543 - Second City: Comedy, Improvisation & Learning

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Sept 10, 2008.
#543 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,393 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Over 1,308 Colleagues Registered!

Comedy, Improvisation & Learning: The Second City Visit

I am writing this from the home of The Second City in Chicago - the famous comedy improvisational troupe and training company.

The Second City’s famous alumni include John Belushi, Mike Myers, Gilda Radner and John Candy. Oh, and Catherine O’Hara, Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert and countless other stars of stage and screen.

We have been meeting today to plan a new and very exciting segment of Learning 2008.  The Second City is designing a high impact set of activities and segments to drill down on the role of humor, comedy and improvisation in the learning field.

You will experience some very funny and meaningful elements - and explore how we can add improvisational approaches to our design and business activities.  They will be a fundamental part of several of our keynote sessions as well as deliver a workshop on improvisation for learning. 

In addition, Farmers Insurance has worked with The Second City to integrate comedy into a radically different e-Learning program. They will detail the research and evidence behind the decision to design their customer service learning programs with this content. It is one of the most comprehensive models that I have ever seen for impacting change in that domain.

As always, Learning 2008 is all about Learning Connections! We look forward to using the energy and creativity of The Second City Communications and the laughter of our participants to explore the ever changing world of learning.

To join the over 1,300 global colleagues who are already registered for Learning 2008 (Oct. 26-29 in Orlando), go to http://www.learning2008.com

Yours in learning,
Elliott
Contact: emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
* 0ver 6,009 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown.
Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

542: New Performance Metrics?; Chome; Hoof Wins!

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Sept 7, 2008.
#542 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,384 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Over 1,308 Colleagues Registered!
Save Money: Early Registration Still Available

1. New Performance Metrics for Workforce?
2. Chrome - Google’s Browser - Potential & Experiments
3. Yeah! Head Heart Hoof Wins First Race!

1. New Performance Metrics for Workforce? There is a fascinating article in Business Week about a new book: The Numerati, by Stephen Baker. I would urge you to read the excerpt of this book at:

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/aug2008/tc20080827_387069.htm

The book and article explores the growing use of new performance metrics and modeling of workplace behavior. As more of our work is done online, the ability to gather data on individual workers, workgroups and the entire workforce related to metrics includes:

* pattern of social networking use
* email handling (eg. speed of response or personal to work ratios)
* time spent on the phone
* daily time and pattern of surfing the web
* number of meetings per week
* most productive time

This will trigger an interesting discussion about the growing use of data mining of work actions to model and manage performance. We will be hosting a Book Club on The Numerati and the Implications for Learning & OD, at Learning 2008. I would be interested in hearing from TRENDS readers about reactions to these approaches. Send me an email to emasie@masie.com

2. Chrome - Google’s Browser - Potential & Experiments: Google has entered the Internet Browser field with a beta called Chrome. At first glance, this browser is fast and has more integration of browsing and search. It is worth a few minutes to download this and give it a try at home or work: http://www.google.com/chrome

I am pleased to see additional competition in the browser field and a shift to a more media-centric profile of how people are using the web. The front page of Chrome is a visual representation of most recent and frequent sites visited by the user. Watch for additional functionality that will make this (and other browsers) more customizable for knowledge and learning purposes.

3. Yeah! Head Heart Hoof Wins First Race! Congratulations to our 2 year old horse, Head Heart Hoof. This Saturday, he won his second race at Belmont - by over 6 lengths.  It was a rainy day and the hard work by him and his trainer, Seth Benzel, paid off as he won his “maiden” race. He will now head towards bigger and better races. If you would like to send Head Heart Hoof an email, he checks daily from his barn stall at hoof@masie.com

Learning 2008 Update: We now have over 1,308 learning professionals registered for Learning 2008. Save $100 with Early Registration. We are starting to fill up at our main hotel. Check it out at http://www.learning2008.com

Yours in learning,
Elliott
Contact: emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
* 0ver 5,700 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown.
Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com
 

541 - Ode to Dial-Up Bandwidth

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Sept 3, 2008.
#541 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,378 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Over 1,308 Colleagues Registered!
Save Money: Early Registration Still Available

Ode to Dial-Up Bandwidth

Funny how things change and we quickly forget. This edition of TRENDS comes to you via a 24K dial-up connection. We’re up at our cabin in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State — far away from an internet connection or iPhone access.

I must say that I started to twitch a little when I realized that the week would pass without access. It passed, and I am enjoying the quiet and reflective times - looking at the lake in the day and seeing stars with incredible clarity at night.

