924 - Pokemon Go and Learning; MIT Open Education Keynote

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - August 3, 2016.
#923 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
57,323 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning 2016, Oct 23 to 26, Orlando - 718 Colleagues Registered! 

1. Pokemon Go and Learning Ideas?
2. MIT Open and Digital Education Keynote. 

1. Pokemon Go and Learning Ideas? 30 million people downloaded the Pokemon Go app in 2 weeks! And, you have seen video or live examples of everyday people - walking around outside - steering themselves in an active Pokemon Go adventure. Take a minute to check out this amazingly viral new use of Augmented Reality (an extension of Virtual Reality) - http://www.pokemongo.com/ 

But, there is an interesting set of questions that this viral Pokemon phenomena has triggered for The MASIE Center: 

- Can we adapt or add a “learning layer” to Pokemon Go for a learning project at the workplace? For example, could it be adapted for a new hire orientation self-tour?
- Will the popularity of Pokemon Go lead to other technology pushes in the Augmented Reality Space?  Might we see a large range of learning oriented apps come forth?
- Will Pokemon Go users move from fascination to sustained use over time? In fact, what is needed to trigger continuous use of an Augmented Reality framework?
- Pokemon Go is also collecting a large amount of personal Big Data for each user. What will be the ethics for use of data collected?
- What types of people, situations, challenges or rewards are needed to create a Learning focused extension of Augmented Reality? 

I would love to hear your personal stories about, fascination with, or even revulsion to Pokemon Go.  And, what are your thoughts about the application of this to learning in the workplace? Send me a note to emasie@masie.com 

2. MIT Open and Digital Education Keynote: I am so excited to add Sanjay Sarma as one of our Keynoters at Learning 2016. He is amazing advocate of innovation in learning and is working to map emerging Brain Science, Machine Learning and Learning Innovations at MIT and beyond. 

Sanjay Sarma is the MIT Vice President for Open Learning. He also leads the Office of Digital Learning, which oversees MIT OpenCourseWare and supports the development and use of digital technology for on-campus teaching and massive open online courses (MOOCs). He is also the Fred Fort Flowers (1941) and Daniel Fort Flowers (1941) Professor of Mechanical Engineering at MIT.

Details at http://learning2016.com/item/mit-open-learning

Note, there are over 718 learning colleagues from around the world already registered for Learning 2016 - which will take place from Oct 23 to 26 in Orlando, Florida. Complete details at http://www.learning2016.com

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie

Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: emasie 

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:

- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM.
- Learning 2016 - October 23 to 26 - Orlando, Florida.

Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 21, 2016.
#923- Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
57,309 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning 2016, Oct 23 to 26, Orlando - 684 Colleagues Registered! 

Special Note: 30 Under 30 Learning Leaders for 2016 Selected! 

The next generation of Learning Leaders is coming!  Elliott Masie is pleased to announce the selection of the 2016 30 Under 30 Learning Leaders.  These 30 learning colleagues will be featured and highly engaged at Learning 2016, the annual gathering of global learning leaders in Orlando, Florida from October 23rd to 26th. 

The goal of the 30 Under 30 @ Learning 2016 Program is to provide support, visibility, voice and development for the next generation of Learning Leaders.  During Learning 2016, attendees will have the opportunity to interact with these rising leaders and to hear several 30 Under 30 perspectives. 

The 30 Under 30 Learning Leaders for Learning 2016 Are: 

- Casey Anderson, Samaschool.

- Alycia Angle, Ochsner Health System.

- Shannon Aragon, Einstein Noah Restaurant Group & Caribou Coffee.

- Rachel Barnum, FINRA.

- Sandy Beauchemin, American Express Global Business Travel.

- Caleb Clayton, Fidelity Investments.

- Brittiney Diggs, Johns Hopkins International.

- Ashley Dittmar, VitalSmarts.

- Miles Ford, Check Into Cash.

- Megan Griswold, Southwest Airlines.

- Thomas Hannaway, PwC.

- Lauren Hipschman, LinkedIn.

- Jessica Huang, D-Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

- Liz Kent, Herman Miller.

- Kenneth Kenworthy, Southwest Airlines.

- Denise Lah, PwC Malaysia.

- Hanna Larsen, Garney Construction.

- Alison Locke, Mitchell International.

- Valerie Marple, Procter & Gamble.

- Dan Newman, Datto.

- Christina Nghiem, Slalom Consulting.

- Benjamin Provolt, Fidelity Investments, Learning and Development.

- Sarah Radeff, Saint Ignatius High School.

- Nick Ristuccia, Oracle.

- Aya Sakaguchi, NovoEd.

- Suzie Shriver, The Center for Leadership Studies (CLS).

- Christian Vulpe, Facilitated Improvement for Corporate Success.

- Alyssa Wernham, Independence Blue Cross.

- Sara White, Wegmans.

- Alexandra Wiebke, SAP. 

I am enormously proud of our 30 Under 30 Program.  Over the past years, our participants have risen to Chief Learning Officer roles, created new Learning Venture Start-Ups, managed learning innovation and much more. 

Reverse Mentoring is one of the key elements of this program.  At Learning 2016, our 30 Under 30 members will participate in Reverse Mentoring sessions with more senior colleagues.  And, this year, we are starting a special 60 Over 60 program - which will engage in a fun Two Way Mentoring program with our 30 Under 30 colleagues. 

A few highlights from our 2016 30 Under 30 Learning Leaders: 

“The field of learning has the power to unlock opportunity for individuals and organizations. It is so very rewarding to see how the field of learning can influence and impact people by spreading knowledge and encouraging collaboration in organizations.” Shannon Aragon, Einstein Noah Restaurant Group & Caribou Coffee 

“The most exciting opportunity in the field of learning is to create lasting experiences that challenge the status quo.” Lauren Hipschman, LinkedIn 

“What excites me most about Learning and Development are the vast number of changes and improvements that are coming in the field of Learning. The field is changing so quickly, and I’m thrilled to have a seat at the table.” Megan Griswold, Southwest Airlines 

Learn more about the 30 Under 30 @ Learning 2016 Participants at http://www.learning2016.com/30-under-thirty 

Yours in Learning, 

Elliott Masie 

Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: emasie 

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:

- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM.
- Learning 2016 - October 23 to 26 - Orlando, Florida. 

Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

922 - Where are the Learning Portals; Twitter CLO to Keynote; Moving Hands and Learning

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 18, 2016.
#922 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
57,307 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning 2016, Oct 23 to 26, Orlando - 648 Colleagues Registered! 

1. Moving Hands and Virtual Motion for Learning?
2. Melissa Daimler, Twitter CLO to Keynote!
3. Where Have All the Portals Gone - Masie Article. 

1. Moving Hands and Virtual Motion for Learning? Our Virtual Reality Learning LAB has been testing a range of new and low cost devices and apps that might assist with workplace learning. I’ve been impressed with the Leap Motion controller, a $40 three-inch device that allows the user to move their hands above it - and virtually move hands and manipulate objects. Check it out at http://www.leapmotion.com 

2. Melissa Daimler, Twitter CLO to Keynote! We are honored to have Melissa Daimler, Twitter’s Chief Learning Officer, as one of our keynoters at Learning 2016. Melissa will discuss radical shifts in Employee Review processes, Learning at high tech companies and the coaching of rising talent. Melissa is an amazing Learning Leader and highly energetic coach and speaker. I can’t wait to dialogue with her. She is @mdaimler and the details are at http://www.learning2016.com/item/melissatwitterclo 

3. Where Have All the Portals Gone - Masie Article. A few years ago, everyone thought that the “sweet spot” of Learning Management Systems would be their portals. Yet, they have not evolved as the field predicted. I just published an article on “Where Have All The Portals Gone” in CLO Magazine.  Here is a copy: http://www.learning2016.com/item/where-are-learning-portals

Yours in Learning, 

Elliott Masie 

Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: emasie 

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM.
- Learning 2016 - October 23 to 26 - Orlando, Florida. 

Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

Anderson Cooper to Keynote Learning 2016

TO: Learning, Training & Performance Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, Host & Curator

RE: Anderson Cooper to Host Learning 2016!

I wanted to share with our Learning TRENDS readers and colleagues some exciting news we are announcing today: 

We are honored to announce that Anderson Cooper, anchor of CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360°, will be the Featured Keynoter at Elliott Masie’s Learning 2016 Conference, to be held in Orlando, Florida from Oct 23rd to 26th. 

Anderson Cooper will be interviewed by Host Elliott Masie for an in-depth conversation on “A 360-Degree Look at World Events.” I look forward to interviewing him about the global news that we are experiencing, current political campaigns, and his experience as the host of CNN Hero’s. 

We are very honored to have Anderson Cooper as well as other keynoters including Astronaut Scott Kelly, Actor George Takei, Filmmaker Tiffany Shlain, and a range of Learning and Human Resource Leaders.

Details at: http://www.learning2016.com/ac360

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie 

Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: emasie 

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM.
- Learning 2016 - October 23 to 26 - Orlando, Florida. 

Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

921 - Guess Next Keynoter, Vacation Weekly Reader, Overwhelming Content

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 8, 2016.
#921 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
57,299 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning 2016, Oct 23 to 26, Orlando - 619 Colleagues Registered!

1. Can You Guess Next Learning Keynoter?
2. Vacation Weekly Reader.
3. Pulse Survey: Overwhelming Content.
4. Moonshine Cate Starts! 

1. Can You Guess Next Learning Keynoter? Next week, we will announce the next Keynoter for Learning 2016 - joining Astronaut Scott Kelly, Tiffany Slain (Science of Character) and George Takei (Social Knowledge). 

We are excited to add a well-known and inspiring keynoter, who will help focus on living (and learning) in these Disruptive Times.  Here are a few hints: 

- Studied Vietnamese at University of Hanoi.
- Narrated a Broadway Play.
- Loves Questions and Answers. 

Take a guess and send me an email to emasie@masie.com   Details at: http://www.learning2016.com/item/guess-next-keynoter 

2. Vacation Weekly Reader: When I was a kid and we were on summer vacation, I loved getting a weekly small newsletter called Weekly Reader. It was aimed at my grade level and had short and fun articles and activities that helped me keep learning and feeling engaged during my time off. It never felt like homework or mandatory and I still miss getting it. 

So, here is a crazy idea (some will love and others will hate).  What if employees could get a personalized “Weekly Reader” as they headed off for vacation. It would be structured by their input and could contain a combination of short pieces on knowledge - personal, lifestyle, business or even next career steps. It would not be related to the actual work on their desks but could be part of a stretch activity, totally optional and not reported back to the LMS.  And, the learner could opt to have it for their tablet or print it out to take to the beach.  Hmmm.  Add some advertising and the Weekly Vacation Reader might actually make some money. In fact, if any of you start it, I’d gladly be your test user and sit on your Board.  Just an idea!

3. Pulse Survey - Overwhelming Content: Many TRENDS readers were quite interested in the growing sense from their users that they are feeling Overwhelmed Content Syndrome.  Could you take 5 minutes for a quick Masie Pulse Survey looking at how you and others handle more and more content choices?  We will publish the summary results in 2 weeks.  Just go to:

Pulse Survey - Overwhelming Content:
http://www.masie.com/overwhelmingcontent

4. Moonshine Cate Starts! For those TRENDS colleagues that also follow MASIE Stables, one of our 3-year-old horses, Moonshine Cate, will be running at Belmont in Queens, NY on Sunday, July 10 in the 9th race. She is running in a Maiden Competition and this is only her second race. As always, we wish for a safe, healthy and learning filled race for our horse (sister of Miss Matzoball). 

Yours in Learning, 

Elliott Masie 

Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: emasie 

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM.
- Learning 2016 - October 23 to 26 - Orlando, Florida. 

Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

920 - Learning Autopsies, Photos are Content, Too.

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 28, 2016.
#920 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
57,286 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning Innovations LAB - July 12-14 in Saratoga Springs, NY.

