399.1 - Blackboard Patents? Learning Museum, Dorothy Wins

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - August 8, 2006.
#399.1 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
52,559 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8 - Orlando - www.learning2006.com.

1. Blackboard Patents for e-Learning?
2. Learning Technology Museum Launching.
3. Dorothy's Destiny Wins!

(Note: We are working on a very exciting 400th edition of TRENDS. But, it make take a week or so more. Hence, we'll use 399.1 and 399.2 to save the 400th for our special edition - Elliott)

1. Blackboard Patents for e-Learning? The Patents for e-Learning conversations and legal fights continue. Recently, Blackboard, an LMS provider with roots in the academic space, was awarded a patent covering a number of processes and technologies related to e-Learning. They rapidly filed suit against Desire2Learn, claiming infringement of their patent.

The "blogsphere" is loaded with analysis and concern about the impact of these e-Learning patents. Here are a few resources that you might want to
review:

Blackboard's View: http://www.blackboard.com/patent

Analysis from Other Sources:
http://www.technorati.com/search/blackboard%20patent

http://mfeldstein.com/images/uploads/Blackboard_Patent_Claims.pdf


The MASIE Center is concerned about the patent award process for e-Learning and we have testified as unpaid witnesses in a recent suit, to counter the claims. We believe that there is substantial "prior art" in this arena, though the strategy is often to drive up the cost of litigation until the case is settled.

While patents for legitimate inventions are a key aspect of our society, I am not convinced that these recent e-Learning patents were awarded accurately and am concerned that the patents may have a disruptive effect on both LMS procurement and innovation in our field.

We will be hosting a special set of sessions on Patents & Learning at Learning 2006 to be held in Orlando, Florida on November 5 to 8th.
http://www.learning2006.com/blog/

2. Learning Technology Museum Launching: I am pleased to announce that The MASIE Center is creating a new Learning Technology Museum collection. We want to gather learning technology that is decades old, as well as emerging models of new learning technology. The first display will be at Learning 2006. I will be working with Kevin Oakes, one of the pioneers in our field, to assemble this display, which will be based at The MASIE Center and travel to key events around the country. If you have historical items to add to the Learning Technology Museum, please send me a note to emasie@masie.com

3. Dorothy's Destiny Wins! Our horse, Dorothy's Destiny, won her first race last Thursday at Saratoga! She was named after my mom, who had equal spunk and died at age 90 a few years ago. Dorothy's Destiny led from "wire to wire" and won her maiden race at the racetrack of champions. If you would like to see her race picture, go to http://www.masie.com/dorothy/

MASIE Center Events & Services:
* Learning 2006 - Orlando, Florida - Nov 5 to 8th.
* Membership in the Learning CONSORTIUM.
Info at: http://www.masie.com

399 - Quiet Learning Moments, My Role - My Industry, LCMS Interest Levels

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - August 1, 2006.
#399 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
52,553 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8 - Orlando - www.learning2006.com.

1. Quiet Learning Moments.
2. My Role, My Industry, My Challenges.
3. LCMS Interest Increases.

1. Quiet Learning Moments: Sometimes it takes a very different experience to remember what you value. If you haven't guessed, I construct a pretty busy and often noisy life around me. Yet, this past Sunday, I asked my wife if she would like to go to a Quaker Friends meeting in the country near Saratoga. A small group of 10 people sat for an hour in near quiet and reflected. I found myself reflecting about the lack of quiet in my life and then in the world of learning.

One of my most powerful learning experiences was in a workshop on leadership in 1975 led by Rod Napier. He used quiet as a design tool.
After a segment, lecture or activity, Rod would suggest a 5 to 10 minute quiet time. At first, the learners would squirm and be a bit uncomfortable. But, it soon became a powerful time for thinking, reflecting and processing new information.

So little of our classroom or e-Learning designs dare to use quiet. I know that it might seem very "touchy feeley", but it really is a powerful part of learning. In a faster world, trainers should give themselves permission to see quiet as a musical element to add to a design.

2. My Role, My Industry, My Challenges: One of the innovations that we are launching this year at Learning 2006 is a series of User Groups called:

* My Role!
* My Industry!
* My Challenges!

Each of the 2,000 + participants will have an opportunity to attend one or more sessions of User Groups like: My Role: Instructional Designer or My
Industry: Financial Services or My Challenges: Rapid Development on a Global Basis. Each of the User Groups will be designed and facilitated by a team of two learning professionals. They will lead benchmarking (eg. % of learning delivered in a Blended Learning format or Impact of Compliance Requirements on Course Mix). Registration information for Learning 2006 (Nov 5 to 8 - Orlando) is available at http://www.learning2006.com/blog/

3. LCMS Interest Increases: We are tracking significant increased interest by corporate learning leaders in Learning Content Management Systems.
Organizations are deeply focusing on content management, including rapid development, searchability of content, revision control and the rise of informal learning content. They are turning to Learning Content Management Systems or LCMS functions of LMS systems for industrial strength content handling.

