302 - Design Once for Multiple Uses of Learning Content; Battle Learning Lessons from Iraq

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Feb 6, 2005
#302 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology
50,028 Readers - www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2005: Oct 30 - Nov 2 - Orlando, Florida

1. Design Once for Multiple Uses of Learning Content
2. Battle Learning Lessons from Iraq
3. Learning 2005 Updates: Neighborhoods & Design

1. Design Once for Multiple Uses of Learning Content: Several members of our e-Learning CONSORTIUM have shifted their learning design process significantly recently. We are noticing a "design once - use many" approach for the creation and deployment of on-line learning assets.

Here is an example of this from HP. Content that is created for use as step by step on-line learning is then re-formatted to allow techs and other users to access the same "modules" as just-in-time performance support. We are seeing a trend of deploying the same content first as a course format, with objectives, learning pathways and remediation/branches. Then, the content is reformatted, stripping out the "instructional" language and activities, to provide the workforce or customer with on-line performance resources.

Some authoring models are evolving that allow for the content to be deployed in both modes at the same time through multiple outputs from an authoring system or via a learner preference choice of how they want to access the material.

2. Battle Learning Lessons from Iraq: A few Learning TRENDS readers sent us a recent article about shifting styles of learning amongst U.S. officers deployed in Iraq. It includes details of how the internet has spawned a number of unofficial on-line communities of learning that have become quite active. It is fascinating reading: http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/?050117fa_fact

3. Learning 2005 Updates: Hundreds of colleagues have emailed me since our pre-announcement about our new event, Learning 2005, which will be held in Orlando from Oct 30 - Nov 2. We will have the formal announcement in a 2 weeks, but here are a few early details about content at Learning 2005:

- A Fresh Look at Orientation, On-Boarding & Executive Development: It is time to rethink our models for how we add new employees (or contractors) and what exective, leadership and high-potential development is really all about. What is the right mix of e-Learning, classroom and on-the-job learning/coaching. Learning 2005 will engage you in re-designing prototypes for these key elements.

- Health-Med*Learn: This "neighborhood" will look at how medical/health professionals learn and re-learn their content and roles. It will also tackle the issue of how consumers need to learn health /medical information. We will tackle evolving models of simluation and content feeds.

- Manufacturing & Learning: Working with the National Association of Manufacturing, we will be building a "neighborhood" to explore how learning is different in a manufacturing or shop floor setting.

- xLearn LAB: We are building a non-commercial environment called the x-Learn LAB, to provide hands-on experiences with gaming, simulation, e-Learning, collaboration and other forms of cutting edge models. The "x" in xLearn stands for extreme approaches to Learning!

- Salesforce Learning: How we we train the salesforce? What are new models for continuous salesforce learning?

- The New Classroom: Time to take a fresh and radical look at refreshing and evolving the physcial and methodological elements of the classroom.

- Profiles in Learning: I am proud to announce that Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, the former Lt. Governor of Maryland, will be leading a process of looking at how key leaders learn. We will profile, interview and meet with some of key world leaders as we build a Learning equivalent of "Profiles in Courage".

- Mili*Learn: There will be a significant "neighborhood" focused on the role of learning in the military, law enforcement and intelligence world.

- Learning Studio 2005: Learning designers, producers and architects will gather in our Learning Studio 2005 to share and execute real time examples of learning design and content creation. This will be a cool place for both participation, creation and feedback. It will include the Iron Chef competition for Learning Designers.

- Learning Decisions: The creation and implemention of Learning Decisions & Strategies for organizations will be the focus of this neighborhood at Learning 2005. CEO's, CFO's and others executives will give us a frank executive perspective.

These are just a few of the strands of Learning 2005. I bet you can tell how excited I am about the creation of this new event. If you would like to have an early announcement about the event or to join our Design Squad, just send me an email to emasie@masie.com or go to www.learning2005.com Meanwhile, save the dates and tell your team members!

301 - Learning TRENDS - Our New Name & More LMS Consolidation Coming

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Feb 1, 2005
#301 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology
50,014 Readers - www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2005: Oct 30 - Nov 2 - Orlando, Florida

1. Learning TRENDS - Our New Name
2 More LMS Consolidation Coming

1. Learning TRENDS - Our New Name: As we reach 50,014 readers of this informal newsletter, I have evolved the name to Learning TRENDS!. This reflects the evolution of both the field and The MASIE Center. We are focusing on the broader topics of Learning rather than just "e-Learning".

In addition, the renaming of TRENDS also maps to our new global conference, Learning 2005, which we will formally announce in the next two weeks. Save the dates of October 30 - November 2 in Orlando, Florida, USA. Reply to this note or send an email to emasie@masie.com if you want an early note about Elliott Masie's Learning 2005!

2. More LMS Consolidation Coming: There are a number of mergers and changes around the corner in the Learning Management Systems arena. Deep discussions are underway that may lead to the sale or merger of at least five of the current LMS companies. This is a sign of on-going consolidation in this marketplace. It also parallels some major changes that have been triggered by the increased role of large technology companies and ERP companies in the learning space.

For example, a ripple in the industry was caused by Oracle's purchase of PeopleSoft. Watch for announcements in the coming six weeks of some of these managers. Buyers should increase their due diligence about the "what if's" of possible mergers and also build in contractual language that would protect their options (eg. ownership of legacy code or exit abilities).

