Your Advantage Tip

Learn anytime, anywhere with eLearning

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 02:46:00 GMT

Chances are you have heard the term ‘elearning’. It’s just short for ‘electronic learning’. Although it seems to be a fairly recent phenomenon, believe it or not elearning has been around since at least 1924 when Ohio University introduced a testing machine. This innovation did not fare so well. In more recent times, elearning has often been associated with ‘click and read’ type courses that are accessed on a computer, often over the Internet.

One of the limitations with this approach is that it is a very passive experience. It doesn’t engage learners and statistically many of these types of courses have a high dropout rate. In more recent times, teachers, trainers and educators have looked to adopt a more social approach to elearning. This can be done using social aspects of learning management systems (LMS) or incorporating social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Of course, there’s the whole mlearning (mobile learning) phenomenon which potentially makes learning available anytime, anywhere.

The good news is that all these factors can make elearning inexpensive to setup and easily accessible. The down side is the time investment required to investigate solutions and then develop the content and learning experience.

Are you keen to explore how you might embrace social elearning and mlearning in your educational or workplace environment? Have a look at our new nationally recognised course in this course guide: Facilitate and develop social and online learning - 4th May

Your business and social media

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 02:34:00 GMT

Almost unheard of five years ago, social media has become a part of most people's every day lives. It has also become an important promotional tool for many businesses and an opportunity to stay in touch with customers on a regular basis. Three of the main social media tools are Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Facebook is great for individuals to stay in touch with friends and relatives as well as organizing community organization they are involved in such as schools and sporting groups. It's also great for businesses who tend to market to individuals who want to build brand awareness.

Twitter is a microblogging platform that allows users to send and receive messages called "tweets" up to 140 characters long. It has been used for all sorts of purposes with celebrities in particular harnessing the power of Twitter to regularly stay in touch with fans. It is also used by businesses as both a promotional and customer service tool, as well as individuals keeping up to date with friends.

LinkedIn is specifically a professional social network. There are many different ways to use LinkedIn, including as an online resume, recruitment for positions vacant and connecting with other people in your industry area in LinkedIn groups. It is extremely powerful for both individuals and businesses and a little bit of time invested in LinkedIn can really pay off.

Western College is running a short lunchtime workshop to help you better understand the potential of LinkedIn.

Get the best out of LinkedIn
Wednesday 13 March
12pm - 1:30pm, $60 (includes catering)

Five Time Saving Microsoft Word Tricks

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 05:50:00 GMT

Five Time Saving Microsoft Word Tricks

1. Paste Special
Paste special is a life saver – especially if you are copying andpasting from a PDF or a web page and you don’t want anymessy formatting ruining your document. In Word 2003,use Edit > Paste Special. In Word 2007, they’ve introduced a keyboard shortcut:<Alt><Ctrl><V>.
2. Filename and path
If you use forms and templates at work, including thefilename and path can make it so much easier to findelectronic versions of documents on the network. Theseare usually best placed in the footer of the document. To insert the filename and path, in Word 2003 use the InsertAutoText option from the Header and Footer toolbar and, in2007, from the Insert ribbon select Quick Parts > Field.
3. Use styles for professional looking documents
Rather than manually applying formatting the same wayall the time, use styles to save your preferred formats.You’ll save yourself many mouse clicks and time and yourdocument will look professional and consistent.
4. Search and Replace
Have you had a situation where you’ve needed to changea word or term in a document? Try to do it manually and,as well as taking a long time, you are likely to miss someoccurrences. Instead, use Word’s Search and Replace feature. You’ll find it in the Edit menu in 2003 and the Homeribbon in 2007.
5. Show / Hide Paragraph Markers
Have you ever had one of those horror documents withparagraphs ending in strange spots and text starting halfway down the page? Chances are, someone has put inreturns where they don’t belong. The easiest way to trackdown the offending breaks is by turning on the paragraph markers. Look for the tool in the Standard toolbar in Word2003 and the Home ribbon in Word 2007.

