161 - Web Usage at Work Soars and Worries Managers

1. Web Usage at Work Soars and Worries Managers: Much to the chagrin of
many managers and supervisors, people are spending more time surfing the
Internet at work than they are at home, mainly because home Web connection
speeds pale in comparison to the faster connections that companies give
their employees. During January, at-work Internet users spent an average of 21 hours on the Web, more than double the amount of time at-home users were online, according to Nielsen/NetRatings, a Web measurement service from Nielsen Media Research Inc. and NetRatings Inc.

The new monthly survey found that although the active Internet audience size on the job was less than half that at home - 30.6 million users at work versus 77 million at home - working people went online an average of 41 times a day, dramatically higher than the average 18 sessions at home. "Web users are taking advantage of the fast Internet connections within the workplace to communicate and obtain information more efficiently," said Allen Weiner, vice president of analytical services at NetRatings.

"While there may be less people overall using the Internet at work compared
to the home, those who utilize the medium in the workplace are spending more time on it because of its easy accessibility and its high bandwidth," Weiner said. In addition, NetRatings found that finance, news and electronics sites are more popular to at-home surfers, with finance sites reaching 31.1 percent more users at work than from home.

Among the leaders in the online finance category were Marketwatch.com Inc.,
Intuit Inc.'s Quicken.com, Time Warner Inc's CNNfn.com and E+Trade.com.
Accessing music sites such as Napster.com is causing some corporate internet pipes to clog. Watch for additional corporate monitoring and selective site restriction as this trends continues.

2 e-Learning 2000 Europe in Dublin by The MASIE Center: We are pleased to
announce a new international event sponsored by The MASIE Center this
summer:

-e-Learning 2000 Europe - Dublin, Ireland - July 10 and 11th \

If you are located in Europe, or would like to take a work/play vacation in
Ireland, check out the preview site for this new MASIE event: Go to
http://www.masie.com/dublin/

3. Learning Quotation: Submitted by Maureen Laparo of Pershing

The mediocre teacher tells.
The good teacher explains.
The superior teacher demonstrates.
The great teacher inspires.

---- William Arthur Ward

Other MASIE Center Offerings:
* Subscribe to our Research Based Monthly Newsletter: Learning Decisions -
Only $195 www.learningdecisions.com
* Industry Event for Vendors, Suppliers and Investors in e-Learning: The
Business of e-Learning & On-Line Learning: Seattle, WA - March 27 and 28th.
www.masie.com Space is limited.
* e-Learning Briefing: Implementing Learning and Technology: Washington,
DC - April 13 and 14: www.masie.com for info.

160 - Netherlands Discussion Raises Long Term Nature of Learning Question; Another Israeli Company in Collaborative Space: LearnLinc Acquired; Even Smaller Footprint Digital Video Equipment for Learning

1. Netherlands Discussion Raises Long Term Nature of Learning Question:
This morning at 4 am, my telephone rang and I led an interactive session at
an e-learning event in the Netherlands. (e-learning does challenge sleep
when we overcome time and distance...grin). The most interesting question
that the group raised was the duration of learning issue.

"We believe that learning is something that happens over time, with
multiple experiences! How does the short term focus of e-learning fit into
that perspective?"

I believe that they are raising a critical and important challenge for
e-learning. While we want to honor the ability of learning to be just in
time and available in granular chunks for immediate needs, we have to
recognize how we actually have acquired our most critical skills and
knowledge sets. We believe that learning is an on-going and social
process, rather than an event. Learners will use a wide range of inputs
and tools, and even technologies. But, if we structure e-learning as merely
a short term set of experiences, we will miss the mark totally.

Some of the most potent learning technology implementations on the corporate
scene are longer duration offerings. Learners have a chance to become part
of on-going explorations or communities, with a wide range of experiences.
Let's make sure that e-learning is not just defined as a series of quick
hits. We will address this critical issue in the March issue of our new
publication, Learning Decisions (www.learningdecisions.com)

2. Another Israeli Company in Collaborative Space: LearnLinc Acquired:
Israel is clearly on the map for digital collaboration. Companies such as
Interwise and ICQ have already placed Israel on the map as a key site for
development in the distance learning and virtual meeting space. Now, we
have an announcement from another Israeli company, Gilat (which recently
purchased Allen Communications) that they have acquired LearnLinc, a major
player in the live e-learning space. You can access information on these
players at www.learnlinc.com or www.gilat.com I a fascinated by the role
that different countries are developing in the learning and technology
areas, including Ireland and India. If you have some other examples or
comments send me a note at emasie@masie.com

3. Even Smaller Footprint Digital Video Equipment for Learning: The
footprint for high quality video equipment keeps getting smaller. The
MASIE Center is building a demonstration lab in our new building to explore
the role of video in corporate e-learning. As a ramp up, we are buying a
range of digital video cameras to capture content, for desktop and
workstation editing. The most recent tool is the SONY Digital Video Camera
(DCR-PC100). It weighs less than 2 pounds, is hand held, creates high
quality digital video and is Firewire compatible. It also doubles as a
digital still camera and can interface with digital editing programs. Cost
is below $2,000 and can be placed in workgroups for on-going documentation
and knowledge interviews. Information at www.sony.com/handycam

4. Learning Quotation: Lau Tzu

"If you tell me, I will listen.
If you show me, I will see.
If you let me experience, I will learn!"

