Monday, August 24, 2009

Online Education Beats the Classroom

On Wednesday, Aug. 19, the New York Times published an article based on a 12 year study comprehensive study on online education at all levels (K-12, college and adult continuing education programs of all kinds) was recently published. The study encompassed 99 quantitative studies comparing online and instructor lead courses.

Conclusion - online education beats the classroom.

In the article, reporter Steve Lohr states:

"Until fairly recently, online education amounted to little more than electronic versions of the old-line correspondence courses. That has really changed with arrival of Web-based video, instant messaging and collaboration tools.

The real promise of online education, experts say, is providing learning experiences that are more tailored to individual students than is possible in classrooms. That enables more "learning by doing," which many students find more engaging and useful."

The real promise of eLearning is available today.

Moreover, the dean of Arizona State University's Online and Extended Campus program states we are at an inflection point with respect to eLearning. Lohr reports that Mr. Regier see things evolving fairly rapidly, accelerated by the increasing use of social networking technology.

You will want an eLearning platform that will assist you in getting these results - and not use legacy systems that, as described above, are little more than electronic versions of courses. If you are an academic institution, see what institutions like the University of Cambridge has selected.

If you are a corporation, your employees need to be more productive more than ever before. And when your CFO is challenging your training budget, suggest an eLearning 2.0 platform with little investment, a very rapid ROI and all the benefits of a state of the art eLearning system. If you are looking to toss out your legacy LMS like a 1/3rd of large companies are intending to do, get your payback before the end of the year.

Collaborative learning, cost savings and an environmentally friendly education distribution system our eLearning 2.0 and mLearning platform provides are just some of the benefits of TOPYX®. Our eLearning 2.0 education distribution technologies are paving the way in creating innovative solutions to meet the needs of today's learner.

For more information, blogs, videos and even test driving TOPYX, please go to www.interactyx.com.

Alfred R. Novas
Chief Executive Officer
Interactyx Limited

al.novas@interactyx.com
www.interactyx.com

Interactyx, the developer of TOPYX®, is at the forefront of developing eLearning and social networking solutions that engage and facilitate knowledge-sharing activities with learners.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

What tools are prestigious schools incorporating into their eLearning programs?

The University of Cambridge’s Judge Business School implemented a state of the art virtual learning environment (VLE) with Interactyx Limited’s TOPYX® VLE platform. Beginning this term, the candidates of its Executive MBA program will use the TOPYX platform.

Judge Business School is built on an ethos of collaboration. Accordingly, it searched for a VLE that supported collaborative learning. They chose TOPYX, developed by Interactyx.

The ability to incorporate Web 2.0 social networking technology into and outside the classroom is redefining our student’s learning experiences while still being core to its values. Now, Judge Business School students, instructors and administrators can share information and ideas faster and easier than ever before with the use of TOPYX’s technology.

Its EMBA students will experience in and outside the classroom:

  • Access to course materials - as well as their peers - whenever and wherever they may be, via the Internet and mobile devices
  • Assimilate Web 2.0 resources and an array of social networking tools with eLearning content
  • Integrate online profile, web presence and online communities into each learning object to facility collaboration and informal learning
  • Benefit from an intuitive, easy to use VLE platform e classroom

The use of TOPYX’s technology, facilitates its students’ aptitude to interact and share ideas, fosters collaborative leadership skills and develops a community of partners to meet the challenges of the new global business landscape.

Maybe we all can learn from the University of Cambridge’s Judge Business School.

Collaborative learning, cost savings and an environmentally friendly education distribution system our eLearning 2.0 and mLearning platform provides are just some of the benefits of TOPYX®. Our eLearning 2.0 education distribution technologies are paving the way in creating innovative solutions to meet the needs of today’s learner.

For more information, blogs, forums, videos and even test driving TOPYX, please go to www.interactyx.com.

