256 - Hunker Down Time for Learning Industry & Results of Gaming and Simulation Survey

#256 - - - April 15, 2003 - - - 44,873 Readers
*** Elliott Masie's TechLearn TRENDS *** Training, e-Learning and Collaboration Updates Web Site: http://www.masie.com

1. Hunker Down Time for Learning Industry
2. Results of Gaming and Simulation Survey

1. Hunker Down Time for Learning Industry: Look around the training industry and/or profession and you will see a lot of "hunkering down".
The image includes:

- A large number of organizations are concentrating on implementing the e-Learning projects and technologies that they purchased or started in the last two years. They may not be shopping for a lot of new stuff, rather they are concentrating on making it all work and scaling internally.

- A large number of organizations are deliberately trying to "stay off the radar screen" during a time of budget cutting and reduction. The training efforts are still underway, but the buzz about the projects is deliberatly lower.

- A large number of training organizations are rapidly integrating with non-training functions. Some might say that they are driving into the business units and others might characterize it as "getting cover" from business units that are closer to the revenue line. We are seeing entire learning projects relocated to the sponsorship of the sales organization, where the link is clearer.

- Training professionals are having a harder time finding new jobs. The number of open positions are far less and we are talking with a number of very talented and experienced training professions facing a longer time to rehire.

The "hunker down" effect is real and may be longer term than many predict.
In that time, learning and training will still be a very critical factor in the success of our organizations and the marketplace still yearns for better and more effective offerings from innovative suppliers. But, the "hunker down" impact of an uncertain economy and changing industries is having a very real effect on the training function. I would deeply value your comments and perspectives. Send them to me at emasie@masie.com and I will post them in a future TRENDS article.

2. Results of Gaming and Simulation Survey: Here are the executive summary of the survey on Gaming and Simulation that we conducted a few weeks ago. 1,085 readers responded:

If you had the opportunity to participate in a learning process that used computer games, how interested would you be?
70% - Very
28% - Somewhat
2% - Not at all

Is your organization currently using computer games as part of its learning, training or development program?
62% - NO
20% - YES
14% - Exploring
4% - Currently Developing

If your organization is currently using Computer Games for training, what is the content focus:
43% - Factual information
42% - Technical or business skills
28% - Soft skills
19% - Leadership/managerial skills
8% - Academic

What has been your overall audience reaction to the use of computer games for learning?
47% - Very Positive
41% - Positive
7% - Don't Know
2% - Neutral
1% - Negative

As you can see there is great interest and intrigue about gaming and learning. This outstrips the current access to gaming. But, we are seeing huge learner positives for games that are focused on key content and help in the access of skills.

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
The Learning Marketplace: Washington, DC April 28th www.masie.com

255 - Organizations Modify Learning Plans as War Cautions Increase

#255 - - - March 20, 2003 - - - 44,687 Readers
*** Elliott Masie's TechLearn TRENDS *** Training, e-Learning and Collaboration Updates Web Site: http://www.masie.com

Special Edition:
Organizations Modify Learning Plans as War Cautions Increase

Over the past 24 hours, we have been contacting senior learning officers in organizations around the world, to see how they are coping with the current war situation. Here are some of the comments and strategies:

International Travel: Most of the organizations have implemented a short term halt on non-critical international travel. In several organizations, all international travel and learning events have been cancelled.

Domestic Travel: Most organizations are proceeding with domestic travel based learning events. However, they are adding on-line, video conference or asynchronous attendance alternatives.

Use of Web Conferencing: Serious increased use of web conferencing and audio conferencing planned in the next few weeks.

Conferences: A number of our colleagues are hosting conferences in the next two weeks. They are anticipating decreased attendance based on location and also on travel requirements of attendees. Once again, e-Learning options are being added for those that can not attend.

Distraction Levels: A number of senior programs have been rescheduled in order to cope with higher levels of distractions amongst attendees.

Corporate Communications: Ever since 9/11, many organizations have implemented emergency communications strategies, to be able to use both email and web based applications to keep an informational and culture link in emergency situations. In the US, many organizations have implemented "what if" plans, dependent on Homeland Security Crisis Levels.

Any additional strategies? Send them to emasie@masie.com

Elliott Masie

254 - 3 Minute Survey on Gaming and Learning

#254- - - March 11, 2003 - - - 44,644 Readers
*** Elliott Masie's TechLearn TRENDS ***
Training, e-Learning and Collaboration Updates
Host: The Learning Marketplace Seminar - DC
http://www.masie.com

1. 3 Minute Survey on Gaming and Learning
2. A Writing Mini-Break: From Writing to Reading

1. 3 Minute Survey on Gaming and Learning: Please take 3 minutes and
complete our latest TechLearn TRENDS survey on the possible use of
Computer Gaming for Learning. Results will be published in 2 weeks.
Just go to:

http://www.masie.com/survey/

2. A Writing Mini-Break: From Writing to Reading: You may have noticed that I took a "mini-break" from writing and sending our TechLearn TRENDS. I wanted to take the last few months to do more reading and thinking than writing and to try to understand some fundamental changes in the Learning Marketplace. I enjoy the ability to send one of these TRENDS notes out when there is something to say rather than on a fixed schedule. In coming weeks, watch for more dialogue and research on the changing patterns of how organizations are spending on learning. I would welcome your perspectives of how your organization is reacting to a changing economy
and changing landscape in the learning field. Send me a note to
emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events: http://www.masie.com
- The Learning Marketplace: The Business of Learning - April 28th -
Washington, DC
- The e-Learning EXPERIENCE: Washington, DC and All On-Line Editions