Upcoming MASIE Center Events & Services:
* Learning 2006 - Nov 5 to 8, Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in the Learning CONSORTIUM.
Information at http://www.masie.com

398 - Your Learning Thoughts Please

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 25, 2006.
#398 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
52,547 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8 - Orlando - www.learning2006.com.

1. Your Learning Thoughts Please - For TRENDS 400.
2. Jim Lauderback, PC Magazine Editor, Learning & Consumer Electronics.
3. Summer Discount for Learning 2006 Registrations.

1. Your Learning Thoughts Please - For TRENDS 400: I need your thoughts and views! In just a few days, the 400th issue of Learning TRENDS will be published. I started TRENDS with a readership of 125 people in Fall of 1997. It has grown to over 50,000 learning colleagues around the world.
Edition 400 will include dozens (or even hundreds) of comments about Learning, Training, Changing World and even about Learning TRENDS. Just take a few moments and send me a few sentences to to:

http://www.masie.com/trends400/

Thanks! I really appreciate your readership and colleagueship.

2. Jim Lauderback, PC Magazine Editor, Learning & Consumer Electronics: I recently had a chance to reconnect with Jim Lauderback, Editor in Chief of PC Magazine and one of the best thinkers about computing. He is focused on how Consumer Electronics (mobile phones, PDAs, iPods and other form factors of devices for home use) will have a huge impact on Corporate Computing. I have been staying up nights thinking about this conversation!
So, I invited Jim, who was the lead talent on TechTV, to come to Learning
2006 as a Thought Leader. We will build a Future Tech lab for Jim to demonstrate where computing, communication and collaboration devices are headed and dialogue with you about how organizations and workers may leverage these for learning. Be a "scout" for your organization!

3. Summer Discount for Learning 2006 Registrations: We now have over 830 colleagues registered for Learning 2006! A special advanced discount is available for Registrations received this summer. Go to http://www.learning2006.com for complete information and additional Corporate TEAM rates.

397 - Training Outsourcing, iPods for Baseball Learning, Trends Authors Wanted

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 12, 2006.
#397 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
52,544 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Early Registration Now Open - www.learning2006.com.

1. Learning & Training Outsourcing - Fresh Perspectives.
2. Podcasting for Baseball Learning?
3. Authors Wanted for Learning TRENDS #400.
4. Learning 2006 - Earliest Discount Until July 14th!

1. Learning & Training Outsourcing - Fresh Perspectives: There is a lot of confusion, fear, hype and reality to the evolving phenomena of Training & Learning Outsourcing. Here are a few personal perspectives:

* Training Outsourcing Isn't New: For the past 30 years, large percentages of the learning and training function has been done by external suppliers.
We didn't call it "outsourcing", but we have been using suppliers for design, development, delivery and curriculum. Outsourcing attempts for the whole learning function aren't new either, with several companies attempting that in the early and mid 90's.

* Co-Sourcing and Functional Sourcing: In reality, most of the contracts for outsourcing are really for co-sourcing, which is about a deep partnership between implementer and supplier or for the sourcing of a major function (eg. design, transactions or a business unit like sales training).

* LMS and LCMS Drive Outsourcing Views: As organizations have implemented LMS and LCMS on an enterprise level, there has been increased interest in sourcing the transaction elements of the learning function. This has also been parallel to the rise of Human Resource outsourcing, focusing on the transactional and employee service arenas.

* Outsourcing Isn't Always Offshoring: Actually, most of the outsource efforts are not focused at driving the bulk of the work offshore. Capacity expansion, speciality knowledge, syndicated development, headcount reduction and speed to market are the highest drivers. A number of the high profile outsourcing projects right now in the learning area are actually being done with minimal off-shoring.

* Cycles of Satisfaction and Reality Perspectives: It is time time to take the hype and fear out of the sourcing discussion. Learning will continue to be done with strong use of external providers. The transactional, design/development and delivery elements are prime candidates for outsourcing. Strategy and alignment will usually stay in house or be a partnered process. And, there is often a 2 to 5 year curve of satisfaction/reconsideration. Vendor management is also a key issue!

Training & Learning Outsourcing will be a special segment at our Learning
2006 event to be held in Orlando in November. We have built sessions with suppliers and implementers, and are doing a non-commercial, neutral look at this powerful and confusing topic. Information at http://www.learning2006.com/blog/

2. Podcasting for Baseball Learning? A few major league Baseball teams in the U.S. are using iPods as performance support tools. They have taken videos of each batter in the lineup of the opposing team and placed them on a Video iPod. Pitchers can view the upcoming batters while sitting in the dugout, focusing on their batting styles and weaknesses. This type of on-the-job performance support is quite cool and fascinating; it has huge implications.