3. Upcoming Seminars by Elliott Masie: We have a few seats available in some of our upcoming events:

- Rapid e-Learning Development: Chicago - Feb 16-17
- e-Learning Briefing: Minneapolis - Feb 14
- e-Learning ASIA - Hong Kong - March 16-17

Info and registration at www.masie.com

300 - Best Place to Work Winner: Wegmans; Report from CES - Smaller, Faster, Cheaper, Brighter & Mobile

TRENDS by Elliott Masie - January 12, 2005 #300 - Updates on Learning & Technology
49,974 Readers - The MASIE Center - www.masie.com

1. Best Place to Work Winner: Wegmans
2. Report from CES - Smaller, Faster, Cheaper, Brighter & Mobile
3. e-Learning ASIA Announced

Dear TRENDS Readers,

As I started to write today's TRENDS, I noticed that this was the 300th issue. I started TRENDS in 1997 as an simple way of sharing some observations about learning and technology with the attendees of one of our events.. Over the years, it has been an intriguing and simple way of keeping in touch with a wider and wider range of colleagues around the world. It comes out without a regular schedule, does not use any HTML or pictures, you cannot buy an ad or rent the mailing list and it even has a few spelling errors at times (from late night writing). I see that we have 49,974 listed readers as of today. I look forward to interacting with you (via email, a drink gathering on our travels or an unexpected hello from a TRENDS reader in an airport). Thank you for reading occasionally and may 2005 be a very interesting year for Learning.

Elliott

1. Best Place to Work Winner - Wegmans: Let me extend our congratulations to Wegmans, one of The MASIE Center's e-Learning CONSORTIUM members, on their designation as Fortune Magazine's Best Play to Work! I have been an admiring of the Wegman's food chain for years and have gotten to know their training and learning leaders. They are impressive. Here is a quote about employee satisfaction from senior Robert Wegman, the 86 year old company chairman, who led the company to $3.5 billion in sales last year:

"I've been aiming for that for 54 years and it's taken a long while to hit the target but I've finally got there," he said. "It's hard for me to walk through a store without customers stopping me and saying, `Mr. Wegman, you've got a great store but, wow, are your people something else.'"

At Wegmans' 67 stores in four states, 32,800 workers are paid hourly wages at the high end of the market and offered a $3 per week health insurance premium. That's resulted in a 6 percent annual turnover rate among full-time employees, compared with a 19 percent rate among competitors. Learning is a key value at Wegmans. Way to go!

2. Report from CES - Smaller, Faster, Cheaper, Brighter & Mobile: As promised last week, we had several scouts at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Their reports where quite different, looking at diverse aspects of the gadgets, technology, trends and marketplace. Here are a few summary comments and then some perspectives on things to keep an eye on in 2005 and 2006.

*The emphasis was on smaller, faster, brighter, more mobile and cheaper. There were not any really revolutionary new technologies. However, the batteries were WAY LONGER LASTING, the chips were faster, the devices were smaller, the screens were brighter and there was a clear movement towards more standards and globalization.

*The continued emergence of the DEVICE as the key technology rather than software or even traditional hardware was evident. We were surprised that there still was not a lot of focus on Workplace Electronics. But, there was a lot of emphasis on the home office.

Here are a few of the applications to learning and the workforce that I can make from the CES announcements and scouting reports:

How Portable Media Players Can Include Learning Video Content: Microsoft and others rolled out new portable media players, which take the IPOD concept and extend it to high quality video. We can imagine a way in which an employee can receive a download of learning and training content to their portable media players that they can take on the road and can re-direct the playback to any display device, including a hotel TV. Watch for meta-data on media usage to be developed and leveraged that would provide tracking feedback to a LMS like device.

* The Growth of SMS Text Messages Capacity for Learning: Outside of the U.S., SMS is a highly and widely used feature of mobile phones. People can use their phones as network devices to be notified of restaurant reservations, pharmaceutical reminders, just in time content notifications and other elements. Watch for SMS to extend to a wider set of self-service transactions for workers and consumers. Hopefully, the U.S.will catch up.

* Collaboration Technology - Video Conferencing & IP Video: We are about to see expanded use of VOIP, Voice over the Internet, as a real competitor to home and office based telephony. For example, all international calls from The MASIE Center are now made on Vonage. Watch for the extension to device based video and video collaboration. We are talking quality way above current webcams. On-going video over IP will be rolling out in 2005 and 2006 and will push the collaboration.

* Visual Search Capabilities - Next Generation: Watch for Google, Yahoo and Microsoft to roll out new search capabilities that are visual in nature. Search your hard disk for all pictures and have the program organize all the pictures that have your dog in the frame. Search the internet for a person who is in this picture. Display search results in a much more visual and dynamic nature than current search engines.

* Gaming Evolution and Convergence: CES was loaded with ever increasing mobile and more dynamic gaming functionality. We will report on this in a larger edition focused on The MASIE Center’s new xLearn Lab, which will be tracking gaming, simulation and other forms of EXTREME learning.

3. e-Learning ASIA Announced: The MASIE Center is pleased to announce our first e-Learning even in the Asia region:

e-Learning ASIA (Co-Sponsored by Cathay Pacific) March 16 and 17, 2005 Hong Kong

Information and registration at http://www.masie.com

299 - Preview of CES - The World of Gadgets & Redesigning Conferences - Your Creativity Sought

TRENDS by Elliott Masie - January 6, 2005
#299 - Updates on Learning & Technology
49,934 Readers - The MASIE Center - www.masie.com

1. Preview of CES - The World of Gadgets
2. Redesigning Conferences - Your Creativity Sought

1. Preview of CES - The World of Gadgets: A number of TRENDS readers are attending this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and I will feed their impressions about how the world of Gadgets & Technology may impact Learning in the workplace. Here are a few of the "Trends" that they will be tracking in the coming days:

* How Portable Media Players Can Include Learning Video Content
* The Growth of SMS Text Messages Capacity for Learning
* Collaboration Technology: Video Conferencing & IP Video
* Visual Search Capabilities - Next Generation
* Gaming Evolution and Convergence

We will send you an update tomorrow with comments and perspectives from Las Vegas.

