Elliott Masie's Learning TRENDS

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - May 8, 2008.
#519 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,211 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Orlando.

PodCast: NBC News Launches Learning/Networking/Engagement Platform

Special Note! I just finished interviewing Adam Jones, NBC News - Senior Vice President of Network Development and CFO for a special Learning TRENDS PodCast.

We talked about a revolutionary platform that NBC News has just released: iCUE. They have even opened up a new group called NBC Learn.  There is a combination of journalists, media specialists and learning professionals working in this group.  And, NBC has partnered with MIT on developing the design of this next generational learning model.

iCue takes “e-Learning” a huge step forward, with the introduction of small video chunks (from the NBC News archives), social networking and gaming. They blend these learning and engagement components in new ways, which will form the basis of new pedagogical approaches.

iCue is a free service and is starting with content/courses aimed at Advanced Placement classes for high school students. But, the platform is ideal for learning design for a wide range of content.

Go to http://www.masieweb.com/nbcicue for the PodCast and links to the service.

I’d love to get your thoughts and questions via email to emasie@masie.com

Thanks to NBC News for the PodCast and their work in learning.

Elliott Masie

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* 0ver 3,800 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
* Learning Design Seminar & LAB: June 23-25 - Saratoga Springs
* Performance Support Seminar & LAB: July 9-11 - Saratoga Springs
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

TO: Learning & Training Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, The Learning CONSORTIUM

RE: Leadership Competencies for the Next President - Your Input Needed!

As a Learning/Training professional, we need your perspectives on a very key topic:

Leadership Competencies for the Next President of the United States:  http://www.masieweb.com/presidential

Next Monday, I will be attending a forum at the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School, with support from the Ken Blanchard Companies. A small group of business, political, educational and civic leaders will be having a focused discussion on the Leadership Competencies that will be essential for the next President of the United States.

Your input is extremely valuable. As a learning and training colleague, would you please take 3 minutes to complete this anonymous survey?

http://www.masieweb.com/presidential

We will publish a summary of the results of the survey and the discussion.

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie

The MASIE Center, Learning CONSORTIUM
PO Box 397, Saratoga Springs, NY
emasie@masie.com
www.masie.com

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - May 2, 2008.
#518 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,204 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-28 - Orlando.

Special: Elliott Training Across Canada & The Rockies

TRENDS readers know that I have a fondness for long train trips. It must be the trainer in me. So, today I am writing TRENDS on a trip across Canada and through the Rockies. 

I’ve always wanted to see Canada from the train, especially the Western Rockies. So, on an impulse, I booked a 3-day trip this afternoon. I have some meetings in California, including a visit to Google on Wednesday, so I thought, “Why not take a slower and more scenic path?”  I’ll be video blogging and writing from a small bedroom or observation car on the “Canadian”.

I’ll be training between Toronto and Vancouver, crossing the scenic lakelands of northern Ontario, touring the western plains of the Prairies and the splendid Canadian Rockies, and finishing my journey on the Pacific coast of British Columbia. Other stops include Sudbury Junction, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Jasper and Kamloops. It will be 3 nights from Toronto to Vancouver.

And, I’ll have wireless for a portion of the trip.  So, if you would like to message me or even meet me at one of the stops along the way in Canada, send a note to emasie@masie.com  A map of the journey is at http://www.viarail.ca/trains/en_trai_roch.html

All Aboard!

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* 0ver 3,800 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
* Learning Design Seminar & LAB: June 23-25 - Saratoga Springs
* Performance Support Seminar & LAB: July 9-11 - Saratoga Springs
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 30, 2008.
#517 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,197 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-28 - Orlando.

1. 88% of Companies Planning Cuts - Trying to Hold Line on Jobs.
2. Conversations about Political Campaign.
3. Elliott Goes Mac Today!

