PRESS INFORMATION ISSUED ON BEHALF OF:
Trainer1
Unit 26 Kimberley Court, Kimberley Road, LONDON, NW6 7SL
tel 020 7624 4844; fax 020 7264 4840; web www.trainer1.com
BL/T1/01/05 26th January 2005
The Trainer1 three
Trainer1, the independent e-learning specialist and creator of sophisticated courseware for learning, is revealing three major advances in the electronic delivery of learning materials at its stand at the Learning Technologies exhibition, taking place at Olympia, London, on 26th and 27th January.
The three major advances are:
· Context Sensitive Learning™ (CSL) – software intended for organisations that want to provide their staff with information and communications technology (ICT) training in a user-friendly way. CSL™, which provides training materials rather than the pure information given through context sensitive help, can be applied to any program running on the client machine including web based applications and bespoke created software.
· Argonaut, an enterprise-wide, simple to install and use, knowledge management application for the search and retrieval of all forms of information contained within a corporate intranet/extranet. Argonaut includes a tracking system for continuing professional development (CPD), a full search engine and the ability to manage e-learning materials that do not conform to AICC/SCORM standards.
· The latest version of the ‘authoring tool for non-programmers’: Trivantis’ Lectora Professional Publishing Suite 2005. The ‘Lectora 2005’ software includes several new features including allowing the creation and updating of sharable media libraries; enabling questions to be imported in bulk from question banks held in Access databases or Excel spreadsheets, and allowing courses to be published to HTML without removing AICC/ SCORM specifications.
According to Trainer1, an organisation that combines CSL™ with Argonaut, along with an authoring tool, such as Lectora, to create the templates and content of the learning modules and a learning management system, such as Coursemill, to track usage, has – for the first time - a complete e-learning and e-information system.
Trainer1’s client list includes major corporates such as ABN AMRO, Alliance & Leicester, Kraft, Mitsubishi Corporation, Specsavers and Camelot, along with public sector clients including the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Department for International Development and the Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability.
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Notes for Editors:
About CSL
In CSL™, Trainer 1 is using the latest version of software it developed first in 1998 that can give users access to a ‘mini-course’ on a particular topic – known as a ‘2 minute module’ ™. These 2 minute modules™ are context sensitive because users are automatically provided with a module that relates directly to the screens that are open on the user’s desktop at the time they ask for this learning.
The learning materials that comprise these 2 minute modules™ are written by the user’s organisation, following a five screen template developed by Trainer1. This ensures that the information they contain are exactly and entirely applicable to those who will be using them as job aids. If an organisation wishes, it can link these 2 minute modules™ to its learning management or knowledge management system so that it can track users’ access to these short, snappy job aids.
CSL™ provides training materials rather than the pure information given through context sensitive help. It can be applied to any program running on the client machine including web based applications and bespoke created software.
CSL™ provides the information people need without them needing to ask their neighbour or calling the helpdesk, thus reducing time wastage and reducing cost.
CSL™ is available in three delivery modes:
· Standard Mode – user asks for training by use of hotkey or click – if the training exists it will be started – if not, options are available to email the administrator to ask them to create training in this topic and/or open the knowledge base or the LMS if either exist within your organisation. Alternatives include a general list of training on the program.
· Learning Mode – in learning mode the training will automatically open when the user accesses a screen where training is available.
· Alert Mode – automatically alerts the user that training is available as soon as they open the screen, offering the user a choice to view the training.
CSL™ is a program that needs to be installed on each client’s desktop. It constantly monitors which screen(s) the user has open on that desktop and, when prompted by the user, it will search and retrieve the relevant learning module that applies to the particular open screen.
An organisation that combines CSL™ with Trainer1’s knowledge management tool, Argonaut, along with an authoring tool, such as Lectora, to create the templates and content of the learning modules and a learning management system, such as Coursemill, to track usage, has – for the first time - a complete e-learning and e-information system.
About Argonaut
Users first meet a screen containing a number of ‘categories’. They progress to view, for every piece of learning or information in that category, its title, an overview, a description of it, its size and a link to the actual material.
They will also be told which related materials previous users have also viewed – to help them with their continuing professional development (CPD). The system also contains reports on each user and, as each piece of material is accessed, the system adds that to the individual user’s profile – which provides accurate, on-going and regularly up-dated proof of their CPD record.
Each page contained on the system contains two search tools. One – a ‘quick search’ tool – enables users to search the system’s database while the other, advanced, search tool allows users to find what they need by searching the database via parameters including category and phrase.
The Argonaut knowledge management tool does not import or store any information or learning materials. It merely lists what is available and tracks which of these its users read. So, the information that Argonaut accesses and presents to the user can be stored anywhere within the company intranet.
Argonaut is totally configurable. This means that it is ‘self-customisable’ via configuration screens that allow users to change even the size of type and the colour of the screens – and, hence, there are no hidden additional customisation costs for the purchaser.
About Lectora 2005
Lectora content is universally interoperable with SCORM, AICC and LRN standards based learning management systems. It is available in two versions: standard and professional. Trainer1 can provide both versions of Lectora, full product training and UK based support and development services.
Lectora 2005’s new features include:
· Navigation and action features
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A new menu button to create horizontal or vertical rollover
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Support for ‘right mouse click’
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Show/hide actions on objects as well as pages
· Media features
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Library object option – to allow the creation and updating of sharable media libraries
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Support for new image types, such as .wmf and
.png
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A shapes/line tool to enable to creation of ‘fancy’ bullet points
· Text features
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Changing the default font will dynamically update all text within a course
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Text blocks now automatically increase in size to wrap around the text
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Text boxes can be enhanced with borders and text margins
· Tests and questions features
· Publishing features
· Other features
About Trainer1
Trainer1 is an independent e-learning specialist and creator of sophisticated courseware for learning, with a long experience in computer delivered learning. In particular, Trainer1 supplies and supports:
· Authoring tools - for the creation of content, meeting SCORM, AICC, LRN, XML, and QTI standards.
· Learning Management tools - for the management and distribution of content, including accreditation and reporting of data within existing databases.
· Tools and libraries to create multimedia content, including image editors, easy to use Flash production tools, libraries of sound, graphics and animation.
· Specialist training events to assist trainers become self sufficient in e-learning design and production.
· Development services in the creation and maintenance of learning content.
· The full range of Peter Honey Online Publications including the world famous and industry recognised Honey and Mumford Learning Styles Questionnaire.
Trainer1 is privately owned and remains a small, friendly company providing high quality product combined with personal service to Blue Chip Companies, as well as small and medium sized enterprises. Trainer1 is a member of many e-learning organisations and works with standards bodies to ensure technology is meeting the needs of users worldwide, as well as the guidelines determined by the governing groups in the e-learning industry.
Further information from:
Neil Lasher, Trainer1, 020 7264 4844
Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR, 01727 860405
www.trainer1.com