3. Authors Wanted for Learning TRENDS #400: Yes, Learning TRENDS turns 400 in just a few days. I started this informal newsletter in 1997 and it has grown to a readership of over 52,000 learning colleagues. We will celebrate its 400 birthday in just a few issues. I would like to invite our readers to contribute a short (400 word) article, TREND or note on any learning topic for inclusion in our Anniversary Issue. Please send your note to emasie@masie.com Thanks!

4. Learning 2006 - Earliest Discount Until July 14th! There are now over 750 colleagues registered for our exciting event to be held on November 5 - 8 in Orlando. To catch the largest early discount for Learning 2006, please register by Friday, July 14th. Go to http://www.learning2006.com for complete information.

396 - PodCasting for Learning, Tagging, Talent Search

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 30, 2006.
#396 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
52,537 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Early Registration Now Open - www.learning2006.com.

1. PodCasting for Learning Studio.
2. Warren Buffett Decision - Tipping Point.
3. Tagging More Important.
4. Talent Search for The MASIE Center.

1. PodCasting for Learning Studio: I am so excited about the PodCasting for Learning Studio that we are building for Learning 2006. We will provide a hands-on lab environment for you to experiment with designing, producing and publishing learning content in an Audio or Video PodCasting format. These Learning Studios are included in our fee for the event.
Register now to take advantage of early discounts. Complete details at http://www.learning2006.com/blog/

2. Warren Buffett Decision - Tipping Point: The announcement this week by Warren Buffett that he was donating the bulk of his fortune to the Gates Foundation to target world issues is truly a "tipping point". This is a key example of how many of our super-wealthy entrepreneurs are focusing on the critical social needs in the world and setting out to create solutions. What a July 4th present Buffett has given our citizens and what a great example he and the Gates Family are to the younger generation.

3. Tagging More Important: Get your tagging skills ready. Increasingly, we will need to develop the habit and the process for tagging documents. Tags allow for an enterprise level of knowledge management and document sharing. I have started a personal experiment to "tag" all documents that I write with several keywords to allow for easier search access. For example, this issue of Trends has been tagged with the phrases "Trends", "PodCasting", "Tagging" and "Talent Search". Metadata and tagging will be a critical force in learning in the years ahead.

4. Talent Search for The MASIE Center: We are looking for two more people to join The MASIE Center and Learning CONSORTIUM team on a full time or contract basis. We are seeking one person to work on benchmarking and learning projects with our CONSORTIUM. In addition, I am seeking a sales and marketing person to focus on sponsorship relationships for our conferences and events. We are looking for folks with industry experience and high energy personalities. Ideally, these roles are located in Saratoga Springs, NY, but we are open to a contract relationship for some projects. Send a letter and resume to emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events and Services:
* Membership in the Learning CONSORTIUM.
* Keynote Presentations by Elliott Masie.
* Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8 - Orlando.
Info at http://www.masie.com

395 - Video Visit to CNN Pipeline, Wise Crowds - Redesigning Meetings

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 21, 2006.
#395 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
52,512 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Early Registration Now Open - www.learning2006.com.

1. Video Report on CNN Pipeline - Content Objects Model.
2. Wise Crowds - Redesigning Meetings.
3. Blog Process for Learning 2006.
4. Dorothy's Run - Report and Thanks.

1. Video Report on CNN Pipeline - Content Objects Model: Here is a short video (or audio/text) interview that I recently conducted at the CNN Pipeline Headquarters in Atlanta. CNN has developed the first video object model of publishing user-driven live and stored content in an impressive format. Porter Anderson, CNN Pipeline Producer, takes us on a tour of CNN's content studio and describes the future of content on demand. We normally reserve these interviews for our Learning CONSORTIUM, but I wanted to share this experience with a wider audience. Go to this URL to view, listen to or read the interview:

http://www.learning2006.com/university/

2. Wise Crowds - Redesigning Meetings: Yesterday, I participated and co-hosted a unique dialogue about redesigning meetings. John Abele, the Chair of Boston Scientific and a great innovator in the learning world, invited fifty fascinating thinkers to a one-day, unstructured conversation called "Wise Crowds". We dug into the nature of meetings, looking at how new processes, organizational shifts and technology could (and should) evolve the world of meetings. Here are a few morning after notes from Wise Crowds:

* Most meetings are more designed around logistics, scheduling and the needs of presenters rather than building trust, fostering creative disagreement and participant engagement.
* Tom Malone from MIT triggered some provocative conversations about the growth of models of collective intelligence and increased "freedom" at work.
* The creation of a GREAT QUESTION, which steers participants to really dig down into a topic may be more important than the delivery of the "perfect" content.
* Audience response and collaboration technology can be used to empower the participants as designers, even at the event. John asked for detailed feedback 3 times during the meeting which led to immediate process changes.
* Predictive markets could be harnessed to use participants to forecast the future of a specific process or trends.
* Examine our meeting "rituals". While nametags and coffee breaks are probably positive rituals, there are many that may actually result in suppressed audience engagement and satisfaction, such as long PowerPoint presentations.
* Leverage pre-event content and collaboration to allow participants to "stipulate" what knowledge they already possess, focusing on a more advanced and context-focused set of dialogues.