1. 88% of Companies Planning Cuts - Trying to Hold Line on Jobs: Here is a powerful piece of research from i4CP on the impact of the economy on corporate “cuts” and jobs:

“The cuts are coming suggests a recent study by the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp). According to the study, 88% of companies surveyed plan to implement cost-cutting measures within a year. When asked about how companies are planning to reduce costs, a full 87% of respondents said they are considering improving efficiency to a moderate, high or very high degree. Seventy-one percent said they are considering cutting discretionary spending to the same degree, and 65% are considering seeking lower costs from vendors. By contrast, just 33% said their organizations are planning to reduce head count to the same degree.”

“The most likely cutback targets are operations, with 49% of companies reporting they are looking at reducing costs in this area. That’s closely followed by administration, at 48%, and the use of external vendors/outsourced partners, at 43%. More than a third (35%) said they’d look to HR as a place for reducing costs. The least likely areas for cost-cutting measures are research and development, with just 19% of respondents saying their firms are – to a moderate, high or very high extent – planning to reduce costs in this area.”
 
“In this uncertain economic environment, it’s clear companies are intent on not being caught flat-footed,” notes Kevin Oakes, CEO of i4cp, “but so far it’s looking more like careful surgery than a bloodbath. Layoffs don’t seem to be the first choice for a lot of companies.”  More info at http://www.i4cp.com

2. Conversations about Political Campaign: We have a fascinating discussion underway about learnings from the current U.S. Presidential Campaign.  We have dozens of comments about learnings, ranging from the impact of YouTube to targeted education to the role of the Educator in Chief.  Please join in on the front page of LearningTown at http://www.learningtown.com

3. Elliott Goes Mac Today: Today, this is my first Learning TRENDS sent from my new Apple Mac, which just became my primary computer. After a year of experimenting with Macs, including using the thin MacBook Air as my laptop, I decided it was time to make the big shift! This is interesting given my background as the host of Microsoft Television during the release of Windows ‘95.

I moved to Macs as I saw my workstyle and format evolve. All of The MASIE Center systems are now web-based and hosted externally, so most of the day, the browser is my primary environment. In addition, I am producing audio and video segments throughout the day.  Using Microsoft Office for the Mac has allowed me to make the shift easily. (I still have a Vista machine near my desk for an occasional Windows-only application.)

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* 0ver 3,800 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
* Learning Design Seminar & LAB: June 23-25 - Saratoga Springs
* Performance Support Seminar & LAB: July 9-11 - Saratoga Springs
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 11, 2008.
#516 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,183 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Orlando.

1. From Learning Systems to Learning!
2. Heading to Atlanta - FIRST Robotics Co-opetition.

1. From Learning Systems to Learning! I spent last week with 370 learning leaders at the Learning Systems event in Las Vegas. Here are a few of my learnings and impressions from the rich discussions:

* Conversation Shifts - From Learning Systems to Learning: While there are a few groups that are shopping for their first LMS/LCMS and quite a few are preparing for their next one, the conversation is not about features, functions or even price anymore. The key dialogues are about Richer Learning, Hybrid Learning, Content, Integration and Learner Experience. In some ways, we are entering the Post-LMS Obsession era. They are essential systems, but not sufficient systems. It takes key methodology to leverage even the best LMS.
* Content Dramatically Changing - From UserContent to more Media-Rich Content, there was universal agreement about a fundamental shift in the style of content being created and consumed by organizations and learners.
* Search is Key and Ignored - Learners are demanding, with some frustration, search capabilities at work, including within their Learning Systems that would allow them to “Google” their way to content, modules and learning resources.
* Broken RFPs: The suppliers of Learning Systems continue to be stymied by a broken RFP process used by many organizations, where companies request 300 features they will probably rarely use. Consider shifting to a Use Case model and demand a Sandbox approach to use and evaluate actual solutions.
* Performance Support Growing: More and more organizations are creating Performance Support as a companion or substitute for e-Learning. (Check out the Performance Support LAB at http://www.masie.com )
* Software as a Service: There was much interest and learning in Software as a Service model for provisioning the Learning Systems needs of organizations. Folks were predicting a rise in component-level learning functionality that could be purchased as a service and plugged into back office systems.

