OnPoint Learning's CellCast Solution

PRODUCTS - CELLCAST

OnPoint's CellCast Solution is a fast, economical and innovative way to create, notify, deliver and track audio learning content (e.g., spoken word, podcasts) along with associated interactive assessments and surveys to mobile workers via any cellular phone, VOIP client or standard telephone handset.


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Technology Overview

OnPoint Digital now offers a set of telephony-based learning-enablement tools that enhance the way our customers communicate with and train their mobile workforce. We refer to this new offering as "CellCasting." Think of this functionality as "podcasting without the iPod," where anyone with a mobile phone can access, review and act on their assigned "CellCast Session" much as they would access and listen to a stored/waiting voice mail message.

But unlike listening to a standard voice mail, OnPoint CellCast sessions offer a level of interaction and interactivity to ensure the content was actually heard and understood via (a) a time-logging component, (b) some simple IVR functionality, and more importantly, (c) the collected results from each completed (or incomplete/aborted) CellCast Session, logged and tracked as part of a learner's overall training and performance profile.

mLearning Background

Delivering and tracking learning content sent out to wireless devices and PDAs has long been a challenge to organizations with mobile workforces. To address these issues, OnPoint has several offerings that allow online content to be published to CD/DVD for download to laptop PCs - the traditional definition of mobile learning. But far beyond that, OnPoint's mobile offerings include the ability to repackage content for delivery to a number of mobile devices based on a learner's unique Mobile Profile. We also offer extensible Learning Nugget functionality which allows smaller pieces of an online course to be repackaged and sent to users outside of the learning environment (to a mobile device or even as an attachment to an email), typically for learning reinforcement and retention assessment.

While these solutions addressed the need for organizations with mobile devices capable of receiving traditional or re-factored online learning content (with text, graphics, flash), most organizations have found the process and the tools somewhat unwieldy and the device community too broad to manage with any one-size-fits-all approach.

But a "lowest common denominator" device choice exists for every organization - the phone (cellular or landline). Everyone has one or has access to one. Everyone knows how to use a phone too. Is it possible to use this omnipresent communications device to learn and track the progress of our learners? We believe the answer is a resounding "Yes!"

What is CellCast?

CellCasting is a next generation learning enablement and communications solution best described as an easy, cost effective means of "podcasting" information (via "push" or "pull") to any person on any phone or computing device and tracking the results/outcomes of these CellCast sessions.

Typical Use Cases include:

"Spoken word" training for mobile workers/road warriors
Simplified data collection & field force automation tools
Support for ongoing learning reinforcement & retention measurement for all knowledge workers
Distribution & receipt confirmation of alerts & notifications to any group at any time

How does it Work?

Step (1) First, content authors create an audio file and store it in the OnPoint LMS/LCMS database. Even existing files like a PDF document can be converted using text to audio conversion.

Step (2) Next, simply setup your CellCast, defining when (date/time) you want to activate your CellCast session, what the SMS notification message will include, and how long (duration) you want to keep the audio file active. Then assign any test or feedback questions you wish to include, assign your users, and that's it!

Step (3) Users receive the SMS text notifications, call in to listen to the audio podcast, and interact via their phone's keypad if there is a test or survey response. CellCast playback includes features such as pause, hold, reverse, fast forward, and bookmark.

Step (4) Call tracking data includes the learner's call time, number origin, duration, and any IVR-type response data, and the data is recorded in the user's record. OnPoint Managers can access this data for reporting the progress/completion of assigned CellCasts.

The Benefits of CellCast

The benefits derived from OnPoint's CellCast solution are immediate and easy to measure including:

Simple Yet Powerful - The simplicity of the application's delivery model (using a phone!) masks the complexity of the underlying architecture and management features it offers.
Next Generation - A perfect technology match for the way knowledge workers (especially Gen-Ys) want to learn and develop both professionally and personally.
Quick & Cost Effective - Ideal for existing or new customers to try out and measure their improvements/results almost immediately without making a "platform decision". (CellCast services can be purchased and enabled even for organizations without the OnPoint LMS/LCMS platform.)
Unique - OnPoint's CellCasting Module extends the utility and functionality of our core LMS/LCMS applications, and allows business customers to deliver and track training/development & communications efforts in a totally new way.