Alfred R. Novas
Chief Executive Officer
Interactyx Limited
al.novas@interactyx.com
www.interactyx.com

Interactyx, the developer of TOPYX®, is at the forefront of developing eLearning and social networking solutions that engage and facilitate knowledge-sharing activities with learners.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Interactyx Limited Announces Global Affiliate Program

BONITA SPRINGS, FL—(BUSINESS WIRE)—August 18, 2009—Interactyx Limited is delighted to announce a comprehensive affiliate program that is focused on reaching new international markets and providing additional penetration into certain domestic industries with TOPYX®, the affordable eLearning 2.0 Software as a Service (SaaS) solution with integrated social networking, mobile learning and eCommerce functionality. Interactyx Limited is continuing to review and accept high-value affiliate opportunities.

A sample of Interactyx’s growing reach, through select affiliate relationships, are highlighted below:
- NLM Development - Paris, France: Pioneering the use of networked technology and multimedia for learning purposes, international business development, intercultural training
- BlueStreak Learning - Elmhurst, Illinois USA: Specializing in rapidly developing customer, member and business partner training courses, as well as employee training
- Technology BlocksLagos, Nigeria: Executing new and innovative technology driven projects with an emphasis in the oil and gas and financial services sectors
- ej4St. Louis, Missouri USA: Changing behaviors with highly targeted video content that is cost effective, delivered in a fun way, and that people can actually use to get measurable results
- A Plus LearningFalkirk, Stirlingshire UK: Positioning affordable learning content and delivery to specifically address the hardships being faced in the current economic climate

“Working with our affiliates throughout the world allow for us to better position TOPYX in key markets by leveraging our affiliates’ unique experience and expertise in mutually beneficial ways,” stated Alfred R. Novas, Chief Executive Officer of Interactyx Limited. “TOPYX has been gaining critical acceptance within the corporate and academic spheres as a complete and affordable integrated social networking and learning management system that fosters collaborative learning, is both easy to use and fully hosted. We are excited to continue to rapidly build our momentum by offering an attractive affiliate program to terrific partners that will provide our eLearning 2.0 solution to more people, more quickly, around the globe.”

TOPYX provides a unique affiliate opportunity to offer eLearning solutions for businesses and academic institutions of any type, and any size. Now, selected partners can provide affordable, easy-to-use eLearning technology that combines traditional learning management system functionality with integrated social networking and eCommerce tools, all-in-one user-friendly, feature-rich Software as a Service (SaaS) application, also accessible via mobile devices. The result is a collaborative, engaging learning experience for users, whenever they wish and wherever they may be. Please visit http://www.interactyx.com/referral-affiliate for more information and schedule an opportunity to speak with us.

About Interactyx Limited
Interactyx Limited (www.interactyx.com) is a global eLearning software company providing engaging and interactive learning experiences to learners, businesses, academic institutions and organizations.

Since 1995, Interactyx has worked with learning providers to develop engaging learning solutions. Interactyx, the developer of TOPYX®, is at the forefront of developing eLearning and social networking solutions that engage learners and enhance collaborative learning environments. Our eLearning 2.0 technologies are paving the way in creating innovative tools to meet the needs of today’s learner.

TOPYX is an affordable, fully hosted eLearning 2.0 Software as a Service (SaaS) solution with integrated social networking, mobile learning, and eCommerce. TOPYX improves the collaboration and communication aspects of the learning experience and creates a rich sense of community. Language localization of the platform is very easy, allowing deployment in many countries. Collaborative learning, mobile learning, cost savings and an environmentally friendly education distribution system are just some of the benefits of TOPYX. For more information, please go to www.interactyx.com.

