We really like the noting of new features in the Office 2000 programs with an icon in the left margin. In many cases, you can also read a brief explanation of how a particular feature has changed. One of the most boring features of many desktop training classes is pretending you care about the examples used to teach functions. So at least the exercises feel like fun when you get to run a resort. These tools push you to explore features and understand the utility of the functions.
Instant feedback keeps the sessions lively.
During a lesson, a quiz appears after you review a specific section, so you can check your comprehension. Unlike the tutorial, the quizzes show you the correct answers. ActiveEducation has a well-organized learning tool, but it requires user discipline. You can scroll through and read the materials without participating because there's no required input, such as clicking a correct answer, to move ahead. Also, in an effort to simulate real experience, the practice session requires that you open Excel, but that means you read instruction on one screen in the Web browser and you have to switch to Excel to perform the steps of the exercises.