Fields are areas of open land, often used for growing crops or other plants, but sometimes are just inhabited by wild grasses. Grassy fields are known as meadows, and they play a major role in various ecosystems because of the type of life they can support. In photography, the large open area can usually allow for a great horizon view, and because they seldom have large features, any large feature such as a tree or animal will stand out as a subject. In this post, you’ll see 30 beautiful photographs of fields and meadows. Beautiful Sunset by Tilyo Rusev Summer’s Meadow by Philip Jones Sandridge meadow by Connie Fitzgerald Surveying the meadow by -liyen- Field by Marinella Splendor of the Meadows by John Richter Field of dandelions 2 by Dragan Milovanovic Field of Flowers 1 by Gi Pamperien Poppy fields of Kent by Louise Wilden Spring Fields by Tim Fiddimore Meadow by Pete Suburb meadow by Paula Fry Spring Meadows #2 by Martin Rak Moroccan Field by Perry McKenna Fields and meadows by Wamillian infinity green by Cristian Martinelli Fields and meadows by Wamillian Sunset in Taiping Paddy Field by Syibli Dark clouds over wheat field by Alessandro Carnevale Dandelion Field by usabin Misty Field by Leo Field of green by Alan meadow down by sassaputzin Countryside by Kasper Nymann Red Meadow by Cryp7ic Tuscany landscape by Tuscany landscape Summer Breeze Sam Meyrick Field by Kasper Nymann Plum Island Field by SarahRydgren In the fields by LadyShamisen Related Posts Bright and Sunny Photography 30 Marvelous Underwater Photographs 30 Intense Hunting Photographs On The Road: 30 Road Trip Photographs 30 Photographs of Bicycles

I’ll bet that when you encounter the phrase ‘augmented learning’ you get a mental picture of a person, wearing a high tech set of goggles or a helmet, with an expression of opened-mouthed, rapt wonder on his/her face. Right? That’s augmented learning. Right? Well, I’m not sure that’s what augmented learning looks like today, and that’s what we’re exploring in this three part series. But first, a definition from the Wikipedia: "Augmented learning is an on-demand learning technique where the environment adapts to the learner. By providing remediation on-demand, learners can gain greater understanding of a topic while stimulating discovery and learning." Based on Wikipedia, could the humble QR code be an augmented learning tool? Try it for yourself: Take a look at the QR code on the right hand-side of this page. If you have a QR code scanner app on your phone, activate the app, point your phone’s camera at the code, and see what happens. If you don’t have an app, no excuses. It’s a free download from any app store. So. Did you scan it? (If you didn’t scan it, you can also just click on it) If you answered yes, congratulations! You just learned something . And, you just participated in a very basic form of augmented learning. Really. What is a QR code? Simply stated, this boxy collection of dark- and light-colored blocks connects the physical world to the digital world. And that connection is where the QR code works its magic: any user with a mobile device equipped with a QR code reader has instant access to the associated information. The code itself connects your device to the information designated by the code, and launches the appropriate app on the mobile device to obtain that information. There was a time, not very long ago, when QR codes were fairly common. Initially developed by the Japanese automobile industry in the mid-1990s, QR codes seemed to be the wave of the future. Unfortunately, most mobile devices did not come with the scanning apps pre-loaded, so users have to download the app themselves. While there are many free code-reading apps, interest in the little boxes has waned since 2009. And as of 2014 the QR code was practically declared dead, or at best, a relic of digital days gone by… But Not so fast! Any reports of QR Code demise have been greatly exaggerated! Certainly in the consumer industry, the age of the QR code seems to have come and gone. But for the elearning industry, those little boxes could be a major step toward augmented learning. Remember, the QR code is an on-demand tool to access information. QR Codes and Augmented Learning In the Real World Imagine a manufacturing plant where QR codes are attached to the machines. Gone are the bulky manuals and endless reference indexes. Gone also are the workflow interruptions and delays around learning new processes. Information is available at the literal fingertips of all employees. And new employees can learn about each step of a process in real-time, increasing knowledge and optimizing their skill sets. The inevitable task of troubleshooting can also be streamlined by QR codes. The appropriate QR code next to the emergency stop button can provide the necessary procedures to minimize interruptions, and maintain safety standards for new and seasoned staff. Attached to various stages of a process, QR codes can provide customized eLearning for specific processes, or parts of a process. Instructional material is available on-demand, increasing the flexibility of eLearning. Employees can be quickly cross-trained, thereby improving their skill sets and contributing to their own success, as well as the success of the company. Imagine utilizing on-demand, adaptive eLearning in professions and industries such as: banking, inventory, retail, packaging, shipping, even entertainment. QR codes can be used to train and develop people in tasks that range from sorting and filing to highly technical tasks that involve very specialized knowledge, such as aircraft maintenance procedures. The possibilities are limited only by our imaginations and our creativity. So let your imagination run wild: where might you utilize an on-demand information system capable of adapting to the environment? Back to the present, and let’s face it: widespread use of augmented reality in eLearning has yet to become the norm. However, we are definitely headed in that direction.( Think about what xAPI tracking could do) In the meantime, the QR code has the potential to be a player in the world of augmented eLearning. Just as we demonstrated above, the gap between a question and an answer simply disappears when your mobile device scanned a square array of dots. On-demand learning, where the learning adapts to your environment, by just scanning the code…now that is augmented learning. It might be a really good idea to keep an electronic eye out for these 4-sided little guys.   This article was first published through elearningindustry.com   The post Use Today’s Technology to Get Tomorrows Learning Experience! Augmented Learning 101: QR Codes appeared first on KMI Learning.