2. Redesigning Conferences - Creativity Sought: As many of you know, The MASIE Center is starting a new international conference focused on learning and training this Fall. Over the past twenty years, I have started several events and am VERY excited about the new one that we will be launching in 2005. And, I would love your help!

We believe that the form factor of conferences has become "tired". Many events feel more like Junior High School, with a couple of "assembly programs" followed by a flurry of classes, with low interaction and the absence of a clear instructional design. And, in many events the commercial elements overwhelm the learning opportunities. We want to Radically RChange the model for conferences. Can you help with some thinking.

Send me an email to emasie@masie.com with your thoughts about:

* If you could dramatically redesign the event format, what would you suggest?
* What is the BEST aspect of being part of an international conference with fellow learning and training colleagues?
* Which elements of most conference models do you dislike and/or think are not very effective for participants?

We will be using a very public Instructional Design process for our new event and we invite you to be a designer with us. Once again, send me an email to emasie@masie.com

Yours in learning,
Elliott Masie

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
* Rapid e-Learning Development - Chicago or London
* e-Learning Briefing - Minneapolis
Info at: http://www.masie.com

298 - A Moment to Pause: Tsunami Disaster

TO: TRENDS Readers
FROM: Elliott Masie, The MASIE Center
DATE: 30 December 2004

The recent Earthquake and Tsunami disasters in Southern Asia weigh heavily on our minds and hearts as we enter the New Year.

The e-Learning CONSORTIUM is making a $5,000 donation to Save The Children's Asia Earthquake & Tsunami Relief Fund. Save the Children, a member of our CONSORTIUM, is doing important emergency refief work in the region, along with many other NGO organizations.

If you or your organization are interested in this project, please see this link:

http://www.savethechildren.org

Times of international tragedy like these are moments to pause and be grateful for all that we have and the blessings of life.

Warm New Year's Regards to You:

Elliott and the staff of The MASIE Center

297 - Antarctica Expedition & Millennium Workers: Readers Responses

TO: TRENDS Readers
FROM: Elliott Masie, The MASIE Center
DATE: December 16, 2004
LOCATION: Aboard Explorer II Expedition to Antarctica

1. Antarctica Expedition
2. Millennium Workers: Readers Responses
3. Upcoming MASIE Center Events

Dear Readers:

1) This latest edition of TRENDS is coming to you from aboard the Explorer II Ice Breaker vessel that I am on during a 2 week Expedition to Antarctica. We are deep into the Antarctica region with 100 other participants and a dozen scientists and academics. This is part of a one month "working sabbatical" that my wife and I are taking that has seen us in South Africa, South America and now in Antarctica. If you would like to follow along with this journey, you can visit our personal BLOG at: http://www.elliottmasie.com

There are several powerful learnings that I am taking away from these journeys about the role of curiosity as a driver for effective learning. So much of what we focus on as training professionals is aimed at content structuring. Yet, when the curiosity muscle is activated, learning will happen at such a higher rate and intensity. Both our safari experience in Africa and now this Antarctica expedition have been filled with "guide trainers" who have helped us master an enormous amount of new knowledge without a traditional lesson plan.

2. Millennium Workers - TRENDS Readers Reactions: A few weeks ago I included a story from a colleague who is an HR executive. They had been contacted by a parent who wanted to dispute a 4 out 5 performance evaluation given to their early 20's daughter. Well, you clearly reacted to this. Here is a summary of those reactions at:

http://www.masie.com/millennium

3. Upcoming MASIE Center Events: We have a number of small seminars and briefings scheduled for the early part of 2005:

e-Learning Skills Lab: Saratoga �" January 10 �" 12, 2005
Rapid Learning Development: Chicago �" February 16 �" 17, 2005
Rapid Learning Development: London �" March 1 �" 2, 2005
e-Learning Briefing: Minneapolis �" February 14, 2005

For information and registration go to: http://www.masie.com

Best wishes from Antarctica,
Elliott Masie

296 - The Millenium Worker: "It Had to Happen!" & e-Learning Shopping

TRENDS by Elliott Masie - November 24, 2004
#296 - Updates on Learning, e-Learning & Training
48,905 Readers - The MASIE Center - www.masie.com

1. The Millenium Worker: "It Had to Happen!"
2. e-Learning Shopping

1. The Millenium Worker - "It Had to Happen!" Millenium Generation defines those people born from 1979 to 2001. Colleges and marketers are tracking the changing attitudes and behavioral patterns of this group. They are more high-tech, have more continual communication with their parents and are often seen as the "everyone gets a trophy" generation.

Well, I recently was told a story that made me smile and think. A Vice President for HR at one of our e-Learning CONSORTIUM companies told me that she received a telephone call from a parent of one of their recent employees. The parent wanted to talk to her about why her daughter had received a 4 rather than a 5 on a performance review. "My daughter has great potential, is smart and sometimes shy. It is key that your staff give her the encouragement and support to succeed." The parent went on to explain that she had to speak with many of her daughter's college professors to get them to rethink their grading decisions.

My colleague was stunned and didn't really have any experience with such a call. Keep in mind that the daughter had received the next to highest evaluation. But, the parent wanted her daughter to "not be discouraged by coming out below the top."

