Issue 13  |  May 2012 Subscribe Now  |  Send to a friend
 
In This Issue

Flashback 2011-12
Top 5 Trending Articles

Mobile Learning: A Quick SWOT Analysis
Learning In The Future - Exploring Five Themes
LMS: Build Vs Buy - A Decision Paradigm
A Refreshing Take On User Experience Design
Prototyping In eLearning
The Best Giveaways
eBook: Mobile Learning - A Quick Start Guide
eBook: LMS In Training Companies - Then & Now
Point Of View Paper: Mobile Learning - Here And Now
The Best Of Upside Learning
Introducing UpsideLMS Version 5.0
Rocking The List At Number 26 In The Top 100 Ranking Websites In eLearning & Learning Technology
Upside Learning Wins Its 10th Brandon Hall Award
Upside2Go Released For Android
We Develop An AR Cover For Elearning! Magazine
UpsideLMS Wins A Silver In CLO’s Learning In Practice Award 2011
Industry Sightings
Indian Education Sector To Cross $45 Bn Mark By 2015
Digital Learning Resource Sales Growing Again
Lower Priced iPad Is Hit In Education Market
Digital English Language Learning Growing By A 5 Year CAGR of 14.5%

Upside Learning In A Flash
 
From The Director’s Desk
 
One year back we launched UL Buzz with a promise to keep you updated with the latest in the learning industry. And today we can proudly say that we have delivered on our promise.

Today over 3000 readers from around the world read UL Buzz to fulfill their thirst for knowledge. Over the months we have tried to share our understanding and knowledge in the learning domain‚ specifically Custom eLearning Development‚ Mobile Learning and Learning Management System. We hope to continue with this legacy we have created for ourselves for years to come.

On behalf of the Upside Learning family‚ I’d like to thank all our readers for their continued support. We encourage you to share UL Buzz with your friends and colleagues - just click on the ‘Send to a friend’ link in the top bar.

Coming to this issue of UL Buzz‚ we take a jog down the memory lane. To celebrate a year’s completion‚ we have compiled the best articles‚ the biggest developments at Upside Learning that created news and some of the finest free resources we have dished out over the past 11 issues.
 
 
Happy reading.


Amit Gautam
Director - Technology Solutions

 
mLearnCon 2012
Booth # 216 | 19th - 21st June 2012
       
  Top 5 Trending Articles

See Mobile Learning: A Quick SWOT Analysis (May 2011)

The use of mobiles as an alternative source of information is increasingly gaining ground in the learning environment. This is compounded by the fact that a large number of organizations and institutions are opting for new modes of learning as part of their training and development. Mobile Learning is slowly but clearly emerging as the ‘future’ of learning. But what are its inherent strengths and weaknesses‚ the potential opportunities and possible threats it faces? Know it all here as we analyze mobile learning.

A Refreshing Take On User Experience Design (January 2012)

The entire designing world seems to be talking about user experience (UX) these days. As a company developing mobile apps and software products‚ we ourselves are on a constant lookout for new ways to delight our users‚ even provide them with magic‚ so that they love our designs but‚ more importantly‚ they get a wonderful user experience.

Think this resonates with you? Then get a quick overview of the ideal user experience guidelines and standards from a psychologist’s point of view. We have also packed in some really practical and useful tips which can and ought to be implemented right away.
LMS: Build Vs Buy - A Decision Paradigm (December 2011)

Is getting a system tailor-made for your learning requirements more beneficial or is an off-the-shelf package more cost-effective? Which model suits which requirement and why? We understand that these questions run through your mind more often than not. You might be reassured to know that we think about this a lot too.

We have tried to answer most of the questions you generally face while switching or buying a new LMS‚ pertaining to the cost implications‚ time-to-market‚ risks and mitigation. We hope your buying decision will be simplified after a quick read through of this blog post.

Learning In The Future - Exploring Five Themes (June 2011)

As mobile computing becomes mainstream‚ it is worth thinking about the nature of learning in the future. And with technology permeating our daily lives and going on to becoming an essential part of it‚ the impact promises to be far-reaching. The rapid emergence of new technologies will introduce changes that we can hardly anticipate at this point in time. Here we cover five key themes that will prevail in the coming decade.
 
