Advances in video technologies and online delivery platforms have made the goal of video based training a reality. The eLeaP Learning Platform supports a whole hosts of video formats for online training.

Supported Formats:

Flash

Flash based videos have revolutionized the online training space. Using flash based videos in your presentation provide additional interactive and formative learning. If you need help converting your videos into Flash, use this link to send in your files https://dropbox.yousendit.com/Telania and we will be happy to help.

You can upload your videos in the popular .SWF format or the robust .FLV format.

Other Supported Formats: MPG, MPEG, MOV, WMV, MP3, MP4, M4V

Some also utilize the SCORM format to upload video based training.

What to Watch for:

While video is compelling, it is important that you understand the limitations of this medium. Video files by their very nature are large. This means that users who have slower connections might need to wait for the dreaded ‘buffering’ process before they can view your training. This is normal and a simple message in your course that this can occur typically solves the problem.

Another potential issue with video based training is downloading. Since certain formats require the user to download a copy of your video to their computer, this can lead to potential copyright abuse. While we have not detected this as big problem, it is important that you are made aware. One way to get around the download issue is to use Flash formatted videos since these typically play within the browser and are not ‘downloaded’.

Uploading Videos:

While the eLeaP allows you to upload up to 500MB per file, we strongly urge you to consider breaking up large files (greater than 100MB) into several chunks. By breaking larger files into smaller chunks you not only improve the upload and access process, you also enable your users to engage in the presentation by taking an action to continue viewing the rest of the chunks instead of having to sit through one ‘long’ presentation. Simple is best. By the way, the size of a video depends on several factors: quality, screen size, length. There’s no hard and fast rule but this link will give you an idea: http://www.evdoinfo.com/content/view/846/63/

Support:

If you need support uploading videos into your account, contact eLeaP for help. Alternatively, you can send us your video files so we upload them for you. To send us files, use this link: https://dropbox.yousendit.com/Telania .

Don’t forget to check out the online training how-to video tutorials for how to upload videos. For tutorials go to: http://www.eleapsoftware.com/support.html

eLeaP Learning Management Systems just announced the release of the latest version of the popular eLeaP LMS Platform. This latest release features Smart Course menus and upgrades to the content formatting engine, robust reporting and system notifications and new mobile learning capability.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/03/prweb5121344.htm

Louisville, KY 2/28/2011 – Online training just got a lot easier with the long anticipated release of eLeaP4 – the fastest, easiest and smartest Learning Management System (LMS) on the market.

Since our first launch in 2005, eLeaP has been upgraded four times. Each new release is the result of intensive analysis, client interviews, and usability experts’ reviews incorporating the latest in e-learning, web-based training technology and web software architecture.

With our release of eLeaP4, we have provided our customers with cutting edge technology, extremely easy usability and unparalleled security and speed.

Read more here…

Vendor selection is akin to a virtual minefield: One wrong step and you are a goner. Nevertheless, an organized, comprehensive selection process is exactly what is required. You can do this best if you develop a checklist so that you are certain that you have asked each potential vendor the same questions and are comparing oranges to oranges.

Download the e-learning systems vendor selection checklist free at www.eleapsoftware.com.

What prevents success in the creation and implementation of an e-learning system?  While there are numerous obstacles preventing the success of any endeavor, the e-learning systems, because they are relatively new and somewhat unknown, certainly create their share of pitfalls, and then some.  Obstacles can often be found in every aspect of e-learning…from content development through delivery to effectiveness.

Let’s examine the issue, then, as a body of mistakes:

1. Wrong approach to content development:  Although desired outcomes are the same for traditional training and e-learning, instructional design methods often fail to account for this. In simple terms, to be effective, e-learning must find new ways to involve the student in the learning process. The material will be ineffective if delivered simply as a textbook. It must become totally interactive so that we can replace (to some extent) the classroom instructor with increased student involvement. This means relying more heavily on exercises, quizzes, simulations and assignments than we would in a traditional environment; we need to duplicate to the extent possible the “see, do” method of training, allowing the student an opportunity to practice the new learning. And we need to do this frequently throughout the course.
2. Wrong authoring tools: The tools you use to create e-learning must align with your training objectives. Authoring tools enable instructors or designers to build courses and supporting materials such as quizzes and simulations. Consider: Do you really want to propose training your current instructors in the use of Captivate? How about Flash?

   Remember, too, that today virtually all software packages that are used to create
   e-learning courseware require licensing. A relatively simple program that converts PowerPoint to a SCORM compliant Flash package, such as Articulate Presenter, can cost upward of $1,400. And that’s  per seat!  This feature is built into the eLeaP system and is free.