It is interesting to think about some of the changing expectations and behaviors that this new generation of workers may be bringing to your organization. I am interested in hearing your reactions and experiences. Send me a note to emasie@masie.com

2. e-Learning Shopping - Better Term Than Procurement: As we head into 2005, let's consider the term "procurement". One of my good colleagues, Sonya Mau, Manager of Corporate e-Learning at COUNTRY Insurance reminds me that should think about how we describe and approach the buying of e-Learning services and products. There is way too much concentration on the formal and often overly structured process of "procurement". You would not do a procurement for a car. Instead, you would go shopping.

"e-Learning Shopping" makes it seem much more manageable and fair to stakeholders. Let's shift away from "off the shelf" RFP's that don't reveal real differences between products. Shopping gets our negotiation muscles going and may yield much smarter decisions. So, thanks Sonya, and watch this space for e-Learning Shopping perspectives.

Happy Thanksgiving Tomorrow - A Special Day in the United States.

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
* e-Learning Skills Lab - Saratoga Springs, NY
* Rapid Learning Development - London or Chicago
* e-Learning Briefing - Minneapolis
See http://www.masie.com for information and registration

295 - Learning Decisions: MASIE Center Themes for 2005

TRENDS by Elliott Masie - November 22, 2004
#295 - Updates on Learning, e-Learning & Training
48,875 Readers - The MASIE Center - www.masie.com

1. Learning Decisions: MASIE Center Themes for 2005
2. Elliott's Sabattical Tour & Colleague Meetings
3. Upcoming Events

1. Learning Decisions: MASIE Center Theme for 2005: I just returned from my final TechLearn Conference, where I delivered the keynote address focued on Learning Decisions. The MASIE Center believes that organizations will face significant Learning Decisions in the coming years. We will need to make Learning Decisions about Technology, Methodology, Strategy, Governance and Learner Engagement. These Learning Decisions will not just be in the field of e-Learning but in the larger world of Learning and Performance.

The MASIE Center is organizing our work in 2005 around the theme of
Learning Decisions. We will be publishing, convening and thinking with you about what are the key Learning Decisions and how the field can do Collaborative Benchmarking to make the wisest and most business targeted choices.

In early 2005 we will announce a new series of projects and activities that will focus on specific Learning Decisions and take an "out-of-the-box" look at more Extreme Learning models for workforce and customer education.

The MASIE Center's e-Learning CONSORTIUM is looking for another dozen corporate members who would like to Benchmark with us on these Learning Decisions. If you are interested, please go to www.masie.com and request information on the CONSORTIUM.

2. Elliott's Sabbatical Tour & Colleague Meetings: To get ready for a very exciting and busy 2005, my wife and I are taking a one month working sabbatical to South Africa, South America and Antarctica. We will be doing play, writing and colleague networking as we travel. If you would like to meet us for a drink and conversation about Learning at one of these cities:

* Capetown, South Africa - Monday, Nov 29th: 4-6 PM
* Johannesburg, South Africa - Wednesday, Dec 1st: 4-6 PM
* Sao Paulo, Brazil - Thursday, Dec 9th - 5-7 PM
* Santiago, Chile - Saturday, Dec 11th - Dinner at 6 PM

please send a message to emasie@masie.com and I will send you the address!

If you would like to follow our blogging of this one month sabattical, check out my personal blog at http://www.elliottmasie.com

3. Upcoming Events: We are pleased to announce a series of new seminars and labs that we will be presenting in early 2005:

* e-Learning Skills LAB: Saratoga Springs
* Rapid Learning Development Seminar & Roundtable: Chicago and London
* e-Learning Briefing: Minneapolis, MN

Information and registration is available at http://www.masie.com

294 - New MASIE Seminars and Labs

TO: TRENDS Readers
FROM: Elliott Masie, The MASIE Center
RE: Upcoming Gatherings and Events

1. New MASIE Seminars and Labs
2. International Gatherings: Hong Kong, South Africa, Chile & Brazil

1. You are cordially invited to participate in one of our Seminars or LABS in the next few months:

* e-Learning Skills LAB - Saratoga Springs, NY - January 2005
* Rapid e-Learning Development Seminar/Roundtable - Chicago February 2005
* e-Learning Briefing - Minneapolis, MN - February 2005
* Rapid e-Learning Development Seminar/Roundtable - London March 2005

Information and registration at http://www.masie.com

2. International Gatherings: I will be visiting Capetown, South Africa; Santiago, Chile; and San Paulo, Brazil during in December. We would love to meet with our learning colleagues in those cities for a drink and informal discussion on learning.

In addition, in a few days we will be announcing a new event:

e-Learning Update: ASIA

to be held in Hong Kong, in conjunction with Cathay Pacific in January. If you would like more information about any of these gatherings, please send me a note to emasie@masie.com

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie

293 - Cellphone Based Novels & Graphic Novels; Pathlore Buys DKSystems: LMS Consolidation Continues; What I Learned From My Horse About Training

TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Sept 14, 2004
#293 - Updates on Learning, e-Learning & Training
48,095 Readers - The MASIE Center - www.masie.com
Free: 701 e-Learning Tips www.masie.com/701tips/


1. Cellphone Based Novels: Watch This Trend
2. Graphic Novels: Another Trend from Asia to Watch
3. Pathlore Buys DKSystems: LMS Consolidation Continues
4. What I Learned From My Horse About Training

1. Cellphone Based Novels - Watch This Trend: An interesting new trend has emerged in Shaghai, China. Qian Fuzhang has just published a 4,200 character serial novel that is purchased by readers and delivered to the text messaging function of their cell phones. Readers pay a few cents per episode. Tens of thousands of readers have signed up for this at www.hurray.com.cn

"The storytelling is totally different from the traditional novel, because the technology only allows 70 words per message." said the author. "But, Poems in the Song Dynasty had very few words, but they were very deep."

