Friday
Jul092004
286 - Patent Claims Threat to eLearning; On-Line Photos for e-Learning Class
July 9, 2004
TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 9, 2004
#286 - Updates on Learning, eLearning and Training
47,754 Readers - The MASIE Center - www.masie.com
1. Patent Claims Threat to eLearning
2. On-Line Photos for e-Learning Class
3. Rapid eLearning Development Seminar & Roundtable
1. Patent Claims Threat to eLearning: I would like to raise a VERY critical and possibly disruptive issue that is developing in the e-Learning world: Patent Claims on e-Learning Processes.
A number of small and large companies have been awarded patents that supposedly cover some of the core elements of e-Learning. For example, one company claims to have a patent on all forms of on-line testing for a fee. Another is claiming a patent on streaming of digital content over the web. Some companies have been formed just for the purpose of buying up a patent and then approaching vendors in the field to "settle" or license these very core and what we believe are public domain concepts.
Last week, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, issued a warning about several of these patent claims and the chilling effect that they can have on the innovation process in the "e" world. Many of these patents were not fully or adequately reviewed and should be revised or overturned.
The MASIE Center is quite concerned and supports the efforts of the Electronic Frontier Foundation on this effort. Here is a story from Wired Magazine about this effort:
http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,64038,00.html
While there are some technologies and innovations that are deserving of patents, we are quite concerned about many of these specific ones.
Imagine if someone had a claim on using a blackboard or flipchart to deliver learning or a yellow pad for taking notes in a class. Some of these claims are absurd and learning threatening. If you would like to join me in raising this issue in our industry, please send me a note to emasie@masie.com.
2. On-Line Photos for e-Learning Class: Here is a feature suggestion for the makers of eLearning Virtual Classrooms: Automatic Pictures of Learners! I want a feature where each learner can upload a picture and when they are speaking or text chatting, their picture pops into an Active box on the screen. It would be simple to do and could even support a learner having several pictures with different levels of attention or emotion. Likewise, the trainer/facilitator can have a few pictures that pop up to add a visual to their voice.
3. Rapid eLearning Development Seminar & Roundtable: The MASIE Center is offering a new event in Las Vegas in September:
Rapid eLearning Development
"Learning at the Speed of Business"
Sept 8 and 9 - Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
I will be teaching this seminar and roundtable on September 8 and 9th, focuing on how organizations can DRAMATICALLY speed up the development of learning programs. We will look at the use of templates, rapid development tools and new ways of using Subject Matter Experts. Space is limited and we have had a burst of registrations in the last 48 hours.
Complete info and registration is at: http://www.masie.com
Upcoming MASIE Center Events: Info at http://www.masie.com 1. eLearning Briefing: Baltimore - Sept 2, 2004 2. Skills for SKILLS LAB: Saratoga Springs - Oct 6 to 8, 2004 3. Rapid eLearning Development Seminar & Roundtable - Las Vegas - Sept 8 and 9, 2004 Soon to Be Announced MASIE Center Events:
- Asian eLearning Forum
- HR eLearning Lab: New Models for Orientation & Leadership Development If you would like to host an eLearning Briefing in your part of the world, please send a note to emasie@masie.com
#286 - Updates on Learning, eLearning and Training
47,754 Readers - The MASIE Center - www.masie.com
1. Patent Claims Threat to eLearning
2. On-Line Photos for e-Learning Class
3. Rapid eLearning Development Seminar & Roundtable
1. Patent Claims Threat to eLearning: I would like to raise a VERY critical and possibly disruptive issue that is developing in the e-Learning world: Patent Claims on e-Learning Processes.
A number of small and large companies have been awarded patents that supposedly cover some of the core elements of e-Learning. For example, one company claims to have a patent on all forms of on-line testing for a fee. Another is claiming a patent on streaming of digital content over the web. Some companies have been formed just for the purpose of buying up a patent and then approaching vendors in the field to "settle" or license these very core and what we believe are public domain concepts.
Last week, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, issued a warning about several of these patent claims and the chilling effect that they can have on the innovation process in the "e" world. Many of these patents were not fully or adequately reviewed and should be revised or overturned.
The MASIE Center is quite concerned and supports the efforts of the Electronic Frontier Foundation on this effort. Here is a story from Wired Magazine about this effort:
http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,64038,00.html
While there are some technologies and innovations that are deserving of patents, we are quite concerned about many of these specific ones.
Imagine if someone had a claim on using a blackboard or flipchart to deliver learning or a yellow pad for taking notes in a class. Some of these claims are absurd and learning threatening. If you would like to join me in raising this issue in our industry, please send me a note to emasie@masie.com.
2. On-Line Photos for e-Learning Class: Here is a feature suggestion for the makers of eLearning Virtual Classrooms: Automatic Pictures of Learners! I want a feature where each learner can upload a picture and when they are speaking or text chatting, their picture pops into an Active box on the screen. It would be simple to do and could even support a learner having several pictures with different levels of attention or emotion. Likewise, the trainer/facilitator can have a few pictures that pop up to add a visual to their voice.
3. Rapid eLearning Development Seminar & Roundtable: The MASIE Center is offering a new event in Las Vegas in September:
Rapid eLearning Development
"Learning at the Speed of Business"
Sept 8 and 9 - Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
I will be teaching this seminar and roundtable on September 8 and 9th, focuing on how organizations can DRAMATICALLY speed up the development of learning programs. We will look at the use of templates, rapid development tools and new ways of using Subject Matter Experts. Space is limited and we have had a burst of registrations in the last 48 hours.
Complete info and registration is at: http://www.masie.com
Upcoming MASIE Center Events: Info at http://www.masie.com 1. eLearning Briefing: Baltimore - Sept 2, 2004 2. Skills for SKILLS LAB: Saratoga Springs - Oct 6 to 8, 2004 3. Rapid eLearning Development Seminar & Roundtable - Las Vegas - Sept 8 and 9, 2004 Soon to Be Announced MASIE Center Events:
- Asian eLearning Forum
- HR eLearning Lab: New Models for Orientation & Leadership Development If you would like to host an eLearning Briefing in your part of the world, please send a note to emasie@masie.com
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