TBD Consulting Helps ASTD Chapter Win National Recognition for Second Life™ Simulcast

Aug. 5, 2009 - PRLog -- PHOENIX, AZ –– The Mt. Diablo chapter (http://www.mtdiabloastd.org) of ASTD (http://www.astd.org), through a partnership with TBD Consulting, were awarded ASTD National’s “Sharing Our Success”  (SOS) recognition for an innovative virtual learning experience.

TBD Consulting is a pioneer in the area of Second Life™ simulcasts that facilitate innovative, virtual training programs.  A recent Second Life™ simulcast with the Mt. Diablo chapter of ASTD in Pleasanton, California doubled the regular attendance numbers for their monthly speaker programs. The presentation, entitled “Get Virtual – Designing Learning in Second Life”, provides an overview of Second Life™ and explores the design considerations necessary to bring value-added learning to corporate training participants. The simulcast presentation was attended by virtual participants in TBD Consulting’s training center in Second Life™ as well as live participants in the Mt. Diablo chapter meeting room.  

Chani Pangali, PhD and Co-VP Professional Development for the ASTD Mt Diablo chapter shared, “This was a remarkable evening for us, in terms of total turnout and the fact that guests and members with lapsed attendance records out-numbered regular attendees. There was all-around appreciation for the quality of the presentation and the special insights into what might be possible in training with Second Life capabilities.”

Mike Abrams, Past President of the ASTD AZ Valley of the Sun chapter in Phoenix and VP Business Development and Learning Technology for TBD Consulting, facilitated the event by creating an environment where the virtual and physical participants could listen and speak to each other as easily as if they were in the same room. All participants could ask questions and see the presentation slides and speaker.  The session kicked off with networking activities that both audiences participated, in order to meet their fellow participants in their respective spaces. By enabling both audiences to interact and learn from each other, they are given a real learning experience with more engagement than a webinar and overcome the travel restrictions that exist for a fraction of the cost.

Anyone interested in learning more about Second Life™ as a highly interactive learning delivery method can join other participants online to experience the results first hand. TBD Consulting hosts a free bi-weekly, networking event in Second Life™ on Learning Innovation island http://slurl.com/secondlife/Learning%20Innovation/27/188/24. This free event features leaders from various industries presenting on people development, coaching, leadership, and organizational development challenges. Human Resource, Training and OD professionals as well as business people are invited to attend. You may register for an upcoming session online at http://learninginnovationmeetup.eventbrite.com.

About TBD Consulting, Inc.

TBD Consulting, Inc. (TBD) is a full-service consulting firm specializing in employee performance improvement. As a national provider of services to Fortune 500 companies, TBD creates solutions to improve performance management, employee engagement and process effectiveness - tangible business impact, not just strategies. In business since 1991, TBD is positioned to service world-wide clientele either onsite or virtually. Solutions are customized to meet each client's business needs and objectives.

Further information is available at www.tbdconsulting.com or by calling our offices at 602-263-1961.

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TBD Consulting is a full-service consulting firm specializing in employee performance improvement. Since 1991, TBD is a privately held, certified woman-owned business that is positioned to service our world-wide clientele at their sites or virtually.