Imagine using this model with New Hire Orientation and other serial knowledge streams that could be leveraged via cellphones and other mobile technology. Hmmm.

2. Graphic Novels - Another Trend From Asia to Watch: Check out the rising popularity of the Graphic Novel amongst the 12 to 22 age set. I was in a Borders in Nevada and stumbled on a huge section of the bookstore selling these 80 to 200 page softcover novels done in graphic art (comic style) illustration.

It is one of the fastest growing segments of the publishing business.
Learn a bit about it by searching on "Graphic Novels" or check out this one fan site http://www.koyagi.com/

Your next generation of employees will be familiar with this genre. It is interesting to note how it might influence our model for content publishing. I am awaiting a retail organization that will utilize this form for employee training manuals.

3. Pathlore Buys DKSystems: LMS Consolidation Continues: Pathlore Software Corporation today announced that it has acquired DKSystems. This is another merger of two e-Learning and LMS providers in our ever changing field. Information on this announcement can be found at http://www.pathlore.com

4. What I Learned From My Horse About Training: As some of our readers might know, my wife and I have become owners of Thoroughbred Race Horses.
This week was a very good one for us. One of our favorite horses, Matzoh Toga won a big race in Saratoga Springs. And, we had the thrill of one of our grass fillies, Lucifer's Stone, winning a Grade 1 Stakes Race at Belmont. Wow! So, what does horse racing have to do with learning and training?

Actually, I have learned a great deal about learning by watching how our trainer works with her horses. Here are a few snipnets of my learnings:

- Horses are trained a few minutes EVERY day. You don't send a horse to a training class. Instead, each morning they get a training period. Small chucks done often.
- Horses like ritual and repeating cycles. The trainer spends a lot of time to build up a model for the horse of what each learning episode is all about. And, rituals are key.
- Horses sometimes work in company. The trainer will send out several horses to train at the same time, with the understanding they feed off of each other and need to learn a skill in context.
- Sometimes the horse wakes up and does not want to be a racehorse that day!
- Horse trainers develop a wide set of indicators that are pretty good predictors of performance difficulty. For example, eating patterns or stirring in the barn.
- Horses don't perform well right after travel.

Now, I am not saying that each of these is parallel with humans. But, I have learned or relearned a lot more about training from the world of horses than I ever would have imagined. Stay tuned.

Upcoming MASIE Center Events & Programs:
- e-Learning Skills LAB - Saratoga Springs
- Learning Systems Seminar & Roundtable - London, UK
- Membership in MASIE Center e-Learning CONSORTIUM Info and registration at: http://www.masie.com/

292 - Rapid Content Development Shifts Focus to Learners & Electric Low Speed Vehicle Observations

TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Sept 1, 2004
#292 - Updates on Learning, e-Learning & Training
48,014 Readers - The MASIE Center - www.masie.com
Free: 701 e-Learning Tips www.masie.com/701tips/

1. Rapid Content Development Shifts Focus to Learners
2. Electric Low Speed Vehicle Observations
3. TechLearn Registration Open

1. Rapid Content Development Shifts Focus to Learners: As we explore additional ways of speeding up the development of learning (both for e-Learning and Classroom Training) there is a noticeable increase in Learner Control. Rapid Content Development will push organizations to
question whether ALL content has to be structured and authored for "Learning".

In many Rapid Learning Content Development programs, we are seeing that the learner is assumed to have increased control over Scope, Sequence and Processing of the Material. There might still be key assessment and processing activities provided to the learner, but much more control is shifting towards the learner, with the accountability being placed on Work Task rather than Learning Activities.

(There are still several spaces available in next week's Rapid e-Learning Development Roundtable and Seminar that I will be conducting in Las Vegas. Check out www.masie.com for information.)

2. Electric Low Speed Vehicle Observations: I have been seen driving around Saratoga Springs in the new GEM Car, an all-electric golf-cart type vehicle that is souped up to allow it to go on most public roads.

Here is a photo: http://www.masie.com/trends/gem.jpg

We purchased this at a Charity Auction this summer and have been experimenting with using this as our primary vehicle around Saratoga Springs. It goes up to 26 miles per hour. Has lights, blinkers, mirrors, seat belts and other features to allow it to be licensed and registered. We can drive it on any roads that are under 36 miles per hour.

Learned that electric vehicles can really work in the urban settings. I have not visited a fuel pump in five weeks, have instead been plugging it into the outside electrical outlet at The MASIE Center for pennies a day.

There will be more and more evolution on the form factor for these vehicles, but we are very impressed with this GEM car. Info is available at: http://www.gemcar.com/

3. Advanstar's TechLearn 2004 Conference: Advanstar, the owner of TechLearn has opened their website with information and registration for this event. This year, I will be presenting a keynote speech at TechLearn and will be facilitating a panel of CLO's. In addition, the MASIE Center's e-Learning CONSORTIUM will be having their annual meeting at this event, to be held in New York City in November. Details and registrations can be found at Advanstar's site: http://www.techlearn.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
- Rapid e-Learning Development Roundtable and Seminar
- e-Learning Skills LAB
- Learning Systems Seminar - London
Details are available at: http://www.masie.com

291 - Your Reactions to "Trainers as Designers"

** TRENDS by Elliott Masie - August 20, 2004 **
#291 - Updates on Learning, e-Learning & Training
48,004 Readers - The MASIE Center - www.masie.com
Free: 701 e-Learning Tips www.masie.com/701tips/

Your Reactions to "Trainers as Designers"

