Just in case you wonder why this site has gone quiet - it’s because we’ve rebranded and moved to www.academy28.com
And for all things type - you’ll still find Your Preferences at www.yourpreferences.net

Earlier this summer, on behalf of Academy Internet, we designed and delivered a programme on managing virtual teams for Coca Cola Latin America. With participants in Brazil, Puerto Rico and Argentina, and our facilitation team in the UK and the south of France, it really was learning that transcended boundaries. See the case study on the eskills sector skills council Towards Maturity website.

Hi Clare - All went will with our 23 trainees today. Thanks, Tracey. Employability Skills Instructor, Finchale College, Durham

Finchale - a residential vocational training college for adults - has been using Your Preferences in its induction for its students since the very first pilot in 2004. They do great work for their students - and we’re delighted that they have chosen Your Preferences to be an integral part of their new trainee induction process. Read on for more information.
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The Virtual Classroom

Synchronous e-learning. Online presentations. Webcasts, web conferences, webinars. Whatever you call it, whichever form it takes, the ‘virtual classroom’ is a central part of the modern training experience. It’s a training and communication channel that’s here to stay. Why?
- ability to connect learners spread over a wide area: no longer do learners have to be sitting in the same room as the trainer/presenter, or as each other
- sense of immediacy and camaraderie across the business: connections can be built and relationships formed, throughout the geographical spread of your organization, or your client group
- the platforms are getting better all the time: unique features of web classrooms include annotating whiteboard exercises, real-time polling, and recording and playback of key aspects of the session
- ability to ‘get inside’ a user’s computer: a presenter can take a real hands-on approach, getting access (if granted) to other computers in order to demonstrate certain difficult-to-describe concepts
- cost-effectiveness: studies have shown that up to 70% of an organization’s training budget goes on travel and meeting arrangements, factors completely cut out by the virtual classroom (Hyder et al 10)

Here’s a preview of a new tool that e-coaches is developing to enable all trainers - no matter what their background or skills level - to get the most out of any online training or presenting opportunity.

Join us for a half-day seminar on the afternoon of 29th November 2007 where Peter Malone will help us look at type through film. There are still a couple of places left. 2.00 - 6.00. And a cream tea to go with it. Contact us to for more information and to book now.

We’re almost ready to launch our new, integrated team, trainers and development tool at YourPreferences.net. Can you help us make sure it is as good as it can be?

We’re looking for teams willing to run pilots and trials for us. What you get? A full analysis of your team, based on personal preferences and other revealing diagnostics. Plus an hour’s coaching session for the team leader with one of our team consultants. No charges - just your honest feedback. Please contact Clare if you’re interested - clare.howard@e-coaches.co.uk