Friday
Dec311999
121 - Can We Multitask and Learn?; Lucent to Roll Out Collaboration Technology Company
December 31, 1999
(Special Report in Route to Las Vegas, NV - Learning Decisions '99 and
Networld/Interop)
1. Can We Multitask and Learn? As learning becomes more available at the
desktop, in the cubicle and office, we will have to confront the up and down
side of learner multitasking. Over the past few months, I have facilitated
about 1,300 people participating in a range of real-time learning events,
using a combination of telephones and web collaborative interfaces. I have
had the sense that a large percentage of these folks, who voluntarily signed
up for these one hour short briefings, were doing a bit of multitasking.
Check the email, surf to an intranet page, take a phone call on the other
line or other easy-to-do second tasks in the midst of my "deeply engaging
interactive lecture".
I don't know what to think about it! Part of the attraction of on-line
learning IS the ability to take short chunks and fit it into the spare times
during the workday. Yet, can we learn new content in the midst of lots of
side activities? We know how to focus learner attention in the classroom,
at least the appearance of focus. And, if the need or pain is high enough,
we know that learners will focus on almost anything. So, what are we to do
about multi-tasking? We want to open up a conversation with TechLearn
readers about multitasking. This is a critical issue as we expand the
expectations for desktop learning technology. Can you send me your thoughts
on this topic to multitask@masie.com and we will summarize the comments in a
future issue.
2. Lucent to Roll Out Collaboration Technology Company: Lucent is the
latest player to dive into the digital collaboration marketplace. They are
rolling out a new company, called Persystant, with a first application,
"BitRoom Collaboration Systems", focused on blending telephone technology
and collaborative tools such as PowerPoint presentations, whiteboards,
training functions and ultimately videoconferencing. This is a take notice
announcement. Lucent has the strength of technology development, roots in
the telephone industry and powerful partners like IBM waiting in the wings
for this capability.
3. Learning Quotation: Fritz Perls
" Learning is discovering that something is possible!"
----- Fritz Perls
4. Survey on Technical Training: The Chauncey Group International, a
professional testing and assessment subsidiary of Educational Testing
Service (ETS) has recently published a web-enabled survey for all trainers
to take. Certified Technical Trainer (CTT) a credential that Chauncey
distributes is based on instructional performance standards, or
competencies. In order for the certification to be valid in the market,
those competencies need to be validated globally as the industry evolves.
The survey is designed to solicit information about Trainers and the
tasks they perform, and benchmark the results against the current
competencies.
The Masie Center will publish the results after The Chauncey Group finishes
compiling the data which will be interesting to see how the industry has
evolved, on a global basis, specific to Instructor-Led Training. Follow the
URL http://www.chauncey.com and click on CTT Survey to complete the survey!
5. ASTD to Co-Host TechLearn '99 - With Bookstore and Research Sessions: We
are pleased to announce that ASTD, the American Society for Training and
Development will be a co-host of TechLearn '99 to be held in Orlando,
Florida from October 31 to November 3rd. ASTD staff and members will
present a range of sessions and panels, focusing on key Research and
Benchmarking Issues related to learning, training and performance. ASTD
will also build a special Bookstore at TechLearn '99. ASTD joins our other
non-profit co-hosts, ISA and CEdMA and two governmental hosts: Advanced
Distributed Project (Department of Defense) and ALX (Department of Labor).
National and regional ASTD members will be eligible for a discount at
TechLearn '99. Complete registration at http://www.masie.com We are
excited about working closely with ASTD on future events and projects. ASTD
will also be joining our TechLearn Collaborative and I will be presenting a
special session at the upcoming ASTD Conference in Atlanta.
Join Our Advisory Boards for TechLearn '99 & The 1999 Computer & IT Training
Convention: Our TechLearn conference is built from the roots up, with the
active involvement of TechLearn Trends readers. We are seeking several
dozen colleagues to serve on two advisory boards for both TechLearn '99 and
the new co-sited event, The 1999 Computer & IT Training Convention, to be
held in Orlando, Florida from October 31 to November 3rd. The Advisory
Boards will help to craft the final agendas and to help facilitate
brainstorming task forces at the event. If you would like to volunteer,
please send a note to me at emasie@masie.com, include your telephone and fax
number.