Yet, there is a bit of work to do and I wanted to send out a TRENDS.  I could drive to the library 5 miles away and sit in the parking lot with my laptop.  However, I decided to recall the humble roots of my internet history and return to dial-up for a few days.

With distance and static, I am sending this note at a humble 24K. And, it costs about 10 cents a minute for the long distance line. But, it works…1995 style.

Bandwidth that is always on truly spoils us. As we watched a movie on satellite (yes, we do have some modern devices in our 100-year-old cabin), it was way too much of a slug to dial in to look up an actor’s resume. And, when my office wanted to me to look at the mock up for our Learning 2008 staff shirts, I asked them to include it in the overnight package that is coming every day.

Actually, my roots with dial-up go way back. My first Radio Shack Model 100 laptop had a pair of rubber cup modems and we communicated at 12 KPS.  Then, I went on a 2-year rampage to add plug-in cords to hotel telephone wall connections, serving as a digital Johnny Appleseed.  My worst memory was trying to download a 2 meg file that took 8 hours and dropped 5 minutes before completion.

But, these reminders are helpful and refreshing. Think of our past and of our future. Think of the danger of allowing a digital divide between connected and non-connected to grow. And, remember to turn off the connection every now and then to relax, refresh and connect with the people in your life - live and in person, without IM or email interruption.

So, I welcome the twice-a-day sound that wafts from my cabin as the modem struggles to connect.  It is a sound that makes me smile.

Regards to you,
Elliott

Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
* 0ver 5,700 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

540 - Back To School? My September Attitudes

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - August 27, 2008.
#540 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,369 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Over 1,177 Colleagues Registered!

Back to School - Buying School Supplies and Making Plans!
Note from Elliott Masie

September is a special time for me! It is Back to School vibes — I still consider the year as starting in September. Here are a few of my Back to School traditions:

* Off to Staples for School Supplies: I will head over to my local office supply store on Saturday and buy some supplies. I’ll pick up a new notebook, some new pens and more. A few years ago, I would buy a 3 ring binder and put “reinforcements” on 3-hole-punched paper.
* A School Year Calendar: The “academic” year is my reference point. So, I’ll pick up a calendar that starts in September and goes through August 09.
* Plans and Goals: This is the time of the year that I plan my projects and focus on new goals.
* What I Did Last Summer: There are a great set of conversations with people to hear what their summer was all about. Our staff meeting will probably resemble my 3rd grade “What Did You Do On Your Summer Vacation” activity next week.
* Countdown to Learning 2008: I wait until Labor Day to launch the social networking aspects of Learning 2008.  With over 1,100 people registered, it gives us an 8-week timeframe for building a collaborative community and shared content.

I’d love to hear about others that have a Back to School attitude as the calendar turns to September.  Send me an email!

Elliott
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
* 0ver 5,700 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

539 - Reading Online; Accelerated Leadership and Tower of Terror Race

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - August 25, 2008.
#539 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,369 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Over 1,032 Colleagues Registered!

1. Reading Online - Is It Different?
2. Accelerated Leadership Development
3. Tower of Terror Race at Learning 2008

1. Reading Online - Is It Different? We have a robust discussion underway about the pro’s, con’s and differences of Reading Online. As we do more of our reading online, what is different (or the same) from an intellectual, emotional, navigational and retention perspective?  Personally, I enjoy the search and hyperlink capability - plus the ability to clip and send content to others. However, I find my focus to be less and there is a weaker emotional experience when I am reading fiction online.  Join the discussion underway with over 5,600 of your colleagues at LearningTown: http://www.learningtown.com

2. Accelerated Leadership Development: One of my “hot” topics these days focuses on how do we accelerate the leadership development in our organizations? Organizations that were taking three years to develop their leaders are now under severe pressure to speed that up. What can we do, through redesign and immersion, to get a leader ready in 6 months? Brian Poland, a senior learning colleague from Walmart, has agreed to lead a high level discussion at Learning 2008 on this topic.  We would love to hear from TRENDS readers about your thoughts or efforts to rapidly accelerate leadership (or executive) development. Send me an email to emasie@masie.com

