In this Issue:

• What You Don’t Know About PowerPoint WBT: Adding Functionality via Learning Management Systems
• Join Dr. Parks PowerPoint for Web-Based Training Workshop on June 27 in the OC
• Reserve Your Copy of PowerPoint For Web-Based Training

Native PowerPoint Web-Based Training (WBT) files do not support robust reports, user status, bookmarking or content management. During the workshops I deliver on creating PowerPoint WBTs, I always discuss how to overcome these challenges. I describe how to design and deploy robust course maps to minimize the lack of bookmarking functionality. I demonstrate how to insert a test hyperlink and an email reply to provide a basic level of feedback and user tracking. Yet these fixes are not ideal and leave a lot to be desired. Learning Management Systems that include robust content management tools can add functions and features to PowerPoint files that generate more robust learning solution. Let’s take a look at each of the functional challenges and compare the capabilities of native PowerPoint to PowerPoint coupled with Learning Content Management technology… Learn more

Please check your calendar and join Dr. Parks in Southern California for a very special PowerPoint for Web-Based Training day. The Orange County Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) has scheduled Dr. Parks as its June keynote speaker addressing the topic of PowerPoint for Web-Based Training Myths. This will be followed by a 4-hour hands on workshop in How To Design Engaging Web-Based Training Using PowerPoint. The workshop will cover file setup, main menu design and learning activity creation. Each participant will get a CDROM with PowerPoint templates, resources and a library of articles. The date, time and location of the event is as follows: Wednesday, June 27, 11:30 am to 5:30 pm, The Turnip Rose, 300 S. Flower, Orange, CA. For registration information check the OC ASTD website

I am preparing a workbook for instructional designers, trainers, subject matter experts and developers interested in implementing PowerPoint for web-based training. Its publication in PDF format and/or print will be available in November 2007. The approximately 250-page workbook will include ready to implement PowerPoint templates, including a wide range of games, role based simulations and interactive exercises. Why did I write this workbook? First, because cycle time to design, develop, test and deploy online learning is too long for most organizations. Most corporate web-based training projects take months, yet organizations need to publish learning content online in weeks. Second, the cost of online learning isn’t in design and development but in managing the life cycle (maintenance). My experience with over 200 Fortune 1000 companies is that content updating impacts approximately 25% of WBT published pages. In addition, content growth can be as much as 60% per year. As a consequence, the cost of e-learning is hidden in the burden of updating and adding new content to courses. PowerPoint development for Web-Based Training makes this major challenge easier to manage. Reserve your copy of the workbook and get 25% off the list price by emailing info@askintl.com and asking to be placed on the reservation list… Learn more