Upcoming MASIE Center Events: info at http://www.masie.com
* Learning Decisions '99 (May 12 to 14, 1999 in Las Vegas, NV)
* TechLearn '99 and The 1999 Computer & IT Training Convention (Oct 31 to
Nov 3, 1999 in Orlando, Florida)
* The Road to On-Line Learning Lab and Seminar - June 21 and 22, 1999 in
Washington, DC
Networld/Interop)
1. Can We Multitask and Learn? As learning becomes more available at the
desktop, in the cubicle and office, we will have to confront the up and down
side of learner multitasking. Over the past few months, I have facilitated
about 1,300 people participating in a range of real-time learning events,
using a combination of telephones and web collaborative interfaces. I have
had the sense that a large percentage of these folks, who voluntarily signed
up for these one hour short briefings, were doing a bit of multitasking.
Check the email, surf to an intranet page, take a phone call on the other
line or other easy-to-do second tasks in the midst of my "deeply engaging
interactive lecture".
I don't know what to think about it! Part of the attraction of on-line
learning IS the ability to take short chunks and fit it into the spare times
during the workday. Yet, can we learn new content in the midst of lots of
side activities? We know how to focus learner attention in the classroom,
at least the appearance of focus. And, if the need or pain is high enough,
we know that learners will focus on almost anything. So, what are we to do
about multi-tasking? We want to open up a conversation with TechLearn
readers about multitasking. This is a critical issue as we expand the
expectations for desktop learning technology. Can you send me your thoughts
on this topic to multitask@masie.com and we will summarize the comments in a
future issue.
2. Lucent to Roll Out Collaboration Technology Company: Lucent is the
latest player to dive into the digital collaboration marketplace. They are
rolling out a new company, called Persystant, with a first application,
"BitRoom Collaboration Systems", focused on blending telephone technology
and collaborative tools such as PowerPoint presentations, whiteboards,
training functions and ultimately videoconferencing. This is a take notice
announcement. Lucent has the strength of technology development, roots in
the telephone industry and powerful partners like IBM waiting in the wings
for this capability.
3. Learning Quotation: Fritz Perls
" Learning is discovering that something is possible!"
----- Fritz Perls
4. Survey on Technical Training: The Chauncey Group International, a
professional testing and assessment subsidiary of Educational Testing
Service (ETS) has recently published a web-enabled survey for all trainers
to take. Certified Technical Trainer (CTT) a credential that Chauncey
distributes is based on instructional performance standards, or
competencies. In order for the certification to be valid in the market,
those competencies need to be validated globally as the industry evolves.
The survey is designed to solicit information about Trainers and the
tasks they perform, and benchmark the results against the current
competencies.
The Masie Center will publish the results after The Chauncey Group finishes
compiling the data which will be interesting to see how the industry has
evolved, on a global basis, specific to Instructor-Led Training. Follow the
URL http://www.chauncey.com and click on CTT Survey to complete the survey!
5. ASTD to Co-Host TechLearn '99 - With Bookstore and Research Sessions: We
are pleased to announce that ASTD, the American Society for Training and
Development will be a co-host of TechLearn '99 to be held in Orlando,
Florida from October 31 to November 3rd. ASTD staff and members will
present a range of sessions and panels, focusing on key Research and
Benchmarking Issues related to learning, training and performance. ASTD
will also build a special Bookstore at TechLearn '99. ASTD joins our other
non-profit co-hosts, ISA and CEdMA and two governmental hosts: Advanced
Distributed Project (Department of Defense) and ALX (Department of Labor).
National and regional ASTD members will be eligible for a discount at
TechLearn '99. Complete registration at http://www.masie.com We are
excited about working closely with ASTD on future events and projects. ASTD
will also be joining our TechLearn Collaborative and I will be presenting a
special session at the upcoming ASTD Conference in Atlanta.
Join Our Advisory Boards for TechLearn '99 & The 1999 Computer & IT Training
Convention: Our TechLearn conference is built from the roots up, with the
active involvement of TechLearn Trends readers. We are seeking several
dozen colleagues to serve on two advisory boards for both TechLearn '99 and
the new co-sited event, The 1999 Computer & IT Training Convention, to be
held in Orlando, Florida from October 31 to November 3rd. The Advisory
Boards will help to craft the final agendas and to help facilitate
brainstorming task forces at the event. If you would like to volunteer,
please send a note to me at emasie@masie.com, include your telephone and fax
number.
Upcoming MASIE Center Events: info at http://www.masie.com
* Learning Decisions '99 (May 12 to 14, 1999 in Las Vegas, NV)
* TechLearn '99 and The 1999 Computer & IT Training Convention (Oct 31 to
Nov 3, 1999 in Orlando, Florida)
* The Road to On-Line Learning Lab and Seminar - June 21 and 22, 1999 in
Washington, DC
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