USGlass -2007 September

Volume 42, Issue 9 - September 2007

GANA Perspectives
Online Learning
Plan to Visit GlassEducation.com
by Brian K. Pitman

The Glass Association of North America (GANA) has released numerous tools for the commercial architectural glass and glazing industry over the past five years. These include the 2004 edition of the Glazing Manual, the 2006 edition of the Laminated Glazing Reference Manual, the brand new Project Managers Reference Manual, the online glazing industry recruitment tool at www.glassjobsearch.com and more than a dozen free downloadable informational bulletins from the GANA website. This autumn, GANA adds to those tools with its new online learning portal at www.glasseducation.com.

Learning Opportunities
The site, which has been under development for the past two years, offers a source of online education. Registration is free and visitors can view presentations about different aspects of the glass and glazing industry. The presentations are from GANA and others in the industry that have developed them for use across a wide variety of construction-industry audiences. Some presentations are even accredited by the American Institute of Architects and will be sent into the proper authorities so viewers can receive credits. Many of the presentations include online video as well, so a broadband connection to the Internet is required.

Education for All
One of the foundations for this site is that anyone interested in the industry can view the presentations at no cost. By “giving” education to anyone in the industry who sees the benefits of receiving it, GANA continues its altruistic mission to be a leader in commercial architectural glass and glazing. As the number of presentations online increases over the next year, our goal is to increase the level of information available substantively.

As such, we are always looking to increase the online library of presentations, and if your company has developed a 30-minute, 60-minute or 90-minute presentation that is generic in nature and offers true educational content, we look forward to offering you the opportunity to feature it on GlassEducation.com. By offering an educational presentation, your company establishes itself as an expert resource to those who may turn to you for products or services in the future.

Take a moment and visit the preview release of GlassEducation.com and look around at the opportunities for yourself, your career and your company. Registration is easy and free of charge. We encourage you to view as many presentations as you would like and learn as much as possible. Check the site regularly, as new presentations and educational opportunities will be added on a steady basis. Also, make sure to provide us with some feedback as to how we can make the site a better experience for you.

the author: Brian K. Pitman is the director of marketing and communications for the Glass Association of North America based in Topeka, Kan. Mr. Pitman’s opinions are solely his own and not necessarily those of this magazine.