including the angle that you can see it full screen rather than the standard universal look – which shows up similar to the smartphone look – i.e. small

Reality

Mobile learning is not just seeing the LMS (or LCMS or platform) via a mobile browser. The fact people are pitching this as mobile learning is just plain wrong. As noted in an earlier blog posting, that would be saying your car has air conditioning because you can roll down the windows as you drive.

Yes, it does have a/c, but it is not in the dashboard of the vehicle, nor in any real sense – what people often perceive as a/c.

Under this mobile learning misrepresentation, I can tell you that nearly every system out there – can make this argument – because if you can open up Safari and go to the vendor’s web site and then into your SaaS based LMS – then guess what? It shows up in your browser.

Even some of the folks who have an app in the Apple store or Android store, follows a similar pattern.

Click on the app and your default browser opens and off you go.

As I often say to folks, what is the point of having an app, if all it does is open up my browser. I can do the same thing, without using your app.

On behalf of a blog reader, I had the opportunity to listen in on a webinar for the Taleo Learn Business Edition. The reader asked the individuals presenting the webinar, if they had mobile learning.  Their response? Yes.

When the reader asked for specifics, they stated you can view it in a mobile browser.

Three essential features

• Standalone mobile platform – it has its own reporting, analytical information, etc. – I would even be willing to accept a platform that can either be standalone or integrated into your LMS
• Standalone app – i.e self-contained with online/offline synch – honestly any e-learning solution, especially content authoring tools should have one of these, but for the LMS space it makes equal sense. Yes, I know the apps are not cheap and they take time, but having a self-contained native app, especially for the iPad/iPad2 is smart. Again, I would be happy if the minimum is having an Android standalone app for tablets, rather then one which is universal – best seen on a smartphone
• HTML5 output/publish – if you have a built in course authoring tool

If at a minimum you can implement at least one of these features (and yes, there are content authoring tool and LMS vendors who have it/working on it now), that works for me.  At this point, you can pitch that you offer mobile learning – and it would be an accurate statement.

 Award winners for 2011

Award Categories

• Open Source Commercial
• Academia/Higher Ed Open Source System of the Year
• K-12 Commercial System of the Year
• Extended Enterprise Commercial System of the Year
• Talent Management System of the Year
• Commercial System of the Year

The 2011 Open Source Commercial System of the Year goes to 

Docebo – Community Edition

What I love about this system includes the following:

• Constantly updated – a huge factor with open source systems
• SCORM 2004/1.2 support
• Over 25 languages supported – I know some fee based systems that support not even ten
• Works with all browsers and OSs – inc. Windows 64 bit and Mac OS
• Works with Articulate – i.e. you can upload courses from the authoring tool
• Content authoring tool, built in assessment tool
• Course subscription/catalog which can be viewed by group, job role, etc.
• Nice set of admin features
• Accepts APIs and Mashups
• Accepts Google apps – first 1o users are free

Open Source Education System of the Year

metacoon – Please note you may see the site in German. If you do, use a translate such as Google Translate to change it to your native language. To see the modules, select “products”.

Ideal for higher education and academia, it packs a whallop.  The two free modules you can download and use as you see fit are:

• metaStudy – LMS, with over 70 features
• metaAuthoring – Onyx is the course authoring tool that comes with the solution

The product offers a nice set of modules, but alas, only the two above are free.  The challenge with open source freebie education solutions is the ever increasing “free” systems available for teachers/students, which compete against the open source solutions (which can be free or fee based).   A future blog will look at the free systems, which technically are not open source.

Commercial Systems

Education System of the Year

itslearning

When I saw how you could customize the front end for K-6, I feel in love.

From a feature standpoint the product is slick. Here are just a few:

• SMS messaging
• AICC/SCORM/IMS
• SIS integration
• SSL
• Gradebook
• App library
• Plagiarism control – test mode browser, plus lots of test options
• Cloud e-mail
• Individual learning plans
• Audio/Video conferencing
• Course archive
• Course authoring tool
• Assessment tool, inc. surveys/polls
• Some social learning functions
• ePortfolios
• Tasks
• Projects
• Collaborative writing

I must say it is one of the most robust systems I have seen in awhile and for those of you, who want the parent dashboard – it has it as well.