3. Tower of Terror Race at Learning 2008: Join a team of learning colleagues as they run 13 kilometers through the darkened streets of Disney’s Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM) in a special Tower of Terror Race on the eve before Learning 2008 (Sat, Oct 25th). Disney is hosting this charity event, which will include over 4,000 runners - and the Learning 2008 team!  We already have a contingent of learning runners training for this event. We have created a virtual support and training process with Nike Plus technology and a community of practice & competition. Paul Arciero, our Mind/Body keynoter, is also training and coaching this event. Our team leaders are Robert Gerard from Accenture and Lauren Neitzel from The MASIE Center. You can even go to the event and cheer on our team that night. For complete details go to: http://www.learning2008.com/terror or send a note to lauren@masie.com

Elliott
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
* 0ver 5,700 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

538 - Insourcing Learning and Training; 4 Day Workweek, Employee Reading Lists

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - August 21, 2008.
#538 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,362 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Over 1,032 Colleagues Registered!

1. 4 Day Work Week Experiment at MASIE Center
2. Employee Reading Lists
3. Insourcing: Returning Learning
4. Head Heart Hoof Has Great Race!

1. 4 Day Work Week Experiment at MASIE Center: We have started an experiment here at The MASIE Center - a modified 4 Day Work Week. Our staff is working one hour longer from Monday to Thursday and then doing 3 hours of telework on Friday. We are undertaking this experiment to respond to both the rising cost of energy (for both our commuters and building) as well as a desire to give employees more life/work balance options. We’ve just started the experiment and are focusing on key indicators of organizational performance, employee effectiveness and team morale.  It has required a bit of technology shifting to give everyone full remote access and a change in our work tempo. I’ll keep you in the loop as we learn from this experiment.

2. Employee Reading Lists: A simple tip for learning departments is to compile a monthly list of books that your employees are reading. While I am not very interested in which books are on the NY Times Bestseller, I would be fascinated to know which books are recommended (or panned) by my peers at work.

3. “Insourcing” Returning Learning: While there is much talk and hype about Outsourcing Learning & Training, there is little written about the reverse trend. I am therefore pleased to announce that we will have a session at Learning 2008 that tells the story of a major bank that has triggered an Insourcing effort.  We’ll discuss the process and context of bringing back the learning and training function after a period of outsourcing.

4. Head Heart Hoof Has Great Race! We had over 200 emails from TRENDS readers about the first race of our horse. I am pleased to tell you that he did GREAT! He came in second, with the first horse only one “head” ahead of him. Head Heart Hoof came out healthly, fiesty and honored to have done so well in his first outing at the Saratoga Racetrack. He’ll let you know the next time that he runs.

Elliott
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
* 0ver 5,700 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: ttp://www.learningtown.com
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

537 - Gender and Workplace Development; Big Race Today

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - August 18, 2008.
#537 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,358 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Over 1,032 Colleagues Registered!

1. Gender and Development Needs? Interesting Question
2. Learning 2008 Update: Tony O’Driscoll to Keynote
3. Big Race Today: Head Heart Hoof

1. Gender and Development Needs? Interesting Question: I want to take a deep breath and ask a difficult question about the Development Styles and Needs of new hires - based on gender! Over the past few years, I have noticed a marked difference in the maturity and style of new hires, coming to the workplace right from college. In my opinion, the women that are coming into the workplace are often more ready for work - in terms of collaboration, accountability and style. Some of the men, while having the same type of resume and domain skills, are often harder to bring on board.  I am curious if other TRENDS readers have seen this difference and have any insights or suggestions. Do some of our new hires need a specialized development model? I am NOT suggesting that we offer a male or female development track - but it is a provocative conversation. I would love to hear your thoughts and we will publish a summary next week. Send me an email to emasie@masie.com

2. Learning 2008 Update - Tony O’Driscoll to Keynote: We have just added an additional keynote to Learning 2008. My colleague and friend Tony O’Driscoll is a Professor of the Practice at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.  His current research focuses on how emerging technologies such as virtual worlds can rapidly disrupt existing industry structure and business models.  We are going to focus on Web 2.0 and the 3D Internet and look at what’s real, what’s hype and what is an ABBAration (sorry, it is a pun-filled Monday).  Registration for Learning 2008 is open at http://www.learning2008.com

3. Big Race Today: Head Heart Hoof! In a few hours, our horse, Head Heart Hoof, will have his first race! He is in the second race in Saratoga. Two and a half years of training and learning will come together at 1:30 pm. In a short 90 seconds, he will have his first experience as a racing thoroughbred. Clearly, his owners are more nervous than he is! Wish him luck.

Elliott
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
* 0ver 5,600 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

536 - Olympics and Learning, Summer Patterns, Learning Connections

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - August 8, 2008.
#536 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,342 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Over 1,032 Colleagues Registered!

1. Olympics & Learning: 08.08.08
2. Summer Learning Patterns: Survey Results
3. Learning 2008 Update: “Learning Connections!”

!. Olympics & Learning - 08.08.08: It is fascinating to watch the Olympics from a learning, training and performance perspective! Over the next two weeks, we’ll have an opportunity to observe some very diverse styles and approaches in training methods, used by various athletes and countries. I’ll pick one or two new sports during each Olympics to observe and research. Then, I’ll go on-line and scan for blogs and articles by the athletes and coaches. In past years, I have dove into the learning models for luge, table tennis and javelin. The learning approaches vary from intensive, lab-based muscle development to solitary training by an athlete in a remote African village. I welcome any thoughts, learnings and perspectives to share with other TRENDS readers. Send them along to emasie@masie.com  And, the Olympics will give the Masie household TV a much needed two-week break from political coverage.

An interesting example is the “Coaching Code of Conduct” document. Check out the PDF at: http://www.usolympicteam.com/content/index/955

2. Summer Learning Patterns - Survey Results: Recently, we did a TRENDS poll on how organizations and individuals alter their learning activities in the summertime. The complete results of this quick poll (over 600 responses) can be viewed at http://www.masieweb.com/learningsummer

3. Learning 2008 Update - “Learning Connections!”: We have added a theme to our Learning 2008 event. “Learning Connections!” will focus on organizations’ efforts to connect people, systems, content, context, business metrics and environments for increased learning and performance.

The learning designer of the future will create experiences that are significantly about connections, including integration with roles, collaborative environments, devices and performance support. And, like all MASIE Center events, our design model is to facilitate rich “Learning Connections” among our participants. We are thrilled to announce that our current registration includes 1,032 global learning colleagues. Save $100 by using our Advanced Registration Rate: http://www.learning2008.com

Elliott
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
* 0ver 5,600 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

535 - Second City: Comedy and Learning; Geeks on Tour in an RV; Comments on First 3 Minutes

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - August 1, 2008.
#535 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,323 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Over 948 Registered!

1. Second City at Learning 2008 - Humor, Comedy & Learning
2. First 3 Minutes of Learning: Comments from the Field
3. Geeks on Tour - A Computer Learning RV Visits

1. Second City at Learning 2008 - Humor, Comedy & Learning: We just received exciting news. Second City, that wonderful comedy institution in Chicago, will be featured several times at Learning 2008. One of our CONSORTIUM Members, Farmers Insurance, has created a very different approach to e-Learning using the talents of Second City Communication.  You will experience them live and on-line at Learning 2008. In these tough times, comedy and humor can go a long way to make learning more impactful.  Second City will add a unique perspective to Learning 2008. Save $100 by using our Advanced Registration Rate: http://www.learning2008.com

2. First 3 Minutes of Learning - Comments from the Field: We received over 100 comments from readers of TRENDS about the power of the first 3 minutes of a learning experience (online or in a classroom). Here are a sample of these comments. Check out the comments at http://www.masieweb.com/3minutes  I will be doing a PodCast in the coming months with design tips for launching learning offerings.

3. Geeks on Tour: An RV pulled up at The MASIE Center in Saratoga Springs yesterday with the provocative labeling of “Geeks On Tour”. Chris and Jim Hurd travel around the United States all year in their unique RV, providing computer training and support for RV’ers. They will pull into a campground, conduct computer training seminars, fix laptops and teach folks how to utilize wireless access. I had Chris as a speaker at a conference on training and support in 1990. It was so much fun to see her setup and nomadic lifestyle.  Link to pictures and details: http://www.masieweb.com/rv

Elliott
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
* 0ver 5,600 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

534 - "The Last Lecture" Educator Passes - Randy Pausch

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 25, 2008.
#534 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,312 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Over 800 Registered!

“The Last Lecture” Educator - Randy Pausch Dies

If you were to watch only one video this year, please view “The Last Lecture”. Randy Pausch, the remarkable computer scientist and educator, passed away today. He was passionate about evolving models of education and learning.  And, his lecture has been read and viewd by millions around the world.  Here is the link to this remarkable man and message:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5700431505846055184

Thank you for your inspiration, work and example, Randy. Rest in Peace.

Elliott
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:)
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
* 0ver 5,450 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

533 - Monitoring On-Line Testing; On-Boarding Redesign, Horses Starting

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 23, 2008.
#533 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,298 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Over 800 Registered!