I will send TRENDS readers a more in-depth summary of the notes and collaborations from Wise Crowds. In addition, we will be expanding this conversation with a major thread on Meetings Reconsidered at Learning 2006.

3. Blog Process for Learning 2006: We have started an almost daily blog documenting the design process for Learning 2006. Check it out at http://www.learning2006.com/blog/

4. Dorothy's Run - Report and Thanks: Our horse, Dorothy's Destiny, had her maiden run at Belmont last Friday. While she came in 8th out of 12 horses, she had a great race and was healthy the next day. As she said to me, "That was one big learning experience." She also wanted to thank the over 400 TRENDS readers who wrote her notes of encouragement. She was the envy of all the horses in the stable.

Upcoming MASIE Center Events and Services:
* Membership in the Learning CONSORTIUM.
* Keynote Presentations by Elliott Masie.
* Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8 - Orlando.
Info at http://www.masie.com

394 - High Definition Learning, Ken Blanchard, Dorothy's Destiny Runs

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 15, 2006.
#394 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
52,491 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Early Registration Now Open - www.learning2006.com.

1. High Definition Learning.
2. Dorothy's Destiny Runs Maiden Race Friday.
3. Ken Blanchard - Thought Leader at Learning 2006.

1. High Definition Learning: Pay close attention to the shift toward High Definition formats for media. Our recording, editing, broadcasting and viewing/display technologies are rapidly shifting to High Definition, allowing for more picture resolution, increased viewer control, additional data/information and easier storage. The MASIE Center believes that we will see an emerging High Definition Learning world. Here are a few
predictions:

* Learner Control of Perspectives: NASCAR fans can pick from any number of camera shots during a race. Imagine a learner being able to select from dozens of perspectives and zooms while learning about a mechanical or business process.
* Searchable Content: In a few days, I will post a report we just did from CNN's Pipeline headquarters in Atlanta. Watch for highly searchable storage of deep amounts of content on corporate servers. Imagine if you could capture dozens of meetings during a project and then instantly access content snips from key milestones as part of your summary.
* Globalization: The high definition formats will provide additional opportunities for multi-language and localization elements embedded in media content.
* Video-Conferencing Arrives: There are newer models of High Def Video Conferencing that will knock your socks off, overcoming some of the challenges of video and audio quality during real time collaboration.

The MASIE Center will have a High Definition Learning demonstration at Learning 2006, providing a view of what may be possible in a richer media world, with faster and more affordable content production/collaboration.

2. Dorothy's Destiny Runs Maiden Race Friday: As you may know, Cathy and I own several thoroughbred race horses. One of them, a cute 3-year-old filly, Dorothy's Destiny, is having her first (maiden) race on Friday at Belmont. She is named after my mom and is finishing up her learning curve on the world of racing. It is intriguing to watch the learning process of a horse and reflect on performance improvement in our field. If you would like to send her a note of support, she has her own email at the stable: dorothy@masie.com She'll send a picture for an email :)

3. Ken Blanchard - Thought Leader at Learning 2006: I am delighted to announce that Ken Blanchard, one of the leading management experts, will be a Thought Leader at Learning 2006. Ken and I will have a live video dialogue about the changing world of leadership development. Ken, the author of One Minute Manager and many other books, has a unique and passionate perspective on how organizations can develop their next generation of leaders. Ken and I will discuss how the world of leadership development may be shifting. Thanks, Ken, for supporting this unique event!

Early Registration Discount Ends on July 1st: If you would like to take advantage of a several hundred dollar discount for Learning 2006, go to http://www.learning2006.com before July 1st.

Upcoming MASIE Center Events and Services:
* Membership in the Learning CONSORTIUM.
* Keynote Presentations by Elliott Masie.
* Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8 - Orlando.
Info at http://www.masie.com

393 - Wearable Content, Impact Objectives and Wage Cost of Learning

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 12, 2006.
#393 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
52,487 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Early Registration Now Open - www.learning2006.com.

Learnings From the Field:
1. Wearable Content.
2. Impact Objectives.
3. Wage Cost of Learning.
4. Raw Content.
5. Document Management for Compliance.
6. Learning 2006 Additions.

