ThirdForce Blog

Is Apple’s iPad the answer to mobile e-learning?

For years people have applauded e-learning as an excellent value-for-money and high quality way to learn. However after two decades of being confined to delivery via the PC screen, people are asking for a mobile platform to e-learn. Recently Apple has introduced the iPad. With strong interest so far, is the iPad the answer?

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Engaging the growing numbers of remote workers….

Remote working, where employees work away from the traditional “office” – at home or in the field for example – is becoming more widespread as both technology and lifestyle considerations reshape the way we do business. 11% of the UK workforce are now “remote,” which equates to 3.5 million workers, and 60% of all new businesses last year were launched from home. Whatever the reason for working remotely, it can be a lonely place and ensuring these employees are kept motivated, engaged and feel part of a bigger organisation can be a challenge.

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The real in-application experience…

We’re all familiar with video games and consoles that make you feel like you are not just playing the game but actually part of the adventure itself. And, the latest "get fit" systems that have you jumping and hoolahooping around your livingroom whilst virtually connected to your TV. So how does driving your car using your phone sound as the ultimate in-application experience? Researchers in Germany have developed the iDriver application that turns an iPhone into a controller that can “drive” a two tonne minivan.

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Hasta la vista…printed education materials

Contributed by regular guest blogger Donal O'Nuallain at ThirdForce As a red blooded male with the mentality and attention span of an angry child, I’ve always enjoyed action films. While he was possibly my least favourite, Arnold Schwarzenegger undoubtedly was an action star. He is, after all, the voice of such fantastically unforgettable quotes like “If it bleeds we can kill it”, “Remember when I said I’d kill you last...I lied” and of course “I’ll be back”. I’ll admit I was a tad sceptical when he won his current role as the Governor of the State of California. Maybe I still am, however news reached us this week of an interesting initiative that he’s proposing for the California education system.

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Screencasting?

Contributed by regular guest blogger Gareth Murran from ThirdForce's Innovation team. Screencasting is an increasingly popular sort of "virtual classroom," allowing learners to learn in their own time and at their own pace using video tutorials. The advantages of the classroom setting stem from a one-on-one experience and the ability of the instructor to show ideas and theories rather than simply explain them.

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Manchester United embraces m-learning

Sir Alex Ferguson yesterday praised Ben Foster calling him Englands first-choice goalkeeper in waiting, after a game changing penalty shoot-out save. It proved pivotal to Manchester United claiming the Carling Cup to complete the second leg of what could be an unprecedented haul of five trophies. We previously spoke about m-learning as key growth area in learning for 2009. But what has this got to do with Manchester United winning their match? Ben Foster spent the moments before the penalties watching footage of Spurs players taking recent penalties on a video iPod, including another luckless O'Hara attempt.

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Plug into video conferencing…

With rising travel costs, and the physical and mental stress associated with it, we should be utilising the advances in video conferencing more often. A good system can provide all the necessary ingredients to create a real and effective meeting environment without the hassle of travel.

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