253 - Macromedia Purchases Presedia & TRENDS Live: Video Report on Consumer Electronics and Learning

#253- - - January 2, 2003 - - - 44,587 Readers
*** Elliott Masie's TechLearn TRENDS ***
Training, e-Learning and Collaboration Updates
Host: e-Learning EXPERIENCE Regional Seminars
Info @ http://www.masie.com/experience

1. Founder of LifeLong Learning College Dies
2. Macromedia Purchases Presedia
3. TRENDS Live: Video Report on Consumer Electronics and Learning

1. Founder of LifeLong Learning College Dies: A hero of the world of Learning, Hanna Fromm, died recently at the age of 89. She was the founder of the first college for retired people, located in California.
Hanna created the Institute of Lifelong Learning in 1976.

She expected 50 students or fewer when she threw open the doors, she once said. She got, to her surprise, 600 takers - the elderly with an undying thirst for knowledge. Now the institute has more than 1,000 adult students taking courses ranging from foreign affairs to opera. Retired university professors from esteemed campuses such as Stanford and UC Berkeley teach the classes.

Thanks to her efforts, there are hundreds of similar programs around the country for seniors. Hanna, we will miss you! You truly launched the concept of Lifelong Learning!

2. Macromedia Purchases Presedia: Macromedia announced that it has acquired Presedia, the company that developed Express. According to a Macromedia announcement, "Express enables non-technical professionals to use existing office productivity tools like Microsoft PowerPoint, annotate their presentations with audio, and combine these two elements into a streaming Macromedia Flash application delivered via a hosted or licensed solution. The content can contain slides, audio, animations, quizzes, and surveys. The system tracks and reports results, and can also be integrated with existing learning management systems." Additional info at http://www.macromedia.com

3. TRENDS Live: Video Report on Consumer Electronics and Learning: Watch a 10 minute video report that I compiled on "What We Learned About Training at the Consumer Electronics Show". I took a team from The MASIE Center to the world's largest "gadget and electronics" show to look at trends in personal video players, plasma screens for the classroom and on-line gaming for training. Watch the free streamed report at http://www.masie.com/ces/

COMING SOON: e-Learning EXPERIENCE - A Blended Learning Seminar Boston - Washington, DC - San Jose - Chicago - All-On-Line Edition Only $495 - http://www.masie.com/experience/

252 - An In-Depth Interview with The Classroom

#252- - - January 2, 2003 - - - 44,511 Readers
*** Elliott Masie's TechLearn TRENDS ***
Training, e-Learning and Collaboration Updates
Published by The MASIE Center www.masie


An In-Depth Interview with The Classroom
By Elliott Masie

Recently, I had the opportunity to interview one of the least talked about players in the world of learning, The Classroom. We caught up with the Classroom at the end of the day at one of the nation’s leading corporate training centers:

Elliott Masie: Let’s get right to the question on most of our reader’s minds? Are you retired or are you still in the training business?

The Classroom: Well, to paraphrase a common line… News of my demise is greatly exaggerated! I’m still in great demand. My gigs continue to range from new hire orientation, to leadership training, to computer applications sessions to senior executive sessions. Actually, I’ve never been busier. Rumor has it; they’re going to build a few more of me in the near future.

Elliott Masie: So, why are you so rarely talked about in the training press? Why does e-Learning get all the attention?

The Classroom: Gosh, perhaps if I had a media relations firm, folks might write about me. But, it is understandable that something as familiar as classroom training gets second billing to the “New Kid on the Block”, my cousin and friend e-Learning.

Elliott Masie: We are surprised to hear you refer to e-Learning as your friend. Isn’t e-Learning’s objective to make you less necessary?

The Classroom: Some people see us as opponents. But, actually the two of us work together fairly well (in what you might call Blended Learning).
And, we actually have very different roles. We each serve different audiences, learning objectives and even business drivers. It’s funny, no one sees the telephone as a threat to the face-to-face conversation.
Those cousins fit together fine in people’s minds. Once again, I guess it is because e-Learning is the newer approach with more HYPE.

Elliott Masie: Say some more about what types of activities you do better than your cousin, e-Learning?

