788 - Crowd Learning Design, Great Webcam, Predicting Registrations

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Sept 3, 2013.
#788 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
56,184 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning 2013 - Nov 3 to 6 - Orlando, Florida - www.learning2013.com

1. “Crowd” Design Learning Activities?
2. A GREAT Webcam for Webinars.
3. Advance Discounts - Understanding Travel Realities.

1. “Crowd” Design Learning Activities? What if we gave a “CROWD” of experienced workers in your organization a challenge to “DESIGN” a totally new learning activity?  What if we asked 500 managers to collaboratively design a new “manager skills” program?  What if we went from a few SMEs to harnessing the “Wisdom of the Crowd” as a design strategy?

I have become intrigued with experiments to shift from a single designer and SME to tasking a larger or enormous “crowd” of employees with the design process for a new learning activity. This will challenge the traditional role and power assumptions of instructional designers and even subject matter experts. But, it actually takes the idea of crowd-sourcing and integrates it with UserContent, Social and Collaborative Learning and On-The-Job Training.

Here is an article that I just wrote about Crowd Learning Design and some of the upcoming experiments that we are planning: http://www.learning2013.com/blog/item/crowd.html

2. A GREAT Webcam for Webinars: I lead about 8 to 12 webinars each week - on almost every tool and video conferencing system.  So, I am always on the lookout for an improvement in webcams.  This week, I hit the jackpot.  I am now using a new webcam: Logitech C930e Webcam for Business.

While I don’t endorse or evaluate products, on a personal note, I am in love with this webcam. It has instantly taken the clarity and focus of our video-based learning and collaboration programs up major notches.  Here are a few of the features:

* Full HD 1080p Video Calling.
* H.264/SVC Video Compression.
* 90° Field of View.
* 4X Zoom in 1080p.
* Carl Zeiss Certified Lens.
* Integrated Autofocus.
* External Privacy Shutter.
* Built-In Dual Stereo Mics.

I bought mine at: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/977620-REG/logitech_960_000971_c930e_webcam_usb.html

3. Advance Discounts - Understanding Travel Realities:  We are very excited about the registration levels for our upcoming Learning 2013.  We are now at almost 900 registrations. We took 35 registrations today alone.

Normally, on Sept 3rd we would raise the rates approximately $100 per person. But, I have received so many emails from colleagues asking if we could keep the discounted rate for several more weeks as corporate travel policies are more difficult.  Folks want a bit more time to get their permissions to come to Learning 2013, and we listened.

Given our strong registration rate and the tightened complexity of travel approvals, we have issued a new Advance Rate, which will be active until late October.  While this causes some anxiety when ordering our cool event bags, name badges and appropriate amounts of coffee, everyone in Learning must be more agile to allow for more flexibility and last-minute registrations for all activities. We have also extended the ability of our participants to request Corporate Billing and, if needed, cancel closer to the event without penalty.

Please access our website at http://www.learning2013.com to take advantage of the Discounts with your Advance Registration Rate.  And, we look forward to learning and collaborating with you in Orlando.

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Host, Learning 2013

email: emasie@masie.com
twitter: @emasie

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2013 - November 2013 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie