Leadership and If it's free, it's for ME!
As a government employee with a VERY small training budget, I am always on the lookout for free training resources that will assist me.Today, I led a session at the Greater Birmingham Chapter of ASTD on free resources available to trainers, speakers and consultants. I hope some of you leaders out there find them useful!
1. Webinars
www.anymeeting.com is a free site that offers almost as much as GoToMeeting, WebEx, or Adobe Connect. It is worth checking out.
2. E-Learning
www.brainshark.com is a neat site that allows you to upload your powerpoint slides and then use a microphone to voice over each one. It makes for a nice final product.
www.screenr.com is very similar to captive and articulate and other similar programs. It allows you to record your voice while showing someone step-by-step instructions on your computer.
3. Video
www.youtube.com is still the leader in video sharing. Here, you can keep all your favorite videos in a folder, make your own youtube channel, and even create and voice over small animation segments (www.youtube.com/create)
www.keepvid.com allows you to download youtube clips right onto your desktop in multiple formats.
If you can't download the video into a format you desire, then download it in any file type and then transfer it to your preferred file using www.super.com
I enjoy making training videos with Windows Movie Maker, but now I can also use www.wevideo.com, and it has just as many (if not more) features. You really can create a professional looking video for free.
4. Better PowerPoint Tools
If you are an Apple user, then you know how great Keynote can be. If you still use Windows (like me), you might want to look at www.sliderocket.com. It has a LOT of the great features of Keynote.
A new program called www.prezi.com is great if you want to really WOW your audience and make your slides move and turn.
Also, www.slideshare.net is a file sharing site where hundreds of professional PowerPoint presentations are uploaded each month. This is a great place to start if you are looking to build a class or present on a topic.
5. Classroom Enhancers
If you are looking for photos at no cost and with no restrictions, you may want to check out www.morguefile.com
www.toondoo.com allows you to create neat little 3 panel cartoons with your own words and characters. This might be useful for company newsletters or classroom examples.
All training classes need icebreakers, energizers and team building activities. You can find hundreds (yes, hundreds) of these at www.thiagi.com
If you are a fan of the NBC TV show "Minute to Win It", then you will love the games and explanations on their website at www.nbc.com.minute-to-win-it/how-to
And perhaps my favorite is www.polleverywhere.com. Why pay hundreds for classroom polling software when you can do the same thing via text and smart phones for free? Be sure to give this one a try.
So there you have it. Lots and lots of new and updated ideas for trainers, speakers and consultants - and they are all FREE!
Give them and try, and let me know what you think. Also, if you know of a great FREE resource that I have not mentioned, please post a reply to this blog, and we'll all learn from each other.
WOW! What a great resource Pete. I'm bookmarking this post.
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Jeff,
glad you like it. These sites have really helped me a lot!
Pete
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