Extended Enterprise System of the Year

Absorb LMS

A tough choice this year, between two systems – BlueVolt and 2010′s winner Absorb LMS. 

However, I had an issue with BlueVolt’s training catalog-classes-resources, which I found some redundancy that was not needed.

The product though has come a long way, and with some clever additions, it was just by a narrow margin, I selected Absorb LMS.

The product continues its dominance in the EE market and has for the past two years been heavily focused on the EE space. Yet, I do have some concerns, one of which is whether it can continue to add features and functionality to match or surpass what its competitors are using in their products.

That said, it is the product to beat.

Its lack of mobile learning (as I define it) and lack of social learning, hurt it – but in looking at the entire space, nobody seemed overly hardcore in pushing this aspect.

CertPoint was a consideration as well, and they do offer mobile learning with some social learning.

However, I found the UI, especially on the admin side, not strong enough to surpass BlueVolt or Absorb. 

It is solid product nevertheless, and if you want a strong Point of Sale solution, I would recommend taking a look at their Tango product – which is the best m-learning product for the iPad I have seen. Tango is a different product line from CertPoint – fyi.

Talent Management System of the Year

Taleo Talent Management

This area (an upcoming blog post) is dynamically changing. At one time only the Big Dogs were in the space, but now more and more small to mid size vendors are entering it as well. For some of these vendors their approach wouldn’t be the route I would go – despite the potential for strong revenue – because there are still large masses of folks who want a system that does not offer a TM component (even if it is turned off).

Despite my difference of opinion with a Taleo sales manager who told me that people want more than just a LMS – i.e. more than a standalone per se, and people are seeking, what I surmise he meant – talent management offerings (which I seriously disagree on), his product – the Taleo Talent Management system wins my award.

The user interface on the front end is nice, the best I’ve seen in the TM space, and features are beyond solid.

I found the admin side, which equally was solid a tad overwhelming a times, but overall doable.

Key wins for me was the easiness of the career component, succession planning and to a degree the compensation part. Overall, the TM space has a way to go – especially for UI and super ease of use.

I do wish to clarify on one aspect – if I was looking to purchase a LMS, this would not be my product of choice. It would however be for talent management, which is increasingly becoming a separate entity.

2011 Commercial System of the Year

SumTotal Learning Maestro

Before you scream, “WHAT?”, let me explain.

This is the former GeoLearning Maestro solution, which is now listed as SumTotal Learning Maestro.  Thankfully, at least IMO, ST has barely touched it – and left it to the former folks at Geo to take the reigns.

I admit, I wasn’t expecting much when checking out the system, but came away very impressed. They have built upon previous versions of Maestro to take this one to another level.

Personally, I found the product better suited for the mid size crowd, rather than large size. What I believe hurts the system – is cost. I found it a tad high for small business, thus I do not see it as a SMB product.

Features I enjoyed included

• Continued use and expansion of widgets – the product comes with a nice chunk, but you can also add your own widgets or those on directories on the net
• Ease of Use – simple UI that from an admin side – you can put as much as you want out there or as little. I like that. Nowadays some vendors are tossing lots of junk into the end user dashboard, which becomes beyond overwhelming to the end user
• Admin side was the same – but what really intrigued me, and which I liked, was the use of wizards.  This is a time saver in my book. 
• Social Learning features were a disappointment, unless you purchased a SL pack they offered (can’t recall the name). Even then, it didn’t wow me

However, as I have noted in the past, I am seeing a trend of stagnation with social learning. 

Bottom Line

With over 422 vendors it is always a difficult task to select ones I see as beyond outstanding. Honestly, there were more this year, then in 2010, that easily could be in place of ST Maestro. I wish I could have selected them all – but in an upcoming blog article, will try to do my best.

One vendor who really intrigued me was eCampus, a LMS vendor from Australia.  I have them on my watch list for 2012, and I hope they change their name – after all they are targeting businesses not education.

In an upcoming blog, I will be writing a listing  of the top 50 vendors to watch for in 2012.

Speaking of which, I believe 2012 is going to be an exciting year.