If you’re a designer and work for a clothing company, or you want to sell your own designs on t-shirts through one of the many marketplaces, odds are that you’ll want create an example of the design in the context of being on a shirt. To do this, you’ll need a t-shirt mockup, and there’s a lot of different ways it can be displayed: hanging on a hanger, laid out, or being worn by a demo customer. Rather than create the mockup yourself, you can simply load your design into one of these awesome free t-shirt PSD mockups for designers: Wrinkled T-Shirt PSD Blank T-Shirt Mockups V-Neck Mockup T-Shirt Colors PSD Logo T-Shirt 2 Photorealistic Mockups Multiple T-Shirt Mockups T-Shirt Mockup PSD Men’s Shirt Mockup Male Wearing T-Shirt Mockup Related Posts Colorful and Creative T-Shirt Designs Branding & Identity Design Mockup Templates ShirtsForCoders - Show your love for XHTML & CSS Free Browser PSD Mockups to Download Free iPhone 6 Templates, Mockups and PSDs

You’ve probably heard that the only silly question is the one that you didn’t ask. Well, technology has now taken that saying one step further. Voice recognition allows us to talk to, rather than through, our mobile devices. One of the best things about our mobile devices… they don’t judge. No question is too silly. It wasn’t that long ago when talking directly to an inanimate object and getting what we asked for seemed the stuff of science fiction. The people aboard the Starship Enterprise learned all sorts of juicy facts about the universe and everything in it from the onboard computer. Well, what used to be science fiction is now science fact. We practically treat our mobile devices as though they are alive. Used to be, if you argued with your phone, people gave you funny looks that meant the guys in white suits were on their way to take you to a nice, padded room. Argue with your phone today, and people look at you as if to say, "yeah, me too…" Talking to your phone yet? Think about it: every time you talk with your mobile device and say, "Ok Google…" or "Siri, where’s the nearest…" you’re using voice activated technology. And if you’ve gotten an answer back, you’ve engaged in augmented learning, augmented mlearning actually. If you have a "smart" device, and you’ve never used the voice-activated feature, this is the perfect time to start. If you have a device with the Google Now app, say "Ok Google". Ask the question: "what is augmented learning?" If you’re an iPhone user, activate Siri, and ask the same question. Google Now displays the Wikipedia article as a response to our question. Here’s the first paragraph as a definition of Augmented Learning: "Augmented learning is an on-demand learning technique where the environment adapts to the learner. By providing remediation on-demand, learners can gain greater understanding of a topic while stimulating discovery and learning." Still think the computer aboard the Enterprise is science-fiction? While there has been some resistance by the paying public, voice and speech recognition systems are all around us. Consider this: if you’ve ever responded to an automated phone system by saying, "yes," "no," "tell me my balance," "place an order," or spoken numbers, names or letters into your handset, you’ve interacted with a machine. The technology has been integrated into commercial uses for many years. Voice Activated eLearning That kind of power in the world of eLearning gives us unparalleled flexibility. Connecting a voice-activated interface with an LMS dramatically increases the rate of learning in almost any conceivable industry. When an operator requires information, they now can obtain information for a piece of equipment or a process, by simply asking for it. Command inputs can be tailored for specific tasks, or connected to a larger resource, such as the internet, in everyday language. Gone is the jargony vocabulary peculiar to a proprietary piece of programming. Just talk, and your words open up worlds. How can Voice Activated eLearning be used? Voice-recognition