503 - Oprah e-Learning? Search and Your LMS

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - February 25, 2008.
#503 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,118 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning Systems ‘08 - April 10 & 11 - Las Vegas, NV.

1. Oprah Joins e-Learning World.
2. Tips for Trainers: Re-Design the Class Activity.
3. Search, Google and Your LMS/LCMS.

1. Oprah Joins e-Learning World: I just signed up for an on-line course offered by Oprah’s Book Club.  Cathy Tighe, a TRENDS Reader, send me a note about Oprah’s entry into the e-Learning world and I thought that I would give it a try.  If you would like to check out how e-Learning is being used by Oprah:

http://www.masieweb.com/oprah

2. Tips for Trainers: Re-Design the Class Activity: Here is a different way to do an end-of-the-class evaluation. Instead of a smile sheet, ask your learners to, in small groups, re-design the program.  Give them 10 minutes and ask them to do a rapid re-design of the Sequence, Scope and Activities in the class.  You will be pleasantly surprised at the great ideas and rich data that this will yield.

3. Search, Google and Your LMS/LCMS: Your learners want to access the resources in your LMS and LCMS via a search process that is as simple as Google and perhaps integrated into a federated search.  While Learning Portal pages are still used by many companies, more and more of our learners want to locate and launch learning content as the result of a personalized and targeted search.  Some organizations have integrated their LMS or LCMS into the corporate search engine.  Others are using Google-like “ads” to display course offerings alongside corporate search results.  We will be diving into this topic at our upcoming Learning Systems ‘08 event in Las Vegas on April 10 and 11th.  I’ll be asking the CEOs/CTOs of major LMS and LCMS companies how they are going to build the link between content and search.  Information at http://www.masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
* Learning Leaders Academy (For Future CLOs)
* Learning Systems ‘08: User Groups for LMS and LCMS Systems
* Performance Support Lab & Seminar
* Learning 2008
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

502 - The New Student: 4-Minute Video

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - February 21, 2008.
#502 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,107 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning Systems ‘08 - April 10 & 11 - Las Vegas, NV.

Please Watch a 4-Minute Video on Changing Students:

http://www.masieweb.com/students20

This is a short video that I just saw as part of a Board Meeting of the Knowledgeworks Foundation I am attending at the moment via video-conferencing.

It creatively and powerfully looks at Students 2.0 and how they are changing the world of learning and education. PLEASE send me an email with your thoughts and reactions to emasie@masie.com

Yours in learning,

Elliott

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:

* Learning Leaders Academy (For Future CLOs)
* Learning Systems ‘08: User Groups for LMS and LCMS Systems
* Learning 2008
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

501 - LCMS Challenges; Help a Reporter: Teleworker Firings?

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - February 19, 2008.
#501 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,094 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning Systems ‘08 - April 10 & 11 - Las Vegas, NV.

1. Interview Assistance: Teleworkers at Risk for Layoffs?
2. LCMS Challenges: Content Format Changes.

1. Interview Assistance: Teleworkers at Risk for Layoffs? I am helping a major business publication that is doing a story about layoffs of teleworkers. They are writing about layoffs of teleworkers. Recently, a few patterns have emerged about different patterns for laying off remote and teleworkers. If you have some perspectives that you would be willing to share with this journalist (either on or off the record), please send me a confidential note. She is on a deadline for Friday. Send me a note to emasie@masie.com

2. LCMS Challenges - Content Format Changes. Learning Content Management Systems are facing some key challenges as the format of learning content evolves. The ability to manage the creation, publication and search capability of PodCasts, User Content, such as Video Segments and Collaboration Content (Wiki or Blog), is not core to the capabilities of many of the Learning Content Management Systems. I will be leading a major focus on the updating of the LCMS at our
upcoming Learning Systems ‘08 event in April (10 and 11) in Las Vegas, NV - http://www.learningsystems08.com

Upcoming Events:
* Learning Leaders Academy (For Future CLOs)
* Learning Systems ‘08: User Groups for LMS and LCMS Systems
* Learning 2008
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

12 Wishes for Our LMS and LCMS

12 Wishes for Our LMS and LCMS Systems

By Elliott Masie, Host, Learning Systems 2008

1. Focus on the Learner: Most Learning Management Systems are focused on the organization’s perspectives on learning and training. They know how to track attendance, participation and certification. These are important, but not sufficient. We need to have our Learning Systems focus on the LEARNER. They should know more about the learner, from background to style to context, and aggressively make learning easier, more efficient and continuous for the learner. While reports of learning consumed are interesting, we really want our learners to turn to these systems for real support in learning.