Note: I have been on a 3 month tour around the U.S., meeting with our Learning CONSORTIUM Members, including Apple, Wal-Mart, Disney, GM, CNN and more. Here are some "observations and tidbits" from the field as we have met with over 600 learning colleagues:

1. Wearable Content: Apple has created a great, low-tech tool for their sales staff in the field. Imagine a D ring that fits around your belt with a dozen of small plastic cards filled with product and process content.

2. Impact Objectives: A number of our CONSORTIUM members have started to use our model of adding Impact Objectives to every course. In addition to instructional objectives that focus on what the learner can do, the Impact Objectives target the effect on a business process or outcome. For example, the impact objective for a course on scheduling staff might be a 5% reduction in overtime. Usually, the metrics for an Impact Objective have to be gathered by the business unit, some time after the learning event, and often on a sampling basis for all learners in a given course.

3. Wage Cost of Learning: This is a measure used by Home Depot and others to place the cost of development into perspective. How much will an organization spend for all employees taking a mandated module or suggested course? When one loads up the total "Learning Wages", it often puts into perspective the costs of development, design and delivery.

4. Raw Content: As much as learners want context with their content, they sometimes just want the raw content. In some situations, learners want the original content without reformatting or style. For example, look at the field notes from a service rep, straight from their logs, rather than what's "designed" by the learning department. In fact, if you can provide the learners with access to many items of "raw content", this can give them the ability to design their own pathway to understanding.

5. Document Management for Compliance: Companies are turning to newer Document Management systems that will track electronic signatures when workers access compliance mandated content. If we can leverage more of our Document Management for pure procedure-based compliance oriented changes, it will save significant design and delivery resources.

6. Learning 2006 Additions: We are adding content on a daily basis for our Learning 2006 event to be held in Orlando, Nov 5-8th:
* Nigel Paine, Head of People Development - BBC - New Keynoter.
* CLO Fantasy Camp: Peter Jones, one of our closest colleagues, will be building a Chief Learning Officer Fantasy Camp where you can step into the shoes of a CLO and face senior CFOs and CEOs for feedback and ratings.
* Great Debates: Knock-down debates on topics like:
- Is Instructional Design Dead (or Relevant in Rapid Development)?
- Outsourcing: Good or Evil?
- ROI: Real or Imaginary Numbers?
* Studios: We are building Studio Sessions such as:
- PodCasting for Learning Studio.
- Performance Support Design Studio.
- Blended Learning Studio.
- Impact of Learning on the Business Workout Studio.
* Learning in a "Flatter World": This is our top level theme for Learning 2006. How do we create and deliver high impact learning that is shorter, faster, changing formats and global in nature?

Save hundreds of dollars by using our Early Registration discount (valid until July 1st). Hundreds of your colleagues have already registered.
Information and registration at http://www.learning2006.com

392 - LMS Executive Interviews, YouTube Correction

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 6, 2006.
#392 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
52,468 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Early Registration Now Open - www.learning2006.com.

1. Interviews with LMS Executives.
2. Ooops: YouTube Correction - Silver Eyes :)

1. Interviews with LMS Executives: We are pleased to present 18 interviews with the Senior Executives of Learning Management Systems companies. We conducted these 20 minute audio interviews with leading LMS and LCMS companies. Hear (or read) their perspectives on the changing world of Learning Systems. Audio, PodCast or Text Transcripts are now posted at http://www.learning2006.com/lms/

2. Ooops: YouTube Correction - Silver Eyes :) Last night, as I typed TRENDS from the airport on the way to Wal-Mart headquarters, my "silver"
eyes must have been out of focus. The site I mentioned as a growing example of "Me-Publishing" with thousands of short posted videos is YouTube (not yourtube). Oops! Check it out at http://www.youtube.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events and Services:
* Extreme Learning Lab & Seminar - Saratoga Springs, NY - July 24-26.
* Membership in the Learning CONSORTIUM.
* Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8 - Orlando.
Info at http://www.masie.com

391 - Working From Home, Speed of Promotions, YouTube

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 5, 2006.
#391 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
52,465 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Early Registration Now Open - www.learning2006.com.

1. Working From Home - Journalist Request.
2. YouTube: More Me-Publishing.
3. Speed of Promotion to Supervisor Increasing.
4. Early Registration Discounts for Learning 2006.

(Note: On the road to Wal-Mart University for meetings with their learning team and Arkansas ASTD).

1. Working From Home - Journalist Request: A journalist for a major national newspaper contacted me today for help on a story she is writing in the next two days. Here is her request to TRENDS readers:

"Preparing Workers to Work From Home: As more companies are embracing broad telecommuting programs to reduce costs or ensure continuation of operations in emergencies, how are you preparing workers to work from home? How are organizations managing the transition? How do you help individual workers make the change to home-based work, and what kinds of challenges arise?"

If you can talk to this very reputable columnist, can you send a note to brooke@masie.com with your name, email and phone number. Thanks!