Later this week, we will post 3 hours of video interviews with 26 CEOs and CTOs of the major Learning Systems providers.

2. Heading to Atlanta - FIRST Robotics Co-opetition: I will be reporting and live-blogging from Atlanta starting on Thursday. I have the honor of attending the FIRST Robotics finals - a unique educational competition for high school students. This incredible “co-opetition”, created by Dean Kamen, combines learning, entertainment and a unique design to engage tens of thousands of students and adults. It involves intentional use of a game challenge, atmosphere, coaching, “gracious professionalism”, short/intense action spurts and a design/build experience. Creative use of “failure” is also leveraged in a way that could be deeply emulated within corporate learning designs.

FIRST is best reflected by this quote: “To create a world where science and technology are celebrated … where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes.”

My good friend and learning colleague John Abele is the Chair of FIRST. I will feed daily video interviews to give you a birds-eye view of this intense learning event in action.  If you are in Atlanta and would like to meet up at the FIRST event at the Georgia Dome, send me a note to emasie@masie.com 
FIRST website: http://www.usfirst.org

- 0ver 3,000 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Learning Design Seminar & LAB: June 23-25 - Saratoga Springs
* Performance Support Seminar & LAB: July 9-11 - Saratoga Springs
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

TO: Learning & Training Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie
RE: Learning Fellowships at The MASIE Center Offered

We are pleased to announce a new program that will support learning professionals pursuing an advanced degree (Master or Doctorate Level) or interested in a Research Sabbatical.

Starting in Summer 2008, for a period of one semester (2 to 4 months), we will select and host a series of Learning Fellowships at The MASIE Center in Saratoga Springs, NY.

The candidates will be provided housing, a stipend for living expenses, full access to the Center and our Learning CONSORTIUM.  They will have an opportunity to:

* Spend 50% of their time on a Research Project in the Learning Arena.
* Spend 50% of their time working with MASIE Center staff on key Learning Projects.
* Work with our Learning CONSORTIUM members to create and deploy their resarch.
* Place the results of their research in the public domain.
* Shadow Elliott Masie or other CLO’s in our Learning CONSORTIUM.
* Write at least one article for Learning TRENDS.
* Present their research at Learning 2008.

Candidates will be selected by an Advisory Panel of colleagues, academics and learning executives.  The Fellowships can begin at the start of the Fall, Winter or Summer semester/season.

Rather than complete a long application, we would like you to start by sending a personal note to us, outlining your interest in the Learning Fellowship.  We will follow-up with more details and requests for additional information.

Send your note to: fellowship@masie.com

We are very excited about this program and hope that it will support more research and advanced degrees in the learning field.

Regards,

Elliott Masie
The MASIE Center & Learning CONSORTIUM

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 1, 2008.
#513 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,169 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning Systems ‘08 - http://www.masie.com.

1. Giggle Launched by Google: Humor in Searching.
2. e-Learning for Super Delegates: Coping with Pressure.
3. Level 9 Evaluation: Kirkpatrick and and MRI.
4. Speed Presenting: More Words Per Minute.
5. Surrogate Students: Outsourcing Class Attendance.

1. Giggle Launched by Google (Humor in Searching): We have been briefed on a new service that will soon be launched by Google, called Giggle. Sometimes you want to do a search and don’t want serious results.  In fact, you are looking for the funny or ridiculous. Giggle will use a new search algorithm to determine truly funny answers to search responses. Users of Giggle will also be able to turn on the speakers on their computers to hear a range of laughter based on the Giggle rating of each response. Launch date has not be announced.