I’m actually quite stoked about it.

I hope you are too.

Latest LMS Directory

E-Learning 24/7

Terminology can be confusing, certain systems are geared towards certain verticals, while others are in the “throw it against the wall and whatever sticks” mentality.

As a potential customer, selecting a system quickly, based on specific features is long gone.

Welcome to the wild west of LMSs, where some see themselves as magic elixirs that can solve all your problems.

Selection: Terminology

When assessing which system is the right one for you, the first step is identifying it by its space. That is to say, what covers “corporate” vs “education”, etc.

In the LMS space, the following are designated as:

• Corporate (inc. all size of businesses, associations, non-profits)
• Education – primary, secondary and higher education (inc. community college, technical college, for profit colleges, private)

Corporate

In the e-learning world, the size of the business is essential. This includes non-profits.  A challenge that often comes into play is how to define a small business vs. mid size. Please understand that how the industry sees it, isn’t necessarily as how other industries see it, nor how you see yourselves.

• Small business – 500 or less employees. Some vendors consider 300 or less, but the vast majority are 500 or less.
• Mid Size businesses: three sub segments. Low mid size is 501 to 1,000, mid size is 1,001 to 5,000 employees, high mid size is 5,001 to 9,999 employees
• Large size businesses: 10,000 or more employees
• Enterprise ( a term that some vendors use, others just say Large) 50,000 or more employees. Think “Big Whale”. If a vendor lands this size of a client, it is like winning the lottery.

There are hundreds of vendors who do not try for this space and that makes sense. Only a few can really play in this market, although, many would love to – and waste resources trying to do so.

• SMB – anything from 2 end users to 9,999 employees. Personally, the best market to hit is small business, but SMB is strong in general. The majority of businesses in the U.S. are small businesses. Plus, they tend to be very loyal, compared to other size markets.

Education

As noted above, education includes the following

• K-12. I have seen sub-segments specifically for primary and secondary
• Higher education/academia – college, universities, 2 year colleges, tech colleges, community colleges, private and public

Systems

I would argue that the biggest problem facing the industry as it relates to end users, is identifying the right system, based on the above. Forget about specific verticals for the moment, rather focus on how you truly define what system or systems are geared towards one market versus the other.

It’s a small world or is it?

The education sector causes the biggest dilemma for folks. Unless the vendor specifically says that their solution is available only for education/academia or specifically for education/academia, then people have no idea.

Buzz Buzz

There are buzz words with these systems that can tell you if they are in the education/academia space or are targeting (primarily) this market.

• Rubrics – The screams to me, K-12
• Course Portfolios  or Eportfolios- K-12, academia
• Lesson Plans – K-12, some times academia
• Registrar functionality – academia
• Gradebooks – K-12
• Assignments
• Teachers – K-12, academia (although the term should be different)
• Student/Teacher/Parent touch points or communication: K-12 – can include e-mail messages
• Attendance – K-12, academia
• Homework – K-12
• Subject resources – sometimes it is very easy, because they will say “classroom resources”, but “subject” should be a quick indicator
• Class tools
• Tie into SIS (Student Information System)

Ambiguous Terms

At one time these terms clearly said “education”. Honestly, if I was a vendor not focusing on the education space whatsoever and had these terms, I would change them:

• Classrooms – some now say “virtual classrooms” – really, that is best you can come up with? This is widely used in the corporate side with some vendors, but it still screams education to me – there are better terms for corporate then this
• Teachers – no corporate system should ever use this term – so, if you see it – very likely they are targeting education as a market
• Students – used frequently in the corporate space – the term for business is “learners”.  Again, if you see students – ask yourself – if these guys don’t even know the term used in corporate training, how do I really know – that they know the corporate training side?

Education & Corporate – Shake Well

Have you ever mixed something then said afterwards, “what was I thinking”? If you have, then you know where I am about to go.

How this ever happened to you:

The LMS does not clearly state whether it is for education, corporate or education/corporate Or it has education clients, even though you can clearly see it is corporate driven (inc. associations for that matter). 

The system says “extended enterprise” and pushes that, but also states it is perfect for education/academia.