The Classroom: So you are still trying to have us compete [laughter]? I think that the classroom is ideal for a few types of learning experiences:

- Learning which requires a retreat and isolation from the daily demands of the workplace. An executive who has to learn a totally new form of management may not have the focus or ability to carve out enough time at her desktop. Same goes for a promotion which might require immersion in a whole range of topics. If the learner needs to step away from work and dig in, the classroom gives them “shelter”.
- Learning in the Socratic style. A great classroom teacher can extract the bulk of content from learners through questions and facilitation.
While it can be done on-line, it is much easier with the face-to-face elements.
- Working as Teams on Problem Solving. This is ideal as part of a Blended Learning situation, where the content is learned on-line, then people come to the classroom to apply, practice and receive feedback on how they have learned the new material.
- Teaching Physical Skills or Highly Interpersonal Skills. I shine when people use my room to teach a physical skill like welding or component assembly. Or better yet, a highly interpersonal skill such as Public Speaking or Customer Conflict Management. The trainer in my room uses their eyes, ears and sometimes hands to coach the learner. While you can learn the theory on-line, practice and role modeling is ideal in my domain.
- Social Bonding! A portion of corporate training is really about meeting peers and managers to build social bonds. Once again, e-Learning and I shine when we work together.
- When technology or authoring resources aren’t available. Face it, sometimes it would be great to use e-Learning, but the resources just aren’t there to author, host or deliver on-line. In the same way e-Learning sometimes gets used just because it is more available from a cost or resource perspective.

Elliott Masie: So, have you changed much in the last ten years?

The Classroom: You bring up a bit of a sore point! For the most part, I look a lot like I did ten years ago. The only major change is that I now have a LCD Projector, which I actually have come to dread!

Elliott Masie: Why don’t you like the LCD Projector?

The Classroom: Because people come to my space in order to be interactive and once that darn projector gets turned on, it is PowerPoint snooze time. In fact, most trainers get trapped by their overhead slides, use them poorly, fall behind in time and lower their interactions. I breathe a sigh of relief when the LCD bulb blows. It is amazing how the teaching improves as they move away from PowerPoint dependency. Think about it. How would feel if someone used slides to make just a few points? Yuck!

Elliott Masie: OK, so, what changes would you make if you could?

The Classroom: Well, why do we only think of e-Learning as it applies to the desktop? Why not invest in making me an e-Classroom. That would
mean:

* Invest in some technology to bring images from a range of places, including video-conferencing in the room
* Have small microphones around the room to make it easy and non-eventful to hear from any learner
* Add video cameras that would tape the class and map it into an agenda, based on timing and content
* Add some voice recognition software, so that a rough transcript of the class would be made available in real time for a hearing impaired learner and later on for the entire class
* Develop decision support technology, so that learners could have input throughout the session, including voting, polling, sub-group preferences and feedback on whether to speed up or slow down
* Laptop and wireless connectivity! Sometimes we should give high levels of connectivity to the learners. And, sometimes the trainer should be able to say “Isolate Them, Scotty!” causing mobile phones and internet access to stop, providing quiet for concentration in the room.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!
* And, one of my pet peeves. Give me some new paint and better chairs

Elliott Masie: You seem to be on a roll? Why do you feel so neglected?

The Classroom: Because, most organizations haven’t spent as little as an
hour in recent years to improve ME! Why can’t they have a Classroom
Learning Strategy document? They spew out e-Learning Strategies at the drop of a hat. Yet, I rarely see my name mentioned in these documents.
But, I am the prime delivery agent for training in most corporations.
You’d think that I deserve at least a chapter or a few pages.

Elliott Masie: What would be some items in a Classroom Learning Strategy?

The Classroom: Well, to name a few:

* Mission: What is my mission? Why have classrooms and what do we serve?
* Metrics of Success: What would success look like? Is it the number of butts in seats? Is it the attention level of the learners? Is it the flexibility of my use or intensity of institutional usage?
* Appropriateness of Use: When is the use of classroom most appropriate?
When is it not appropriate?
* Changes in Footprint: How can organizations start to have shorter classes and compressing of the experience? A goal may be to reduce a five day class to a three day format, blended with e-Learning?
* Skills for Trainers: There has been a drop in recent years in the investment level on trainer skills. If you put a poor trainer into a classroom, don’t blame it on the classroom!

Elliott Masie: What about you and food? Why is it that there is so much focus on the use of doughnuts and coffee in the classroom? Is there a change afoot in how people are fed in your space?

The Classroom: Well, remember learning is a physical and mental process.
People often get ready to learn through the use of coffee and doughnuts.
In fact, when the donuts aren’t available or the food is of poor quality, you watch the evaluation ratings drop! But, if you ask me we could add some healthy alternatives, including fruit to the mix. I hate the blood sugar drop that happens 75 minutes after a Krispy Crème hits the stomach.

Elliott Masie: If there is a slight to major reduction in your usage, what are some alternatives? Have you thought about retooling yourself or looking for a new career?

The Classroom: If you think of my space as a knowledge and collaboration space, there are a ton of hybrid uses that I can perform:

- Knowledge Capture: Add a small video camera and some chroma-key blue paint and I can take on a part-time job as a knowledge capture TV studio.
- Self-Study Center: If you have some PC’s in my space, they can be used for self-study as well as group instruction. Most manufacturing companies are using me as a site for their workers to take e-Learning, since they don’t have PC’s in a quiet area on the shop floor.
- Target Libraries: There are fewer and fewer companies that have libraries where workers can access print materials. Put in a lockable set of cabinets or scan key documents for printing on my machines and I can take on a part time job as a library.
- Downsize Me, Gladly: Break up some classrooms into smaller coaching and learning spaces. Sometimes, you just need a few workers and a subject matter expert for the magic to happen in a small space. Add some movable partitions and you can get a few of these, while leaving my space usable for a full class.