We have received over a 100 passionate responses to our recent question about the UPS and DOWNS of deploying Classroom Trainers in the e-Learning Designer Role. As you might expect, extreme positives and negatives with a large dose of "depends on the situation and person". But, reading these comments was incredibly interesting for us. We are feeding them back to you in two formats:

Here is a detailed listing of a large number of comments from TRENDS
readers:

http://www.masie.com/trainerdesigner/

And, here is a summary of the comments compiled by a member of our staff:

Are Trainers The Right e-Learning Designers?
Edited by Vicki Cerda, The MASIE Center, August 18, 2004

A significant number of full-time classroom trainers are being asked to take on e-Learning development or design functions. Are trainers the right e-Learning designers? That was the question posed to close to 48,000 TRENDS readers recently. We received a healthy dose of nearly 100 responses and comments. A summary of key points, as well as perspectives from all sides of the proposal follows.

Trainers typically bring deep subject matter expertise and/or a crisp sense of the learning from the learner's perspective. However, sometimes the match between classroom training competencies and instructional design competencies is not there. Being content and delivery experts does not necessarily translate to being able to design, assess and develop online material successfully. While the skills may not be interchangeable and are instead complementary, what was clear from the comments received is that there is a steep learning curve for anyone involved in instructional design in any medium, but even more so in the online world.

Distinct skill sets are at play here �" apples and oranges if you will.
Specifically there are skills required for: 1) classroom instruction, 2) instructional design for classroom instruction, 3) e-Learning instruction and facilitation, 4) instructional design for e-Learning, and 5) e-Learning development. Numerous readers said the latter was in a category all to itself (much more technical, involves programming skills, higher level of competency required …) and not to be “lumped” with the other four, as different and important as these might also be.

Here are some selected quotes and ideas from readers that thought the transition from trainer to e-Designer could be a positive one:

* “I find that when I work with the really good trainers who are in tune with the field, they can give the best insight into design and developing for any type of training.”

* “Trainers do have a better understanding of the content, and can use much the same knowledge needed to create a logical flow of subject matter topics in the classroom in the design of e-Learning. Trainers who develop e-Learning can make rapid changes to keep it current, exactly the way a trainer in the classroom can respond to new information received from senior management or today's headlines. The two major hurdles I see are budget and inflated expectations … When that's recognized, trainers become an ideal choice to design e-Learning.”

* “A designer/developer cannot develop material that works for delegates/learners unless they have presentation experience, so training or presenting is an important part of the development of a competent materials designer.”

* “I have found that my trainers who are forward thinking and anxious to learn new skills and take on new projects have made excellent e-Learning developers and designers … the key is working with trainers who one, have some design capabilities and two, more importantly, have the willingness and ability to adapt to new learning technologies.”

* “… these people often infuse our group with energy, they tend to be great facilitators which is very important with clients and working with Subject Matter Experts, and they do possess that instinctive/learned gut feel of 'what works' with adult learners vs. what is an absurd thing to ask people to do (you learn that pretty fast as a trainer when you are met with either smiles or grimaces as you explain an activity). But you also need to make a commitment to train and mentor people with the classroom background. And it is an ongoing process at least for a few months.”

Next, quotes and ideas from readers that thought the transition would most likely not work out:

* “The idea of trainers developing curriculum is not so different than people who take a short course in web design and then hang their shingle out for hire.”

* “Trainers do not by definition make the best designers. Neither do classroom teachers. (There is research on the latter). Why? Purpose and procedures are generally context specific to a given setting or audience profile. Profiles change but design backgrounds don't adjust when training requires problem solving, rather than a drill of procedure. Do I need to extrapolate?”

* “It has been my experience that trainers often times lack the detachment necessary to design and develop e-Learning material. Most trainers who have been at it for a time cultivate a strong attachment to subject matter, sources and format that can evolve into an advocacy role wrapped in the comfort of familiarity. Developers, on the other hand, can be positioned to be the iconoclasts of the organization -- constantly questioning; challenging; weighing method against objective, learner-need and technology capabilities. I value my e-Learning designers and developers as change agents and I'm not sure that such a role could be reasonably expected from the general trainer population.“

* “It is a great challenge for most individual instructors, to expand subject matter expertise for a new course while also learning delivery & support techniques required for new delivery media. Asking them to also design the new courseware is a recipe for failure, even if they fully grasp the vision of the new design. We do, however, continue to use instructors for much of the actual development effort, providing detailed information and steering practice and evaluation activities. This lets the instructors keep a degree of personal ownership in the new course, reduces development time and improves initial success.“

* “I just got done dealing with this situation. The most significant problem that we had was the trainers wanted to recreate their stand up training on the web. They did not understand the value of presenting the learning in the right combination of onscreen text, audio, animation, and video …They were also the subject matter specialists and could not translate that knowledge into learning. In stand up training, they were always able to answer the student’s questions … Finally, the trainers viewed the online courses as a replacement for their jobs. They tended to make the training more complex than it had to be.”
Lastly, some readers who thought that “it depends” and/or had other ideas:

* “A person with good instructional design background and a focus on the learner can make the switch relatively easily. The most difficult transition is applying accelerated learning principles to online learning.
The person who focuses on information transfer (lecture) as opposed to the accelerated learning in the classroom often creates books on line books versus interactive online training. A person who is weak in ISD but excellent with PowerPoint effects tends to get caught up in the glitz of online vs. interactive online training.”

* “It's generally easier to make an instructional designer out of a content expert, everything else equal, than it is to make a content expert out of an instructional designer.”