1. “Learning Autopsies”?
2. Photos Are Content, Too!
3. A Passing Photographer, Small Camera for Big Ideas.

1. “Learning Autopsies”? So many sessions at conferences are about success stories, best practices and emerging trends.  But, where are the failure stories that we want to hear?  Where do we dissect a good idea that didn’t work when put into widespread practice?  That’s been on my mind as our team is designing Learning 2016.  So, we invented:

“Learning Autopsies” - Truthful Stories About Failures & Unexpected Outcomes!

We have been chatting with many colleagues who are planning to open the seal on learning failure stories.  One example is “Gaming for Learning at Desks Didn’t Fly & Too Playful Didn’t Work”. We will hear the hopes and then the realities of challenges in the implementation. Check out our “Learning Autopsies” model and role at Learning 2016. Details: http://www.learning2016.com/item/learning-autopsies

2. Photos Are Content, Too! We live in the age of pics and photos. Every one of your employees has a phone that takes hundreds of photos. And, they include pics of work situations. Yet, most companies don’t have a way for employees to share cool and important photos in the workplace. Imagine if you could leverage their pictures to support the learning and performance projects done by the Learning and Development team.

Consider starting a Workplace-Pics site that encourages employees to share pics. These could be curated and shared for both social meaning and also leveraged for learning and performance content.  Remember, Photos are Content, Too!

3. A Passing Photographer, Small Camera for Big Ideas: Talking about pictures, an amazing and important photographer passed away this week.  Bill Cunningham was the most interesting photographer for the New York Times, covering the fashion, culture and theater worlds. His pictures were essays in contract.  And, he could be seen on the Red Carpet lines of new theater productions or just taking pictures on the street.  He would use a small camera and capture big ideas. A wonderful story online at: http://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/bill-cunningham-saw-us-all  This is a man who truly made Photos Content That Mattered!

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie

Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: emasie 

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:

- Learning Innovations LAB - July 12-14, Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM.
- Learning 2016 - October 23 to 26 - Orlando, Florida. 

Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

919 - Barracuda Learning Bowl, Overwhelming Content Syndrome

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 22, 2016.
#919 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
57,275 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning Innovations LAB - July 12-14 in Saratoga Springs, NY.

1. Barracuda Bowl for Learning Announced.
2. Content Overwhelmed Learners!
3. SpongeBob Musical Reactions - Wow!
4. Your Ideas and Designs, Please! 

1. Barracuda Bowl for Learning Announced: There are hundreds of interesting ventures, start-ups and technology incubators that are touching on the worlds of Education and Schooling.  But, most of them are targeting the K-12 or Higher Education Marketplace. Every week, I hear from young start-ups about a social learning tool aimed at high school student engagement or a Virtual Reality program for college students in science courses. Yet, few of these innovators and creators understand the HUGE learning marketplace that is the corporate workplace field. So, we are adding an exciting and fun element of Learning 2016: 

Learning Barracuda Bowl! 

Each learning start-up selected will have 5 minutes (live or by video) to present their ideas to a group of learning colleagues at Learning 2016. We will then ask some drill down questions and provide exposure to our field for these learning innovations.  We believe that many EdTech solutions built for high schools can and should be adapted for workplace learning.  It will be our own version of “SharkTank” with the focus on encouraging breakthrough inventions that learning colleagues can leverage in their workplaces.  Details at: http://www.learning2016.com/item/bar 

2. Content Overwhelmed Learners! In conversations with hundreds of learning colleagues over the past 3 months, I have been struck by the perception of the Content Overwhelmed Learner. Leaders of corporate learning are reporting that our learners feel that content choices have expanded by 10, 29 or 100 times. We are likely to publish massively more digital assets to support learners. And, the learner is being exposed to an endless stream of video and other content from outside sources, including TED Talks, YouTube Clips and a cascade of content from social networks and excited marketers.  

Yet, the average learner does not have tools or even behavioral models for sorting and choosing from this expansion of content. Some would say that the learner needs to increase their “Personal Curation” skills.  Others would advocate for “Organizational Curation” tools and systems. And, many learners are showing signs of suffering from “Overwhelming Content Syndrome” :) 

However, those curation tools are not easily available in current Learning Systems (LMS or LCMS). And, few add the much valued “Recommendation” dimension - where the learner can use filtered peer reactions to help sort and choose the most appropriate content segment.  For many learners, too much content means that they consume none of it as the overhead time for selection becomes too great. 

Here is a simple Learning TRENDS homework “assignment”: ask 10 learners about content and how they sort and organize increasing content choices. I would love to hear your summary and will publish an anonymous summary of these reactions in a TRENDS in the coming weeks.  Send me a note to emasie@masie.com 

3. SpongeBob Musical Reactions - Wow! One of the MASIE Productions musicals had its formal Opening in Chicago this week - SpongeBob Musical. This is always a very nervous moment for producers and the creative team, especially in a tryout city with a show that breaks most of your assumptions about a musical format. And, the reviews were Wow.  Can’t help but share the video from a TV Theater Critic: 

SpongeBob Musical Opening (Chicago) Review:

http://wgntv.com/2016/06/20/deans-review-the-spongebob-musical-world-premiere/ 

We plan on bringing this show, with Nickelodeon as the key producer, to Broadway in the coming year. Stay tuned! 

4. Your Ideas and Designs, Please! We already have over 200 ideas and session ideas, but creating a very different Learning Experience takes even more. 

We are actively seeking great and cool ideas for our learning activities and sessions at Learning 2016.  If you would like to facilitate a one-hour session on a key topic related to workplace learning or have an idea for an activity that you would like to attend (rather than lead), please contact us. Go to: http://www.learning2016.com/item/help-design-learning-2016 

Yours in Learning, 

Elliott Masie 

Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: emasie 

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:

- Learning Innovations LAB - July 12-14, Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM.
- Learning 2016 - October 23 to 26 - Orlando, Florida. 

Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

918 - LinkedIn to Microsoft; Curation Skills for Newbies; 360 Video

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 13, 2016.
#918 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
57,269 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning 2016 - Oct 23-26 in Orlando - www.learning2016.com 

1. Wow! Microsoft Buys LinkedIn for $26 Billion - Talent/Learning Impacts?
2. Curation Skills for New Employees!
3. Experiments with Ricoh Theta 360 Camera.
4. Learning 2016 Updates! 

1. Wow! Microsoft Buys LinkedIn for $26 Billion - Talent/Learning Impacts? When the news came across my mobile phone about LinkedIn being purchased by Microsoft for $26 Billion, I smiled.

This purchase combines the shifting focus of Microsoft to Cloud and Enterprise Capacity with LinkedIn’s Talent, Connection and Opportunity Capacity. Microsoft has been focused on the threat that Salesforce poses. And, LinkedIn provides a deep link to the “Connection” and “Opportunity” slice of organizational technology. 

In recent years, LinkedIn has expanded into the Learning and Talent spaces, with the purchase of lynda.com and a new version of the Recruiter system. 

It will be intriguing to watch the impact that this purchase has on the Learning and Talent marketplaces.  Check out the video of their 2 CEO’s talking about this news: http://tinyurl.com/zo3b7r9 

2. Curation Skills for New Employees! Let me add a target skill for the on-boarding of new employees: CURATION.  Increasingly, our new employees are coming into enterprises with an avalanche of information resources, social networks, formal learning content and workflow performance resources. But, how do they Curate these resources to make wise and strategic choices about what to access with what impact?

Organizations are starting to include “Curation” skills, tools and tips for new hires, to sort their way through the organizational content. Some are adding Curation elements to their Content Management Systems.  Others are leveraging open source tools to help learners curate.

I would urge new employees to match on-boarding teammates with experienced colleagues as “curation” models or mentors. Give practical examples of how learners handle the flow and which tools, recommendations or ratings can help them prioritize agile access to the content they need at their moments of need.

3. Experiments with Ricoh Theta 360 Camera: We are having a blast in the MASIE Center’s VRLearn Lab experimenting with a new 360 Camera from Ricoh. The Theta 360 camera has 2 cameras for a total surround view.  It weighs just a few ounces and can sync up to either a smartphone or computer. We purchased ours for $349 and are experimenting with the ability to easily create a video that the user can direct with their touch or through a VR goggle.  Here are 2 video samples of this kind of camera capture:

* Demonstration of the Ricoh 360 Camera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsrXPXhGZIg 
* Touch and Shift of 360 Image: https://theta360.com/spheres/samples/5bdbf9f8-3a15-11e4-bf19-52540092ec69-1
* Touch and Shift of Video 360 Image: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXfRyx3fJ7s&list=PLUNwoq62t78JymaviIPbL4ZkvK8gpRXcw&index=13 

For more information on this equipment: https://theta360.com/en/about/theta/s.html 

4. Learning 2016 Updates! Registration is building for our Learning 2016 event to be held in Orlando from Oct 23 to 26. Here are a few of the updates: 

- Learn-A-Thon Apps to Be Built. Each participant will have a unique opportunity to sketch out a cool “Learning App” to solve a learning challenge. Several will be “coded” overnight.
- 30 Under 30 Program is Filling.  If you have a learning colleague under the age of 30 this year, ask them to check out our 30 Under 30 Program.
- Learning Systems Forum! Our LMS, LCMS and other Learning Systems are in a state of change and shift. We have added a Forum to benchmark and prep for the future of Learning Systems.
- Retreats and Delegations: There are over 30 companies coming to Learning 2016 as groups, some with several dozen learning professionals for retreats. And, we will have delegations from Europe, South America, Asia and other parts of the globe. 

There are over 576 colleagues registered for Learning 2016.  For Early Discounts and more information, go to: http://www.learning2016.com 

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie 

Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: emasie 

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
- Learning Innovations LAB - July 12-14, Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM.
- Learning 2016 - October 23 to 26 - Orlando, Florida.
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

30 Under 30 Learning Program; Please Help Design Learning 2016

TO: Learning, HR, Training and Performance Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, Host & Curator
DATE: June 3, 2016 

1. 30 Under 30 Learning Program Opens!
2. Help Design Learning 2016!

We would like to invite our Learning TRENDS readers and colleagues to be engaged in two aspects of Learning 2016, which is my 26th annual global conference (Oct 23 to 26, in Orlando, Florida, USA).  We already have 576 colleagues registered and keynoters including Astronaut Scott Kelly, George Takei on Storytelling, Tiffany Shlain on Science of Character, Karl Kapp on Gamification, Nancy Deviney on Women & Learning, Richard Culatta on Compliance, and many more.  Here are some requests to our learning colleagues from around the world:

1. 30 Under 30 Learning Program Opens: We are proud to bring back this popular program, aimed at developing and spotlighting the next generation of Learning Leadership in our field! This year, we will provide a special scholarship and program for 30 learning professionals under the age of 30 at Learning 2016.

The goal of the 30 Under 30 Learning Program is to provide support, visibility, voice, and development for the next generation of Learning Leaders.

Each member of the 30 Under 30 program at Learning 2016 will receive:

- 30 Under 30 sessions, led by alumni of previous 30 Under 30 programs.
- Unique development and benchmarking activities with peers and learning leaders.
- Interactive time with key speakers, including Elliott Masie.
- Participation in mentoring activities.
- Key roles at Learning 2016 as leaders and facilitators.
- A major discount to Learning 2016.

“The 30 Under 30 program was a great opportunity for me, and I know that those in my alumni class have been able to progress in their careers since being part of the program,” said Sarah Truchard, Rockwater Energy Solutions.