Elliott Masie: One final question and this is slightly personal. What would you like people to think about when they hear your name?

The Classroom: Think of the best teachers you had growing up, think of the most wonderful group projects you ever worked on, think of meetings where a lot was accomplished and think of the joy of being able to concentrate on a topic, away from the noise and buzz of the workplace.
Think of us, the classrooms, as a space where great teaching and learning can take place. Reinvent us, reformat us, blend us and make us part of the magic of learning!

(Reactions or comments to Elliott Masie @ emasie@masie.com)

Upcoming MASIE Center Events: www.masie.com
Skills for e-TRAINERS (Jan 29-31) Saratoga Springs, NY
Learning Strategy Workshop (March 6-7) Chicago, IL

251 - e-Learning Jobs

#251 - - - December 17, 2002 - - - 44,418 Readers
*** Elliott Masie's TechLearn TRENDS ***
Training, e-Learning and Collaboration Updates
Published by The MASIE Center www.masie

With many folks looking for e-Learning Jobs, I thought that I would point to 2 cool jobs that are now open:

1. UNICEF Looking for e-Learning Officer
2. MASIE Center Looking for Writer & Member Services Manager

1. UNICEF Looking for e-Learning Officer: The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is recruiting an Assistant Human Resources Officer in charge of managing Distance and Electronic Learning for the Organization. Seeking bright, dynamic, technologically savvy candidates with infectuous enthusiasm for Distance Learning. The candidate will be in charge of managing distance and e-learning based initiatives for the Organization, and for spearheading marketing strategies to promote Distance Learning internally.

The Candidate will have:
- University degree in Social Sciences, Education, or related area
- Experience working in, or familiarity with, an International setting
- Familiarity/Knowlege of Lotus Notes; Ability to work with some HTML
- Demonstrated experience working in the field of Distance or E-Learning
- Fluency in English and at least one other UN language (preferably
French)
- Excellent oral communication skills

This position is a junior level position, based in New York, and offers an internationally competitive salary and benefits package working in a stimulating and diverse environment. We invite serious applicants only to send their resumes and cover letters to: spider@unicef.org. No phone calls, please. Deadline for submission of application is December 31, 2002.

2. MASIE Center Looking for Writer & Relationship Manager: We are seeking 2 people to work at The MASIE Center. One will be a writer and the other will be a Member Services Manager. Complete info is at http://www.masie.com (click on JOBS Tab)

Note: Please do not send us job listings to post, as this is not a normal activity of The MASIE Center. Thanks!

249 - Ethical Issue: Papers on Airplane

#249 - - - November 13, 2002 - - - 44,298 Readers
*** Elliott Masie's TechLearn TRENDS ***
Training, e-Learning and Collaboration Updates
Published by The MASIE Center www.masie.com

1. Ethical Issue? Papers on Airplane
2. TechLearn Content Posted: 140 Hours of Free Sessions
3. e-Learning CONSORTIUM Open for Membership

1. Ethical Issue? Papers on Airplane: I need your help with a tricky
ethical issue. On Sunday, I found a pile of papers in the seat pocket on an airplane ride. It was a PowerPoint Presentation ripped in quarters. I glanced at one or two pieces and quickly discovered that it was a Confidential Report by one of the largest consulting organizations, outlining a key business decision they are considering. Clearly, this was left by a senior manager after the plane's last leg. I stopped looking at the content, but was struck by what I should do about it. I took the papers, put them in my briefcase. Now, what should I do:

a. Send them to the CEO of the company?
b. Try to find out who the passenger was and send it to them?
c. Do nothing, just shred them and forget about it?
d. Paste the pieces together and read them? (No, just kidding!)

This is an interesting ethical issue and another reason to watch what you read on airplanes. Help me out. I want to decide by the end of today. If you have an opinion, please send me a note to emasie@masie.com

2. TechLearn Content Posted: 140 Hours of Free Sessions - We are proud to announce that over 140 hours of video and audio from the recent TechLearn Conference, along with dozens of slide presentations are now freely available at http://www.techlearn.com

3. e-Learning CONSORTIUM Open for Membership: We are accepting a limited
number of new memberships in our e-Learning CONSORTIUM. This is a small
collaborative of major corporations implementing or developing e-Learning.
We meet, collaborate and share best practices throughout the year. This
year's activities are detailed in the CONSORTIUM brochure available at
http://www.masie.com/masie/Consortiumbrochure.pdf or at
www.masie.com/consortium

250 - Recipes as e-Learning Model; Ethics Question: What I Did

#250 - - - November 20, 2002 - - - 44,315 Readers
*** Elliott Masie's TechLearn TRENDS ***
Training, e-Learning and Collaboration Updates
Published by The MASIE Center www.masie.com

1. Recipes as e-Learning Model
2. Ethics Question: What I Did

1. Recipes as e-Learning Model: Cooking brings out the learner in me!
Recently, I have taken up cooking as a result of a new ktichen that we built in our house. I've been on a campaign to improve my cooking skills and to learn how to prepare a wider set of meals. As you might guess, part of this process has engaged the internet. On-line recipes have triggered some interesting thoughts about e-Learning models.