on a production line would be one practical implementation of this technology. The information for startup- and shutdown procedures, specific processes, troubleshooting, safety protocols and other functions could be available upon request. A worker might say, "startup procedures for production line C," or, "what tools do I need to clear a jam on the finishing line?" Devices can be programmed to respond when they "hear" a key phrase, as in the case of "Ok, Google." This further expands the flexibility of a device’s range of responses. For example, an operator could say, "Emergency! I got dust in my eye from the grinder!" The device can be programmed to focus on key information: "Emergency," "dust," "my eye." Vital information can then be provided both audibly (potential injury to the eye), as well as in a visual, step-by-step system that supports personnel providing assistance to the injured worker until emergency professionals arrive. It’s all in the programming. In other words, the system will do what you say. Where can Voice Activated eLearning be implemented? Voice activated augmented learning could be utilized in warehouses and distribution with great effectiveness. Personnel could obtain packing, shipping and handling instructions tailored to requirements that vary by material, weight, product dimensions, and safety issues without stopping to thumb through printed policies or manuals. Even information regarding international customs and other legal restrictions are available upon demand. In the medical field, patient care has been coordinated using voice-activated systems for over a decade. And tutorials for the system are built-in. Medical resources, such as drug interactions and allergies, insurance information, and medical histories are secured and available on demand by medical professionals who have been granted access to that information. Today, doctors, nurses and medical staff can coordinate patient treatment and care plans with voice-enabled systems. A patient’s follow-up visits, specialist consultations, insurance coverage and other medical services can be scheduled and coordinated with voice-activated systems. The patient no longer has to wait for 3 weeks to obtain scheduling and diagnosis information. Treatment and care plans for serious health conditions can be managed within minutes of a doctor’s visit, and those minutes can often make the difference in the quality of life for a patient. We’re already talking directly to our mobile devices. We’re asking for information about the world around us. And we’re getting the answers that we need. The technology that makes it possible for us to communicate with our machines continues to evolve and adapt to our demands. Voice recognition technology in augmented learning means that we can have machines that teach us how they work. With voice-activated augmented learning, a focused relevant response is literally just a question away. So feel free to ask. There really are no silly questions.   This is the second article in our augmented learning series. The first article was "Stop talking about it and do it ! Augmented Learning 101: QR Codes" you can read it here. Gartner named KMI Learning recently a 2015 ‘Cool Vendor’. Read the report here. This article was first published on www.elearningindustry.com.   The post Augmented Learning 102: Voice Activated eLearning - Listen Up! appeared first on KMI Learning.

Hello, today I’m sharing with you a set of 10 smoke backgrounds I shot in a studio with a smoke machine. The backgrounds are abstract and detailed, perfect as backgrounds or overlays in your next design project. Enjoy! Download all textures as ZIP from copy.com (22.5Mb) Did you like these textures? Let us know by leaving a comment, and you can even post a link if you used them in your artwork. Related Posts Free Texture Friday - Abstract Grunge 4 Free Texture Friday - Worn Concrete Free Texture Friday - Crystallized Silica Free Texture Friday - Black Leather Free Texture Friday - Rusted Metal 4