1. Law to Monitor On-Line Testing at Home.
2. Racing and Learning: Saratoga Horses Start Today.
3. Task Force at Learning 2008: New Models of On-Boarding.

1. Law to Monitor On-Line Testing at Home: I was reading this week’s Chronicle of Higher Education when I came upon an item that startled me:  “Tucked away in a 1,200 page bill now in Congress is a small paragraph that could lead distance-education institutions to require spy cameras in their sutdents’ homes.” 

As I read the whole article, it became clear that Congress is about to add new requirements for the assurance of honesty in testing for some distance learning programs. There are new devices coming to the market that monitor the learner’s environment, including audio, video and fingerprint authentication, to assure that the registered student is the one taking the exam.  Here is the URL for this article:

http://chronicle.com/free/v54/i46/46a00103.htm

There are interesting pedagogical and “freedom” issues raised by this article. For example, is there more concern about “cheating” by online vs. classroom learners?  I’d love to hear your thoughts. Send a note to emasie@masie.com

2. Racing and Learning - Saratoga Horses Start Today: As you may know, we own several thoroughbred race horses. And, today is the first day of the racing season at Saratoga. Training a racehorse has a lot of parallels in the organizational learning world. Practice, focus and even feedback are key. We have a new horse, a spirited 2 year old colt. His name is “Head Heart Hoof”. He will run his first race in Saratoga in the coming 2 weeks. Each day, “Hoof” gets up at about 5 am and goes through a very thorough day of training and preparation. (Though on some days, Hoof, like us humans, really just wants to loaf and relax for the day). We’ll let you know when Hoof is about to run if you’d like to follow his progress.  Here is a picture of our fine learner:

http://www.sethbenzelinc.com/Equine/Stable/Head_Heart_Hoof/

3. Task Force at Learning 2008 - New Models of On-Boarding: We will take to the whiteboards at Learning 2008 to explore significantly new models of On-Boarding. Several volunteers will participate in a multi-day Task Force to redesign from scratch the corporate On-Boarding process. I am excited to add Task Forces to our design, allowing for in-depth, out-of-the-box thinking on key topics. Learning 2008 will take place in Orlando from October 26 to 29. It is co-hosted by ASTD, The Learning CONSORTIUM, ISPI, MPI and LearningTown. Save by using our Advanced Registration Discounts: http://www.learning2008.com

Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:)
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
* 0ver 5,450 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

532 - Summer Learning - 3 Minute Survey

TO: Learning & Training Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie

RE: Summer Learning - 3 Minute Survey

How do organizations and learners approach learning differently in the summer?  Please take 3 minutes to participate in a quick, global survey on Summer Learning.  Do people attend more or fewer classes?  Is there more informal learning? And, how do learning departments take advantage of the summer?  Just go to:

http://www.masieweb.com/summerlearning

We will publish the results in the next two weeks.

Yours in learning,
Elliott

Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:)
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
* 0ver 5,385 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

531 - Learning and My New iPhone: From CopApp to Bubble Wrap

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 17, 2008.
#531 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,289 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Over 805 Registered!

My iPhone after 5 Days - I Want Learning Apps!
By Elliott Masie

I really did wait. While the new iPhone came out on Friday, I showed great patience and waited until Saturday morning. On my way to give a speech for the FBI at West Point, I stopped at the Albany Apple store and upgraded by iPhone.

Luckily, they had worked out the server kinks, so my signup was simple and soon I was heading to West Point (with my wife driving) as I explored my new phone. The most provocative feature are the Apps (mini-applications) that can be downloaded for free or a small fee from the Apple Store.

In just 2 hours, I saw my view of mobile computing change! Suddenly, my phone transformed itself into a mobile communications and communication device. Here are a few of the applications that I loaded and explored (some for work and some for play):

* Netters Anatomy Flash Card: A series of high-def images of anatomy, to be used by medical students or doctors. Press a pushpin on the picture of a skull or spine and it reveals the formal terminology. Press again, and it does a Google Search. I was amazed at the level of learning and performance support in my palm. This morning, on a plane to Chicago, I showed this to a 3rd year Medical Student. I had to pry it out of her hands as we landed.  She saw it as a great tool for patient/doctor education and communication.

* Midomi and Shazam: If I hum or sing a few seconds of a song, Midomi will locate the song and give me a sample. If I hold Shazam up to the radio or in a concert, in 20 seconds it will find the song and Album art from that exact tune. The audio/speech search capability is still amazing to me and has incredible implications for other learning applications.