2. e-Learning for Super Delegates “Coping with Pressure”: The Kennedy School of Government at Harvard is building a special e-Learning program for Super Delegates in the Democratic Presidential Campaign. Modules will focus on key issues such as “What to do when Bill Clinton calls you at 3 a.m. to get your vote?” and “Selling Your Vote on e-Bay - Is it Legal, Is it Wrong, How Much Could I Get?”  Faculty will include Stress Specialists and Professors of Negotiation. Stephen M.R. Covey will teach a special module based on “Speed of Trust - Making Up Your Mind in Just 4 Months”.

3. Level 9 Evaluation (Kirkpatrick and and MRI): Evaluation of training results are taking a leap forward with the announcement of Level 9 Assessment from Kirkpatrick. While this requires the learner taking an extensive MRI, to see actual changes in brain structure, it should be extremely helpful in moving the ROI conversation forward. There are concerns about using this form of assessment too often with a single learner, in fields such as financial services. But, no pain, no gain!

4. Speed Presenting (More Words Per Minute): Train the Trainer methods are being changed to include a new approach called Speed Presenting. This technique involves removing all of the pauses and spaces from the lecture portion of a trainer’s presentation (either in the classroom or on-line). Research indicates that teachers can double or even triple their speed of presenting. Bob Pike, world famous Train the Trainer expert, believes that the total cost of training can be reduced by 25% to 33% using Speed Presenting. Of course, upcoming advances in Speed Bathroom Breaks and Speed Lunches will help move this movement of Accelerated Learning along.

5. Surrogate Students (Outsourcing Class Attendance): I was shocked to hear about the emergence of a new trend of outsourcing class participation. In very busy organizations, learners can hire an unemployed or off-shore surrogate to attend a course and later get the “abbreviated” version. Retired employees are now offering their services as surrogate learners as a way of increasing their revenues and also staying involved in their fields. Surrogate Learning is also involving the relatives of work-at-home learners. Hmmm.

Note: Happy April 1st. For our international readers, April 1st is called April Fools Day and we have fun with our field on this day of satire and humor.  Send your notes to emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Join Free LearningTown Social Network: www.learningtown.com
* Learning Systems ‘08: April 9-11 - Las Vegas
* Learning Design Seminar & LAN: June 23-25 - Saratoga Springs
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

TO: Learning & Training Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, The MASIE Center
RE: Learning Design: Seminar & Lab

We are pleased to announce a new offering at The MASIE Center:

Learning Design: Seminar & Lab
Taught by: Tomás Ramírez with Elliott Masie
June 23-25, 2008 - Saratoga Springs, NY
http://www.masie.com

We have had many requests for an in-depth, hands-on seminar 100% focused on Learning Design.  Tomás and I have designed this program together and I will lead several segments.

Here is the content outline:

    * What Learning Designs work most effectively in organizations?
    * How can we blend traditional Learning Design models (eg. ADDIE) with newer approaches to design and development?
    * How do adult learning methods apply in the age of Social Networking?
    * Models to be used in assessing learners.
    * Explore content development strategies.
    * Is Rapid Design sloppy design? 
    * When Design is Outsourced: Managing Vendor and Supplier Quality.
    * What methods of Content Delivery are right for our learners? Let’s talk about Context, Styles, Globalization and Roles.
    * From Content Design to Delivery to Metrics: a look at learning technologies and standards.
    * What design models apply to Formal (Classroom and e-Learning) vs. Informal (MySpace and Blogs) Learning? 
    * Learning Design for Managers: Even if you don’t design Learning yourself, how can you manage these processes?
    * The Future of Design: Collaborative, Social, Reusable and Dynamically Updated.

Tomás Ramírez is one of my most valued colleagues and a very experienced instructional designer, faculty member and corporate learning manager.

Space is limited, so please register as soon as possible.  Complete information at http://www.masie.com

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - March 29, 2008.
#512 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,164 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning Systems ‘08 - http://www.masie.com.

1. Covert/Secondary Learning Systems?
2. Retiring Employees Perfect as Learning Resources.
3. LearningTown - Social Network Up to 1,600 Colleagues.