 
Prototyping In eLearning (February 2012)

For all of us who have spent a substantial time in the eLearning domain‚ one thing that is clearly evident is the change in the typically linear eLearning development process. An important element percolating into eLearning now is the use of prototypes; a technique borrowed from the software industry.

While developing a prototype accomplishes a lot of things for the developers and designers‚ this technique is not devoid of traps which could even bring the development to a halt. We look at both sides of this issue in our blog post. So if you are currently weighing the pros and cons of investing in a prototype or plan to in the future‚ we suggest you be well informed.

 
 
 
  The Best Of Upside Learning

We Develop An AR Cover For Elearning! Magazine (August 2011)

We have developed an Augmented Reality cover for Elearning! Magazine’s July/ August 2011 issue‚ making it the first-ever eLearning magazine to have an interactive cover using Augmented Reality technology. This consists of a simple marker printed on the magazine’s cover‚ which when held up to a computer camera‚ serves as the entry point into some interaction and media display.

We have been instrumental in the complete development process of the application right from conceptualization to implementation. Know how we developed this and see the AR cover in action here.

Upside2Go released for Android (February 2012)

Our revolutionary platform for Mobile Learning‚ Upside2Go‚ is now available on the Android market. With this release‚ Upside2Go is available for Android (2.2) Froyo and Gingerbread (2.3)‚ BlackBerry OS 5 & OS 6‚ and iOS 3 & 4. It means you can invest in one solution and provide your employees with a comprehensive mLearning solution that can run on all major mobile platforms.

Check out all the features or request a demo now.

Introducing UpsideLMS Version 5.0 (January 2012)

It’s the end of an era for boring Learning Management Systems; no more dull GUIs‚ no more complicated navigation structures. Welcome the stunner called UpsideLMS.

We have revamped our multi award-winning Learning Management System to give you an entirely new training and learning experience. You will love the GUI‚ user-friendly navigation schemes‚ eye pleasing color palettes‚ attractive themes‚ the customizability and more. And this is just the topping on the cake. UpsideLMS’ 160+ features‚ which are a perfect mix of tradition and innovation‚ are all packed in there - waiting to be explored.

Why don’t you take a look for yourself? Watch the quick overview video and know why UpsideLMS is not just a stunning LMS‚ it’s a whole new experience!

Rocking The List At Number 26 In The Top 100 Ranking Websites in eLearning & Learning Technology (January 2012)

We have only just gone and done it again! We have made it to number 26 in the 100 Highest Ranking Web Sites in Learning Technology Chart.

Conducted by Now‚ a leading marcomm management company‚ this ranking is calculated by crunching together individual rankings from Google PageRank‚ Moz Rank‚ Alexa‚ Hubspot‘s Web grader and Compete.

A big pat on the back for our in-house SEO expert and other team members who helped us reach here. Cheers to the team! See the entire list.
Upside Learning wins its 10th Brandon Hall Award (February 2012)

With the announcement of the 2011 Brandon Hall Excellence in Technology Awards‚ our tally of these coveted awards has reached 10! What makes this win truly impressive is that these awards have been won over a short period of 3 years.

Back in 2009‚ UpsideLMS had won 3 Brandon Hall Awards. This was followed by another 5 awards in 2010. And this year‚ along with an award for UpsideLMS‚ the 2011 awards have ushered another product in the limelight - Upside2Go‚ our revolutionary platform for mobile learning.

Read about the 2011 Brandon Hall Awards for UpsideLMS and for Upside2Go.

UpsideLMS Wins A Silver In CLO’s Learning In Practice Award 2011 (November 2011)

UpsideLMS is on a roll! After winning 5 Brandon Hall Awards in May this year‚ our best value system has notched another award.

UpsideLMS has won a Silver in the 2011 Learning In Practice Awards under ‘Excellence in LMS’ category. These awards conducted by Chief Learning Officer magazine recognize industry leaders who have demonstrated excellence in the design and delivery of employee development programs.

Besides these‚ UpsideLMS has also been featured in TrainingIndustry.com’s Learning Portal Companies Watch List for 2011.