---- Lau Tzu

5. e-Learning Implementation: Pilot and Strategy Addressed in Briefing -
Corporations seeking help in understanding the confusing and exciting world
of e-Learning should look towards two key strategies:

- Piloting: The building of pilots for discovering your corporate culture's
ability to absorb and respond to various e-learning methods.
- Learning Strategy: Creating a Learning Strategy, aligned with Business
Goals, to guide our organizations experiments and projects with various
learning methods and models.

These two strategies will be discussed in depth in my next event for
learning professionals: e-Learning Briefing. This is a vendor-neutral, 2
day in-depth class (with 2 follow-up on-line classes) that will be offered
in Washington, DC on April 13 and 14th. We will demonstrate and explore
every model of e-learning currently (and coming) to the marketplace. Our
last class in Seattle sold out quickly. Reserve your space by going to
http://www.masie.com Group discounts are available.

Other MASIE Center Offerings:
* Subscribe to our Research Based Monthly Newsletter: Learning Decisions -
Only $195 www.learningdecisions.com
* Industry Event for Vendors, Suppliers and Investors in e-Learning: The
Business of e-Learning & On-Line Learning: Seattle, WA - March 27 and 28th.
www.masie.com Space is limited.

159 - Balloons for Competency Testing?; Denials of Service Attacks on Internet: A Techie's View; KnowledgeNet Launches New IT e-Learning Services

1. Balloons for Competency Testing? I had a great conversation about
testing while sitting in a barber's chair over the weekend. I asked the
barber to trim my beard and it led to a dialogue about how he had been
tested by the government for his skills at using a razor on men's shaving
cream slathered necks. Yes, there is a competency based test that each
barber learner must pass on their way to being a Certified Shaving Engineer.
I asked him who had the job of being the testing face for applicants
(especially those who failed!) It turns out the shaving exam starts with a
simulation.....the learner is handed a blown up balloon, covered with
shaving cream and a sharp, straight edged razor. The applicant has to
completely remove the shaving cream from the balloon. If the balloon
bursts, you fail.

2. Denials of Service Attacks on Internet: A Techie's View: The recent and
current attacks on major internet sites have triggered lots of calls to The
MASIE Center about the impact on e-learning. If major websites are
vulnerable to hacker attacks, does that raise issues of security for
learning and training sites. Could a disgruntled ex-employee bring down the
learning portal at a company with a hacker attack? I could not even begin
to answer these questions, since I didn't understand the technical aspects
of this wave of attacks. So, I turned to Matt Frazer, our IT Manager at
The MASIE Center, to give me and TechLearn Trends readers a short tutorial
on this latest wave of cyber-terrorism. For a quick briefing on these
attacks go to http://www.masie.com/net1/

We will track the impact on e-learning sites and report in an upcoming
TRENDS.

3. KnowledgeNet Launches New IT e-Learning Services: Recently,
KnowledgeNet introduced KnowledgeNet LIVE and KnowledgeNet INTERACTIVE, two
IT e-learning solutions. Both solutions are based on a unique learning
architecture model. Additionally, both solutions are supported by
KnowledgeNet CAMPUS, a suite of mentoring, customization and hands-on
learning tools. Detailed information at http://www.knowledgenet.com

4. Learning Quotation: Oliver Wendell Holmes

"Many ideas grow better when transplanted into another mind than in the one
where they sprang up."
- - Oliver Wendell Holmes

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
* Business of On-Line and e-Learning Conference: March 27 and 28th -
Seattle, Washington - For Industry Suppliers and Vendors
* e-Learning Briefing: April 13 and 14th - Washington, DC - A Vendor-Neutral
View of On-Line and e-Learning by Elliott Masie
Info on these events: http://www.masie.com

Learning Portals Survey

TO: Learning and Training Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, The MASIE Center

Learning Portals are big news in the training world this year. Take 3
minutes and complete our most recent survey on Learning Portals. Let's get
a handle on the field's reactions to the product and buzz about Learning
Portals. Just go to:

http://www.masie.com/survey/

Executive summary of the results will be posted in Trends in 3 weeks.
Complete analysis available in our Learning Decisions Newsletter.

Thanks,

Elliott Masie

158 - Special Report: Ford and Delta Airlines Subsidize Workforce Home PC's

Special Report: Ford and Delta Airlines Subsidize Workforce Home PC's

A new type of program smashed onto the corporate scene this week, as Ford
and Delta Airlines, introduced a low-cost "Get a PC for Your Home" program.
Both employers have offered their worldwide workforce the opportunity to get
a state of the air home computer and unlimited internet access for as little
as $5 per month. What do these programs mean for e-learning and HR
processes?