2. Content, Content and Content: When the first LMS systems were launched, they were primarily “vending machines” to dispense and track the consumption of e-Learning (then called CBT) courses, mostly from 3rd party providers. As the creation of internally-created content increased, many organizations purchased Learning Content Management Systems (LCMS) to add content creation/management capabilities. Our Learning Systems now need to hone in on the vast amount of UserContent (from PodCasts to FAQs to Performance Guides) that will be created by workers in the workplace.

3. Ratings, Please: Learners want to know how other employees who are similar to them have rated and valued a program’s content before they start that program. Why not provide ratings, sorted by demographics and roles, to help a learner select the content and activities that were most highly valued? This can be a simple Thumbs Up/Down, a 5-point scale or more in-depth rating system. Great content should rapidly float to the surface and be visible to the workforce. Poor content should also be labeled and either improved or avoided.

4. More Context: Every classroom experience blends formal CONTENT with informal CONTEXT. This may be in the form of a side-bar story from the instructor, comments/questions from fellow students or conversations at the coffee pot on breaks. Yet, as we move towards on-line learning, less attention is paid to the role that CONTEXT plays. We need to address how learners will get that context - from collaborative tools like discussion boards/wikis and blogs to more fundamental design changes - to incorporate the voice of the field more actively into the learning experiences. I have yet to see a Context Management System, even though in many situations the quality of the Context is more impactful than the quality of the Content.

5. Performance Support Tools: Our Learning Systems are mostly geared for learning in anticipation of need or requirement. I want my systems to also have a healthy dose of Performance Support resources to allow for “learning at the moment of need”. Ideally, I should be able to pose a question, requirement or topic to my Learning Systems and be provided with both an immediate Performance Support Tool that will walk me through my need, as well as a module to learn about it in greater depth for future requirements. Our learners need more Performance Support and our Learning Systems have to step up to the plate for this!

6. Social Knowledge: Learning Systems will need to include and be integrated with Social Networking Systems. Some of the best and most important knowledge will be shared person-to-person in an organization. The learner wants to know, “Who in this organization has any experience that could help me as a learner/worker?” In addition to the LMS pointing to a module or course, we need to be able to link to a colleague who may have the perfect, relevant experience based on their work from 2 jobs ago. The social dimension of learning needs to be harvested and accelerated by a new vision of our Learning Systems.

7. Learning Systems as Components: Most of our workers do not want to go your “learning portal page”. Instead, they want to have components along the lines of “Gadgets” or “Wizards” that will live on their screens or pop up based on tasks/situations. Those will feed content, requirements and reminders from the learning systems. For example, if I am reading a document and I come upon a term that I don’t know, is there a way to launch a component that would offer me definitions, social networking and even registration into an on-line or in-person class on that topic? Can I have a graphic on my screen that changes color based on my current continuing education requirements?

8. Focus on the Role: Our workplace is increasingly role-based. Most of our learning systems are more focused on jobs or positions. If I am assigned a new project, it may shift my role, and the Learning Systems should help me prepare for and perform in that role. My history in previous assignments should inform the set of learning activities that are offered to me in the new role.

9. UserContent Authoring: YouTube is coming to the office! Our learners are already creating simple and short half-life content, using simple video, audio and text tools. Many Learning Systems are in shock at the thought of this new wave of content. How will we author, approve, edit, tag and make discoverable this content? Should we even try to track the usage of UserContent? How do we blend authored learning content with UserContent? What is the lifecycle of content - when do we expire a module?

