Corporate Training

Posted by j_spark - April 21, 2013 - Uncategorized

How to Train Gen-Y Employees

Posted by j_spark - November 1, 2012 - online learning, Success, Tips, Training

As hundreds of thousands of students graduate from college each May, a mass amount of intellectual capital floods the competitive job market vying for positions at some of the nation’s top firms and agencies. These students are optimistic for a bright future, eager for riches and ripe opportunity. But for Gen-Y, it’s not all about [...]

Why Video Training is Problematic for Learning Analytics

Posted by j_spark - September 11, 2012 - Analytics, online learning, professional development, Training

Much of online education follows a general formula and approach: for an identified training weakness, a curriculum is designed, video or flash animations are incorporated with quiz questions to create engagement, and the final package is deployed to the entire organization. Can learning analytics be smoothly applied to so much of the eLearning that already [...]

3 Potential Solutions for Personalizing Online Education

Posted by j_spark - September 6, 2012 - online learning

In a recent post examining the pros and cons of MOOC’s, such as Coursera, Tony Bates argued that online learning cannot, by its nature, be personalized when it lacks in-person engagement. Here, we offer three possible solutions to personalize online learning with face-to-face components. Implementing Social Systems According to a paper by several authors out [...]

The Pros and Cons of Blended Learning

Posted by j_spark - September 4, 2012 - Blended learning, Data

Will technology be the next big equalizer for education around the globe? According to a recent article in Mashable, a specialized charter school in San Jose, CA, that uses blended learning at least 25% of the time in the classroom has produced the highest-performing students compared to other elementary schools serving low-income students. In fact, [...]

Can data create lasting change?

Posted by j_spark - August 27, 2012 - Analytics, Data

The uses for data abound, but as with all pursuits, the battle between good and evil prevails. Numbers can be used to invade privacy and prevent crime. We’ve identified several examples of ways data have been used for good. In the education industry, teachers decided to use data for their own good and to the [...]

3 Ways Online Professional Development Can Benefit Your Company

Posted by j_spark - August 23, 2012 - Analytics, professional development, Success, Training

Educators have long debated the value in online education. They have been able to agree that it saves school districts money when it comes to teaching the teachers. If it’s a money-saving, good alternative to your current professional development practices, why not consider taking a leaf out of the textbook? Investing in your people makes [...]

Predicting the Future of Predictive Analytics

Posted by j_spark - August 21, 2012 - Analytics, Data, Training

Predictive analytics is practically a household name these days among analysts, data crunchers and Ed Tech enthusiasts. The question remains to be answered how education and corporate America will respond to the availability of mined data. The potential use for predictive analytics has been clearly documented, and some institutions have already experimented with success. In [...]

Will Big Data Change Our Lives?

Posted by j_spark - August 14, 2012 - Analytics, Data

The Pew Internet & American Life Project recently released a report titled The Future of Big Data. In it, researchers asked “selected experts” about the benefits and pitfall of Big Data in our work and lives. Specifically, they wanted to know how people would respond to the following questions: “What impact will Big Data have in [...]

Mobile learning: More than ‘just-in-time’ information

Posted by j_spark - August 12, 2012 - mobile learning

The explosion of smartphones and tablets has enabled people to access information while literally on the go. It is popular to advertise accessing information on a mobile device as “just in time learning”. This is a bit of misnomer, in that while information and learning are interrelated, they need to be distinguished. Information consumption doesn’t [...]

How EdTech can use Big Data

Posted by j_spark - July 31, 2012 - Analytics

In the past few weeks, analytics has become a hot topic in the EdTech space. Inspired by a vibrant conversation about analytics dashboards during last week’s EDUCAUSE #EDUSprint Twitter chat, SparkWorks decided to expand on the conversation threads and create its own analytics themed Twitter chat at #lrnlytics. #lrnlytics will be held on Tuesdays at [...]

5 Tips for a Great Start To Your Training Session

Posted by j_spark - July 14, 2012 - Success, Tips, Training

First impressions leave strong impressions. Good and poor performances can set the tone of the whole training session. Put your best opening moment forward by starting off every training session with an engaging, energetic start. SparkWorks shares five great tips for your training sessions: 1. Start before “The Start” Greet learners as they arrive. Chat [...]

Why SparkWorks?

Posted by j_spark - June 23, 2012 - Uncategorized

The education and corporate training fields are replete with eLearning, online training, mobile training, and face-to-face training. At SparkWorks, we sincerely believe in learning experiences that are closely aligned with what the learners and the organization needs. Respect for the people involved is at the core of what we do – and it shines through [...]

Sparking expertise for successful careers

Posted by j_spark - June 22, 2012 - Welcome, What We Believe

We produce tailored educational experiences to engage your staff in real-world applications, emphasizing productivity and accelerating success. Learning – Without the Downtime! Employees can learn when they need to, as they need to. Using mobile and web-based solutions, employees get real-time feedback and guidance on next steps to accelerate expertise. Real World Application Spark your [...]