See all our awards and recognitions.
 
  Industry Sightings

Indian Education Sector To Cross $45 Bn Mark By 2015

The education spend in India is at USD 600 billion and the private education segment alone is expected to cross USD 45 billion mark by 2015 from the present USD 35 billion‚ according to a research report prepared by Investor Relation Society. Learn more.

Digital Learning Resource Sales Growing Again

Spending on digital learning resources has returned to growth‚ a British Education Suppliers Association (BESA) survey has suggested. Learn more.
Lower Priced iPad Is Hit In Education Market

Apple’s new lower entry-level price for the iPad is paying off‚ particularly in education markets‚ according to Apple CEO Tim Cook. Learn more.
Digital English Language Learning Growing By A 5 Year CAGR of 14.5%

According to a new report by Ambient Insight‚ the global market for digital English language learning is growing by a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.5% and revenues will reach $2.58 billion by 2016. Learn more.
 
 
The Best Giveaways

eBook: Mobile Learning - A Quick Start Guide

We have been saying it over and over again - mobile learning is here to stay! It’s only a matter of time before you will need to be involved in it. As fascinating as mobile learning is‚ it is extremely dynamic; and evolves at a blinding pace. This leads to organizations being unsure of how to formulate even a basic mLearning strategy.

This eBook will help you understand when to use‚ how to design‚ develop and implement mLearning in a way that works for your organization. It gives suggestions on strategy‚ illustrates a planning framework‚ lists the tools and approaches available. Ultimately‚ it will help you design and implement an mLearning strategy that works for your organization and delivers results. Download your copy.
 
   
  eBook: LMS in Training Companies - Then & Now
Join us as we take you through a journey of the Learning Management System in training companies.

Analyzing the requirements of training companies from an LMS from the recession hit period to today‚ this ebook gives a detailed view of the various features and tools that have evolved inline with the evolving needs of the training companies. It’s an eBook that is a must-have not just for folks in the training industry‚ but for others in the Learning Management domain. And here’s the deal - it’s absolutely FREE. So download now.
Point Of View Paper: Mobile Learning - Here And Now

Technological developments and the increase in the mobile device penetration among the population have led to sustainable change in all spheres of our lives - radically changing the way we live and learn. This Point of View paper takes a comprehensive look at Mobile Learning - starting with the basics and delving deeper into the nuances of mLearning design.

Whether you are testing the waters or have already implemented a mLearning strategy‚ this PoV paper will help you get a better understand of Mobile Learning. Download now.
 
 
  Upside Learning In A Flash

A recognized leader in training outsourcing‚ we are one of the leading names in Custom eLearning‚ Learning Management System (LMS) and Mobile Learning Solutions the world over. For over 8 years‚ our award-winning solutions and services have enabled 150+ clients from a diverse set of industries and countries manage their learning easily and effectively.

Our solutions and services portfolio includes:
  1. UpsideLMS - Our stunning‚ best value‚ multi-award winning Learning Management System
  2. Upside2Go - Our revolutionary platform for Mobile Learning (available on iOS‚ BlackBerry and Android)
  3. Custom eLearning & Mobile Learning Solutions
  4. Catalog Courses (over 5000 courses in IT‚ Finance‚ Office Skills & Soft Skills)
  5. Technical Support & UpsideLMS Administrative Services
Get a detailed overview of our solutions and services.

Bell‚ Tyco Learning‚ Ensco‚ Bell‚ Tyco Learning‚ Ensco‚ Kraft Asia‚ L’Oreal‚ Australian Aerospace‚ L&T‚ HDFC are few of our prestigious clients managing their learning with our solutions and services. Read some of our client testimonials or read some case studies.

Last but not the least - Awards. We have been consistently picking up awards and other recognition every year‚ including the most recent 2011 Brandon Hall Excellence in Technology Awards. See all our awards and recognitions.

PS; If video is your kind of thing‚ here’s a short AV that will give you a sneak peek into our company in just 60 seconds.
 
   
 
 
 
www.upsidelearning.com © 2012 Upside Learning. All rights reserved.