* “… someone capable of delivering fantastic classroom instruction cannot always make the transition to creating well-designed e-Learning interventions. Being a multimedia designer/developer does not mean you know how to manage, direct, design and teach for the classroom, either.
Not everyone will be interested in both areas ... “

* “What about the new crop of e-Learning instructional designers (well educated Masters Degree folks) with NO standup experience to draw from?
Having interviewed a lot of designers recently, I saw a lack of real world understanding of the learning process.”

* “I think the future is in our youth. The 25-30 year old bracket is our first group of individuals who grew up using the Internet and really have a firm hold on it.”

* “ … trainers who can separate the content from the delivery will likely excel at e-Learning. Individuals who cannot make that theoretical leap will likely struggle.”

So, are trainers the right e-Learning designers (or are bricklayers the right building designers as one reader put it)? Well, it depends. In all cases, this question also needs to consider quality and purpose: “Is the training instructionally sound?” and “Does it meet the learning objectives of the business and the individual?” Design should not be relegated to trainers just because they are available. Successfully designing and delivering e-Learning (and of course developing it) involves very different skills sets and in the end, the right talent needs to fill the right role. But if we are to be considered professionals, then it is our responsibility to also be skilled in as many fields as possible so that we can make our teams and organizations that much more knowledgeable and stronger. It is also a matter of educating the decision makers in our organization that an instructional designer, especially in the case of e-Learning, is not just a subject matter expert putting his/her thoughts into PowerPoint.

What other things also seem to work best? Partnering up trainers and designers, being e-Learners ourselves so we can envision which tools work best for the learning objectives, thoroughly understanding how online learners engage differently than in classrooms. And aside from the mandatory instructional design competency, any person or organization looking to make the transition from “presentation” to “design” also needs to consider an individual’s creativity, ability to see the ‘big picture”, motivation to learn, propensity to maintain current with technical skills and ensure they have the requisite training and support available for its personnel.

I’d like to close by further adapting a metaphor sent by a TRENDS reader.
Compare it to being a musician. Some people can bang out a melody, very poorly on the piano, but produce something. Others can play concertos.
Also, there are good trainers and there are poor trainers. And there are good designers and bad designers. But it is our job as learning professionals to be the best at what we are now … and begin to prepare ourselves to be the best we can be in the future as we crossover more and more to new, morphed and/or emerging roles.

Upcming MASIE Center Events:
- Rapid e-Learning Development
- e-Learning Briefing
- Learning Systems Seminar & Roundtable
- e-Learning Skills LAB
Dates, Locations & Information: http://www.masie.com

290 - Summer Reading for Learning Professionals?; Calendars, Travel & Learning

TRENDS by Elliott Masie - August 18, 2004 #290 - Updates on Learning, eLearning and Training
47,912 Readers - The MASIE Center - www.masie.com
Free: 701 e-Learning Tips www.masie.com/701tips/

1. Summer Reading for Learning Professionals?
2. Calendars, Travel & Learning
3. Learning Systems Seminar/Roundtable for London

1. Summer Reading for Learning Professionals? What is on the reading lists of learning professionals this summer? A reporter called our office yesterday asking that question, so I thought I would gather some instant comments from our 50,000 readers. I'll start with myself. A couple of books that are on my reading list this summer:

- "Why the Bottom Line ISN'T" by Dave Ulrich and Norm Smallwood
- "The HR Scorecard: Linking People, Strategy, and Performance"
by Brian E. Becker
- "Intellectual Property Examples & Explanations: Examples and Explanations" by Stephen M. McJohn
- "Life Is Not a Stress Rehearsal: Bringing Yesterday's Sane Wisdom into Today's Insane World" by Loretta Laroche

What are you reading? Send me a quick note to emasie@masie.com and I will post these next week!

2. Calendars, Travel & Learning: Two of the common integration elements that we are seeing in the world of Learning Systems, are in the linking of the LMS and both Calendar Systems as well as Travel Management Systems.
Employee's calendars are being updated for both classroom and on-line learning events. In addition, members of our e-Learning CONSORTIUM are blocking off time chunks in employees calendars for self-paced e-Learning study. The other integration element that we are now hearing about is to link LMS class registration directly into airline and travel systems. In one instance, as soon as an employee selects a class, the system pops up a web based airline and hotel system to prompt the finalization of their travel plans.

3. Learning Systems Seminar/Roundtable for London: The MASIE Center is pleased to invite you and your colleagues to participate in a new event that we are launching in London:

Learning Systems Seminar & Roundtable
October 25, 2004 - London, UK

I will facilitate a rich and interactive dialogue on the changing roles of these Learning Systems in the creation and delivery of organizational learning and talent:

- Learning Management Systems
- Learning Content Management Systems
- Content Management Systems
- Virtual Classroom & Collaboration Systems
- Authoring and Rapid Development Systems
- Document Management Systems
- Competency & Talent Management Systems

Complete information and registration is located at http://www.masie.com

Other Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
- Rapid e-Learning Development Seminar & Roundtable (Las Vegas)
- e-Learning Briefing (Baltimore)
- e-Learning Skills Lab (Saratoga Springs, NY) Complete information, dates and registration at http://www.masie.com

289 - Are Trainers The Right e-Learning Designers?; Wireless Broadband: Content Creation on the Road; From Summer Weekly Readers to On-Line Summers

TRENDS by Elliott Masie - August 12, 2004
#289 - Updates on Learning, eLearning and Training
47,814 Readers - The MASIE Center - www.masie.com Free Digital Book: 701 e-Learning Tips www.masie.com/701tips/

1. Are Trainers The Right e-Learning Designers?
2. Wireless Broadband: Content Creation on the Road
3. From Summer Weekly Readers to On-Line Summers
4. e-Learning Briefing in Baltimore in September

1. Are Trainers The Right e-Learning Designers? One of the trends that we have been tracking has been the partial re-deployment of classroom trainers in the e-Learning era:

* A significant number of full-time classroom trainers are being asked to take on e-Learning development or design functions.

