259 - Assumption of e-Learning in Pilot Training & Mobile Phones and College Campuses: Community vs. Connectivity

#259 - - - Sept 8, 2003 - - - 45,254 Readers
*** Elliott Masie's TechLearn TRENDS ***
Training, e-Learning and Collaboration Updates
Web Site: http://www.masie.com

1. General Tommy Franks at TechLearn 2003: Training Lessons Learned
2. Assumption of e-Learning in Pilot Training
3. Mobile Phones and College Campuses: Community vs. Connectivity

1. General Tommy Franks at TechLearn 2003: Training Lessons Learned: We
are pleased to announce that General Tommy Franks (Retired) will be the
Featured Keynote Speaker at TechLearn 2003. General Franks recently
retired as Commander in Chief, United States Central Command. I will be
interviewing him on the role of learning and training in preparing the
troops for the conflict in Iraq. General Franks will comment on the role
of Readiness and real-time learning.

TechLearn 2003 will be held in Orlando, Florida on November 2 to 5th.
There are dozens of key case studies, highly interactive dialogues,
Learning Pioneer Awards and the usual mixture of community, sharing and
fun. Complete details and on-line registration at www.techlearn.com

2. Assumption of e-Learning in Pilot Training: I recently decided to go
from my private pilot's license. After taking my first 2 hour flying
lesson, I was prepared to be told about the 20 hours of ground school that
I would be attending. Instead, my Flight Instructor said, "Why go to
flight school, if you can do it through e-Learning?" (He didn't know
anything about my professional focus!)?

So, instead of classroom time, I have started with a robust e-Learning
effort. Actually, more of a blend, as the flight instructor said that we
would be talking about each lesson by phone or in person before the next
flight each week. It is interesting to see how natural and integrated it
is in their model (and actually quite profitable!)

3. Mobile Phones and College Campuses: As a college trustee, I am always
struck by the line in our budgets for revenue from college dorm phones.
Lately, the number has gotten a lot smaller, as students move towards
using their cell phones instead. A few colleges have designed
interesting models in reaction.

Colleges are starting to hand each student a free mobile/cell phone when
they reach campus. They give the student unlimited local and inbound time
and a great rate on long distance. But, what is most intriguing is that
some campuses have included one button to talk access to natural support
and communities. For example, some students can push a button to get
college security, to reach their roommates and even to deal with a team
that is working on a class project. Sort of a group Instant Messenger
aspect of cell phones.

It is also interesting to watch how much this generation is keeping in
touch with their parents through cell phones. Walk into the college
bookstore and students are on their cells talking about books to buy for
courses with their Mom's and Dad's.

Now, in most campuses, students still don't have one push button access to
Faculty, but you can never tell :)

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
TechLearn 2003: November 3 to 5, Orlando: www.techlearn.com
On-Line e-Learning Briefings: www.masie.com