Considering EE is geared towards a company who has distributors/wholesalers/sales agents, and last time I looked education/academia, wasn’t in that scene (yes, for-profit colleges, might be).

The LMS offers multiple editions, including one for education/academia. The other editions are for the corporate space.

Take a deep look and examine the feature sets, the capabilities. Let me offer a predication on what you are likely to see – virtually the same feature sets/capabilities as their corporate side, with maybe a few new ones or ones removed. 

Review the above examples and now ask yourself, is a mixed system really meet my needs if I am in the education/academia market? Or if I am corporate and then system has some of the buzz words listed above, is it really best suited to meet my needs?

Typically the former statement above comes into play more than the latter. I have seen some really amazing systems out there – who pitch to everyone. Fine. Let’s not confuse that with whether they truly see themselves for everyone or rather more so for specific verticals.

The WalMart Syndrome

Generally speaking, Walmart’s audience is not the same audience as those who frequent Target. Nor is it the same audience as those who frequent Macy’s. However, in the past WalMart has tried to change that. They tried to capture the audience who shops at Target, by offering products tailored to that audience.  They failed.

Compare this to the LMS market. You will see similarities. Systems that have achieved great success in the education market are those systems who focus only on the education market.

They are not systems who have split their focus on corporate & education.  Similarly, systems that do well to very well in the corporate side are systems that do not split their focus with education.

To Accept or Reject – Different Perspectives

• Vendors whose focus is corporate rarely reject end users from the education/academia segment
• Education/Academia vendors who focus solely on the education side, often decline customers on the corporate side
• There are vendors in specific segments that will provide systems only to customers in that specific segment, otherwise they are not interested.  I have seen this in Healthcare, the tennis and massage industries

Online Authoring Systems

First and foremost, these are not LMSs, and for the most part they do not advertise themselves as such. However, as you might expect they do advertise themselves under other wording, including training management.

An online authoring system is easy to identify. Here are some quick clues:

• Their main focus – i.e. component is the course authoring tool
• They offer a couple of reports, some are now adding basic analytics, batch upload of users and email messaging
• You cannot upload 3rd party content into their system, nor can you upload content created by another authoring tool in their system

Lite LMS

A lite LMS is a LMS that is a stripped down system. Their feature sets are not as extensive as a standard system, but there are plenty of systems that are nice.

• Analytics are limited, same thing with reports – the key essentials are there, nothing more
• They include “storage” and list it as such with their pricing
• Tend to focus on the small business market, although I have seen ones that will pitch up to 100,000 users – personally, I wouldn’t use them if my company was that large
• Do not offer any social learning nor mobile learning – besides seeing it via your smartphone or tablet with your browser
• Functionality is not as robust as a standard system
• Do not offer e-commerce

There are exceptions. Litmos is a Lite LMS that offers social learning, mobile learning and e-commerce. That said, their analytics are not as robust as say your typical standard system (I will say I’ve seen some standard systems that are not as good as a few Lite systems – that standout).

Talent Management Systems

LMSs whose primary focus is on talent/performance management. These systems often will have features including leadership development, succession planning, 360 feedback and alike. More systems are offering compensation, payroll and even benefits.

While they do include learning as a component, if you were to really examine the system – 80% would be focused on talent/perf. management and 20% on L&D.  There are systems who are dropping learning (i.e. training angle) to 10%.  TMSs are a growth market, but there are people who do not want or see value with TM functionality.

If you are not using TM/PM now or anytime in the future, then I would not recommend selecting a system who offers it as a large chunk of their system.  There are vendors who offer it as a feature – but it is just one feature among dozens of features. What is nice is you can have them (for the most part) turn off this feature. 

Bottom Line

With continued growth in the LMS space, you can expect more systems which leads to more confusion.

Before you select or explore more deeply systems that have specific set of features and capabilities, first see if they are targeting your segment – as  primary.

If not, ask yourself,  is this something you want?

For me, the answer will always be no.

Latest LMS Directory – includes reader codes for discounts off systems

E-Learning 24/7

It is also a time to be thankful. Thus, it makes only sense to present my list of “thanks” from an e-learning perspective.

