530 - The First 3 Minutes of Learning - Oh, So Important
July 9, 2008 Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 9, 2008.
#530 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,282 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Over 805 Registered!
The First 3 Minutes of Learning - Oh So Powerful!
1. The First 3 Minutes of Learning - Oh So Powerful! I’ve been obsessing about the first three minutes of learning and training. In those first 180 seconds, very key decisions and frameworks are established by and for the learner:
* 3 Minutes of a Class: Learners “sniff” out the teaching style of the instructor and the level of energy of their fellow students. They see the role that PowerPoint might play. They remember why they were sent to the class and predict (on a percentage basis) how likely it is that they will reach their objective. They even give ratings in that first 3 minutes to the efficiency, speed of learning, level of content and type of engagement. After teaching for 30 years, I feel that a large number of learners make a thumbs up or thumbs down rating in those sweet 180 seconds.
* 3 Minutes of e-Learning: Learners do a parallel process in the first 3 minutes (or even less) of an e-Learning or technology-delivered offering. They look to see how much navigational freedom they have. They see if this a read-and-test, by-the-page type of behavioral offering. Learners decide what is the best or fastest way to complete the learning. They probe for the current or outdated nature of the content. Quick decisions are made in synchronous webinars about the possibility of multi-tasking for the next hour. And, once again, those first 180 second often lead to rapid abandonment if participation is optional.
Madeline Hunter, one of the great educational researchers, calls these first moments key to “Anticipatory Set”. What do learners anticipate and how do they enter the learning process? Some of this can be shaped by pre-event communications or contracting. But, those first 180 seconds are all about framing.
So, let’s put our Learning TRENDS thinking caps on and share some ideas about how to make the first 3 minutes of e-Learning or Classroom Learning more powerful and positive for the learner. Please send a quick note to emasie@masie.com and I will summarize these in a TRENDS next week, along with a list of suggestions from The MASIE Center. Thanks!
Note: Learning 2008 registration passed the 800 mark today. That is a higher number than at this point last year and we are very excited about the over 30 groups that are having Learning Retreats at the event (Oct 26 to 29 - Orlando). We are adding several major themes to Learning 2008 in the coming days which will include:
* Rebooting Learning: How does an organization hit the reboot key to get a major redesign and refresh of the learning function?
* LMS Frustrations: Why are so many organizations frustrated by and underwhelmed with their LMS implementation (and what can we do about it)?
* Evidence-Based Learning: Working with Wharton & UPenn CLO Program, we will focus deeply on looking at real evidence of learning success rather than “cool innovations”.
Register now and save with our Advanced Registration Rate: http://www.learning2008.com
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com
Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
* 0ver 5,275 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com