This post over at Lifehacker illustrates a great new technology that could be very useful for training purposes:
Windows: LogMeIn Express is a screen sharing tool from the makers of the popular remote-desktop software, LogMeIn. With this new offering, sharing your desktop is as simple as sending your friend or associate a URL.
Only the person doing the screen sharing needs to download anything. The sharer only requires a small application from LogMeIn; the viewer only needs to visit the LogMeIn Express site and plug in the number that the sharer has given them.
Screen sharing, for those unfamiliar, is a technology that allows users on different computers to view what a presenter is doing on his or her computer screen. So, for example, I could walk an audience through the steps that I take in setting up a blog, allowing them to view my screen in real time so they can see what I click on, where the different menu items are, how to craft a post, and so forth. What’s more, LogMeIn Express has a chat room function, which allows for an ongoing discussion regarding the training. This could easily be integrated with a conference call to provide for further feedback. The technology works with up to 100 users, and is free.
This platform enables organizations to easily connect with satellite groups to give computer training and instruction. Want an affiliate to learn to upload and tag YouTube videos appropriately? Want to demonstrate how Twitter hashtags work? Want to do a seminar on search engine optimization? LogMeIn Express is a tool that could help facilitate all of this training and more.
What a great tool! I can also see using it to enhance trainings about other communication topics as well, such as media relations, policy communications and etc. With screen sharing tools like this one, trainers could visually show someone how press releases should be structured or how to interpret legislation in Congress during a TA conference call.