Karen Hyder, Certified Technical Trainer CTT+
Trainer of Trainers
Online Event Producer and Speaker Coach
Karen Hyder has been teaching about technology using technology since 1991 when she began offering applications software courses for Logical Operations/ Ziff-Davis Education in the middle of the Windows and Microsoft Office explosion. In 1995 she was promoted to Director of Trainer Development teaching classes to help trainers improve skills and earn MCT and CTT+ certification.
In 1998, Karen spearheaded a trainer-development program in the United Kingdom through Corporate Learning Ltd., the only Microsoft- and CTT+ -approved courses in the UK at that time.
Upon her return to the States, Karen founded Kaleidoscope Training and Consulting in Palmyra, N.Y., which offers courses for technical trainers and subject-matter experts to improve delivery and presentation skills, learn online training strategies, and prepare for Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) and CompTIA Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+) designation. She also supports organizations that are transitioning to online instructor-led training. Kaleidoscope clients include: AMS, GlaxoSmithKline, Ericsson, Cultural Synergies, The GilDeane Group, Productivity Point International Inc., Cigna Health Care, Microsoft Corp., GDR Global, Compuware Corp. and The eLearningGuild.
Karen helped launch and currently Produces and Hosts the eLearning Guild Online Forums, a series of online conference sessions for eLearning development professionals. To date, Karen has coached hundreds of speakers to prepare for Online Forum sessions using Elluminate and Adobe Breeze/ Acrobat Connect Professional.
Since it's inception in 2001, Karen has served as a member of CompTIA's Advisory Committee for the Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+) certification exams. She is an advocate for the CompTIA's eTrainer Certification (CTT+e) program development.
In 2007, Karen co-authored “The eLearning Guild’s Handbook on Synchronous eLearning.” The 140-page free eBook is a comprehensive resource for trainers, training developers and subject matter experts who are preparing to deliver training using virtual classroom or synchronous — at the same time — online software tools like WebEx Training Center, Adobe Acrobat Connect Professional and Elluminate Live!
Currently, Karen moderates online forums for The eLearning Guild. She has presented a variety of training effectiveness topics at national and international conference events including the eLearning Producer Conference and Expo, San Francisco; Computer Training World, Chicago; Computer Training World, San Francisco; The IT Training Show, Birmingham, UK; Training IT, London; CompTIA’s Strategies for Success in Barcelona and Monte Carlo, Institute of IT Training Learning Technologies, Warwick, UK , Adobe MAX, Las Vegas ASTD TechKnology, Las Vegas, the eLearning Guild’s Annual Gathering, Boston and eLearning Developers Conference and Expo San Francisco and can be heard Hosting the eLearning Guild’s Online Forums throughout the year.
Early in her career, Karen worked for Berlitz Language Schools and Language Intelligence, Ltd., teaching English language skills to non-native speakers.
She earned a B.A. in English/Communications from St. John Fisher College in Rochester, N.Y. Karen also studied Neurolinguistic Programming with Richard Bandler through McKenna Breen in London in 1998
Karen lives with her husband, Eddie and their 2 cats in a home built in 1875 in Palmyra, NY