Before that however, I want to say thank you to those who rejected Ben Franklin’s idea of having the wild turkey as the national bird, rather then the American Bald Eagle. Whoever you are – Thank you!

High Five Thanks

• Vendors who added innovative features including text to speech (way to go SoftChalk), to true HTML5 support (Claro, Cm-Studio, Rapid Intake, Toolbook and sort of HTML5 output – Lectora) to image editors, SDK kits, gaming sims and Sony PSP devices
• Vendors who added robust feature sets in their LMSs – including ebook publishing, social media functionality beyond the same ol same, online/offline synch, podcasting, 3D worlds
• Vendors who improved their customer service significantly including adding extensive multilingual support for their web site, products
• Vendors who dumped desktop apps and went into the “cloud” – thank you, thank you

Thanks Again

• Vendors who created their own integrated web conferencing tool, rather then charging end users extra to use their “partner” integrated one – achieved by having you purchase a separate license
• Free widgets, plug-ins and apps for customers to use with their product(s)
• Incorporation of Google docs, CRM (Customer Relationship Mgt), APIs (without charging a fee)

• Acceptance that tablets are here to stay, especially the iPad and that end users will access content more so, then with a smartphone (Still waiting though for a vendor who is 100% pure tablets or a mix of PGP -Portable Game Players – and tablets)

• Web conferencing vendors who offer month to month – this is growing and while many pitch it, very few really enable it to exist – rather they state it as such, but want you to pre-pay for the year – but you can still cancel anytime
• The realization that HD for web conferencing isn’t that great and other features could be better served

Vendors who provide Mac OS support for their desktop content authoring tools

A partial list (extensive list in next guide to be posted Nov. 30)

• Advanced Learning Solutions: PowerTrainer Professional
• CourseLab – one of my top 10 RCATs and FREE
• Delfi Software – Lersus EasyContent
• DeltaLearn – DeltaLearn Advanced SCORM Editor
• Kaplan IT Training – STT Trainer

A impressive thank you – for having a Mac app in the Mac Store goes to

• Documedia – eLab 3.0: They are the first RCAT vendor to have an app in the Mac Store – this BTW is not the same as the iTunes marketplace or Apps directory

A Glorious Thank you – Equal to never having to watch the Colts again this year on TV (sorry Indy fans)

To all vendors offering trials: especially in the RCAT and LMS market (really the last two areas that were weak on it). Considering that offering a trial, increases the likelihood that the prospect will purchase your product, it still surprises me the number of vendors who are holding back from providing them.

Vendors who I have spoke to in the last three months regarding trials, I have seen an increase in sales, especially one who noted to me that customers who purchased indicated to them that one of the key factors was the trial.

An added thank you to those vendors (and you know who you are) who enable people to download or access a SaaS based trial without having to register for it.  Trust me, people love this.

Thank you for having demos without requiring someone to register. If someone is interested they will reach out to you.

Thank you to Vendors offering Discounts

In my current RCAT directory, three vendors are offering special discounts if you purchase their product. This is a free service to vendors and readers alike.  There is no quid pro quo for the vendors.

In the LMS directory (to be posted Dec. 1) four vendors are offering discounts – via promo codes. Again, 100% free for vendors to offer this to readers and of course, always 100% for readers to view and share.

One more Cheers!

To vendors who are going to post “demos” of their products on this blog starting in early December. No registration to view. Nothing. You click the video on this site and watch.

The demos can be up to five minutes and cannot contain any sales or marketing pitch. It is free to vendors to post and free to view. No quid pro quo or pay for play. I greatly appreciate vendors in the RCAT space and LMS space who see the value of providing “register free” demos without pitches, for readers to view.

They get it. I hope others will follow – trust me, people appreciate it.

And Now..

Not so Thanks – Rather Disgust

Anti-Registration for Trials/Demos

Hiding behind the register wall for a trial or a demo – makes no sense in today’s competitive market.

Rather then setting up roadblocks, you should be encouraging people to test and see without the perception of constant contact.  Unless your system or product includes a hidden theorem from Einstein that no one else knows about, there isn’t a single reason to create such blockades.