* Workers can use these computers to access e-learning programs for their
families. Ford workers already have a range of training programs available
for their families. Through the corporate subsidized programs, watch for a
wider range of non-work related training offerings.

* Workers will be able to access e-learning for work specific and career
development objectives. These new world wide networks will extend the
ability of a worker to take learning activities anytime, right from their
home. We will be watching to see how compensation issues play into these
programs. Will a unionized worker have an overtime compensation claim for
time spent on their PC's in learning programs?

* Workers and their families will be able to conduct more of their HR
related activities through web based forms at home. For example, a worker
and their spouse will have the ability to access their 401K plans and make
choices right from their home based PC. We would expect greater levels of
family involvement and knowledge of these decisions as at-home access is
created.

* Delta is also providing employees with access to their entire corporate
network from home. Scheduling will be available on these PC's, allowing
employees to view and revise schedules from their homes. Email accounts
will be available to each employee, exempt from corporate monitoring or
content regulations.

As these programs spread, it will be a great boost to the e-learning
movement. Hundreds of thousands of devices will now be available for use
in e-learning settings. The MASIE Center believes it will be a high energy
accelerant for the growth of on-line and e-learning.

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
* The Business of On-Line and e-Learning Conference: Seattle, Washington -
March 27 and 28th. Only 95 seats left in this vendor only conference.
Check www.masie.com for details and registration.
* e-Learning Briefing: Washington, DC - April 13 and 14th. How to
implement e-learning in your organization. The only vendor-neutral summary
of e-learning approaches and technologies. www.masie.com for details and
registration.

157 - Department of Defense Moves Towards Reusable Courseware & Tony Blair Focuses on Learning as Key to Digital Economy; Top Learning Decisions for 2000 Released & More IPO's from e-Learning

1. Department of Defense Moves Towards Reusable Courseware: We are
pleased to announce that the United States Department of Defense's ADL
Initiative has taken the learning industry a huge step forward with the
release of a new standard. It marks the inaugural release of specifications
and guidelines, called the Sharable Courseware Object Reference Model (or
SCORM), that provide the foundation for how the Department of Defense will
use learning technologies to build, and operate in, the learning environment
of the future.

Imagine the ability to mix and match learning segments to create lower cost,
reusable training resources. SCORM is a significant step in the direction
of true standards for our industry. Read the complete press release at
http://www.adlnet.org Great work, ADL!

2. Tony Blair Focuses on Learning as Key to Digital Economy: UK Prime
Minister Tony Blair has outlined the reforms he claims Europe needs in order
to build a thriving digital economy. Speaking at the World Economic Forum
in Davos, Switzerland, Blair said the need for reform in education is
paramount. "In an economy dominated by information and knowledge, education
is king. Not just in school or university but throughout life," he said. He
held up Britain as an example. "A whole network of adult learning centres
are being established, with incentives provided to upgrade skills, and a new
University for Industry established through the use of Internet technology
to give adults the skills they need." To read the entire article, go to
http://www.silicon.com/a35401

3. Top Learning Decisions for 2000 Released: Our recent survey reveals the
top five issues that learning departments are facing in 2000. Responses
from over 1,240 learning professionals indicated these concerns:

a. Aligning Training with Business Goals and Objectives.
b. Evaluating the Effectiveness of Training
c. Integrating Instructor Led and Technology Delivered Training
d. Developing and e-Learning Strategy for Our Organization
e. Changing the Corporate Culture Regarding Learning & Training

The complete results and analysis of the data, along with comments from
senior Learning Officers, is being distributed to all Learning Decisions
Interactive Newsletter subscribers. If you would like to subscribe, just
go to www.learningdecisions.com

4. More IPO's from e-Learning: Two more e-Learning companies are headed
towards IPO - Stock Market release this week. Centra Software (CTRA)
www.centra.com will be released in the next few days and SkillSoft (SKIL)
www.skillsoft.com hit the market on Monday. Watch for at least 5 more
e-Learning IPO announcements in the coming weeks. Our telephone has been
ringing with journalists covering the increased interest in the e-Learning
market.

5. Learning Quotation: Bill Moyers

"When I learn something new - and it happens every day - I feel a little
more at home in this universe, a little more comfortable in the nest."
- Bill Moyers

6. Elliott Masie, Newt Gingrich and Lou Dobbs at Speaker Showcase: If you
are a meeting planner and select speakers for events, the agency that
represents me is holding a free Speaker Showcase in D.C. on April 6th. I am
honored to be included with several of their other speakers, presenting at
this showcase, including former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich and Lou
Dobbs (of CNN fame and now Chair of space.com) Go to
http://www.washspkrs.com/showcase/ to reserve a space at this showcase.

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
* The Business of On-Line and e-Learning Conference: Seattle, Washington -
March 27 and 28th. Only 95 seats left in this vendor only conference.
www.masie.com for details and registration.
* e-Learning Briefing: Washington, DC - April 13 and 14th. How to
implement e-learning in your organization. The only vendor-neutral summary
of e-learning approaches and technologies. www.masie.com for details and
registration.