1. Covert/Secondary Learning Systems? We have been tracking an interesting trend, as some organizations are adding a second or even “covert” Learning Management System to stretch their functionality beyond the capabilities of the enterprise system already in place. Some of these “added” LMS installs have been in business units that want to rapidly expand functionality for targeted learning undertakings.

For example, one Fortune 20’s Sales Training group wanted a more collaborative approach to their onboarding, so they leased an instance of a hosted system, but called it an Onboarding System rather than a LMS. They transfer the data in batches back to the corporate LMS.  We are seeing secondary LMS systems implemented by other divisions or regions of the world, with unique needs that can’t be rapidly met by the current LMS.

2. Retiring Employees Perfect as Learning Resources. Please consider a plan in your organization to leverage retiring employees as learning resources. I am shocked at how few organizations even have a process for asking retirees if they are willing/able to be part-time contract instructors, subject matter experts or coaches. If you have a plan in place, I’d love to hear about it. Send me a note to emasie@masie.com

3. LearningTown - Social Network Up to 1,600 Colleagues: In the past four days, we have had over 1,600 of your colleagues beta testing our new, free network - LearningTown. This network is now open for use by any learning colleague from around the world. There are key conversations underway and over 17 focused groups and blogs started by dozens of learning professionals.  Find new and past colleagues in our field. Join today (or refer your colleagues to):

Join LearningTown: Social Network for Learning Professionals - http://www.learningtown.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
* Learning Systems ‘08: April 9-11 - Las Vegas
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

TO: Learning TRENDS Readers & Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie

I would like to ask you a favor, as a reader of Learning TRENDS.

We are about to start an experiment in Social Networking called LearningTown. This will be a new, free, vendor-neutral Social Network for Learning Professionals around the world.

As we begin this experiment, we need some people to be our beta testers. Could you take a few minutes to go to the following URL and create a profile for yourself?

http://learningtown.ning.com/?xgi=2n6QnUB

This URL will get you access to the site as a Beta Tester. The URL will only work for the next 7 days. Direct access to the site can be found at http://learningtown.ning.com

If you have any difficulties accessing this site, please send a note to lara@masie.com

Thanks so much!

Yours in learning,

Elliott

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - March 24, 2008.
#511 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,159 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning Systems ‘08 - http://www.masie.com.

1. 4,000th Death: Silence in the Workplace.
2. Learning Maps? Visualizing Content/Competencies.
3. Learning 2008: All About Learning!

1. 4,000th Death: Silence in the Workplace? Today marks the 4,000th U.S. soldier’s death in Iraq. Regardless of your political position on the current conflict, it is significant to sense the silence about this anniversary in our workplaces. I recently went to an exhibit on workplace “posters” from World War I and II, where there was a direct attempt to focus our attention and to support families of soldiers who were serving. The silence today is palpable. There are important elements that do and will impact our Learning Field directly, from the re-integration of veterans into our organizations to the possible use of “Lessons Learned” in our leadership classes.

If we are to have silence today, let’s take a moment of intentional silence to honor ALL those people who have lost lives, been injured or displaced by this conflict. And, may world leaders be authentic learners to find a way to a resolution.

2. Learning Maps? Visualizing Content/Competencies. Is anyone providing a Visual Map to each learner with a graphic display of the content/competencies needed in their current or future role?  I would love to provide TRENDS readers with a sample of these maps.  Send me a note to emasie@masie.com

3. Learning 2008 Site Opens: We are pleased to announce the opening of our new Learning 2008 website. The theme this year is “All About Learning!”  Check out the website to see our new video, “Voices of Learning”, with highlights from Dan Pink, Bobby Flay, Ken Blanchard, Doug Lynch and many more. Information and Early Registration Discounts at: http://www.learning2008.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
* Learning Systems ‘08: April 9-11 - Las Vegas
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com