Public Webinars to view your product

Every customer is important, so why toss in a bunch of folks to view a public demo of your product. Believe it or not, they will not all have the same questions and many people will not ask anything for fear that it may contain proprietary information or information that someone else can use – I happens all the time.

In small group communication, even if there are just three people in a group – regardless if it is face to face or online, there will be people who will not ask questions. It has nothing to do with private info, etc., it is just the reality of small groups.

Schedule times for potential prospects to sign up for – and have it just for them. Do it twice a week with set times or once a week with multiple times that day. Again, the goal is to win customers not turn them off.

Failure to Properly Train your Sales People

I have seen a lot of demos. A lot. I must admit the one I viewed at the behest of a reader – takes the pumpkin pie and pecan pie or roll.

In this power packed 30 minute session, the co-presenters offered such items as:

• Opened up with a joke (first time I have ever heard this on a product demo) – not only is this never recommended in face to face live presentations, but definitely not online – when you have no idea who you are talking to
• Failing to show any of the admin side – granted it was an overview (which the reader who contacted me – was unaware), but not showing the one section that 100% of users want to know about – is bizarre
• Seeming disinterested in their own product – as the reader told me afterwards, “they didn’t even seem to care about their product. I was expecting them to be excited about it. They weren’t”. The reader told me they were not moving forward with the vendor and cited this point as a key reason.
• The 30 minute demo, actually was about 22 minutes. It was 22 minutes of a waste.
• When they asked if there were any questions – a participant inquired about mobile learning – there was silent on the other end. Finally, one of the presenters said that yes you could view their system on a mobile browser. No offense here, but this is not mobile learning – seeing it on a tablet device does not qualify it as such – but, many vendors use this angle and call it mobile learning.

 Under that spin, then reading an ebook is the same as web based training.. After all, it is online. I can jump around to different pages or read it straight through. Depending on my reader, I can have TTS. Thus, it qualifies.  Uh, just a hint here – it isn’t.

Fear and Loathing on the Phone

A salesperson, for a very well known vendor who offers a solid talent management product, did the unthinkable when a reader signed up for their trial and had to register. The salesperson contacted them and went with an accusatory and anti-service approach.

In the discussion, the salesperson displayed a lack of respect to the reader, by asking extensive set of questions to assess whether the prospect should have access to the trial.

One of the questions posed by the salesperson is abhorrent.

The salesperson told the prospect that they had to have a web site in order to be considered. When the prospect asked why, the salesperson told them that:

• Any legitimate business has a web site today and if you don’t then you are not a business and likely to be a fake
• If you did not have the web site, you could not qualify for the trial

Reality Check

There are an extensive number of brick and mortar businesses, especially small businesses who do not have a web site.

To state that to a potential client is offensive. A goal of any vendor is to realize that their business is to acquire new customers and treat them with respect, not disgust.

Bottom Line

I am truly honored for your positive comments and feedback. 

I am equally grateful for you taking the time each week to read this blog and share with your colleagues, friends and associates.

You are the drivers in this industry.

I’m simply the passenger along for the ride.

Craig Weiss aka E-Learning 24/7

Before I get to the list, people always want to know how do I decide what constitutes the best of the best.

Here are my criteria

• Innovation – if the product doesn’t offer some innovative features, then they are stale. If they are stale – seriously do you deserve to the best?
• Feature sets – they have to be more than PPT to Flash or add an audio clip and video clip to the course. No offense here, but doing just a clip here or there doesn’t make it interactive.
• Mobile Learning/HTML5 output – doesn’t hurt and has to be considered. That said, not everyone on the list offers it – since some who do, are not best of the best
• Desktop vs SaaS – a factor in the decision making. Again, not every tool below is SaaS based, but at some point, you have to move to the SaaS world, especially if you are offering or saying you do – some type of mobile learning functionality
• Ease of Use – definitely plays into the decision making. I’ve seen some authoring tools that fit most of the criteria above, but whose ease of use is substandard or even really bad. One product reminded me of bad shareware.
• Design -  People want fresh – nice look and feel. UI has to make sense and be very navigation and logical friendly
• Other – In the last four months, I have seen an increase in online authoring systems – which feature a RCAT along with reporting functionality, e-mail notifications, adding users angle – I used to call them hybrid systems, but a better term is “Online Authoring Systems”. Anyway, I didn’t remove them from consideration.
• Popularity – wasn’t a factor. Just because it is popular doesn’t mean it the best.
• Same thing with winning awards. When you see many of these awards from organizations – the general mass of them (but not all of them) require the vendor/company to submit an application for whatever category or categories. Those who do not submit cannot win.
  