10. Learning Systems as Service: Each business unit may want or need a very different front end experience for its Learning Systems. Do we allow our enterprise LMS to evolve into a cluster of Learning Services that are tailored for our business units, but that share a common set of data profiles? In other words, are our Learning Systems ready to be part of a Learning “Cloud”, where the functionalities are delivered as a software service rather than from a single enterprise system? This is Web 3.0 - are our systems ready?

11. The Lifecycle of Learning Systems: Many of our Learning CONSORTIUM members are in the midst of re-evaluating their LMS and LCMS. Some are shocked that this point of re-evaluation has arrived only 36 or 42 months after the original purchase point. What are our realistic Lifecycle expectations for our Learning Systems? We need to take an industry perspective on those systems which will serve valiantly, but for a 2 to 3 year period. How do we have the Lifecycle conversation with our IT department and even learning suppliers?

12. Learning Systems as Human Capital/Talent Systems: Ultimately, there is also a lifecycle of the knowledge/skill sets of an employee. From the moment we start the recruitment/interview process, through hiring/training to succession and promotion, and eventually retirement, we have a need to integrate learning resources and information into the larger Human Capital/Talent systems. If your organization were about to be purchased by another company, what information lives in your Learning Systems that would assist the valuation or merger process? Learning Systems must become more friendly and integrated with their cousins.

These issues and more will be address by Elliott Masie and Cushing Anderson at our annual User Group event, focused on LMS and LCMS utilization:

Learning Systems ‘08

April 10 and 11, 2008

Las Vegas, Nevada

http://www.learningsystems08.com

The MASIE Center, PO Box 397, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

trends@masie.com

500th Edition of Learning TRENDS

TO: Learning TRENDS Readers and Colleagues

FROM: Elliott Masie, Editor

DATE: February 11, 2008

Happy Birthday, Learning TRENDS - Issue #500

Read Issue 500 at http://www.masieweb.com/trends500

You are 500 today! Over the past 10 years, it has been an incredible honor to communicate with over 50,000 global learning colleagues. Each time I press the “send” button on a new Learning TRENDS, my mailbox fills up with ideas, comments and perspectives from colleagues in over 93 countries.

The first Learning TRENDS was sent in November 1997. We have learned together through the emergence of e-Learning, the introduction of LMS/LCMS technology, the growth of the internet, the coming of search and Fingertip Knowledge and non-stop change, evolution and more.

During the past 10 years, Learning TRENDS has also been quite personal. I sent out a TRENDS the morning that my mom, who was one of my first computer students, died at age 90. Within 3 hours, there were 2,000 notes to me about her. What a sense of support.

Where does TRENDS go in the next 10 years? We continue to blend innovation and simplicity.

While you can access the notes as a blog (http://trends.masie.com) we have been asked by our readers/colleagues to continue to send TRENDS as a short note via email. We have added PodCasts and Video Segments where appropriate and I look forward to reporting from events and journeys around the world.

For TRENDS 500, we thought it would be fun to ask YOU to contribute thoughts about Learning, Learning TRENDS or the future. Here is a sample of several hundred replies.

http://www.masieweb.com/trends500

I thank you for your colleagueship and learning companionship. Please invite your colleagues to join the Learning TRENDS community at http://trends.masie.com

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie

email Elliott at emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events and Services:

- Learning Leaders Academy: March 10 - 12, Saratoga Springs, NY.

- Learning Systems ‘08 Conference: April 10 and 11, Las Vegas, NV.

- Learning 2008: Oct. 26-29, Orlando, Florida.