2. YouTube - More Me-Publishing: Another example of the evolution of Me-Publishing can be found in the rapid growth of the site You Tube.
Anyone can post a short (1 to 3 minute) home made video on this public board. Most are currently from and for teenagers, with tagging and rating a key component of this site. The MASIE Center believes that these sites will increase the acceptance and demand for informal media content in a work context. Imagine if your corporate directory included 3,000 2 minute short videos form every employee describing their talents or roles. Check it out at http://www.youtube.com

3. Speed of Promotion to Supervisor Increasing: In three different conversations over the past week, the speed of promotion to front line supervisor was raised by colleagues in our Learning CONSORTIUM. They reported a push to find, develop and deploy enough first line supervisors.
In some companies, staff are being promoted to these roles at an alarming rate, often without much work experience or exposure to supervisory role models. At the same time, a larger number of newer employees are saying "No Thanks" to the offer of promotion to supervisory roles. We'll be benchmarking on these issues in the coming weeks. Would love to hear your comments - send them to emasie@masie.com

4. Early Registration Discounts for Learning 2006: You can save hundreds of dollars by taking advantage of our Early Registration rates for Learning 2006. The lowest rates are available only until July 1st.
Hundreds of your colleagues have already registered for Learning 2006, to be held in Orlando from November 5 to 8th. Go to http://www.learning2006.com for information and registration.

Upcoming MASIE Center Events and Services:
* Extreme Learning Lab & Seminar - Saratoga Springs, NY - July 24-26.
* Membership in the Learning CONSORTIUM.
* Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8 - Orlando.
Info at http://www.masie.com

390 - Stumble Browsing, Wait 9 Seconds, Global Learning

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - May 31, 2006.
#390 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
52,455 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning Futures - Dublin, Ireland - http://www.learningfutures.com

1. StumbleUpon - Peer Rated Browsing.
2. Patient Technology at the Bedside.
3. Wait Nine Seconds for Learners.
4. Global Learning Focus of Ireland Event!

1. StumbleUpon - Peer Rated Browsing: I actually stumbled upon a site called StumbleUpon and it is quite cool. This free site has created a community of folks who rate the value of websites on the web in various categories. It is a wonderful metaphor for the random browsing that we love to do in book stores or libraries, with the added value of community valuing. Not a bad model for some of our corporate LMS/LCMS front ends as well. Check it out at http://www.stumbleupon.com/

2. Patient Technology at the Bedside: My father-in-law has been in Lahey Clinic, near Boston, recovering from surgery. I was fascinated to see how far patient-focused technology has come (and is heading). In his room, he has a touchscreen monitor that swivels at his bed, providing internet access as well as TV, educational segments and connection with nurses.

There is a video camera built into the monitor that could be enabled in the near future to allow for vidcons to both family and other health providers. Great strides forward for family connection at times of illness and learning at the bedside.

3. Wait Nine Seconds for Learners: This is a simple and very powerful tip for trainers. After asking for questions from the class, silently count to nine. Only nine seconds of silence will increase the number of questions dramatically. It takes at least 2 seconds for the learners to recognize that you actually asked a question. And, a few seconds to rehearse their question and check the room for other hands. Most trainers only wait about three seconds and then announce, "Great!" That's not great. If you taught really new and good stuff, there WILL be questions. Wait nine seconds. It may seem long to you, but it is a real gift to the learners.

4. Global Learning Focus of Ireland Event! Malcolm Gladwell, the author of Blink and Tipping Point, will join me and other learning executives in Dublin, Ireland in July for a new event: Learning Futures. Together, we will explore the nature of Global Learning. How is learning different as you assist workers in various countries and cultures? We will explore the various futures of formal and informal learning. This is a small and intimate session with colleagues ready to create tomorrow's workplace learning. Dates: July 10 and 11. Information and Registration:
http://www.learningfutures.com/

Upcoming MASIE Center Events and Services:
* Learning Futures 2006 - Dublin, Ireland - July 10-11 (with Malcolm Gladwell).
* Extreme Learning Lab & Seminar - Saratoga Springs, NY - July 24-26.
* Membership in the Learning CONSORTIUM.
* Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8 - Orlando.
Info at http://www.masie.com

389 - Me Publishing Imperative; Fleet Week; Mini-Seminars Posted

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - May 26, 2006.
#389 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
52,434 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning Futures - Dublin, Ireland - http://www.learningfutures.com

1. "Me-Publishing" and Social Networking Imperatives.
2. Mini-Seminars from ASTD Conference On-Line.
3. Memorial Day and Fleet Week.

1. "Me-Publishing" Imperatives: Your employees want an opportunity to "me-publish" their profiles and perspectives at work! Let me share an interesting story from a young employee that I met on an airplane:

This young man had been recently hired by a Fortune 100 company to work in their procurement office. On his first day of work, he asked the HR person conducting orientation where he could publish his profile.
This was a perplexing question to the facilitator who responded that his profile was already in their HR system. The new employee replied: "But, where do I post my profile so that everyone else in the company can see what I am about?"