An additional note

• There is never any pay for play here – even my vendor clients are aware that they may not win best of the best.
• Never quid pro quo
  

Updated Content Authoring Tool Directory

• Identifies the best of the best and now identifies vendors who offer a reader discount when you purchase their product. Right now, there is one vendor who is offering a discount. I’m hopeful that more will join in (as they are doing on my new LMS directory – coming soon).
• The vendor who offers the discount is one of the top ten – but they were not selected because they offer a discount. They were selected because the fit all my criteria above and frankly it is a very good product. As noted, there is no quid pro quo.
  

Content Authoring Tools Directory

Lastly, they are ranked. #1 – means #1, etc. They are still best of the best. Considering there are over 120 content authoring tool products in the space, being one of the top ten – puts you IMO – as best of the best.  Ranking goes from #10 to #1.

And now, without further adieu..

The Ten Best Course Authoring Tools

#10 Aura Interactive – SH!FT - Really intriguing product. I loved that the background templates can match with a specific scenario, such as the healthcare one I saw with their avatars. The lip synch thing is a big winner too.

#9 – ReadyGo! – This is a tool that for fans of Articulate who may want some additional capabilities might enjoy. Don’t be discourged by their web site – it isn’t ideal, but the product is cool. Solid set of features.

The version you want is the Pro version which comes with Corel Paint Shop Pro, Qarbon Viewlet builder.  It pitches that it is a m-learning product because it supports HTML5. It doesn’t output to HTML5, though.

#8 Composica 4.0  - A winner in my book back in 2010 and still solid in 2011. Yes, it offers the social learning authoring features – robust actually, which most vendors in this space does not, but it has added task management and PENS.

#7 Rapid Intake Unison – One of the first RCATs to offer collaborative capabilities on the net. SaaS based solution, that offers contractors/developers who create courses for other folks – access to the Flash files. Feature set in general is strong. They are innovators and never stale. Ease of use is clearly visible.

#6 Learning Tools MLOAT - I will be the first to admit this is not for non-techies. This product is 100% geared towards e-learning developers or instructional designers who have at a minimum moderate tech skills. That said, for a freebie -and yes, I said freebie (open source) it has a lot of power.

Works across multiple platforms, SCORM, learning object generator and more. There is a reason its called a Multimedia Learning Object Authoring tool.  Works well in both corporate and education space.

#5 easyGenerator – You can read a review of their last version on this blog. The newest version adds an adaptive learning capability, which I saw first hand at DevLearn – it was extremely impressive and extremely rare in this space. What hurts them though is no HTML5 output, which I hope will change. SaaS based, easy to use and perfect for any skill set, although for hardcore e-learning developers they may be disappointed.

#4 Kookabura Studios – Professional Presenter X – another fav of mine back in 2010 and still a strong player in 2011. Why very few folks know of this product is beyond me, but you should. You want the version listed here, anything else wouldn’t be worth it. Mass and I mean mass set of features. However, they do not output HTML5 (a reader thought they did).

New features include a documentary maker and iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad developer kit (awesome!).  Anyone from zero tech skills to hardcore e-learning developer will find enough in this product to warrant a purchase.

The Top 3 (drum roll and shouts are encouraged)

#3 – CourseLab - This is for the free version. Yes, they offer a paid version, but the freebie is more than enough. To give you an example, the free version is ADL SCORM 2004 certified (many commercial paid ones are not). Includes assessments, simulation capability and wizards. I loved it in 2010 and my love is still there, in 2011. IMO the best free authoring tool on the market and as you can see here, one of the best period.

#2 dominKnow Claro – Last year I was underwhelmed with this product, this year I’m stoked. This is an online authoring system (see info above) and its authoring tool means business. Built in audio, image and video tools, enables this to be a one stop service, thus eliminating the need to use Camtasia and alike. 