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

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie is published by The MASIE Center, PO Box 397, Saratoga Springs, NY www.masie.com

UserContent: New Workshop at Learning Systems '08

TO: Learning & Training Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie
RE: UserContent: New Workshop at Learning Systems ‘08

We are pleased to announce a new workshop focused on UserContent. Your workforce can (and already is) creating content in the form of PodCasts, Video Segments (ala YouTube), Performance Tools, Blogs/Wikis
and Stories from the Field. UserContent will be created directly by the workforce and will form a significant segment of the learning process in your organization.  We are announcing this new workshop:

UserContent Workshop
Led by Elliott Masie
April 9 - 1 to 5 pm - Las Vegas
Free for Learning Systems ‘08 Participants
http://www.learningsystems08.com/usercontent.htm

The key issues and challenges to be addressed include:

* Organizational Learning Decisions to make about UserContent
* Learning Systems and UserContent: Can our LMS/LCMS handle this?
* Is UserContent Trackable? What metrics make sense to track?
* Tools for Creating UserContent?
* Web Based Models for Learning Content Authoring
* Review/Coding/Tagging/Controlling Learning Content
* Generational Differences: Avoiding a Generational Content Divide
* Examples of Corporate Use of UserContent
* Costs and Infrastructure Considerations
* The Legal Side of UserContent
* Blending UserContent with Authored Learning Content
* The Future of UserContent

Space is limited at Learning Systems ‘08. (We sold out in the past two years.) Your registration includes free participation in this special pre-event workshop.

Information and registration is available at
http://www.learningsystems08.com/usercontent.htm

If you have any questions, please contact amh@masie.com or call 1-800-98-MASIE.

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie

MASIE Center, PO Box 397, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Special: Presidential Learning Perspectives Project

TO: Learning & Training Colleagues

FROM: Elliott Masie, The MASIE Center

RE: Presidential Learning Perspectives Project

• Will the word “Learning” be used by any of the candidates for President?
• Will any of the candidates talk about “Learning” as a force, challenge or opportunity in tackling the serious issues facing the world?
• Can we imagine a speech that advocates a Learning Organization oreven an Learning Culture?
• What can a President do to move the learning field forward - with research, advocacy, policy or personal example?

I would like to invite my learning colleagues in the U.S. and around the world, to join in an effort to add a discussion abaout Learning to the 2008 Campaign.

Over the next ten months, we will be working with both parties and all of the candidates, to engage them on Learning topics.

Learning, Training, Performance and Knowledge are phrases that we should see in the candidate’s white papers and speeches. Learning mustplay a key role in addressing economic, development, domestic policy and global issues.

We have even scheduled a major event at Learning 2008, a few weeks before the election, to focus on the candidates positions on Learning related issues and approaches.

If you would be willing to be part of a non-partisan effort, Presidential Learning Perspectives Project, please send me a personal note to emasie@masie.com  Or, post your thoughts here.

Let’s hope that the next President will be a learner and will be supportive of the role of learning in our organizations and society.

Elliott

499 - Classrooms 2.0; Learning in a Recession?

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - January 17, 2008.
#499 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,089 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning Systems ‘08 - April 10 & 11 - Las Vegas, NV.

1. Classroom 2.0: The Classroom of the Future.
2. Learning in a Recession?
3. One More Edition Until TRENDS 500!

1. Classroom 2.0: The Classroom of the Future: Classrooms easily can feel neglected these days.  With talk of e-Learning, Web 2.0, Fingertip Knowledge and Social Networks, where is the conversation about Classroom 2.0?

Our organizations are still offering a great deal of learning experiences in a face-to-face classroom.  And, the classroom will not go away any time soon.  The methods will evolve, the footprint will change and even the roles of learners and teachers will be rocked, but we still will have a good number of classrooms. 

So, let’s brainstorm about Classroom 2.0.  If your organization asked you to design the Classroom of the Future for deployment today, what would you suggest?  What technologies, layouts, new roles and altered methods would you deploy?  I’d love to hear about your Brainstorm in a short-term blog that we have set up.  Go to the following website and add your comments to this TRENDS Brainstorm:

http://classroom2008.blogspot.com
 

2. Learning in a Recession?  In the last few weeks, we have had a good number of calls from learning colleagues in the United States, asking for perspective on how Learning will do if we are headed toward (or are already in) an economic recession.  This is a serious and actually quite depressing topic for learning executives.  In a recession, organizations often make rapid and sometimes stupid decisions to slice any function that is not seen as directly linked to the Revenue side of the equation.