Are you ready to grow from being an intermediate Word user into an advanced Word user?
Checkout the Advanced Word course, starting on November 5, in this course guide

Tablets: iPad vs Android

Fri, 25 May 2012 04:44:00 GMT

Strictly speaking, you are not limited to iOS / iPad or Android although these two definitely dominate the market. The key difference is that iOS is from Apple, designed to work exclusively on Apple products (iPhone / iPad / iPod Touch) whereas Android is an open source operating system that can be used on any suitable hardware.
If you are thinking about buying a tablet, don’t be mistaken by thinking it is a viable laptop replacement. Tablets are great for browsing the web, accessing email and media, taking notes in a meeting or lecture and having some cool apps but they are not the right platform to, for example, create complicated desktop published documents or spreadsheets.
The great thing about iPads is that they just work – more responsive, better touch screen, faster performance. Sorry, let’s qualify that – they just work once you have plugged them into your desktop system that has iTunes install and then go through an infuriating registration process! And anytime you want to update the operating system (iOS) you have to plug it back into your desktop and use iTunes.
The iPad interface is very easy to use and the range of apps is amazing. One downside is the lack of expansion options – you are stuck with whatever memory space you buy.
Android tablets, however, usually let you swap memory cards, usually through micro SD cards. So you can fill a card up with movies, for example, and swap it over when you are doing something else. The Android operating system gives you more freedom but, the downside with that is that there are more options for things to go wrong. Android tablets can work pretty well but don’t match iPad for quality and performance.
Do you already have an iPad and would like to get more out of it? Check out the I love my iPad workshops in this course guide and unleash the possibilities. Alternatively, if you would like some one-on-one training on your iPad, call 6884 2899 to find out what your options are.

Why your organisation needs to get blogging now!

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

It seems like blogs are popping up all over the place and for all kinds of purposes – personal, business, community. So, what exactly is a blog? The word ‘blog’ is actually short for ‘web log’ and, according to Pyra Labs Blogger, “A blog is a web page made up of usually short, frequently updated posts that are arranged chronologically – like a what's new page or a journal.”

So the idea behind blogging is to make it short, simple and regular. Blogs are easy to get started and easy for anyone who can get around the internet to update. Unlike a web site, you need very little technical ‘know how’ to maintain a blog.

It’s a fantastic way to strengthen brand awareness, develop credibility with your customers or to let people know what’s going on in your community organisation. If you keep your blog fresh and interesting you can attract subscribers – and potential customers or members.

You can also create extra income streams by selling complimentary products using affiliate programs. For example, if you are running a cricket club, your blog can review the latest cricket biography and give your readers a link to purchase it – receiving 5 per cent of the book price for each sale!

There are a number of advantages to having a blog. So where do you get started? There are many options available including Blogger, Squidoo and WordPress.

Would you like to learn more? Why not enrol in the new Western College course - Building a Blog with WordPress - as advertised in our new course guide. Get blogging today!

Microsoft Publisher Design Essentials

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 03:38:00 GMT

Microsoft Publisher is a great, simple-to-use desktop publishing (DTP) prgram developed for non-designers. Here are some design tips to help make sure your next Publisher project looks contemporary and professional:

* If you are using Microsoft Publisher 2007 or an earlier version, avoid using the in-built WordArt. Publisher 2010 has some nicer, more contemporary options but use sparingly and don't go OTT (that's over the top!) with special effects.

* Be carefulwith the use of ClipArt. Images can certainly enhance the appeal of your document and can illustrate your message, but make sure your images are relevant and in keeping with the style of the document and the image of your organisation. You might like to consider using stock image services. You do need to pay small fees to purchase licenses to use these pictures.

* When designing your document, thing about how it will be distributed. Will you be printing on laser printer at work? Will it be printed professionally? Will it be distributed via PDF? Make sure you think of the limitations of the distribution option you will be using.

Would you like to learn more about creating outstanding publications and documents? Check out this course guide for a range of Microsoft Word and Publisher courses. Or why not contact David on 6884 2899 to talk anout your specific workplace training needs?

Thinking outside the PowerPoint square

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:00:00 GMT

Microsoft PowerPoint has become on of the most used (or should that be overused!) software tools in workplaces.

One important thing to remember, particularly for presenters and trainers, is that PowerPoint is not the presentation - it is just another tool in the toolbox. It should support and emphasise the presentation, not replace it.

One rule of thumb is "Can someone understand my message by viewing the PowerPoint?" If the answer is "Yes" then you need to go back to the drawing board and completely redo your presentation.

So what are some more creative ways to use PowerPoint as a tool in presentations, training and education?

One way is to rethink how you design your PowerPoint slide-shows. Most people follow a fairly traditional format for their presentations. The great thing is, you don't have to! For inspiration, look at websites that you like and try to develop your presentations to look more like them. Look at the navigation, colour schemes, types of pictures used, etc.

For an idea about the types of non- PowerPoint looking PowerPoint presentations you could be creating, look at this.

Want to learn more about PowerPoint? Maybe you should think about doing the Create Electronic Presentations course in this months course guide!

Have an idea for an Advantage Tip you'd like to see? Send your ideas to : info@westerncollege.com.au