Learning2.0 : Journey to about2findout.com

Ziipa is a visual web 2.0 search engine, as they describe themselves. About2findout.com was recently added to ziipa. Check it out here.

Another cool learning related site that is currently features there is Mindbites. Mindbites is based around instructional video's to show people how to do about anything. The aim of the site is to let authors make money on their video's by having viewers pay small amounts of money. But I'm lazy today, so here is their own description:

MindBites is an online video site where regular people can go to share the knowledge they have in virtually any field. For a small fee, users can download or stream any of the posted instructional videos to learn something new. MindBites enables individuals and video producers by giving them a platform to publish, mass-distribute and make money off of what they know for themselves or for charity. MindBites’ unique, pay-for-content business model facilitates the transfer of knowledge in a video format between authors of instructional videos and interested users. Much free content exists on the site, but most of it aims to help potential authors with every conceivable part of the MindBite lesson creation process (content, structure, lighting, equipment, editing, etc). Content uploaded by authors is available to users for $1.65-$1.99 per video. The author receives $1 for each video download. Users interested in purchasing a video on the site are able to see ratings, read reviews, and watch a preview before they commit to purchasing the video. Once purchased, the video is available forever and can be watched over and over and over.

Labels: learning2.0, mindbites, ziipa

NBC, one of America's big television networks, has embraced e-learning and opened up the iCue platform. After free registration you get to access tons of video's based on the NBC news archive, games and forums. The heart of the iCue system is the iCue card. This 3D card hard a video with transcript on the front, and some short information on the back, as well as extra links or tags. And as any 2.0 site it has its social component based around profiles (friends).

Like the content or not, but the fact that learning have to move more into visual components such as video fragments is a no-brainer to me. And media companies have a hugh headstart in that. So I expect more media firms to go after some of the learning market out there.

http://www.icue.com/portal/site/iCue/tour

Labels: iCue, learning2.0, NBC, television

I want to share with you what I think is one of the best examples of learning 2.0 that I have encountered this far: javablackbelt.com.

It is a Java certification site maintained by a community, and not by a vendor. You can earn belts by taking exams and prove your Java skills in various areas that way, but you can also contribute to the exams with new questions, improve and comment on the current questions, take beta exams, etc.

There is also a commercial aspect to the project: on a separate site companies can use this platform to assess job candidates and freelancers.

I'm really impressed by the initiative, and I'm even more impressed to say it turns out to be a Belgian initiative founded by two former colleagues at IBM Learning Services: John and Nicolas. Well done guys and good luck!

Thank you Geert for pointing this out to me and good luck as a brand new Java consultant.

Labels: javablackbelt, learning2.0