He kept his profile on Facebook and MySpace up to date and used these social networking systems every day. So, he just assumed that a big corporation would have a similar system. He wanted to be able to see who had graduated from his college, who shared some of his same interests, even who already knew the massive system he was about to learn. His model of learning and "belonging" involved a degree of "me-publishing" and social networking. He was amazed that people could work for a 50,000 person company and not be able to self-publish their profiles and experiences.

The HR orientation leader told him he should get used to the fact that big companies didn't foster that type of networking and it could be used to help recruit away some of their best talent. Actually, her response had the same effect. One week later, he resigned and went to a company that gave him the tools and permissions to keep a daily work blog and access to an internally secure social networking system. By the way, he took a 15% reduction in salary in order to be in a better topography of knowledge sharing.

Don't do this just for your NextGen employees. The age of me-publishing and social networking is upon us and will be leveraged by every generation of our workforce. We can create models that protect the company's interests while deeply fostering the power of the network and the wisdom of crowds.

2. Mini-Seminars from ASTD Conference On-Line: While at the recent ASTD Conference, I presented 11 half-hour mini-seminars on key learning issues.
We recorded and transcribed these seminars and are providing them free to Learning TRENDS Readers. The topics include: Learning in the Age of Google, LMS Basics and Myths, Learning Careers and many more. To access these PodCasts, Audio Broadcasts and Text Transcripts, go to:

http://www.learning2006.com/dallas/

3. Memorial Day Weekend and Fleet Week: In a few hours, I will be having lunch on the USS Kearsarge with Rear Admiral Garry Hall. The Kearsage http://www.kearsarge.navy.mil/ is in New York City as part of Fleet Week.
I will be reviewing the learning processes while sailors are at sea. The ability to learn any place, any time has been deeply implemented by the U.S.
Navy.

Upcoming MASIE Center Events and Services:
* Learning Futures 2006 - Dublin, Ireland - July 10-11 (with Malcolm Gladwell).
* Extreme Learning Lab & Seminar - Saratoga Springs, NY - July 24-26.
* Membership in the Learning CONSORTIUM.
* Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8 - Orlando.
Info at http://www.masie.com

388 - Special Request: Windows Vista and Learning

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - May 17, 2006.
#388 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
52,412 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8,Orlando - http://www.learning2006.com

Special Request: Preparing for Microsoft Windows Vista & Learning

Dear Learning Trends Colleagues:

As you may know, Microsoft is getting ready to release its next operating system, Windows Vista. Our Learning CONSORTIUM has organized a project called VistaLearn, exploring the learning implications of Vista.
Next week, I will be bringing a team of learning executives to Microsoft's Redmond Campus to dialogue with Microsoft leaders on key issues related
to:

- How will organizations develop the skills of IT professionals, business staff and end-users on the new features of Windows Vista and the next version of Office? What types of learning are most appropriate and least disruptive as Vista is rolled out in organizations in 2007? How can we start to prepare now?

- What features of Vista and Office can be leveraged by learning professionals to create and syndicate content more easily from the desktops and browsers of our workforce? How will these new technologies from Microsoft impact current learning systems?

- Which learning resources from Microsoft would be helpful in your Vista roll-out and education projects? What are your learning expectations and concerns about Vista and the next version of Microsoft Office?

Your questions will help our team focus our discussions with Microsoft next week. We will video these meetings and interviews and stream segments to the readers of Learning TRENDS early in June. I would like to ask for your help and guidance on this project.

Could you please send me an email with suggested topics and questions that you would like us to address in our meetings next week? Just send them to vistalearn@masie.com If you would like to be involved in future Vista Learn activities, send us your contact information to vistalearn@masie.com

Yours in learning,
Elliott Masie

Upcoming MASIE Center Events and Services:
* Extreme Learning Lab & Seminar - Saratoga Springs, NY - July 24-26.
* Learning Futures 2006 - Dublin, Ireland - July 10-11 (with Malcolm Gladwell).
* Membership in the Learning CONSORTIUM.
* Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8 - Orlando.
Info at http://www.masie.com

387 - Elliott's Birthday and Shipping Containers, Surowiecki, Dychtwald

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - May 13, 2006.
#387 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
52,376 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Nov 5 to 8 - Orlando - http://www.learning2006.com

1. Elliott's & Shipping Container's Birthdays.
2. Ken Dychtwald PodCast: The Workforce Crisis.
3. Learning 2006 Registration Opens: Early Discount.
4. James Surowiecki, The Wisdom of Crowds.

1. Elliott's & Shipping Container's Birthdays: Today is my birthday (age
56) and I share it with a very cool invention, the shipping container. Fifty years ago, the shipping container was introduced. You know, that large box that is hoisted onto ships, travels on trains and is pulled on trackers. It changed much of the world and there is a learning lesson here!