Go to one of the on-line recipe sites. http://www.allrecipes.com is a good example. I found a most compelling model for learning in this area:

- I pick a "learning objective", in this world it is a type of dish that I would like to cook. I search on the name of dish, type of cuisine or even key ingredient.
- I receive a list of ingredients, a step by step cooking process, some tips and techniques and even the ability to scale the receipe for diverse numbers of people.
- Most importantly, I have access to CONTEXT, which is reflected in the ratings of other people of the posted receipes. I can even look at the
history of those raters, to place their views in perspective. Most
importantly are their suggestions for changes to the recipe.
- Hmmmmmmmmm! Sounds a lot like e-Learning to me.

Now, I would have love to have more pictures at each step in the process.
And, someday there will be an attached device that would help with taste or smell. But, this is an interesting model for on-going e-Learning in an single arena. Think of how you might apply this to knowledge domains in your own organization.

2. Ethics Question on Found Presentation: What I Did! Last week, I shared my ethical quandary about what to do with a confidential document that
someone left in the seat pocket of the airplane. You responded with
almost 1,000 very interesting and thought provoking emails. The split
was:

Shred It and Forget It: 45%
Send It to the CEO: 28%
Try to Locate the Passenger: 20%
Read It (Just Kidding!): 3%
(Plus 3% said: Blame the Airline for Poor Cleaning!)

As the responses came in, my thinking about what I was going to do kept changing a bit... and you sent great perspectives my way to consider.
Here is what I did:

1) I started by SHREDDING the Document. In fact, I videotaped the shredding of the document, in case there was ever a legal issue.
2) Next, I contacted the Airline to ask if they would pass on a note. The Airline was quite helpful in considering it, but it really did pose a
confidentiality issue for them. So, that was not an option.
3) I considered contacting the CEO, but I did not know how to have the first 120 seconds of the conversation. Plus, I did not want to get this passenger fired. (Since, I must admit I have done the same once or twice in the past). Plus, I wanted the dialogue to be about making this a Learning Moment for that company.
4) So, I targeted the senior HR Manager for the company. I thought this person would take a different tack and there was an outside chance that knew me (and therefore didn't think I was trying to blackmail the company).
5) And, Wheww! That is what worked out. I talked to the Executive HR Manager, who had heard me give a speech at an HR Conference, and I shared with him the situation and context. He asked if he could find out enough information to coach the individual directly, but I told him that I was not comfortable with that. He was understanding and was committed to turning this into a learning experience for their senior executives. So, the matter is in the right hands.

I learned quite a few things along the way, on a personal level:

- The phrase CONFIDENTIAL on a document is totally fuzzy in the civilian world. The TRENDS readers who were from the military suggested that corporate security operationalize what phrases like CONFiDENTIAL mean for document handling (eg. only destroy at work and make no copies).
- Asking for wide spread input on an ethical issue really was challenging in how to process the information. But, it was a powerful experience.
- If managers were all in a Community of Practice, these types of issues can be dialogued in real time.
- Airlines should put a small 1/4 inch sticker on every seat pocket that says, Please Do NOT Place Garbage here.
- If you want to see a sample of the responses to this question, look at http://www.masie.com/ethics1/

Thanks for your input!

248 - Ooops! How I Learned to Include Transcripts and Slower Bandwidth & Special TechLearn Briefing on Blended Learning

#248 - - - October 18, 2002 - - - 44,269 Readers
*** Elliott Masie's TechLearn TRENDS ***
Training, e-Learning and Collaboration Updates
Published by The MASIE Center www.masie.com
Host of: TechLearn 2002 - Oct 27-30 - Orlando, FL

1. Ooops! How I Learned to Include Transcripts and Slower Bandwidth
2. Special TechLearn Briefing on Blended Learning

1. Ooops! How I Learned to Include Transcripts: Several weeks ago, we
published a ten minute video streamed message as part of a pre-TechLearn
briefing. Basking in the wonders of high speed bandwidth and the quick
production facilities at our Center, I recorded the piece, compressed it
for streaming and announced it in TRENDS. Several major learnings
happened from your feedback:

- About 3 hours later I received several emails from readers asking where
the text transcription was. Certainly, The MASIE Center would include
Section 508 capability, so that a non-hearing reader could benefit from
the briefing. I turned red and thought about how we would add text.
Found several places on the internet, both in the US and offshore, who
would turn around a Windows Media File of the audio and turn it into text
very rapidly and at a very affordable price. So, all of our videos now
will also ship with a text transcription.

- The second learning was from readers who asked for two changes in the
format. Some said, why not just send it out as an audio file. Since
these briefings are just informal "talking head" videos of me, why clog up
the bandwidth with video. They wanted a pure audio feed, which could move
along with the lowest possible connection. So, all future video briefings
will include an audio only option.

- The third learning was from folks who asked for a lower speed version of
the video, for times when the connection would be lower or the demand on
our server too high to support a higher speed. Made perfect sense, so all
future postings will include a lower speed version as the default and then
a high speed option if the connectivity spirits are smiling that day.

I really appreciate the feedback. It did not raise our cost by more than
$60 for the entire project to add these features. Thanks!