In addition, investments in learning systems and infrastructure can already be seen as getting tougher.  There are two companies that were ready to sign a contract for a new LMS in January 2008, yet were told to hold off or cancel the contract.  It was seen as a difficult time to be spending when the future of the economy is uncertain.  Another CLO was told to shrink her staff by 40% in the next three months, in order to be seen as “tightening” the budget.  Actually, the company will be spending a huge amount in an outsourcing deal to compensate for the dwindling staff capacity.

Yet, the need to retain great Talent and to have the speed and agility to respond to changing market conditions is often clearly linked to the learning capacity and function within the organization.

The MASIE Center is creating a Learning & Recession Task Force to look at strategies for reacting to tough economic times.  I would love to have volunteers and also your comments and perspectives.  Just send me an email to emasie@masie.com.

3. One More Edition Until TRENDS 500! In just a few days, we will celebrate the 500th edition of Learning TRENDS.  It has been fascinating to see the evolution of learning over the past 10+ years.  We have collected comments from many TRENDS readers for this special edition.  But, if you would like to add your comments, you can send them to me at emasie@masie.com.

Upcoming MASIE Center Events and Services:
- Performance Support LAB & Seminar: Jan. 30 - Feb 1, Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Learning Leaders Academy: March 10 - 12, Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Learning Systems ‘08 Conference: April 10 and 11, Las Vegas, NV.
- Learning 2008: Oct. 26-29, Orlando, Florida.
Information and Registration: http://www.masie.com

Email to Elliott: emasie@masie.com

498 - Electronics and Learning, Future of Meetings

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Jan 14, 2007.
#498 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,085 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning Systems ‘08 - April 10 & 11 - Las Vegas, NV.

1. Electronics/CES PodCast and MacWorld Preview.
2. The Future of Meetings: Video Segment.
3. Learning at the Moment of Need.

1. Electronics/CES PodCast and MacWorld Preview and Learning: The Consumer Electronics Show has just concluded in Las Vegas. Judy Brown, our MASIE Learning Fellow, was covering the show for Learning TRENDS. We interviewed Judy via a PodCast and you can listen to this (as well as access a number of her reports) at:

http://www.masieweb.com/CES2008-coverage

For a preview of MacWorld, and one reporter’s predictions of what we might hear from there in the coming days, please visit:

http://arstechnica.com/staff/fatbits.ars/2008/01/06/mwsf-2008-keynote-bingo

2. The Future of Meetings: Video Segment. I had the honor of hosting Bruce McMillan, CEO of Meeting Professionals International, for an intense day here at The MASIE Center. We have started a major collaboration between our two organizations, looking at the future of meetings. How will technology and internet technologies evolve the role and format of future face-to-face meetings? You can view an interview/dialogue that we did on the future of meetings at:

http://www.masieweb.com/mpivideo

We will continue the conversation on the Future of Meetings in an interactive ThinkTank session at MPI’s Professional Education Conference in Houston, February 2 - 5. To learn more about this event go to:

http://www.mpiweb.org/cms/mpiweb/pec2008/peccommon.aspx?id=13798

3. Learning at the Moment of Need! One of the key challenges of organizational learning departments in the coming year is to expand the resources we offer for Performance Support to our workforce. There are still a few seats available in our upcoming Performance Support LAB & Seminar, to be held in Saratoga Springs starting on January 30th. Taught by Conrad Gottfredson and Bob Mosher, this is an intimate look at how to build “Learning at the Moment of Need” for your workforce, from high tech to low tech solutions. Information at http://www.masie.com


Upcoming MASIE Center Events and Services:

- Performance Support LAB & Seminar: Jan. 30 - Feb 1, Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Learning Leaders Academy: March 10 - 12, Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Learning Systems ‘08 Conference: April 10 and 11, Las Vegas, NV.
- Learning 2008: Oct. 26-29, Orlando, Florida.
Information and Registration: http://www.masie.com

497 - Video Noontime Snacking; Personalized Targeted HR

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Jan 5, 2008.
#497 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,071 Readers -http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning Systems ‘08 - April 10 & 11 - Las Vegas, NV.