I loved the feedback feature with date/time stamp – so anyone can see what someone else posted, removing the replica comments that often appear. Deadline component is equallly nice. Offers collaborative features such as peer to peer review.

#1 Rapid Intake mLearning Studio – RI makes three products. Unison ranked earlier, ProForm – hopefully shelved at some point and mLearning studio. The best of the best is mLearning Studio. As noted earlier, these guys are innovators.

One of the first ones to output to HTML5. Fully utilizies the iPad/iPad2 experience. Online/Offline synch comes with the tool – a requirement for any RCAT that offers m-learning IMO, especially one where people build courses.

Other strong features include

• Collaborative test functionality – now everyone can test and verify – regardless of their location
• Preview in three different mobile forms – phone, 7 inch and 10 inch tablet
• Course assessment capability
• Can add HTML5 audio and video (SWEET!)
• Components include TOC and Glossary – standards in my book

Lastly, it looks like a course when you publish it -regardless if it is Flash or HTML5 – not a PDF or word doc or something that is a hybrid of the two.

Okay..now why not:

a. Articulate  Studio – Stale. I haven’t seen anything that has wowed since 2009. The next version of Studio shows promise, but the current version is the same ol same. 

b. Captivate – Overrated in my book. Listen its a nice product, but IMO there are ones better. Just because a lot of people use you or know of you, doesn’t mean your the best.  In fact, most folks have no idea that there are other authoring tools out there beyond Articulate, Captivate and Camtasia. 

c. ContentPoint – They offer some very nice features, inc. the publish to Sony PSP, but when the salesperson tells you they are the leaders in the authoring tool space, yet have no plans to offer HTML5 publish/output – then in my book – you are not a leader.

Final Note

For my Mac OS fans, a screen recording software that is 100% geared to the Mac OS space is Telestream’s ScreenFlow. Very nice set of features including multi-track editing, ability to publish not just to YouTube but also Vimeo, picture in picture and audio scrubbing. H.264 too.

This week’s podcast – appears Thursday – identifies my latest list of innovators in the RCAT space – Five tools that have a bright future – if they continue to innovate.

E-Learning 24/7

Adobe announced today, Nov. 9th, that it is abandoning its work on Flash for mobile devices and instead focusing on mobile development of development of HTML5 for mobile.

This will only empower folks in the e-learning industry who were pro-HTML5 and believed as I do, that it is the better route to go.

We didn’t have to drink the “Steve Jobs Kool-Aid” (as someone commented earlier in the year to me), rather we saw what it was capable of doing and Adobe clearly saw the writing on the wall.

Right now, at m-learning vendor locations around the world, especially in the RCAT space, they should be scheduling meetings and coming up with a new perspective and approach to their products.

For LMS vendors, adding “HTML5 feature sets makes sense – especially if they are adding mobile learning components in their system.  Listen, I was not always a Flash hater, but when I saw HTML5 over a year ago, I knew this was a better solution for the industry, for all of us.

I know there will be Flash lifers, heck their are people today who still prefer 8 track over CDs, but in our industry, those who focused solely on Flash for mobile devices, need to go back to the drawing board and decide what is best for the industry.

For vendors whose products are in the works for HTML5 output (ahem, in beta), perhaps speeding up the process wouldn’t be such a bad idea. True, you want to make sure the product is fully functional before putting it out onto the street, but you better realize that with this announcement, others are going to ramp up production on HTML5 output too.

I know if I was a RCAT vendor I would.

Right now.

Here are some previous posts on HTML5 and its impact

Fast Forward: E-Learning in 2013 - in the post, I state that RCAT vendors must adopt to using HTML5 over Flash

HTML5: Let the Games Begin – written in May 2010

Awesome Example of HTML5

Great example of the Power of HTML5 – Wilderness Adventure  - it is a music video by The Arcade Fire, uses Geolocation and other amazing capabilities – enter in your zip code – you see the action right in your own neighborhood and home. Everything was done in HTML5 including the video. I showed this last year at a conference I was speaking at on HTML5 and e-learning. Please use Chrome, as it does not do justice on IE, FF or Safari.

E-Learning 247