Adobe's New LMS

Adobe has a relatively new program out called Captivate Prime.  Captivate Prime is a Learning Management System geared for corporate training.

Captivate Prime claims to be easy to set up and manage (typically in three steps) and conducive to a varied content integration (PPTX, Video, PDF, DOCX, AICC and SCORM packages).

The player works on desktop as well as in mobile/tablet (using the Prime app) environments using what Adobe terms as the Fluidic Player.  Learners will have their own dashboard where they can view their progress, skills attained, and even badges earned.  Further, the player will let users to bookmark their lessons as well as take and maintain notes.

Another interesting feature is how Captivate Prime apparently lets administrators tag and link learning modules together to create courses; which can be linked together into programs.  It sounds like object oriented  course design     

I look forward to seeing the program in action.  It could do well for corporate training due to it's ease of set up and use for even non-technical administrators.

To see more details visit Adobe's website on Captivate Prime at: http://blogs.adobe.com/captivate/2015/08/introducing-a-brand-new-lms-from-adobe-adobe-captivate-prime.html

3D Printer Buying Guide

Although they have been around in some form since the 1980s, 3D printers - devices that create three-dimensional physical objects from digital design files - have been gaining popularity in recent years. There are now a multitude of 3D printers available to purchase ranging from affordable to expensive. Instructors in higher education are still finding new ways to use the printers to produce prototypes and models. An article on 3ders.org attempts to categorize some of the many printers on the market in its 3D Printer Buyer’s Guide. 

The guide currently covers 23 popular 3D printers and their capabilities in four categories:

1. Category 1: Budget/Entry-Level 3D Printers ($300-$800)
2. Category 2: Enthusiast/Mid-Range 3D Printers ($800-$2,000)
3. Category 3: Enthusiast-to-Prosumer Premium 3D Printers ($2,000+)
4. Category 4: SLA / DLP Resin 3D printers

It also includes considerations when choosing a 3D printer such as:

• Technology used
• Build volume
• Printing materials needed
• Speed
• Resolution
• and more

Take a look through the 3D Printer Buyer's Guide and see which one fits your needs in terms of functionality, materials needed, and cost effectiveness.

Sit or Stand?

The debate continues on ways to increase productivity in the work place, as well as enhance learning in the classroom.  The Learn Fit and Teach Well Ergetron products (featured at the 2016 WVU CELEBRATE event) are indicative of ideas being used to promote the notion that moderately active employees and students are more engaged in their respective environments.

Work

Classroom

"Why Do We Keep Using the Same Typefaces?"

Interesting article about the use of the same fonts throughout the web.

"Spend a little time looking at the typography of the web, and you'll find that the same fonts get used over and over and over again. With literally thousands of web fonts available, why do designers keep reaching for the same ones for site after site? The article talks about positive feedback loops, the Matthew Effect, and more."

http://alistapart.com/article/the-rich-typefaces-get-richer

Yellowstone from a Bear's Perspective

National Geographic and Yellowstone National Park have put together an amazing set of videos on the collar of selected Bears (Black and Grizzly) to get a better idea and see what its like to stroll for miles around the park and come into contact with other predators as well as bulking up for the winter. 

The website is put together real nicely with a flawless flow through all of the materials. I also love the illustrations for the bears. Great site design and videos.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2016/05/yellowstone-national-parks-bears-video

Type Terminology

This is a neat interactive site that allows you to brush up on type terminology whether it be for a class or are just intrigued by type.

"Type Terms is an animated typographic cheat sheet. It's a great reference whether you're totally new to type or just want to refresh your memory. Click on each part of the letters shown and it brings you to a more in-depth explanation of what the part is, from the foot of a letterform to the ascender." https://www.supremo.tv/typeterms/

New VR Software on the Market (almost)!

You may have seen, Google has developed a new Operating System, Android N (you can vote for the name here.) It's in beta phase right now, with a full release expected in late summer/early fall (no exact date, as of yet). Along with Android N, Google is rolling out a new Virtual Reality platform, Daydream.

Think of Daydream as Cardboard, advanced edition. Available in the fall, Daydream will require a "newer" smartphone that meets the special to work with the Daydream software and app upgrades. One of the highlights is the VR integration within apps, like YouTube and Street View.

Be sure to check out the video below, a message from Google's Vice President of Virtual Reality, Clay Bavor. If you're interested, you can also find Google's entire I/O Keynote 2016 here.