2. Special TechLearn Briefing on Blended Learning: Here is a ten minute
TechLearn Briefing on the topic of Blended Learning, focusing on the key
issues related to the growing deployment of Blended Learning. The URL for
this video briefing (with text, audio and low speed video options) is:

http://www.techlearn.com/briefing

There is still time to register for TechLearn 2002 to be held in Orlando,
Florida, on Oct 27 to 30, 2002. Info at http://www.techlearn.com

247 - Training in Tough Times: A Debate on Optimism & Results of Video Use Survey

#247 - - - October 16, 2002 - - - 44,255 Readers
*** Elliott Masie's TechLearn TRENDS ***
Training, e-Learning and Collaboration Updates
Published by The MASIE Center www.masie.com
Host of: TechLearn 2002 - Oct 27-30 - Orlando, FL

1. Training in Tough Times: A Debate on Optimism
2. Results of Video Use Survey

1. Training in Tough Times: A Debate on Optimism: We are pleased to
announce two debates/dialogues at TechLearn which will deal with high end
business challenges. Marshall Goldsmith will moderate a panel addressing
these questions:

- In Hard Economic Times, With Employee Optimism Lowered, What Is the Role
for the Training and Learning Function?
- Would Better Learning and Training Made Any Difference at ENRON,
WorldCom or Andersen?

Come join over 1,295 colleagues at TechLearn 2002 on October 27 to 30 in
Orlando, Florida. Complete details and on-line registration at
http://www.techlearn.com

2. Results of Video Use Survey: Here are the results of a recent TRENDS
survey on the usage of video in organizations. This is based on 1,659
responses:

Do you use video as a resource for learning or training?
83% Yes
9% No
8% Considering

What format do you usually use to deliver video?
43% Video Cassette: VHS, Beta, Mini DV, etc.
28% Internet
16% CD-ROM
6% Other: DVD, Video CD, Laser Disc, etc.
7% Don't know/No response

If you use Internet-based video, what type do you usually use?
42% Streaming
9% Download
30% We do not use Internet-based video
19% Don't know/No response

Does your network support video streaming?
34% Yes, streamed video is well supported by our network
31% Yes, streamed video is supported BUT is sometimes of poor quality
due to network issues
19% No, our network does not support streamed video
16% Don't know/No response

How do you usually edit your video content?
41% We use desktop video editing tools in-house
24% We outsource the editing of video
20% We do not produce our own video content
15% Don't know/No response

How do you usually shoot or capture your video content?
25% Outsourcing the production of video
45% Using our organization's equipment
20% We do not produce our own video/We only use off-the-shelf content
10% Don't know/No response

246 - Free and Open Courseware Posted by MIT; Learning Issues in Italy; More Learning Mergers: Outstart and Trainersoft

#246 - - - October 9, 2002 - - - 44,234 Readers
*** Elliott Masie's TechLearn TRENDS ***
Training, e-Learning and Collaboration Updates
Published by The MASIE Center www.masie.com
Host of: TechLearn 2002 - Oct 27-30 - Orlando, FL

1. Free and Open Courseware Posted by MIT
2. Learning Issues in Italy
3. More Learning Mergers: Outstart and Trainersoft
4. Learning Strategies Seminar at Hamburger University
5. Complete Agenda for TechLearn OnLine

1. Free and Open Courseware Posted by MIT: One year ago, MIT's President
announced that they were planning to put the course materials for most of
the MIT courses online for free public access. This week, the first
twenty courses are available. These are not on-line courses. They are
the classnotes, activities, graphics, reading collections and agendas from
the courses. A teacher at another institution would find these quite
useful in developing a course. And, a learner might take the resources
and use them as part of a self-directed learning project. There is huge
potential here for a mutli-institutional collection, which could be
expanded to include government and corporate courseware. Check out the
MIT Courseware Site at:
http://ocw.mit.edu

2. Learning Issues in Italy: I have just returned from a visit to Italy
where I spoke at a Human Resources Conference. Key learnings from
dialogues:
- Strong desire for more localized e-Learning content.
- Views of Learning more closely linked to "culture of workplace" issues
- Legal and Union issues are throwing some hurdles to learning
implementation
- Desire to closely link Knowledge Management and e-Learning efforts

3. More Learning Mergers: Outstart and Trainersoft: Well, another merger
was announced yesterday. Outstart and Trainersoft announced their merger.
Information at http://www.trainersoft.com

4. Learning Strategies Seminar at Hamburger University: We are pleased to
announce the next session of our popular course for managers: Learning
Strategies. This is a 2 day course, plus 4 on-line sessions, focused on
building an effective e-Learning and Learning Strategy. It will be held
in Chicago on Dec 3 and 4 at McDonald's Hamburger University. Space is
limited to implementers of learning. Info at http://www.masie.com

5. Complete Agenda for TechLearn 2002 On-Line: The final agenda for
TechLearn 2002, to be held in Orlando on Oct 27 to 30, is now posted on
line at http://www.techlearn.com

245 - e-Learning Balloons

#245 - - - Sept 23, 2002 - - - 44,154 Readers
*** Elliott Masie's TechLearn TRENDS ***
Training, e-Learning and Collaboration Updates
Published by The MASIE Center www.masie.com
Host of: TechLearn 2002 - Oct 27-30 - Orlando, FL

1. Your Questions for Peter Senge at TechLearn
2. Italian Gathering of TRENDS Readers and My On-Line Language Lessons
3. e-Learning Balloons

1. Your Questions for Peter Senge at TechLearn: I will be interviewing
Peter Senge, key advocate of Learning Organizations, by satellite at
TechLearn 2002 (end of October in Orlando). In preparing for my
interview, I would love to get some help from you. What are some key
questions about the evolution of Senge's models of Learning Organizations
as the world has picked up the capacities of digital learning and
collaboration. Send me your questions to elliott@masie.com Thanks!

2. Italian Gathering of TRENDS Readers and My On-Line Language Lessons:
In about seven days I am going to be heading to Italy to give a speech on
e-Learning. This is my first real trip to Italy. I speak not a word of
Italian, so guess where I am spending some time. You got it, on-line,
learning basic language for travelers. I am using a few different on-line
courses, my first e-Language experiences. There are some very impressive
offerings, including www.rosettastone.com

It is interesting to see how my ear is picking up some of the listening
side, but I am still quite challenged on the speaking side. But, I am
only a few hours into the process. I will keep you informed along the
way. (Note, my wife Cathy has lived and studied in Florence, so I have
some shoulder-to-shoulder tutoring going on at the same time.)

I would like to invite any TRENDS readers, who live in or near Rome, to
join me for a drink and chat on Wednesday, October 2nd, at 5 PM at the
lobby bar of the Grand Hotel De La Minerve, Piazza della Minerva, 69
tel: 06 695201.

3. e-Learning Balloons: One of our readers wrote in about their attempt
to help e-Learners with some privacy during real-time sessions. Their
company has made up a set of printed balloons, that say Learner At Work!
They blow them up and tie them to cubicles or chairs during longer on-line
sessions. They report it helps with both privacy and also publicizing the
growing rate of e-Learning in their area. Of course, some learners are
also inhaling a bit of the helium and changing their voice sound during
on-line chats.

Upcoming MASIE Center Events: http://www.masie.com
- TechLearn 2002 - Oct 27 to 30 - Orlando, Florida
- Skills for e-Trainers - Sept 25 - 27 - Saratoga Springs, NY

244 - Muscle Memory - Performance and Foul Shots; Tastes of Training - Marketing Ideas

#244 - - - Sept 16, 2002 - - - 44,101 Readers
*** Elliott Masie's TechLearn TRENDS ***
Training, e-Learning and Collaboration Updates
Published by The MASIE Center www.masie.com
Host of: TechLearn 2002 - Oct 27-30 - Orlando, FL

1. Muscle Memory - Performance and Foul Shots
2. Tastes of Training - Marketing Ideas
3. Learning Quotation

1. Muscle Memory - Performance and Foul Shots: One of the most
interesting speakers that I have ever seen is Dave Hopple. He is a coach
for NBA and College Basketball Players who need to improve their foul line
shooting. I'm bringing Dave to TechLearn to talk about Muscle Memory -
Why Can't Basketball Players Make EVERY Foul Shot. Dave will demonstrate
with his own shooting and by coaching a random participant (with no
basketball experience) that you can train your muscles to make that shot
from the foul line to the basket. Why don't well paid NBA players
practice this until it is a no-brainer? His keynote will trigger some
very intriguing connections to how we approach core skill training in our
organizations. Info on TechLearn 2002 can be found at www.techlearn.com

2. Tastes of Training - Marketing Ideas: Here is an internal marketing
idea for Training offerings. It is based on the Tastes of Dallas event,
where restaurants offer a small taste of their food to the public. You
can try food from dozens of restaurants in a single afternoon. Change the
idea into Tastes of Training. Vendors and internal trainers gather for an
afternoon of small snipets of the types of training that is available to
the workforce. Managers can "taste" a quick 15 minute sample of a class
and can pick up information on the offerings. It is a cool way to market
the value and diversity of your learning offerings. The trick is to make
the trainers actually teach a small module rather than talk about it. Try
it!

3. Learning Quotation: It is important that students bring a certain
ragamuffin, barefoot, irreverence to their studies; they are not here to
worship what is known, but to question it.
- J Bronowski, The Ascent of Man

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
- Skills for e-Trainers: Next Week in Saratoga Springs, NY www.masie.com
- TechLearn 2002 - Oct 27 - 30, Orlando, FL - www.techlearn.com

243 - Don't Forget Humor in Learning!

#243 - - - Sept 11, 2002 - - - 44,094 Readers
*** Elliott Masie's TechLearn TRENDS ***
Training, e-Learning and Collaboration Updates
Published by The MASIE Center www.masie.com
Host of: TechLearn 2002 - Oct 27-30 - Orlando, FL

Don't Forget Humor in Learning!
A TechLearn Essay
By Elliott Masie

Every great classroom based class that I have attended has contained humor
and laughter. I remember taking a class on Structured Programming, one of
the least funny topics that I have ever encountered as a learner, yet the
laughter was intense in that class:

- The instructor told us some great war stories about failed projects
that made us laugh (and sometimes want to cry).
- When one of us made a mistake, humor helped us get through the confusion
and difficult content.
- During the breaks, laughter filled the hallways, as an indicator of both
our stress release and also of the fellowship that had been created in the
classroom.
- There was great teaching and awesome learning happening, on a tough
topic, and our humanity created the laughter.