Complete details of our 30 Under 30 Learning Program (for you or your colleagues) is available at http://www.learning2016.com/30-under-thirty

2. Help Design Learning 2016! We are actively seeking great and cool ideas for our 150 learning activities and sessions at Learning 2016.  If you would like to facilitate a one-hour session on a key topic related to workplace learning or have an idea for an activity that you would like to attend (rather than lead), please contact us. Go to: http://www.learning2016.com/item/help-design-learning-2016 

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie 

Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: emasie

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:

- Learning Directions Briefings: June in Los Angeles and Chicago.
- Learning Innovations LAB - July 12-14, Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM.
- Learning 2016 - October 23 to 26 - Orlando, Florida. (576 Colleagues Already Registered)

Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

917 - Responsive Crisis Tech, SpongeBob, 4D Printing

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - May 26, 2016.
#917 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
57,259 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning 2016 - Oct 23-26 in Orlando - www.learning2016.com 

1. Responsive Technology Resolves a Crisis.
2. ATD Themes and Observations.
3. SpongeBob and Bikini Bottoms - Tech Notes.
4. 4D Printing???
5. Learning Innovations LAB - 7 Spaces in July. 

1.  Responsive Technology Resolves a Crisis:  It is never good to hear that your flight has been cancelled.  And, it was even more of a disappointment yesterday, when I flew from Denver at 6 am, spent the day in Chicago at a theater (more about that below), and was flying back to New York State at 7 pm. But, the responsive technology that American Airlines was using made it a lot more tolerable:

- My App Knew First: Minutes before the cancellation was posted, my American App on my phone alerted me that the flight was cancelled due to weather.

- Their Phone System Knew Me: I dialed the American Airlines number, dreading what I feared would be a long wait before speaking to an agent, but their responsive system recognized my mobile number, asked if I was Elliott, and then began my re-routing process.

- Their System Made a Personal Choice for Me: It knew where I was going and where I usually choose to sit, so the automatic voice said, “Elliott, we are holding a space for you on a non-stop 7:05 am flight tomorrow morning - in seat 5A. Would you like to use this one or search for other alternatives?”

- My App Followed Along: As soon as I said “yes” to the system, my reservation was confirmed, and my boarding pass was delivered to my app for the next morning flight - along with a TSA Pre-Check symbol.

Getting a hotel was not nearly as easy, but the experience of the airline’s responsive technology was impressive, along with the option for a passenger to ask to speak to a live rep. The system worked so well that I was rebooked and had a new boarding pass before the first person in the very long line at the counter was finished.

2.  ATD Themes and Observations: It was an honor to be a speaker for a major session at the ATD 2016 event in Denver this week. I was able to meet with so many current and new colleagues from around the world, as well as deliver a high energy session on Learning Themes and Disruptions. 

For 3 days I dialogued with hundreds of learning colleagues and spoke with implementers and suppliers, focusing on emerging and disruptive learning trends. You will see some detailed videos that I will post in TRENDS in the weeks ahead. But, here is a quick look at my running list of themes and observations from the ATD event:

- Learning Personalization - looking for systems that will allow and support learner choices. While it is on the display boards of many suppliers, we need a deeper view of the “who” (designer, learner, or the system) and “how” (automatic or blended) when personalization occurs.

- xAPI Confusion - while many are intrigued by the concept of a learning experience data standard, there is deep confusion and a pause in implementation of xAPI. It seems the effort has to get a higher level of corporate support and shift from a “techie” view to methods of leveraging experience tracking into learning excellence.

- Big Marketing Bucks in Learning - there is a lot of venture money flowing into the learning space and we saw many $100,000 + exhibits and presences in the ATD Expo area.   It was exciting to see the support but also strange to see some companies with slick booths and extremely vague learning messages. Many learning suppliers are aligning as software innovators and need to better weave learning into the mix.

- Video Soaring - the participants at the event were all about video as a core and growing element in learning.

- Search Next - I spent considerable time in my presentation exploring how search and the emerging audio/search mixes (Amazon Echo, Apple Siri, and Google Home) could radically change at-work access.

- Machine Learning - everyone wants it but few are comfortable with their understanding and almost no one can point to a current working case in the field - YET!

- Learning Producer vs. Instructional Designer - that is my push for rebranding what many of us do. “Learning Producer” can include an ID set of skills but is broader and more reflective of the blend of roles we are all performing. 

Stay tuned for more on these topics in future issues of Learning TRENDS. 

3. SpongeBob and Bikini Bottoms - Get Ready: As you may know, MASIE Productions is also involved in producing Broadway Theater. Our latest project is SpongeBob The Musical, which is about to open for a one month run in Chicago (on the way to Broadway). 

Yesterday I stopped in at the Oriental Theater for a most unusual phase of building a Broadway show: “Tech”. This is a 2 week period when the technical aspects of a show (scenery, lights, movement, sound, and much more) are worked through - line by line. The cast and creative team continue their rehearsal as dancers or stage pieces are aligned and optimized. The theater seating is transformed into a series of tables with computers and creatives, working on getting everything great before we start Previews in about a week. 

I love “Tech” as it is that time when the User Experience is the focus of the production process. SpongeBob The Musical, based on the television show from Nickelodeon, which is the primary Producer of our show, takes you on an amazing journey with high energy songs, stories, dance, and cast that are delighted being “underwater”. The set is awesome and the songs of Bikini Bottom have been written by Cyndi Lauper, Steven Tyler & Joe Perry, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, John Legend, Lady Antebellum, and many more.

The website for the show is http://www.thespongebobmusical.com  If you can, catch it in Chicago and send me any comments or thoughts. It is cool for kids and adults of all ages.   We will be there on the evening of June 14th. 

And, the show will be coming to Broadway in the 2016-2017 season. 

5. 4D Printing??? Check out this article and video about 4D Printing and the implications: http://tinyurl.com/4dprintnews 

Note: There are only 7 spaces open in my next Learning Innovations LAB, to be held at the MASIE Center in Saratoga Springs from July 12 to 14. Details and registration at http://www.masie.com

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie 

Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: emasie 

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:

- Learning Directions Briefings: June in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
- Learning Innovations LAB - July 12-14, Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM.
- Learning 2016 - October 23 to 26 - Orlando, Florida. 

Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

916 - Coming Attractions of eLearning, Tech Reviews Teach, Meet Me at ATD

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - May 10, 2016.
#916 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
57,257 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning 2016 - Oct 23-26 in Orlando - www.learning2016.com

1. Going to ATD? Join My Session and a Drink :)
2. Forgot What Tech Reviews Teach Me!
3. Previews of eLearning Modules More Important.
4. Learning Directions Briefings (NYC, Chicago & LA) in June

1. Going to ATD? Join My Session and a Drink :)  If you are heading to the ATD International event in Denver in May, I would love to connect with Learning TRENDS colleagues.  There are a few ways we could connect:

- My Session: “Learning Trends, Shifts, and Disrupters” - Monday, May 23rd 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM | Room: Four Seasons 1.  Session Blurb: “You’ll discover the pros and cons of learning personalization, connected classrooms, machine learning, engagement, and gamification. In addition, this session will explore how organizations can address mobile learning in a world of BYOD, high-def screens, virtual reality, wearables, and other worker-owned tech expectations. You’ll also learn how to handle the nonstop pitches for new technologies and methodologies, and how important stopping is to innovation.”  Details: http://atd2016.mapyourshow.com/6_0/sessions/session-details.cfm?ScheduleID=264

- Drink - We will gather colleagues for an informal drink and chat on Monday, May 23rd at 5:30 pm at Elements Restaurant & Bar, Embassy Suites Hotel (3rd Floor)
1420 Stout Street, Denver, Colorado, 80202, USA (Across the street from the Convention Center)

- Stop By My Booth: I’ll be hanging out at our small booth to meet colleagues in the ATD Expo Hall.  Look for the Learning 2016 Booth #234.

2. Forgot What Tech Reviews Teach Me! I had a throwback moment the other day that taught me how much reading tech reviews can teach a user. I was on a train and read a copy of a Mac Magazine. There was an article that was reviewing and detailing the new features and updates to my iPhone and iPadPro. By reading 6 pages of reviews, I learned about 9 features on these technologies that I never discovered.  Mobile devices and Apps are framed as self-evident in features – so much so that I have skipped digging into reviews. The impact was that I was unaware of key functions that I had paid for but were out of my mind frame. Learners sometimes have to revisit older learning habits to see if they are leaving key content undiscovered.

3. Previews of eLearning in Content Overload: Learners are feeling overloaded with a radically increasing number of options. Videos, PDF’s, Social Content, External Content and eLearning Modules. We would strongly urge learning professionals to add previews or “coming attractions” to the start of eLearning modules. Learners want to have a sense of the content, style and experience of a module before making the time commitment to begin it. Imagine if a learner could roll over an icon of the module and a 15 second video preview would launch. Try it! Learners will ask for it soon, too!

4. Learning Directions Briefings (NYC, Chicago, & LA) in June: I am looking forward to intense one-day briefings with learning colleagues at our annual Learning Directions Briefings, which will be held in June in New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles. We will drill down to current and emerging trends in the learning arena, including content, context, delivery, virtual reality, micro-mentoring, and evolving assessment models. There are still spaces available in each of our Learning Directions Briefings:

- New York City - June 1
- Los Angeles - June 7
- Chicago - June 15

Details and online registration at http://www.masie.com

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie

Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: emasie

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
- Learning Directions Briefings: June in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
- Learning Innovations LAB - July 12-14, Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM.
- Learning 2016 - October 23 to 26 - Orlando, Florida.

Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

915 - George Takei at Learning 2016, Learning Systems Perspectives

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - May 4, 2016.
#915 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
57,255 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning Directions Briefings: NYC, Chicago & Los Angeles - June.

1. George Takei to be Featured at Learning 2016.
2. Learning Systems Aha’s and Perspectives.
3. Learning Directions Briefings (NYC, Chicago & LA) in June.

1. George Takei to be Featured at Learning 2016: I am honored to announce that George Takei, an amazing actor, storyteller, activist and social media icon, will be featured at our Learning 2016 on October 25th in Orlando, Florida. 

George will be interviewed on the power of Storytelling, the role of “Memes & Social Messages” for viral impact, and a few fun stories on the 50th Anniversary of Star Trek. In addition, George will help me interview Astronaut Scott Kelly, after his year in space. I am excited to see the dialogue between the “Starship Enterprise” and the International Space Station.

Details and Early Registration Discounts at http://www.learning2016.com

2. Learning Systems Aha’s and Perspectives: Here are my takeaways from a deep dive on Learning Systems with 201 learning leaders in Chicago last week:

- A high degree of mild to low satisfaction with current Learning Systems (LMS, LCMS and More).
- Despite that, very few organizations are doing a major replacement of their LMS.
- Key strategies are focused on adding “layers” on top of the LMS - to add new capacities like video, competencies or content curation.
- High desire to add better Assessment and Certification strategies to Learning Systems.
- Desire for “Learning Apps” that would either add to the LMS or give an individual learner more personalized access to the systems.
- Intrigue with xAPI for a common learning data standard - but most organizations are still exploring and experimenting with xAPI.
- Rapid increase in the use of Video Content - from external sites (e.g. TED) and internal, user-created video.
- Push to have the LMS being able to help Personalize more content and learning experiences.
- Desire to look towards innovations in K-12 and Higher Education for models of Learning Systems (e.g. Khan Academy).

Based on the strong reaction from the participants, we have added a major Learning Systems set of sessions at Learning 2016 and will expand the scope of the Learning Barracuda Bowl. Watch for details soon!

3. Learning Directions Briefings (NYC, Chicago & LA) in June: I am looking forward to intense one-day briefings with learning colleagues at our annual Learning Directions Briefings, which will be held in June in New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles.  We will drill down to current and emerging trends in the learning arena, including content, context, delivery, virtual reality, micro-mentoring and evolving assessment models.  There are spaces available in each of our Learning Directions Briefings:

- New York City - June 1
- Los Angeles - June 7
- Chicago - June 15

Details and online registration at http://www.masie.com

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie

Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: emasie

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
- Learning Directions Briefings: June in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
- Learning Innovations LAB - July 12-14, Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM.
- Learning 2016 - October 23 to 26 - Orlando, Florida.

Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

914 - Anatomy of 2 Keynotes, 10 Minute Learning Systems Survey

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 21, 2016.
#914 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
57,249 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning Systems: LMS, LCSM, Social & More - April 27 and 28 - Chicago.

1. Learning Systems: 10 Minute Survey!
2. Anatomy of 2 Elliott Keynotes - Design Process.

1. Learning Systems - 10 Minute Survey: Each year, Learning TRENDS conducts a quick survey on how Learning Systems (LMS, LCMS, Social and More) are used (currently and plans for the future) in organizations.  Would you please take 10 minutes to respond to our 2016 Learning Systems survey? We will publish a summary of the results in the next few weeks in Learning TRENDS. Just go to: http://www.masie.com/LSSurvey16

2. Anatomy of 2 Elliott Keynotes - Design Process: I just finished the second keynote that I have done for a major group in the past week (with 2 different trips to Florida). Folks have asked that I share an occasional perspective into the design and delivery process. Both of these keynotes were on learning trends and futures. One was for a group of 350 faculty and the other was for 25 learning managers at energy and industrial companies. Here is how the design was different:

Florida International University Online Conference: This was a gathering of hundreds of faculty who are teaching primarily online courses to students in Florida. The goal of my keynote was to be a “disrupter” looking at the differences in traditional, online, and hybrid teaching methods. My speech was right after a big lunch and I had to energize and stimulate the faculty to explore shifts in their teaching style.  I designed my session to be a Stand Up/Mingle/Converse hour-long experience. Rather than lecture, I gave them key questions to explore with each other.  For example, “How do YOU use search as a tool for your own learning?” And, they were asked to stand up, find 3 new colleagues, and chat about Search.  The design had them interacting with each other in short stints (usually 4 minutes) with me adding or stretching their findings. Sometimes they would talk to the person sitting next to them, sometimes stand up, and other times think and write a few notes to a question. The design of the keynote was to ENGAGE the 350 folks with my content slipped into the interactions.

RedVector Conference: The design of my keynote that I just finished was to have a participant question and answer dialogue. After giving a 12 minute overview of some key learning trends (memorization decrease, personalization, compliance growth), we shifted to open questions from the senior learning managers who were sitting around a U-Shaped table. Quickly, their questions and realities shaped the dialogue. While I had content that I wanted to introduce (Role of VR for Learning, High Hazard Safety Issues, and Learning Feedback), the design shifted the control to the participants questions. Based on my conversations at breakfast before the 8:45 am keynote, I sensed that they were an experienced and ripe group to drive the dialogue.

Both designs “worked” - based on feedback from participants, reactions of hosts, and the energy in the rooms.  Keynotes are often more about the PROCESS than the CONTENT. It is interesting to approach each keynote with an open design model and shape the delivery, interactions, and focus based on both the host’s desires and reactions from the audience. The only thing that was the same in the 2 keynotes was wearing my bright red sports jacket.

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie

Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: emasie

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
- Learning Systems: LMS, LCMS, Social & More! - April 27 and 28, Chicago, IL.
- Learning Directions Briefings: June in New York, Los Angeles, Seattle and Chicago.
- Learning Innovations LAB - July 12-14, Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM.
- Learning 2016 - October 23 to 26 - Orlando, Florida.

Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

913 - Science of Character, Oculus and Learning, Mobile Tech Mix

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 13, 2016.
#913 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
57,241 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning Systems: LMS, LCSM, Social & More - April 27 and 28 - Chicago.

1. Tiffany Shlain, The Science of Character.
2. Oculus and Learning: VRLearn Announced.
3. Mobile Mix with Binoculars - Hybrids Afoot.
4. Miss Matzoball Runs Kentucky Stakes Race on Saturday.

1. Tiffany Shlain, The Science of Character.  I found an amazing person on an amazing TED Med video. Tiffany Shlain addresses the Science of Character in an amazing way. And, we are proud to announce her as one of our Keynoters at Learning 2016 (Oct 23 to 26, Orlando), along with Astronaut Scott Kelly and others.

Named one of Newsweek’s “Women Shaping the 21st Century,” Tiffany Shlain is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker, founder of the Webby Awards, and dynamic speaker known for visually stimulating, big picture, provocative, inspiring, and engaging engagements. She has received over 70 awards and distinctions for her films and work, and has premiered four films at Sundance, including her acclaimed feature documentary Connected: An Autoblogography about Love, Death & Technology, which The New York Times hailed as “examining everything from the Big Bang to Twitter,” “incredibly engaging.”

The US State Department has also selected four of Shlain’s films, including Connected, to represent the U.S. at embassies around the world to foster dialogue across borders. Her AOL Original series The Future Starts Here was nominated for a 2014 Emmy Award in New Approaches: Arts, Lifestyle, Culture and has over 40 million views to date. Shlain’s films and lectures employ her signature style of fast-paced images, colorful animations, and daring and humorous insights to encourage us all to think about where we’re headed in our increasingly connected world.

Check out her TED Med Video and more details at: http://learning2016.com/item/tiffany-shlain-keynotes

2. Oculus and Learning - VRLearn Announced: Virtual Reality is an intriguing and aspiring approach to creating entertainment and content. I have been one of the early Oculus (now owned by Facebook) Lab developers.  We have experimented with the beta edition and just got one of the first Oculus Virtual Reality setups at The MASIE Center - to explore its learning opportunities and affordances. And, they may be quite powerful and impactful for workplace learning.

We just organized VRLearn - a project of The MASIE Center - that will engage corporate learning leaders and the makers of VR technology to shape and explore the educational affordances.  We will soon announce VRLearn’16, as a key element of Learning 2016.  If you or your colleagues are intrigued with exploring VRLearn, please send an email to emasie@masie.com. Experimenters are deeply welcomed!

