The unveiling of Apple's latest creation certainly brings with it excitement and hype.  Tech experts have been speculating for months as to the form and abilities of the secret creation.  Well, speculate no more.  According to the Washington Post, the iPad was introduced recently and will be available for purchase by late March. According to the article, the iPad, though larger than the iPod Touch, is a mid-sized personal device.  Reportedly the dimensions are similar to that of a piece of paper, though thicker and heavier.  The iPad is a touch sensitive device.  This newest creation may be a solution to getting technology, for relevant educational purposes, into the hands of children across the nation.  The device is small enough and the price is reasonable enough that students may be able to gain access to use for educational purposes.  This newest technology may help bridge the gap between the have's and the have not's.

The Washington Post is reporting on the trouble with teens and technology.  It comes as no surprise to anyone who know a teenager that technology is, for them, a type of addiction.  Teens seem to have an extra appendage, be it an iPod, Ninentendo DS, cell phone, or other.  Everyone has one....or two for that matter. According to this article, the use of this type of technology among teens and tween is on the rise, if you can beleive it.  Teens, who reportedly, are spending hours upon hours on the computer are neglecting their studies and grades are suffering.  While technology typically facilitates the accomplishment of a goal, here we see it preventing students from achieving their full potential.  Parents are advised to keep technology devices in open spaces in the home where activity can be monitored and limited.  My kids aren't tweens yet, but already I must regulate the amount of time they spend playing the Wii and watching movies.  Of course, the kids put up a fuss but if I didn't limit their time they would play every waking moment, literally.  Like most things, technology is great in moderation.

When you have a problem, you look for a solution.  Some are easier to find than others.  If your problem is training or learning managment, then look no further.  The solution is TrainingForce.  TrainingForce is a comprehensive web-based product that allows you to centrally orgainze, maintain, and track multiple features. This product not only manages class scheduling but also features student attendance tracking and satisfaction evaluations.  TrainingForce handles the big picture issues, like courses and classes, but it is also detail-rich, allowing you to manage everything down to specific equipment needs and locations.  Not only is TrainingForce great for the training provider, but the Launchpad feature also provides students the opportunity to register 24 hours a day.  TrainingForce features Attendent which manages the paperwork and electronic communications to students, administrators, and instructors.  TrainingForce is a great solution for your training needs.  Check out the website by clicking here. 

A recent article in Training describes how automated systems can expedite the hiring process.  Essentially, the article discusses how a particular product allows the employer to input certain questions that will weed out the unqualified candidates based on minimum requirements for the job.  If applicants are able to complete the process, their profile is then ranked according to compatability with the potential employer.  This is an HR manager's dream.  No more paper applications.  No more days or weeks of interviews and evaluations.  A system designed to deliver the ideal candidate for the job within a few minutes.  It almost sounds too good to be true. And perhaps it is.  Granted this system is not meant to replace the interview process completely, just narrow the field.  How much can you really learn about a person from a computer screen?  Can you determine whether or not the candidate is telling the truth, answering honestly the questions that will disqualify them for the job?  Can you determine whether or not their personality will jive with the other staffers?  Can you determine their level of committment or desire for a particular job based on a paper print-out?  I think all of these are essential to the hiring process.  Employers may very well pass over the very best candidates for a job because they weren't ranked high enough by this process.

A recent article in Training magazine, entitled "Outgrowing the Homegrown E-Learning Solution" discusses the measures necessary to keep organizations, who have historically used in-house learning solutions, effective and efficient.  The ultimate goal of any learning endeavor is to increase effectiveness and efficiency.  TrainingForce is a learning management system that can help organizations do just that.  You bring the content expertise and we will provide the service and support to expand, enrich, and encourage development among your people.  You want effectiveness and efficiency?  TrainingForce is all that and more. Your organization may spend countless man-hours preparing and disseminating information, and countless more hours assessing content effectiveness, not to mention the time spend to organize the courses, the materials, and the instructors.  TrainingForce is easy to implement, powerful enough to meet your needs, and flexible enough to be customized for your requirements.