1. Noontime Video Snacking Rises … Learning Opportunities?
2. Targeted and Personalized HR Policies
3. TRENDS 500 Approaching

1. Noontime Video Snacking Rises … Learning Opportunities? There is a visible growth in employee viewing of video content during lunch breaks. There is an acute spike in bandwidth usage during the lunch hour as employees watch video from sources like YouTube, CNN, ABC and television networks. A genre of lunchtime video is emerging, with daily targeted, short segments produced for the lunchtime crowd. The phrase “video snacking” refers to this emerging trend, which The New York Times addressed in an interesting article today:

“In some offices, workers coordinate their midday Web-watching
schedules, the better to shout out punch lines to one another across
rows of desks. Some people gravitate to sites where they can reliably
find Webcasts of a certain length — say, a three-minute political
wrap-up — to minimize both their mouse clicks and the sandwich crumbs
that wind up in the keyboard.

“Go take a walk around your office” at lunchtime, said Alan Wurtzel,
head of research for NBC. “Out of 20 people, I’m going to guarantee
that 5 are going to be on some sort of site that is not work-related.”

The midday spike in Web traffic is not a new phenomenon, but media
companies have started responding in a meaningful way over the last
year. They are creating new shows, timing the posts to coincide with
hunger pangs. And they are rejiggering the way they sell advertising
online, recognizing that noontime programs can command a premium.”

So, what if we harnessed the concept of Video Snacking for learning?
Imagine your organization producing a short, 5 to 7 minute show every
day for viewing during lunch. Ideas?

2. Targeted and Personalized HR Policies: As organizations look at
strategies to attract and retain younger workers, there is a
conversation starting about Targeted & Personalized HR Policies. For
years, organizations have focused on the “fairness” of a common HR
policy. Everyone got the same formula for vacation days. But, as we
see a new generation enter the workplace, with very different and
individualized preferences, there is an opportunity to use a
personalized HR model as a retention strategy.

For example, some employees are only planning on staying with the
organization for 6 months to 2 years. And, they are very focused on a
side-line hobby or business. One could imagine a personalized HR
Policy for them that was quite different than a career-focused 40-year-old manager. The hiring process might actually drive a menu model that
blends compensation, time allocation and development opportunities. This
could yield a contract for HR with this person (sort of My-HR Policy),
which would be re-visited each year. And, I could see the information
from an updated LMS system being part of this experiment.

Organizations might even experiment with a range of HR policies and
see the impact on performance, employee retention and even
satisfaction. I know, this is not your father’s HR world. It takes us
beyond the “collective bargaining” model of a unified and “fair” HR
handbook. And, please note: this is way more provocative than giving a
cafeteria model of benefits to workers. This would actually yield a
complex but perhaps highly effective approach to HR.

3. TRENDS 500 Approaching: In just a week, the 500th edition of
Learning TRENDS will be published. Started over 10 years ago, TRENDS
is one of the favorite things that I get to create/distribute. Help me
with the 500th edition. We have heard from hundreds of Learning TRENDS
readers with some words, notes, raves, rants or thoughts about
Learning. We’ll include these in a special 500th Edition. Send me an
email to emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events and Services:


Performance Support LAB & Seminar: Jan. 30 - Feb 1, Saratoga Springs, NY.
Learning Leaders Academy: March 10 - 12, Saratoga Springs, NY.
Learning Systems ‘08 Conference: April 10 and 11, Las Vegas, NV.
Learning 2008: Oct. 26-29, Orlando, Florida. Information and Registration:

http://www.masie.com

A Personal Favor

TO: Learning & Training Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, Learning TRENDS Newsletter

In just one week, Learning TRENDS will be 500! And, I’d love to get your help and thoughts.

In November 1997, I started TRENDS as an occasional newsletter for our colleagues in the learning field. Over the past decade, we have sent out 496 editions of this small and simple publication. The readership has grown to over 55,000 from over 91 countries around the world.

