Neat Stuff
Top Tools for Learning
One of the great services provided in recent years by The Centre for Learning and Performance Technologies is the maintenance of a Directory of more than 2,000 tools for learning and working in distance education. Recommended by eLearning professionals around the world, they include tools you’ve heard of – and many you haven’t – for accessing, creating, sharing, bookmarking, storing, and hosting learning resources.
Free E-Learning Resources
The eLearning Industry Network website is an active, prolific source of useful information and discussion on a wide range of eLearning topics. On of the most useful features of the site is that users contribute their favourite FREE eLearning resources. Even the resources that apply mainly to K-12 educations can be of value to corporate trainers.
Glossary of eLearning Terms
Like every other field of endeavour, eLearning has its share of acronyms and jargon terminology. Among the many eLearning glossaries in cyberspace, a good place to start is the Wiktionary Open Content Dictionary eLearning glossary. It, in turn, provides a connection to the Limbic Learning eLearning glossary, which is notable because it organizes eLearning terminology under several broad topic headings (Blended Learning, eLearning, Instructional Design, etc.), which makes it much easier to browse than a traditional ABC list.
Organizations
The Institute for Performance and Learning (I4PL)
The Institute for Performance and Learning (I4PL – formerly the Canadian Society for Training and Development) is Canada’s professional association for individuals engaged in workplace-based training and performance support. I4PL offers two certification programs – Certified Training Practitioner (CTP) and Certified Training and Development Professional (CTDP) – as well as conferences, workshops, symposiums, Webinars, courses, and learning events. You have to be a member to access most of the good stuff, but the individual and corporate fees are reasonable for the benefits gained. Definitely worth checking out.
Canadian eLearning Enterprise Alliance (CeLEA)
CeLEA is a great resource for anyone interested in staying current with the commercial elearning sector across Canada. There are fees for various levels of membership in the organization, each with a specific set of benefits, but some resources such as an industry news digest are available free of charge. CeLEA does a great job of posting notices about events in Canada and around the world that may be of interest to eLearning providers and clients, and maintains an extensive contractor directory. Definitely worth checking out.
The eLearning Guild
The eLearning Guild is a membership organization in which eLearning Professionals from around the world (but, in particular, from the U.S. and Canada) share their experience and knowledge. A wealth of resources – research reports, online forums, learning materials, an events calendar, a job board, the Learning Solutions eMagazine, and much more – are available from the Guild’s well-organized website. Some of the most useful resources are free and others are available for a reasonable yearly membership fee. If you could choose only one eLearning resource, this would be a good choice.