The shipping container introduced a standardized form of packaging content (goods). It accelerated the globalization of markets, allowing goods to flow with ease, automation and lower costs from every corner of the globe.

The standards of the shipping container were adopted by ships, docks and manufacturers worldwide. It changed how goods were moved, with lower labor costs and with higher tracking capability.

As I celebrate my birthday and look out the window of our New York apartment, I see stacks of shipping containers on the edge of the Hudson. I see the connection between the work that is underway in content packaging for the learning space. As we adopt XML, core learning standards and systems, it is possible for us to achieve some of the same benefits that the shipping container brought to transportation:

* Imagine the ability to easily move content from any source and rapidly integrate it.
* Imagine the increased ability to track content through versions and localization.
* Imagine the impact of the "democratization" of content: sharing the knowledge from many to many, with greater ease and greater organizational comfort in opening up the knowledge walls.

There is much that I have to be excited about on my 56th birthday and I look forward to the decades ahead of evolution in our learning field. Yet, I am even more excited to think about the birthday of the cool shipping container and what it might teach us about the true impact of learning in a "flatter" world.

2. Ken Dychtwald PodCast: The Workforce Crisis. I am pleased to present a free audio, podcast and text transcript of an interview I did recently with Ken Dychtwald, the author of the Workforce Crisis. Ken is one of the best thinkers on the impact of aging in the workplace. And, on my 56th Birthday, I have started to refer to my segment of the workforce as "Silver Workers". Go to http://www.learning2006.com/university to listen to or read this segment.

3. Learning 2006 Registration Opens: Early Discount. We are pleased to announce the opening of Early Bird Registration for Learning 2006. The themes this year include:

* Learning in a "Flatter" World!
* Challenges for NextGen and Silver Employees in our Workforce.
* Learning Systems: LMS, LCMS, Content Management and Collaboration.
* Informal Learning and Rapid Development.
* Human Capital Management: Impacts & Strategies.
* Evolving and Changing Classroom.
* Fresh Looks: Leadership Development, On-Boarding & Customer Education.
* 3 C's for 2007: Compliance, Competencies and Content Management.
* Learning Governance and Changing Roles for Learning Professionals.

Early bird discounts can save you hundreds of dollars on registration for this key industry event. Dates are November 5 to 8 in Orlando.
Information and registration at http://www.learning2006.com

4. James Surowiecki, The Wisdom of Crowds: I am pleased to announce the first of many exciting Thought Leader Keynoters at Learning 2006. James Surowiecki, the author of "The Wisdom of Crowds: Why The Many Are Smarter Than The Few and How Collective Wisdom Shapes Business," will present a provocative perspective on the changing nature of learning and collaboration at Learning 2006. Once again, early registration is available at http://www.learning2006.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events and Services:
* Extreme Learning Lab & Seminar - Saratoga Springs, NY - July 24-26.
* Learning Futures 2006 - Dublin, Ireland - July 10-11 (with Malcolm Gladwell).
* Membership in Learning CONSORTIUM.
* Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8 - Orlando.
Info at http://www.masie.com

Invitation: Learning in a Flatter World Free Webinar

TO: Learning & Training Colleagues.
FROM: Elliott Masie, The MASIE Center's Learning CONSORTIUM.

RE: Learning in a "Flatter" World: Free Webinar

You and your colleagues are invited to a free, one hour webinar presentation that I will be presenting on the changing field of learning and training:

Learning in a "Flatter" World.
Presented by Elliott Masie.
Tuesday, May 9th - 12 Noon - 1 PM (Eastern Time).
http://www.masie.com/flatter/

We will take an in-depth look at how learning is evolving. Here are just a few of the topics to be addressed in this interactive session:

* Content: Faster, Wider and More Informal.
* Fingertip Knowledge.
* Changes in the Classroom: New Models Emerge.
* Context and "The Wisdom of the Crowds".
* New Roles for Learning Systems.
* Competencies and Compliance.

You will be provided with a toll-free telephone number and web access to Microsoft Office Live Meeting for this practical and interactive one hour session. Free Registration:

http://www.masie.com/flatter/

Join me and hundreds of your colleagues from around the world on Tuesday, May 9th, as we look at Learning in a "Flatter" World. Feel free to circulate this note to other learning colleagues.

Yours in learning,
Elliott Masie.

MASIE Center Events & Services:
* Learning Futures 2006 - Dublin, Ireland (with Malcolm Gladwell) - July 10-11.
* Extreme Learning LAB & Seminar - Saratoga Springs - July 24-26.
* Learning 2006 - Orlando - November 5 - 8.
* Membership in the Learning CONSORTIUM.
Information & Registration: http://www.masie.com