516 - System Conversation Shifts; Co-opetition Learning Design
April 15, 2008 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