572 - Pets in Class, Management by Twitter, Random Modules
April 1, 2009 Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 1, 2009.
#572 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,698 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
1. Bring Your Pet to Class Experiment
2. Management by Twitter
3. Randomizing Learning Modules
1. Bring Your Pet to Class Experiment: Maximizing learner attention is often difficult in long duration classes. Two global companies are experimenting with a provocative model of allowing learners to bring their pets to class: cats, dogs under 60 pounds (assuming full toilet control) and fish in portable tanks. Early research indicates that learners stay focused and the pets provide ongoing metaphors for instructors to use in their lectures. “I was originally totally against it, but after teaching two pet-friendly classes, I find learners are much more attentive. They stroke their pets and get into a high attention zone and I have been using “alpha dog” models to teach delegation skills. The only challenge I faced was when a learner in a seminar brought in a pet skunk and everyone else cancelled.” There seems to be a link between the presence of small animals in a room and the release of the enzyme Lefactin, which increases human curiosity and openness to new information.
2. Management by Twitter: Another experiment that we are tracking is the use of Twitter to manage next generation employees. Several of our Learning CONSORTIUM members have reported that managers are starting to use Twitter as their primary (or often only) way of communicating with some of their staff. The most extreme use reported is by a manager who provides Performance Reviews via Twitter. They send the employees a series of short 140 character messages about their performance: “Deadlines often barely met - Customer contact excellent - However, job retention at risk”. They are finding that some employees seem to like and respond to the compressed form of communication. One manager has even written an Auto Management Script linking Twitter to their Learning Management System, where it sends appropriate messages every day to each of their 40 reports. Removing the face-to-face aspect of management may open up an opportunity to outsource the manager function to “cyber-farms”, but that is at least 12 to 18 months away.
3. Randomizing Learning Modules: One final innovation that we have been tracking is the use of a Randomizer as a learning design tool. Instructional designers often agonize over the best sequence for teaching a new skill or task in an e-Learning format. For example, do we show the illustration first, followed by the concept and then the procedure, ending with the practice and testing? The Randomizer, a new open source design tool, takes the agony out of the design process. It just provides a random sequence for each student. In a 12 module course, each student will get a totally different sequence. While some learners find it tough to get the summary before the introduction, this quickly fades as learners get used to random quality of the instruction. One option is to add the sound of a slot machine to the Randomizer so that, as learners finish a topic, they pull a virtual lever and get the sound and visual of wheels turning. The Randomizer will be in global release later this Spring.
Once a year, we celebrate April Fools Day here in the United States with a few jokes. May your April 1st be a bit lighter. If you want to add your own item to this list, send me an email to emasie@masie.com
Yours in Learning,
Elliott Masie
Contact: emasie@masie.com
Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Social Learning LAB & Seminar: June 17 - 19, Saratoga Springs, NY
* Learning Systems Roundtable: April 15 and 16 - Chicago
* Learning & Government Briefing: April 28 - Washington, DC
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com