3. Mobile Mixed with Binoculars - Hybrids Afoot: Some of the most intriguing inventions are found when we combine unlike devices. I took a mobile phone holder called SnapZoom that positions the back camera on my iPhone over the eyepiece of a binocular. Melding the viewing, photo, or video aspect of the iPhone with the zoomed magnification of my binoculars creates a new hybrid. I love the mixture and there is much that we can explore as we combine our technologies. Check it out at www.snapzooms.com

4. Miss Matzoball Runs Kentucky Stakes Race on Saturday: TRENDS readers have heard about the racing fun and success of MASIE Stable’s Miss Matzoball. Well, she took another step up the performance ladder. This Saturday, Miss Matzoball has been invited and entered into a Stakes Race at the prestigious Keeneland track in Lexington, Kentucky.  She will be racing against 11 other fillies and mares over 4 years of age. Very exciting, and we will be there to root her on!

If you want to watch live, she is in the Giant Causeway Stakes (eighth race) on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at 4:26 PM Eastern Time. Catch it at http://www.keeneland.com/racing/live-racing-coverage. As always, our hope is that she has a safe and healthy race, and learns new skills.

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie

Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: emasie

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
- Learning Systems: LMS, LCMS, Social & More! - April 27 and 28, Chicago, IL.
- Learning Directions Briefings: June in New York, Los Angeles, Seattle and Chicago.
- Learning Innovations LAB - July 12-14, Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM.
- Learning 2016 - October 23 to 26 - Orlando, Florida.

Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

912 - Adaptive Webinars, Commas Confuse, Scouts and Badges, Shoes for Slide Controls

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 1, 2016.
#912 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
57,239 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.

1. Adaptive Webinars - Focused Multi-Tasking.
2. Research on the Comma’s Impact on Clarity.
3. Scouts to Manage Skills Badging Sashes.
4. Shoes with Slide Controls for Trainers.

1. Adaptive Webinars - Focused Multi-Tasking: Our LAB has been testing two new Apps for learners taking webinars. Many learners find the webinar to be a low-efficiency experience and often do 1 to 3 other tasks while online, from eating lunch to checking emails or even taking a phone call while on webinar mute. But, these multi-tasking actions can often result in a learner missing a key concept or being caught off-guard if the facilitator calls their name.

Multi-Webinar is one App that seems to provide a real-time screen for busy learners.  It does an analysis of the voice and slides as they appear, sorting against a list of key words or important concepts for each learner. For example, if I were to add “Compliance Audit” or “Elliott Masie” to the scan list, my desktop would beep immediately, calling me back to the webinar for attention and even response to a facilitator’s question. Multi-Webinar also allows the learner to suppress the real-time beep and provide a scan later on of key concepts.

Learning Aggressively App is another more provocative one that has just hit the market.  It allows an employee to attend 2, 3 or 4 webinars at the same time. It logs the learner into each webinar, in a quarter of the screen. Regulations rarely state that the learner cannot be on multiple webinars at once.  The windows for each webinar change color based on an adaptive analysis of the content and pace of each event. It can even scan for the title level of the presenter, turning red if your boss’s boss is now speaking.

These are just the first in the Adaptive Webinar attendance apps.  We have heard a rumor that Taco Bell, Starbucks and McDonald’s are working on an interface to allow webinar apps to automatically order delivered food for each learner based on the time of day, eating preferences and analyzed complexity of the content of the webinar(s).  Stay tuned for more in this space.

2. Research on the Comma’s Impact on Clarity: This is probably, the most difficult item to report, in this edition of TRENDS. Researchers at the University of Sierra Nevada, working with a sample of over 230 courses, taught in many settings, including corporate workplace, have found some revealing results.

“The learner stops learning the moment they encounter a comma! The comma can be read or spoken. Learners do not feel a need to read beyond the comma. Tragically there are often modifiers after the comma that change the meaning totally. We are urging writers and teachers to stop using the comma.”

Wow, I don’t know how I might implement this finding, to be totally blunt. But, we encourage TRENDS readers to experiment, test and react accordingly, if possible in your setting. Please send me your reactions, to emasie@masie.com

3. Scouts to Manage Skills Badging Sashes: Badges are quite powerful as a means of recognizing the skills achievements of employees. But, there is no central and trusted source for validating and storing an employee’s earned badges, especially as they move from one job to another.

The Learning CONSORTIUM, representing 200 major corporations, has started conversations with the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, to engage them as the primary Badge manager in our society. For example, I have my Boy Scout Badge sash, containing 14 badges that I earned as a teenager, including my Nuclear Power Badge.  And, people trust these badges, especially when worn over my clothing in the green Scout Sash.

We are asking the Scouts to take the lead role in the Badging Movement.  They are in conversation with several clothing designers to introduce a wide range of cool looking sashes that could be worn at work, at job interviews or even for single folks at a Speed Dating event.

4. Shoes with Slide Controls for Trainers: As a keynote speaker, I hate to have to carry the slide projector device in my hands.  I will often put it down on the podium and can’t find it quickly. Or, I will hit the wrong button.  Plus, it looks strange for me to be breaking emotional contact with the group to use this remote control.

Well, designers are working with the technology invented by Dean Kamen, my colleague who created the Segway. Imagine wearing shoes that had a sole with slide control pressure controls triggered by your toes.  For example:

- Press your large right toe to move a slide forward.
- Press your large left toe to move a slide backward.
- Press all your toes on the right foot to make the slide screen go dark.
- And, rock on your back heel twice and the ending music for the presentation starts playing.

As a presenter, I believe the shoe control speeches will be more energetic and it will keep the speaker literally “on their toes”.  Though, I wonder if TSA will have a problem clearing these through their checkpoints at the airport.

————-

Note to TRENDS Readers: Every year for the past few decades I have enjoyed sending out our April Fools Edition of Learning Trends on April 1st, where we celebrate a prankster day in the United States and other parts of the world.  While none of these are true just yet, stay tuned. Thinking out of the box sometimes comes from the strangest places.

Smiling, with a comma,

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie

Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: emasie

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
- Learning Innovations LAB - July 12-14, Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Learning Systems: LMS, LCMS, Social & More! - April 27 and 28, Chicago, IL.
- Learning Directions Briefings: June in New York, Los Angeles, Seattle and Chicago.
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM.
- Learning 2016 - October 23 to 26 - Orlando, Florida.

Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com