In some cases, this works out wonderfully. The trainer may bring deep subject matter expertise and/or a crisp sense of the learning from the learner's perspective. However, sometimes the match between classroom training competencies and instructional design competencies is not there.
There also seem to be a wide range of investment in re-training the trainers (from no investment to full instructional design classes).

I would like to do a quick poll of TRENDS readers to see their take on this practice. Send me a note to emasie@masie.com with your thoughts and experiences about deploying classroom trainers as e-Learning designers/developers. We will post a summary of findings in a future TRENDS.

2. Wireless Broadband - Content Creation on the Road: This is the first TRENDS that I am writing on my laptop via wireless Broadband. Sitting at the breakfast table at the Watergate Hotel (where I am staying for a conference), I have a new EVDO card from Qualcomm and 3G service from Verizon. The connection is "hot and fast". Rather than the slightly faster than dial up connection that I had been using previously, this is actually faster than the ethernet DSL connection in my hotel room. For the first time, I decided to not use the wired route and instead go wireless.

I tested it in the cab from Dulles and viewed a video intensive e-Learning module and it worked fine. I conducted a test web conferencing session, complete with video, from the hotel lobby and once again it worked.

As this and other next generation public broadband wireless services are rolled out, it will increase the access of our mobile workforce to e-Learning. The ability of a sales representative to access learning and knowledge content from anywhere is a great example of a provocative application of this technology. If you want more info, here is a link:
http://www.3gtoday.com/

3. From Summer Weekly Readers to On-Line Summers: When I was in grade school, one of the treats during July and August was receiving a Summer Weekly Reader newspaper in the mail every Monday. As a 7 year old, this was the only mail I ever received and it kept my brain active with reading
and short exercies over the summer vacation. Ok, I admit it, I was a
nerd.

The concept has been taken into the digital age by a wide range of innovative teachers. Students are receiving e-mails from their teachers at key times during the summer, with links to e-Learning modules, on-line games and other activities. A nice way to create learning continuity during those warm months.

4. e-Learning Briefing in Baltimore in September: There are a few spaces available in our 1 Day e-Learning Briefing to be held in Baltimore on September 2, 2004. Details and info at http://www.masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
* Rapid e-Learning Development
* e-Learning Skills Lab
* e-Learning Briefing
Schedule and Info: http://www.masie.com

288 - Geo-Location and Learning: Where You Are Determines Content You Access

TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 16, 2004
#288 - Updates on Learning, eLearning and Training
47,793 Readers - The MASIE Center - www.masie.com

Geo-Location and Learning
Where You Are Determines Content You Access

Here is a phrase to add to your technology radar screen:

"Geo-Location"

This is the ability to use the location of a user as the key to determining what content they view through their browser. Open up Google and type the word “dentist”. Where you are might determine what results come up on your screen. You might get either a paid listing or a general preference sort for your locale.

Now, let's apply Geo-Location to learning. Let's say I am interested in learning about Compliance Issues. Once again, my request for information, even when hitting a link entitled "Learn About Compliance" might use my geographical location to give me a very different answer depending on the nation, state or even city where I am located.

Your IP number, the nature of your ISP and other technological factors can reveal to a webserver the location of the mouse driving the click. And, that can be used to sort, refine, profile or localize the web experience.

The user location could determine factors including:

- Language
- Local Culture
- Local Regulations
- Local Context
- Local Procedures

Customer based learning can also be greatly influenced by geo-location, where products can be taught and additional options marketed through localized content. For example, the product can be shown being used in a local photograph (eg. A car in front a popular local landmark).

Here are some other examples of Geo-Location from a recent article by
Wired:

A French court considered Geo-Locaion when it directed Yahoo in 2000 to prevent French Internet users from seeing Nazi paraphernalia on its auction pages. America Online sees Geo-Location as one way to comply with the French Nazi ban as well as a Pennsylvania child porn law.

But for the most part, any online restrictions appear to come from commercial companies, not governments. (China and other countries that censor the Internet use filtering technologies rather than geolocation.)

In the past few months, RealNetworks began offering soccer games and movies restricted to specific countries while Art.com coded its website so Americans automatically see prices in dollars, Germans in euros.

Here is how Geo-Location works:

*Each computer on the net has a unique ID that is like a phone number, called an IP address. It is linked to an internet service provider and also to a server at an organization. This links to a database that shows location of the server.

*Companies such as Akamai and Quova trace specific data packets as they go through the network routers to get an even better fix on the location of the requesting browser vs. the location of the corporate headquarters.

*Providers also overlay on Fortune 500 companies and their industries, so websites can target ads, say, to high-tech personnel. It also marries ZIP codes with census data to create demographic profiles.

Geo-Location also has a good number of challenges and skeptics, including false results and privacy/civil liberty issues.

The MASIE Center is tracking Geo-Location as a key technology, both in terms of browser improvement, content personalization and also enriched filtering capacities.

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
- Rapid e-Learning Development Seminar/Roundtable: Las Vegas Sept 8-9,
2004
- e-Learning Briefing: Baltimore Sept 2, 2004
- e-Learning Skills LAB: Saratoga Springs Oct 6-8, 2004 Information &
- MASIE Center e-Learning CONSORTIUM: 180 Companies Joined Together to Innovate in Learning
Information: http://www.masie.com