An article in CLO magazine entitled "Way Too Easy" describes the current status of most e-learning opportunities.  The author of the article, Elliot Masie, argues that we must "reverse the dumbing down of e-learning" and create e-learning modules that challenge the participant. Assumingly, a business employs the e-learning method to expedite training, reduce costs, and increase offerings.  Unfortunately, according to the article, the content has been sacrificed for these benefits.  In many instances the training or education offered by e-learning opportunities are about as significant as the cleaning checklists on the back of the rest-stop bathroom door.  Been there, done that....but no one else can tell by looking.  The author encourages companies to consider beefing up their content and approaches to e-learning so that the experience may be one of significance that leads to competency in the workplace.  Of course, this "dumbing down" isn't limited to e-learning.  In fact, it seems to be almost an epidemic in our country. 

An article in the NY Times is reporting about the efforts of the European Commission to put more literary works online.  As Google begins the American upload, Europe is looking west for advice, ideas, and support.  The European Commission is hoping, that by placing these works online, more people will be able to access them and it will encourage online business.  I think it is a great idea to have access to both historical and current literary works online.  Imagine the implications for education.  With access to European and American masterpieces, our students' studies will be infinitely enriched.  Textbook companies, beware!  This compilation of material may eliminate the need for expensive textbooks that can only include small portions of the piece.  As the younger generations entertain themselves mostly with computers, this is a good way to encourage the access and pursuit of classics.  Kids will be more likely to seek out variousl titles if they can do it from their laptop or palm device. 

The NY Times is detailing a report that concludes that not only is online learning on the increase, it is also increasingly more effective than the traditional classroom.  The report spans a twelve year period and takes data from 99 different studies. What are the implications for educators?  For one, the time and location requirements may become more flexible as more and more schools, universities and continuing education providers seek to provide services that suit this trend.  While some educators will thrive in this online world, others will feel uncomfortable teaching the impersonal computer screen.  Although leaps and bounds have been made in technological advances to counteract the isolationism of online learning, I can't imagine anything taking the place of being surrounded by the lesson. What are the implications for students?  Young students will expect nothing less than online courses of all varieties.  It is what they are accustomed to.  Older students, who are not computer-savvy, may experience friction and frustration as they attempt to learn how the online class operates.  The convenience of doing it at home and on your own time is tempting but the challenges may not balance out. 

As parents and students prepare for the coming school year and all that goes with it, businesses should consider the benefits of an LMS and all that goes with it.  As parents we want what is best for our students and look to schools to provide not only academic instruction but also character development, cultural enrichment, and exposure to the arts.  As business leaders you may be looking for an LMS that provides all the bells and whistles.  TrainingForce is that LMS.  TrainingForce is a comprehensive learning management system that allows you personalize and enrich as is necessary for your company's needs.  If you are looking for a way to track employee education needs, goals, and experiences, TrainingForce is for you.  If you are looking for a system to organize resource demands, instructor schedules, and class registrations, TrainingForce is for you.  TrainingForce is an affordable solution for your learning managment needs.  So, as the yellow school buses begin their routes, consider investigating an LMS to help you navigate the demands of your business. 

In this technologically advanced world, it is important to stay up-to-date and informed via email and text-messaging, at least on business matters.  But some companies and employees are questioning the etiquette of iPhones and Blackberrys that seem to interupt meetings, distract employees, or insult speakers.  The NY Times reports that more than a third of employees check their email or text messages during meetings. So what are the rules of etiquette surrounding the use of hand-held communication devices such as iPhones and Blackberrys? Here are some do's and don'ts to remember: 1.  Do not try to conceal the use of one of these devices as if you were a 14 year old in detention.  If you are going to use it, use it! 2.  Do turn your ringer to silent or vibrate while in meetings. 3.  Do not respond or send any personal messages while in meetings. 4.  Do respond promptly and efficiently to business related messages. 5.  Do use your hand-held as a research tool. 6.  Do use your hand-held as a note-taking device. 7.  Do not send messages back and forth to colleagues in the same meeting. 8.  Do not have inappropriate pictures of yourself or anyone else saved on your device.  9.  Do use appropriate spelling and grammar for business communications. Obviously, this list is not exhaustive but etiquette is important for everyone to learn.