I would like to ask a favor as we prepare for Edition #500. Would you write a paragraph or more with your thoughts about the field of Learning? These could be short rants, hopes, stories or personal musings.

I’d like to compile your thoughts in a special edition of Learning TRENDS that we will send out as #500. Send me your thoughts to:

emasie@masie.com

It has been fun to send out TRENDS for the last ten years and I look forward to working and learning with you in future.

Yours in learning,

Elliott

Elliott Masie, The MASIE Center



Upcoming MASIE Center Events and Services:
- Performance Support LAB & Seminar: Jan. 30 - Feb 1, Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Learning Leaders Academy: March 10 - 12, Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Learning Systems ‘08 Conference: April 10 and 11, Las Vegas, NV.
- Learning 2008: Oct. 26-29, Orlando, Florida.
Information and Registration: http://www.masie.com

495 - One Laptop Per Child, Learning Systems '08 Opens

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Dec 27, 2007.
#495 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,069 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning Systems ‘08 - April 10 & 11 - Las Vegas, NV

1. One Laptop Per Child - A Learning Laptop!
2. Learning Systems ‘08 - Registration Opens!


1. One Laptop Per Child - A Learning Laptop! The One Laptop Per Child machine, designed by MIT Media Lab, for children in the third world arrived at The MASIE Center as we were winding down our trip to Africa.


Here is a quick review of the laptop, which is quite impressive. There is also a link to a video by the designer. Here is the URL:

http://masieafrica.blogspot.com/2007/12/one-laptop-per-child-africa.html


2. Learning Systems ‘08 Registration Opens Today: Our annual event focused on learning systems is now open for registration. Over 400 organizations have participated in this Vendor-Neutral User Group.


Learning Systems ‘08
April 10 and 11 - Las Vegas, Nevada
http://www.learningsystems08.com

This year, we will focus on YOUR key learning systems:


* Learning Management Sysetms (LMS)
* Learning Content Management Systems (LCMS)
* Content and Document Management Systems for Learning
* Collaboration and Rapid Authoring Systems
* Compliance and Talent Management Systems

We have sold out this event every year, so please register early. Info and on-line registration at http://www.learningsystems08.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events and Services:
- Performance Support LAB & Seminar: Jan. 30 - Feb 1, Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Learning Leaders Academy: March 10 - 12, Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Learning Systems ‘08 Conference: April 10 and 11, Las Vegas, NV.
- Learning 2008: Oct. 26-29, Orlando, Florida.
Information and Registration: http://www.masie.com

494 - User Content, Simple Videos for Learning

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Dec 20, 2007.
#494 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,069 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning Systems ‘08 - April 10 & 11 - Las Vegas, NV

Special Learning TRENDS from Senegal, Africa!

1. User Content - 2008 Trend.
2. Simple Videos - How We are Producing Rapid Content.

1. User Content - 2008 Trend: Watch for a dramatic increase in the amount of “User Created Content” used by organizations in 2008. Simply, these are short segments in audio, video or just text that are created by actual users focused on key tasks and stories in the workplace. User Created Content is not the same as, nor will it replace, all formal content. BUT, there is now an appetite and growing capacity for organizations to rapidly capture and distribute content from the workplace. Here are just a few examples:

* Orientation Videolets: 3 minute video stories from current employees about key issues and topics - made available to new hires, before or right after they are employed.
* Sales Debriefings: Short video or audio segments done by key salespeople as they debrief a successful or failed sales attempt - and published hours later.
* Remedial Segments: Augment authored modules with short supplements that focus on remedial learning — have users reteach the toughest content from their perspectives.

2. Simple Videos - How We are Producing Rapid Content: I have received several hundred emails from TRENDS readers during this trip to Africa, asking how we are shooting, editing and then distributing the video so quickly from the remote villages of Africa. Here is the process:

* Camera: I brought a new, high definition digital video camera from SONY. I choose to shoot the content in higher definition than can be webcast so that it has use as a Hi-Def DVD as well as a webcast.
* Editing: Each day, I transfer the content from the DV tapes to my MacBook Pro via a Firewire connection. Using the iMovie application from Apple, the clips are automatically transfered to the laptop. Then, I create a storyboard, edit and shorten the clips, add some still photos and even do a few titles and voiceovers. I have been able to get a 6 minute finished segment edited in about 1 hour.
* Posting: I can then post and publish it in a few ways. iMovie has a direct connection to a Mac publishing space. But, I do it in two steps. I create a MP4 version and FTP it to my office and website. If needed, I or my staff can convert it into Flash.

