Accelerated Learning

As part of my own professional development, I was in a training session this past weekend. It used accelerated learning methodologies (this description from Wikipedia offers a variety of definitions and background) and I must admit it has been quite a while since I have been in that kind of a learning environment. It was an excellent reminder of how effective that kind of training is when you have a short time frame to transmit a ton of information that will be remembered and acted upon. I love going away thinking "wow, that was amazing".

It reminded me of the question I posted earlier while I was reflecting on making learning stick when we only have our students for three to six hours. While we already strive to support different learning styles in our classes, we also constantly evaluate with an eye on improvement. We want our students to go away with the "wow" feeling and know they have learned something they can and will really use.

Our goal is to give students the best learning experience possible so they gain and retain the most they possibly can from their time with us, which often means helping people past their comfort zone into new learning. That's why we are so careful selecting instructors, why I'm so proud of the ones we have, and why we receive so much great feedback from our students verbally and in writing. Are we perfect? Nope. But when we come in less than perfect, my job is to find out how we can improve. Whether it's through professional development conferences, seminars, or even comments from our students, learning and growing is what Inet-Toolbox is all about.
Cynthia

More Excellent Instructors

I'm happy to announce that we just added some additional instructors to the group. This means you can also expect to see some new courses hit the list for fall as we roll out the expertise they are offering to share with you! We're looking at FileMaker Pro, more design and photography sessions, more library sessions, and some database integration skills for the Web. As we get their bios finalized, they will be posted in our instructor list. My thanks goes out to each of them for agreeing to share their skills with our clients!
Cynthia

New Location starting August 1

Sorry I've not added any news lately - it's been a whirlwind around here! We have found new space and are now getting things ready to make the move at the end of July. It has kept me busy sorting out renovations, space planning, booking phone and Internet lines, address changes, and the many other tasks that come with moving. I'm happy to report that I'll be pulling the last of the network through this week.

More good news is that we're sure you'll like the new location. It even has all the features I posted on our wish list in April proving once again that with enough clarity, the universe comes through in abundance.

Our move date is set for July 26, but it will be business as usual during July in our Marda Loop location, and classes are booked to begin at the Skyways location August 1, so don't hesitate to get yourself registered into something this summer.

The new address is now active, so you can safely change any snail mail references you have for us to:
Inet-Toolbox
#18, 1915 - 32 Avenue NE
Calgary, AB

All phone numbers, fax numbers, and email addresses will remain the same.

We're looking forward to having our traditional wine & cheese "opening party" in September and we'll keep you posted so you can join us to celebrate!
Cynthia

Lifelong Learning in Canada

The Canadian Council on Learning has devised an interesting tool for rating the state of lifelong learning in Canada. It uses a collection of indicators in four major areas: Learning to Know, Learning to Do, Learning to Live Together, and Learning to Be. Using the indicators in these areas, the Composite Learning Index (CLI) creates a set of ratings about Canadians status as learners. Canada as a whole is rated at 73, and Alberta is at 80.1 out of a possible 100. An interactive map breaks out results by provinces and cities so you can check on the ratings in specific areas of the country.

One of the interesting things to me was that over half of Canadian employers offer structured training at work, with small and mid-sized firms less likely to do so for their staff. That means that lifelong learning for those in smaller organizations has to be more of a conscious effort than for those in larger companies where it is offered as part of the employment mix. Of course, it is always said that larger companies can afford it more, but in reality I believe that they recognize how staff training increases their bottom line by improving productivity and performance. Smaller companies don't always recognize that connection, or get so busy they forget it exists.

Our goal is to support smaller organizations with staff training by continuing to offer reasonable rates, special discount programs such as the Toolbox Buddy rates, and the Inet-Toolbox TechPasses. Later this summer we'll be introducing a PD sponsorship program to help subsidize staff training in small business environments, along with two additional sponsorship programs - one for school staff and one for library staff. At Inet-Toolbox, we're committed to providing a range of opportunities to support lifelong learning. Maybe in our own small way we can help improve the CLI rating!
Cynthia