About

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 Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) and CompTIA Certified Technical Trainer (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 United States, Karen founded Kaleidoscope Training and Consulting, which offers courses for technical trainers and subject-matter experts to improve delivery and presentation skills, learn online training strategies, and prepare for MCT and CTT+ designation. She also supports organizations that are transitioning to online instructor-led training. Kaleidoscope clients include American Express, American Management Association, AMS, ASPCA, Chevron, Cigna Health Care, CompTIA, Cultural Synergies, Ericsson, GDR Global, Compuware Corp., GlaxoSmithKline, Image Launch, Institute of Technology Sligo, Kraus-Anderson Construction Company, Microsoft Corp., Om-Tech Learning, Productivity Point International Inc., Saxo Bank, Scitor Corporation, The GilDeane Group, and The eLearning Guild.

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.

Karen has served as a member of CompTIA's Advisory Committee for the Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+) certification exams since the program's inception in 2001. Karen 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. This 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 online software tools such as 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, Barcelona and Monte Carlo; the Institute of IT Training Learning Technologies, Warwick, UK; Adobe MAX, Las Vegas; ASTD TechKnology, Las Vegas; The eLearning Guild's Annual Gathering, Boston; and the eLearning Developers Conference and Expo San Francisco. Karen can also be heard throughout the year hosting The eLearning Guild's Online Forums.

Early in her career, Karen worked for Berlitz Language Schools and Language Intelligence, Ltd., teaching English-language skills to non-native speakers.

Karen earned a B.A. in English/Communications from St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY, and has studied Neurolinguistic Programming with Richard Bandler through McKenna Breen in London.