Interactyx Contact:
Jeffrey A. Roth
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
+1.888.575.2266 x201 or +44.020.7084.6244 x201
jeffrey.roth@interactyx.com

Interactyx Limited
3461 Bonita Bay Boulevard
Suite 207
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
USA
www.interactyx.com

Affiliate Contacts:
NLM Development
118-122, avenue de France
75013 Paris FRANCE
Phone: + 33(0)1 46 46 13 18
Fax: + 33(0)1 46 46 10 00
contact@nlm-development.com
www.nlm-development.com

BlueStreak Learning
P.O. Box 1067
Elmhurst, Illinois 60126
+1.888.298.9419
info@bluestreaklearning.com
www.bluestreaklearning.com

Technology Blocks
Digital Jewels House
Plot 12 Frajend Close
Osborne Foreshore Estate, Phase 1
Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria
info@technologyblocks.com
www.technologyblocks.com

ej4
Dan Cooper
7171 W 95th Suite 110
Overland Park, KS 66212
+1.913.341.9100 extension 301
+1.913.341.9102
sales@ej4.com
www.ej4.com

A Plus Learning
Allan Isdale
Falkirk, Stirlingshire UK
apluslearning@o2.co.uk

Friday, August 7, 2009

Cash for LMS clunkers - Why are corporations dumping their legacy learning management systems and where are they going…

In the current edition of Chief Learning Officer magazine, Josh Bersin, the well respected founder of Bersin & Associates indicates that of those large corporations that have learning management systems (LMSs), almost one in three will be dumping their legacy LMS like a 1971 Chevy Vega, without any incentives from the U.S. government. Why is this happening?

The employee – the learner – is demanding it

What are employees saying?


 

Corporate employees surveyed by one of our content partners, SkillSoft plc, entitled The Future of Learning Corporate Training, state corporate training that is provided is substandard, and 54% of corporate employees
experience little to no value in the training received from their employer. The top preferences of corporate learners in this survey are:


 

  • Being able to get information where and when needed
  • Being in charge of the pace of learning
  • Learning in bite-sized portions
  • Learning at their desktop


 

According to Mr. Bersin, organizations are looking for LMSs that support:


 

  • Collaboration
  • Informal learning
  • Knowledge sharing


 

And this recession will be ending – hopefully sooner rather than later. Today, "only" 247,000 workers lost their jobs in July – lowest number in nearly a year. Soon, hopefully really soon, we need be in position to support hiring new staff. Corporations recognize the need to retain new employees and enable them to more quickly achieve productivity in their new capacity and environment. "Onboarding" programs and platforms to support this make a difference.


 

In a January 2008 research benchmark by the Aberdeen Group, results determined that the best-in-class onboarding enterprises realize a:

  • 100% improved retention rates of new hires
  • 60% reduced time-to-productivity for new hires


     

The Aberdeen Group further identifies that socialization is primary part of the onboarding efforts and that onboarding starts before a new hires first day on the job.

So CLOs are listening and dumping their clunkers - the legacy LMSs – and looking at more efficient, technology packed eLearning 2.0 LMSs

And the good news for CLOs is that there are new LMS platforms that provide the collaboration, informal learning and knowledge sharing capabilities through the use of feature-rich social networking tools via Web 2.0 technology, that can assist new employees get to productivity fast than ever before. The "more fuel efficient" LMSs can be a fully hosted, Software as a Service (SaaS) solution that is both reasonably priced and easily integrated to advance an organization's educational offerings.

Truly a Win – Win - Win situation…

A win for the organization: getting an affordable, hosted LMS platform. A win for the CLO: a more robust, engaging eLearning platform that employees will use. And most importantly, a win for the learner: who becomes more productive, useful and valuable to the organization. Maybe the LMS junkyard might get a win from this as well…

Collaborative learning, cost savings and an environmentally friendly education distribution system our eLearning 2.0 and mLearning platform provides are just some of the benefits of TOPYX®. Our eLearning 2.0 education distribution technologies are paving the way in creating innovative solutions to meet the needs of today's learner.

For more information, blogs, forums, videos and even test driving
TOPYX, please go to www.interactyx.com.