* Box Office and Restaurants: Using the GPS function, it provides context specific information. Box Office provides User Ratings on current films and then real time information on show times and even on-line ordering. Restaurants does a similar thing and adds nutritional information for national chains. Both provide directions to the selected location.

* Flash My Brain: This is a cue-card platform for learning, linked to both an open-source and fee-based set of cards on a wide range of learning topics.

* iFob: One of several permission-based apps that provide location information for members of my social networking. I can see where my morning buddies are having coffee in town and choose to join (or avoid) them.

What is most impressive about the concept of these apps is the potential to develop them for very specific courses, roles, jobs or performance support objectives.  Here are a few ideas and I will ask for some more from you.

* CopApp: When I gave my speech to the FBI and Police Chiefs the next morning, I showed them the iPhone and we did a brainstorm of what an application for police might look like. They came up with CopApp that would include the following: Visualization of the Compliance Requirements for Roles; Take a Picture of a Gang Tatoo and receive a profile on that specific gang; Language Translation for key phrases (with voice) for 80 different languages they might encounter - organized by situation.

* Leader App: Imagine giving this application to leadership development candidates. It would provide feeds of key information, locations of mentors and peers in the cafeteria to chat with about assigned topics, mentoring advice and link to coaching feedback.

Now it is your turn. As these Apps grow for both the iPhone and other mobile applications, what would be your suggestions or dreams for some learning Apps? Please send a short note to me at emasie@masie.com  We will try to build a few of these in the near future and place them in the public domain.

Oh, I didn’t mention one of my favorite Apps - Bubble Wrap. Yup, this is a mobile, digital sheet of bubble wrap. Press the bubbles and it makes that most interesting sound (wonderful or annoying, depending on your mood and moment). Low ROI and large private smiles.

Yours in learning,

Elliott

Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:)
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
* 0ver 5,385 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

530 - The First 3 Minutes of Learning - Oh, So Important

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

529 - Learning and July 4th

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 4, 2008.
#529 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,275 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Over 730 Registered!

A July 4th Edition - Learning & Independence By Elliott Masie

July 4th is one of my favorite holidays. We’ll celebrate the Independence Day here in Saratoga Springs, NY with a music festival, a Re-enactment of the Revolutionary War, friends on our porch and wonderful fireworks at dusk.  It is also a day to think about freedom and independence.

Learning is a key pillar for freedom and independence. The ability of a society and an economy to make learning a prime and core value - from elementary school through high school, on to college and into our work and vocational lives - is essential.  Some would assert that Learning is actually a fundamental element of national security. It keeps us wise, vigilant and competitive.

As the challenges of the world get more complex, the need for a focus on learning becomes more and more critical. We need the culture, habits and tools that enable constant and life-long learning. Learning is a key to our personal and community freedom and independence.

So, on July 4th, in addition to the celebrations, I take a few minutes to think and honor the people who have supported learning in my life:

* Hans and Dorothy Masie, my parents, for asking me to read a newspaper before coming to dinner every night.
* Mrs. Ham - PS 173 3rd Grade, for posing questions that pushed my creativity.
* Mr. Jensen - Stuyvesant High School English Teacher, for tapping the emotional intelligence with a love of fiction.
* Rabbi Chavel - Hebrew School Teacher, for posing value clarification questions that had no easy answers.
* Weekly Reader Newspaper - arriving every week in the summer - to continue my learning year round.
* Dick Rehberg, Statistics Prof, for flunking me in Statistics - “the most dangerous thing is a C in statistics”.
* Dick Rehberg, Statistics Prof, who gave me an A when I took his class the second time.
* Malcolm Knowles, Mentor and Hero, for positioning learning as a process that could be designed.
* John Abele, Colleague and President of FIRST, for pushing collaboration as an essential learning tool.
* Cathy Masie, Wife and Life Partner, for adding learning to our lives on a daily basis.
* And, Learning TRENDS Readers, for taking a learning journey together.

Freedom and Independence is, in part, the memory of important battles fought.  But, it is also a living process - one that has learning at its core. Here in the U.S., over 7,000 high school students will drop out of school every day. Each drop out challenges our independence and significantly reduces their freedom of choice for the rest of their lives.  Consider the incredible role that Learning can play in all of our lives on this July 4th.

Respectfully,

Elliott

Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Performance Support Seminar & LAB: July 9-11 - Saratoga Springs  (4 Seats Left)
* 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