What if the information you needed was whispered in your ear, just when you needed it the most? Sound futuristic? Creepy? Maybe a little spooky? Or could it simply be technology? And what if we said that all that is already happening to people right now… and it’s happening because people are asking for it? Welcome to the world of location-based augmented learning. Before we go any further, let’s have a look at what augmented learning is. According to Wikipedia… "Augmented learning is an on-demand learning technique where the environment adapts to the learner. By providing remediation on-demand, learners can gain greater understanding of a topic while stimulating discovery and learning." RFID - Where it Comes From Now… about that whisper in your ear. Admittedly, we took some liberties for dramatic effect. But location based augmented learning is already happening around us. It’s made possible by a technology that has its roots in espionage; it’s called RFID; and it stands for Radio Frequency Identification. Although RFID owes its development to the sort of spy gadgetry that made James Bond famous, its real-world us age has primarily been in tracking. RFID can take the form of tags, chips, stickers, and components barely bigger than a grain of rice. RFID technology has been used to track everything from planes, trains and automobiles, to the stuff that gets moved in planes, trains and automobiles. How RFID Works Simply stated, an RFID system requires 2 main components: a chip or tag that contains electronically stored information, and a device that reads the stored information. A smart device, such as a mobile phone or tablet with an RFID app, can serve as the reader. The RFID tag essentially "tells" the device what information to find and where to go to find it. Once triggered, the information then appears on your smart device. An excellent, more detailed explanation is provided by HowStuffWorks and you can find out more by clicking here. As for devices which read the RFID tags, look no further than your smart device. A massive array of apps is available for free. In the retail world, RFID now provides product information to consumers as a form of direct marketing. Retailers have even used RFID tags to play pre-programmed popular music while you’re trying on clothes. In another creative application of RFID technology, a supermarket boosted its sales of a brand of mayonnaise by using RFID in a shopping cart equipped with a video screen. Walking past different sections of the store activated the screen, which played videos showing the usage of that particular brand of mayonnaise in different recipes. And that’s not all. The flexible little tag has found its way into marketing coats, pizza and even beverages. RFID in eLearning With its ability to provide customized information on demand, it should come as no surprise that the RFID tag can easily be adapted to eLearning. Mobile learning and augmented learning in one. And it’s affordability makes it very attractive as a solution to augmented learning. Once the learner comes within range of the tag, the smart device activates a link in the LMS, and voila! he or she receives the customized information — and the training — that they need. For instance, a newly-hired manager of a warehouse, might use her smart device to scan RFID tags in different parts of her department. The tags direct her device to bring up information regarding existing procedures for specific locations around the warehouse. Parts of her orientation and training could actually be self-directed. In another part of the warehouse, workers’ devices automatically provide the correct safety and handling protocols and requirements for specific shipments when within range of the RFID tag. RFID technology has been around for 70 years. And in that time, it’s grown up without growing old. In fact, we’re just beginning to discover new ways to use this resource. And as this technology becomes more refined, we’ll soon be seeing more opportunities to bring key information to eLearning when — and where — we need it.   This is the third article in our ‘Augmented Learning’ series. The first one was Stop talking about it and do it ! Augmented Learning 101: QR Codes and the second article was Augmented Learning 102: Voice Activated eLearning - Listen Up! This article has first been published on elearningindustry.com   The post Augmented Learning 103: Location Based eLearning - Learn on the Go appeared first on KMI Learning.

Like some other animals on Earth, many types of birds migrate from one area to another during a given year. The migration is usually seasonal, with changes between breeding grounds and wintering grounds where the weather is more pleasant during the cold season. The migration is most often driven by the desire to be able to find food, with many birds relying on plants, fruits and other sources that only are available in warmer climates. The migrations can be incredibly impressive, with thousands of birds flying together to make the journey, and they look even more majestic in photographs: Sand Hill Cranes Birds Migrating by Saibal Ghosh Autumn migration by mv79 Room for One More by Ryan Wunsch Squaw Creek Snows by FramedByNature Squaw Creek 3 by Rory Dillon sandhill crane migration by Chuck Starr Free Bird by arkansawyer Mania of Millions by FramedByNature Migration by SilverLemur Large group of birds flying in sky by Earnest Tse Calidris alpina by Suppi-lu-liuma Migrant Birds by Sherif Ismail time to leave by eda-erata Snow Geese by Tony Joyce And They’re Off!!! by Steve Baughn Heading South by natureguy DAMN NATURE YOU SCARY by FloralFantasy Red Winged Blackbirds en masse by Randall Roberts A lot of birds by ChinaDave Shorebird Flight by newfoundlander61 Canadian Goose Migration by OpheliaMalfoy Migrating Snow Geese by Ken Wolter ALL DEM SNOW GEESE by Gamma-Wings Flock of birds flying against moon by photowesternstudio Sooty Shearwaters at Avila by I-Heart-Photos snowgoose migration by Chuck Starr Geese Migration by About Light Images Photography Migrant birds - Sky of Palestine by Mohammad Alhaj fall migration by Barbara Snow Geese by Tony Joyce Related Posts Duck Photography 30 Marvelous Underwater Photographs 30 Photographs of Bicycles 30 Majestic Photographs of Horses On The Road: 30 Road Trip Photographs