Alfred R. Novas

Chief Executive Officer

Interactyx Limited


 

al.novas@interactyx.com

www.interactyx.com


 

Interactyx, the developer of TOPYX®, is at the forefront of developing eLearning and social networking solutions that engage and communicate knowledge-sharing activities with learners. 


 


 

Monday, August 3, 2009

Bonita Springs-based tech company signs software deal with university

Bonita Springs-based tech company signs software deal with university

news-press.com

Bonita Springs-based technology company Interactyx Limited’s learning software was recently chosen by Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge.

Students of Cambridge’s Executive MBA program will commence using the trademarked TOPYX eLearning 2.0 solution software this month for a two-year term. The system integrates learning content, assignments and social networking.

“We are pleased to announce our long-term relationship with Cambridge. Judge Business School is ‘built on an ethos of collaboration.’ TOPYX’s essence is to facilitate collaborative learning experiences through its eLearning platform,” said Alfred R. Novas, chief executive officer of Interactyx Limited.

“In working with the great team at Cambridge and creating the right solution to enhance the Cambridge Executive MBA program offering, we are all excited about TOPYX being used this August. Moreover, we congratulate and share in the celebration of Judge Business School’s 20 years of excellence and the University of Cambridge’s 800th anniversary.”

Dr. Simon Learmount, director of the Executive MBA program at Judge Business School, said: “We were seeking an eLearning platform that fits with our heritage of fostering collaborative leadership and developing communities of partners. TOPYX captures that and we believe will fit properly at Judge Business School. The team at Interactyx was very responsive to our needs and we look forward to growing our relationship.”

TOPYX provides a unique eLearning solution for institutions of any size. Now, academic institutions or individual departments can combine traditional learning management system functionality with an integrated social networking in one user-friendly, feature-rich software-as-a-service application, also accessible via mobile devices. The result is a collaborative, engaging learning experience for learner and instructor alike, whenever and wherever they may be available.

TOPYX provides a fully hosted solution that is reasonably priced and easily integrated to advance an organization’s educational offerings. TOPYX improves the collaboration and communication aspects of the learning experience and creates a rich sense of community. Language localization of the platform is very easy, allowing deployment in many countries. Judge Business School is internationally recognized as one of the leading providers of innovative, intellectually challenging and practical business management education across a portfolio of undergraduate, graduate and executive programs. As a fully integrated department of a world renowned university, Judge Business School hosts one of the largest concentrations of interdisciplinary business and management research activity in Europe.

Built on an ethos of collaboration, the school is a unique place where policy makers, regulators, industry leaders, nonprofits, entrepreneurs and academics can meet, interact and share ideas.

Judge Business School delivers business education for the 21st networked economy, fostering collaborative leadership skills and developing communities of partners to meet the challenges of the new global business landscape.

Future Think LLC, a leading foresight and innovation training firm n New York City, will begin using Topyx as an eLearning service, too.

“Futurethink is also utilizing Topyx’s eCommerce engine, allowing for the sale of relevant content to its customers, another innovative aspect available with Topyx. The potent combination of eLearning, social networking and integrated eCommerce will allow for enhanced customer loyalty and thus, increased sales,” said Novas, Interactyx CEO.

“We are proud to have futurethink as a client and look forward to building a long-term relationship.”

Lisa Bodell, futurethink’s CEO, said: “We decided to use the Topyx eLearning software because we needed an innovative eLearning solution that will allow us to easily and quickly distribute our content in a manner that fosters collaborative learning. ... Topyx was the right choice to best meet these criteria and to provide all of these features at a value that is unmatched in the market. We look forward to a new chapter for our business with the help of Interactyx.”

Interactyx Limited is a global eLearning company providing engaging and interactive learning experiences to learners and organizations whenever and wherever they want it. Since 1995, Interactyx has worked with learning providers including prestigious educational institutions to develop engaging learning solutions. The developer of TOPYX, Interactyx is at the forefront of developing eLearning and social networking solutions that engage and communicate knowledge-sharing activities with learners. For more information, go to interactyx.com.