Authoring programs that are platform specific (e.g., Windows XP) will require maintenance in order to keep them current with new technology. This, of course, is generally not free; unless, that is, you are using a hosted e-learning platform that is essentially “rented” (such as eLeaP), and includes upgrades and maintenance. Programs such as these are often known today as Software as a Service, or SAAS (and sometimes simply SAS).

However, there are going to be occasions where you may require specialized training tools, for example if you are training students in the use of a particular software package. In this case, you can use programs such as Captivate or Camtasia that simulate the actual working environment and allow users to develop skills without affecting “live” data. If you lack the resources in house for doing this, a third party contractor might be a good choice. Or even better, if you are using a system such as eLeaP, you can find specific expertise through its customization capabilities.

1. Wrong system employed for training: The systems you use for courseware development, delivery, learning management and assessment must integrate with one another. Think of them as tools. But remember, to a hammer, everything is a nail.

You must, therefore, choose a Learning Management System with the flexibility to host a variety of courseware types…from interactive simulations to Flash video to real-time problem solving. For example, have a look at eLeaP’s Learning Management System (www.eleapsoftware.com). It has the flexibility to host virtually any type of courseware that is SCORM compliant. A lack of this flexibility will severely limit the materials that can be delivered to the student.

You must also consider the system’s ease of use. As with the eLeaP system, students must be able to gain easy access and find an intuitive interface that requires little or no training. The system must work on virtually all platforms using any standard web browser. It must operate flawlessly so that, from the learners’ perspective, the fact that the content is being delivered electronically is secondary to the learning process.

1. Wrong level of investment: There are many systems available today that require virtually no startup funding and that can be deployed in practically no time at all, e.g., the eLeaP LCMS. Why, then, would you want to consider a system that costs upward of $250,000 to start and requires a significant amount of resources to implement?  After all, these are not full-blown ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems that must integrate all organizational functions.

Avoid the heavy sales pitch that uses the scare tactics of systems integration capabilities. Generally speaking, a simple Application Programming Interface (API) can be developed at minimal cost to integrate any LMS into the organization’s Learning and Development recording system. Also keep in mind that many of these complex Learning Management Systems  require a good deal of expensive, specialized technical support and training just to create courseware that is compatible with the delivery system. Again, the fact is that systems such as eLeaP require no programming or startup costs at all, deployment support is free, implementation and online training is free and 24/7 customer support is free.

To download free valuable e-learning white papers, go to http://www.eleapsoftware.com/free-training-resources/. Contact eLeaP LMS & Training software for e-learning and business training questions.

I have been asked many times. So what makes eLeaP different? Why did our customers choose us and why should you choose eLeaP LMS?

I thought about several business type responses like: We provide positive return on your e-learning investment, we are scalable and secure and completely easy to use. eLeaP is one of a few LMS to combine course creation with comprehensive user management, tracking and documentation and so on.

But I had an experience with a contact I have been trying to bring in. What became poignantly clear is this:

Most organizations and training companies simply need an assist getting their training and e-learning programs started. They are looking for reliable, professional staff to help them set up their LMS account (hopefully without having to pay through the nose), and then some help uploading their existing content or new content to begin their training program.

Sounds simple right? Not quite. Not all LMS or e-learning software companies are created equal. You see with Telania | eLeaP, we don’t just throw you into the deep end and say “good luck”.

We don’t rest till you are set up and your program is humming along just fine.

We don’t rest when you CALL us (yes CALL us) for free and request help with a feature or something you want to achieve in the system.

We don’t rest when your students, employees, users or staff contact us via phone, fax, email, or live support.

And we gladly and passionately provide the answers to your questions and your requests.

We do this without requiring you to pay anything.

We do this because we love talking and helping our customers. I know its sounds cliche but even though we are a technology company, we are pretty old fashioned when it comes to our customers.

Why do I write all these things for you to see. Because I am sick and tired of other companies giving us all a bad name – I am sick of having to apologize for the awful behavior of some tech and e-learning companies.

We are supposed to be in the business of education. Well lets help our customers educate and quit looking at only sales quotas and quarterly reports!

I welcome your opinion.

Contact me directly:

Don Weobong
President
Telania, Inc | eLeaP
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* The key challenges preventing e-learning success
* How e-learning benefits organizations (hint: your compensation might depend on it)
* What not to do when it comes to choosing a vendor – cost does not equal quality.
* Simple strategies for implementing eLearning in your organization

Download now, click here.