According to Ted Stoecker, a well-designed eLearning program is a key factor in employee satisfaction and retention. In his article, "What will eLearning Cost Me?’ (2015) he examines a major employee-retention issue. In summary, Stoecker provides a typical example of how companies hire, train, and then lose employees due to traditional - and inadequate - training methods.  He suggests that an effective eLearning system will actually help to reduce the costs of employee turnover. Traditional training methods may not engage employees in a way that is meaningful to them, and can lead to frustration. Employees then leave the company, which is costly due to expenses incurred in the hiring and training process. Employing an engaging eLearning program, can communicate that an employer cares for their employees, thus increasing employee retention. ELearning cost is lower than loosing trained employees. eLearning provides the kind of interaction that allows the learner to learn actively. Rather than passive "shadowing" and observation, the knowledge and information provided is reinforced by the learner’s engagement in real-life activities. Learning is further enhanced by the fact that the trainee self-directs his or her own learning. Feedback is provided in real-time, and is often immediate, allowing the learner to move quickly to the next task to be learned.  In a warehousing and logistics environment, active eLearning could be critical to bringing employees up to speed quickly. Training becomes a fun challenge, rather than a frustrating chore. Employee boredom is minimized, as well as the feeling that they are behind. And, people who feel like they’re winning tend to stick around. Ted Stoecker’s article is available on the P&O blog at www.plantandoperationstraining.com. The P&O blog is an e-learning resource for the distribution and manufacturing industry. To discover more for yourself about how you can use the power of eLearning to encourage retention of your workforce, click here. The post Summary: How much will eLearning Cost Me? appeared first on KMI Learning.

In the world of business card design, having a uniquely designed business card is one of the best ways to help a client stand out against their competition. There’s a few ways this can be done, such as having brightly colored cardstock, using die cut uniquely shaped cards, or using letterpress or foil stamping to add an extra touch. Another great way to stand out is to use a transparent card stock for a truly unique and original effect: Dario Monetini Business Card Geryhalter Design Business Card Consecution Business Card Lorenzo Bonnani Business Card Studio Business Card MEME Business Card Mario Rayz Corporate Design Marine Positive Motion Dreams SB Studio Related Posts Examples of Textures in Business Card Design Fresh and Inspiring Business Card Designs Cleverly Designed Die-Cut Business Cards Creative Business Card Designs Beautiful Examples of Blue Business Cards

In his article, "What is Custom Content Training?" (2015), Ted Stoecker discusses the benefits of utilizing custom eLearning for the specific needs of individual warehousing and logistics companies. According to Stoecker, while some training is generic - that is, common to the warehousing and logistics industry - each individual company is unique, with its own procedures, terms, and training requirements. This can be confusing, especially for the new employee. Since e-learning can be customized to the unique requirements of each company, new employees can be brought up to speed quickly and effectively with custom content training. Custom content e-learning is also very flexible and adaptable. "Because custom eLearning courses are designed in smaller segments that fit together seamlessly, any one segment can be changed without affecting the rest of the course," says Stoecker. Technology has a habit of changing the way we do things. Fast. An inability or unwillingness to embrace technology can have very serious consequences, especially when training new employees. And when those new employees are part of the millennial generation, using custom content training can be critical to effectively and quickly training a workforce. Millennials are very comfortable with technology: they grew up with it. Previous generations have been content to learn basic tasks without much personal engagement. But the Millennial generation works best when they are given the opportunity to engage with the material. The flexibility and adaptability of e-learning custom content provides a platform for learning that is engaging for millennials, as well as employees from other generational communities. The original article was posted on the P&O blog, an e-learning resource for the distribution and manufacturing industry. To read the original article click here. If you liked this article you might also like Audience Based eLearning: eLearning has Redefined the Learner, but the Learner has to Define eLearning and Summary: How much will eLearning Cost Me?. The post Summary: What is Custom Content Training? appeared first on KMI Learning.