When I think about the instructional design for the class, I bet there was
little mention of laughter in the designer's teacher notes. Yet, the
teacher "ALLOWED" learning and it made all the difference in the world.
The trick in the classroom is to make sure that you don't SHUT OFF humor
as a tool.

My colleague and friend, Joel Goodman, who directs The Humor Project,
states that the word HAHA has the latin root of AHA. In other words, when
things are true and we find common truths, we often laugh. A great
speaker doesn't have to tell funny stories, they just have to connect with
common truths that will bring out our humor response. Joel would also
tell you about the wonderful physical effects of humor, including deeper
breathing and stress reduction. So, the targeted use of humor in the
culture of a classroom can be deeply effective.

It can even work at large conferences. At TechLearn, I use humor in the
same vein. We tackle tough issues, wrap our arms around a crazy and
changing field and the halls of the hotel in Orlando are filled with
laughter. In fact, we even program humor into our schedule, from Dave
Barry to the jugglers Raspyni, to leverage humor as a tool for learning
and building community.

Yet, on-line, we often forget to the importance role of humor. I have
been on a few of the driest ever virtual classroom sessions and I have
slugged my way through on-line modules that are totally devoid of smiles,
no less laughter.

One of our challenges is how to keep our e-Learning human and natural and
not blocking the funny aspects of life. This is new stuff. We don't
have a lot of experience about how to make that happen in our world...

Here are a few ways to make sure that you are snuffing out the humor in
your e-Learning offerings:

- Maintain your humanity. Since the learner can't see you, it is even
more important that they feel your acceptance and that you not shut down
humor as it emerges. Being off task for a few minutes will not kill the
content or the process.
- Laugh at yourself as the e-Trainer. People don't want to learn from
experts. They want to learn from real people who have great expertise.
Laugh at yourself along the way.
- Sometimes e-Learning technology does not work the way we planned. Have
a plan B, but also allow yourself to see the humor in the process. I have
a picture that I often post when a video conference goes down that has me
holding an Einstein stuffed animal. It breaks the tension of the moment.
- Storytelling that is authentic will add natural humor the learning
process. Don't overly script your content captures. I would rather do an
interview of some experts, where I can bring the humor to the surface in a
story, rather than rely on a script to recapture the funny bits.

We need to add to this list. So, I would like to reach out to our
TechLearn TRENDS readers and ask for a few suggestions about how you are
(or would like to) use humor in the on-line and e-Learning offerings.

Send them to emasie@masie.com and I will post them for the use of our
Readers.

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
- TechLearn 2002 - October 27-30 - Orlando, Florida www.techlearn.com
- Skills for e-Trainers - September 25 - 27 - Saratoga Springs, NY
www.masie.com

242 - A Smarter Child: Instant Messenger Robot Concept; Every Product SKU Will Have a Learning SKU

#242 - - - Sept 6, 2002 - - - 43,954 Readers
*** Elliott Masie's TechLearn TRENDS ***
Training, e-Learning and Collaboration Updates
Published by The MASIE Center www.masie.com
Host of: TechLearn 2002 - Oct 27-30 - Orlando, FL

1. A Smarter Child: Instant Messenger Robot Concept
2. Every Product SKU Will Have a Learning SKU
3. Raspyini Brothers Headed to TechLearn

1. A Smarter Child: Instant Messenger Robot Concept. I have been playing
with this intriguing "automated agent/robot" that a TechLearn Trends
reader pointed me to last night. It is called Smarter Child. You can add
this "agent" to your Instant Messenger account or work through a Java
based web interface. In this demo, you can ask questions on a set of
topics and get answers conversationally. I found out stock quotes,
weather, books and movies locally, as well as other info. Imagine having
a series of IM addresses linked to diverse knowledge bases. Go to:

http://www.smarterchild.com/

2. Every Product SKU Will Have a Learning SKU: As Customer Learning
grows, we are starting conversations about the creation of Learning
Objects that would match each retail product in a store. Imagine if every
consumer product's bar code (often called a SKU) had a matching Learning
SKU that pointed to a web based learning or knowledge set of modules.
Suppliers would create these Learning SKU's for every item in their
inventory and retailers could compile or personalize them for either
employee or customer training.

3. Raspyini Brothers Headed to TechLearn: The Keynote List is almost
complete for TechLearn 2002. The Raspyini Brothers, one of the
funniest comedy and juggling and magic groups will be opening each of our
General Sessions, tickling us and integrating content from the
presentations into their short openers. Their website: www.raspyini.com
You can register for TechLearn 2002 (Oct 27 to 30 in Orlando) at
www.techlearn.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
- Skills for e-Trainers: Saratoga Springs, NY - Sept 25-27 www.masie.com
- TechLearn 2002: Orlando, FL - Oct 27 - 30 www.techlearn.com