The time from shooting to publishing is usually less than 2 hours, with minimal costs and labor. I am not a professional editor and I will have Lauren, our designer, do a final edit of all of the video from our trip once I am back in Saratoga. But, the good news is that I can publish and share it in almost real time. I have even made specialized versions of key segments to send as email to an individual person.

The next step in my learning curve will be to add more “meta-data” and develop more templates to make editing even faster.

If you would like to see some more of the video that we have published:

http://www.masieweb.com/fieldlessons
blog: http://masieafrica.blogspot.com

I hope that you have had a few minutes to follow our Learning Gives Back journey to Africa. We really appreciate your support.

Send me an email to: emasie@masie.com


Upcoming MASIE Center Events and Services:
- Performance Support LAB & Seminar: Jan. 30 - Feb 1, Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Learning Leaders Academy: March 10 - 12, Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Learning Systems ‘08 Conference: April 10 and 11, Las Vegas, NV.
- Learning 2008: Oct. 26-29, Orlando, Florida.
Information and Registration: http://www.masie.com

493 - Learning in the Field; Ahead to 2008

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Dec 17, 2007.
#493 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,064 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.


Special Learning TRENDS from Mali, Africa!


1. Learnings from the Field.
2. Ahead to 2008.


1. Learnings from the Field: We have now been in Mali, Africa for one week, working on the Malaria No More campaign to distribute mosquito nets to 95% of the children under the age of 5. Here is a short, 4 minute video from one of the villages, thanking the Learning field for your contributions:

http://www.masieweb.com/africa1

This Sunday, we visited a clinic in a region outside of Bamako and met with 7 “Health Relays”, women and men from the tribe who volunteer to meet twice a week with peers to convey important health information. When they found out that my field was training, it launched into a discussion of how people learn and how they might be better trainers. Here were four tips from the “field” where learning is all verbal and happens on the road in the huts:

* Short: “Keep it small and short.”
* Draw Pictures: “Make a point by drawing a picture in the dirt or on a piece of paper.”
* Laughter Reinforces: “Use jokes and kidding to ease the learning.”
* Teach it Back: “Ask them to teach it back to you.”

If you want to follow our blog - http://masieafrica.blogspot.com

2. Ahead to 2008: Many of our colleagues have asked if they can pre-pay for Learning 2008 or Learning Systems 2008 with 2007 funds. If you want to make an advanced registration for either of these events:

http://www.masieweb.com/2008-early-registration

To email Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events and Services:
- Performance Support LAB & Seminar: Jan. 30 - Feb 1, Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Learning Leaders Academy: March 10 - 12, Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Learning Systems ‘08 Conference: April 10 and 11, Las Vegas, NV.
- Learning 2008: Oct. 26-29, Orlando, Florida.
Information and Registration: http://www.masie.com

Voice of Learner Survey - 5 Minutes

TO: Learning & Training Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, Learning TRENDS

RE: Voice of the Learner Survey

I would like to ask for five minutes of your time, to participate in a global survey, The Voice of the Learner. The survey will be completed by thousands of employees around the world, gathering information about Learner Preferences for Learning Methods. Please go the URL Below:

Voice of the Learner Survey
http://www.masieweb.com/learners

The results of this survey will be distributed without charge and available within several weeks on The MASIE Center website. Please feel free to pass along this URL to colleagues in your organization, as we would appreciate the widest participation. You can also post this link on your websites and intranet.

While there have been many studies about the delivery of learning by various methods, we are very excited to launch this annual focus on the Voice of the Learner, looking at methods from learners' perspectives.

Warm regards,

Elliott Masie
The MASIE Center & Learning CONSORTIUM