870 - LinkedIn Buys lynda.com for 1.5 Billion; Testing Amazon Echo
April 10, 2015 Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 10, 2015.
#870 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
56,849 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning Directions in Dallas, Seattle, Chicago & New York City.
1. LinkedIn Buys lynda.com for $1.5 Billion - Not an April Fools Message.
2. Testing Amazon Echo - Talking to My Speaker & Cloud.
3. Gamification & Learning LAB - New Section Added in June.
1. LinkedIn Buys lynda.com for $1.5 Billion - Not an April Fools Message: I was quite surprised by a message yesterday announcing that LinkedIn has purchased lynda.com (an eLearning site) for $1.5 Billion. Details at: http://www.cnet.com/news/linkedin-to-acquire-online-training-site-lynda-com/
Why surprised? Just a few days ago, as part of my annual April Fools Learning Trends message, I said, “LinkedIn leaders are convinced that a learner’s resume will have a key role in expanding learning. As a worker enrolls for a class, “LinkedLearn” will relate the content to the learner’s previous positions and work experience. If one shifts their job from a bank to a restaurant, their onboarding eLearning on how to work at the order counter will use visuals and even videos from a banking example. “LinkedLearn” is aimed at truly adaptive learning design. It may also leverage feedback from the last 10 years of a worker’s performance reviews.” This was not a prediction - just a joke. But, I guess good jokes have some element of truth and prediction.
It will be interesting to see how LinkedIn leverages the resources and assets of lynda.com in the coming years. Stay tuned for more perspectives.
2. Testing Amazon Echo - Talking to My Speaker & Cloud: This week at The MASIE Center, I have been testing a new technology: Amazon’s Echo. It is a high quality speaker, about one foot tall and 3 inches wide, that takes some of the function of Apple’s Siri and rolls it into a Cloud-based Music, Knowledge and Control Center.
First, I plugged it in and downloaded an Echo app to my smartphone. It links to my Amazon Prime Account and the building’s wireless system. Then, just by calling the Echo’s name - “Alexa” - I can then ask for the weather, latest news or almost any song or album. It does an instant search of Amazon Prime Music and starts to play in less than 2 seconds. And, it also will make me laugh if I say, “Alexa, tell me a joke.” Additional features are being added, including control of household appliances and linking multiple Echos together in different rooms.
Check it out at http://www.amazon.com/oc/echo It is $199 and has a 3 month waiting list. I am intrigued about how it could also access a corporation’s knowledge or intranet for spoken assistance to a worker sitting at a desk or working on a factory floor. And, I have had fun with instant songs and much needed jokes.
3. Gamification & Learning LAB - New Section Added in June: We have sold out our first Gamification & Learning LAB, with a waiting list, for May. So, I have opened up a second section that will be held in Saratoga Springs, NY from June 23 -25. Register soon as we are already filling seats in this hands-on LAB. Details at http://www.masie.com
Yours in learning,
Elliott Masie
Chair, The Learning CONSORTIUM
MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM.
- Learning Directions - Dallas, Seattle, Chicago and NYC in June.
- Gamification & Learning LAB - Led by Elliott Masie - June 23-25, 2015 - Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Learning 2015 - Nov 1 to 4 - Orlando, Florida.
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie