133 - ASTD & MASIE Center Launch Research Project; Jackets for On-Line Learning Students

1. ASTD & MASIE Center Launch Research Project - Ideas Requested. This
Fall, ASTD (American Society for Training and Development) and The Masie
Center will launch a major new study on the effectiveness of learning
technologies. By bringing together companies with a common interest in this
critical area, the study will provide definitive evidence on how technology
can be used to maximize learning and produce hard results.

The effective use of learning technology is an area so full of unanswered
questions, that we'd like to know what companies feel are the burning
questions right now. If you could have the answer to any question on
learning technologies right now, what would the question be? Here are a few
that have been already suggested:

How well do employees retain what they learn when using learning
technologies? How to provide effective web-based training? How to get
employees to accept and use learning technologies? Which types of employees
learn better when using learning technologies? How should learning
technologies be used with one another or to complement classroom,
instructor-led training?

We would love to hear from TechLearn Trends readers about which of these or
other questions are critical to your decision making and understanding of
the changing world of learning. Would you send a few sentences to
study@masie.com Thanks! We will be sending details about the ASTD/MASIE
Center project.

2. Learning Without Limits: Training at the Limited, Colleague Featured in
Fast Company. One of our TechLearn Collaborative members, Beth Thomas,
Training Manager at The Limited, is featured (with a great picture) in this
month's edition of Fast Company Magazine. It is a wonderful article about
the great work that Beth and her team are doing at The Limited. Beth is a
super role model for our field. Don't tell her, but we are also going to
give Beth an award at TechLearn '99. The url for the online version of the
article is: http://www.fastcompany.com/online/26/limited.html

3. Pay Per Gulp: While it doesn't really fit into TechLearn Trends normal
content, I wanted to share a thought that I had last night. My wife and I
attended an open air performance of the New York City Ballet at the Saratoga
Springs Performing Arts Center. I was struck during intermission at the
total amount of money that was being paid by concert goers for water.
About 20% of the folks had walked up and paid $2 per small bottle of water.
It is intriguing to think about the total amount of bottled water that we
are now drinking. Ironically, the water fountains at the concert were not
working too well, so most people that wanted to deal with the temperature
were buying their water bottles at a Pay Per Gulp Price. Wonder what my
grandmother would have thought of the trend?

4. Jackets for On-Line Learning Students: For those institutions that are
providing long duration on-line classes or even degrees, consider clothing.
We worked with an industrial company that took its management training
program to an on-line format and found that the workers complained that they
weren't getting the cool jackets they received when it was a 10 day retreat.
So, they have started to give out rock concert type jackets (only about $30
per person) for the attendees that are in the program. They found that the
learners were wearing them almost every day and it really boosted a sense of
participation and helped them locate other on-line learning colleagues.

5. Team Retreats @ TechLearn '99: There are more than 15 companies and
government organizations that are planning on concurrent retreats during
TechLearn '99. These groups range from a military division to an
accounting company. They are bringing between 10 and 30 managers and staff
to TechLearn and planning a series of meetings during and on the front or
back of the event. We can support you with meeting space and special
speakers. If you would like more info, just send me an email to
emasie@masie.com. Update: We now have 1,439 registered colleagues at
TechLearn '99. Space is filling fast and we will have a hard limit of
2,500 attendees to protect the learning design of the event. Go to
http://www.techlearn.com for information and on-line registration.

6. learningauction.com off to a Flying Start: We had more than 6,000
visitors on the new learningauction.com site that opened yesterday. We
have almost a hundred items for sale and the doors are open to anyone
wanting to browse, offer excess materials or class seats or make
suggestions. Just go to http://www.learningauction.com and check it out.
The entire project is a NO-FEE donation from The MASIE Center. We have
lots for sale that range from seats in classes, to coaching from experts to
complete development projects.

134 - The QUESTION MARKS in On-Line Learning; Protect Thy Domain: Check and Protect Ownership; E-Commerce Transactions Grow in Training Industry

1. The QUESTION MARKS in On-Line Learning? Lately, I have been adding a
cautious question mark at the end of the phrase On-Line Learning. Here are
some of the reasons why:

* Should we call it On-Line Learning? We believe that the phrase on-line
learning is a transitional one. Ultimately, we want to focus on the content
rather than the delivery. In fact, some of the major corporations
implementing learning over the intranet have consciously decided to NOT CALL
IT On-Line Learning. "We want to make all of our offerings LEARNING, with
the emphasis on the content and skills rather than the location and delivery
system", says Sue Holmes from Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

* Does it work YET? Some On-Line Learning really is effective. Other
pieces of On-Line Learning are at the early stage of development? And,
other stuff is just boring. The same could be said true of classroom
training. So, the key is to not posit On-Line Learning as THE solution or
as a DONE deal, rather as an area of exploration and expansion. Let's not
get caught up in the "e-makes it hot" fad. Clearly, technology will play a
key role in knowledge transfer...let's not make it !. We are still at the ?
stage.

So, at TechLearn '99, we will be positing the phrase On-Line Learning?, with
a question mark, to make sure we address these and other key questions
around effectiveness, branding and titling. We believe that the
conversation is broader....how do we build the best use and blend of
technologies and delivery, including classrooms, for learning in the digital
age?

2. Protect Thy Domain: Check and Protect Ownership. Make sure that your
domain name is safe. Do a scan of who owns the .org and .net version of
your domain names. We recently were surprised to find that a competitor
had registered the .net and .org versions of our domain names for one of our
conferences. Luckily, we have the Federal Trademark for TechLearn and were
able to get the domains changed from pointing to their site. If you want to
check out who owns the variations on your corporate domains go to:
http://www.geektools.com/whois.html

3. Learning Quotation: Horace Mann

"Education, then, beyond all other devices of human origin, is the great
equalizer of the conditions of men -- the balance-wheel of the social
machinery. "
- Horace Mann, considered to one of the "fathers" of American Public
Education

4. E-Commerce Transactions Grow in Training Industry: I was asked recently
about how e-commerce is changing the business side of the training and
learning field. There is a profound and rapid shift towards the use of
on-line transactions for the registration of people coming to events,
seminars and conferences. On a recent survey, we found that 82% of training
managers wanted to be able to have registrations for learning events totally
self-service in the next 12 months. At The MASIE Center, we have found
this to be a profound change. For example, three years ago, only 9% of
attendees for TechLearn registered over the web. In 1998, we had 35 to 50%
register on-line. This year, we have take 92% of our registrations via
on-line methods. That means that 92% of 1,421 attendees have gone on-line
and completed the transaction. And, all before we send out a printed
brochure. This means that we can shift the marketing budget from large
brochures to investing in content. It also means that our phones ring a lot
less and we can dedicate more of our customer service time to exceptions
rather than core transactions. (Go to http://www.techlearn.com to see our
on-line registration process).

5. learningauction to Expand: Bill Cosby Meeting For Auction + Procurement
Section Coming: Now, a meeting with Bill Cosby is up on the auction block
at http://www.learningauction.com We have folks bidding to meet Dr. Cosby
in a small reception at TechLearn (for charity). There are now over
200 items up for auction at this NO FEE site.

Coming Soon: We will be adding a Request for Bids Procurement Section. Corporations and organizations can post their requirements for training and learning products and services and receive responses from providers. Starting in August 1999, this service will be a NO-FEE site donated by the MASIE Center.

THANKS for dozens of great suggests for the ASTD & MASIE Center Research
Project. If you would like to submit additional ideas, send them to
study@masie.com

135 - Instant Messaging Battle Shows Key Role of Digital Collaboration; Tips for Trainers: Rotational Note Taking - Medical students do it!

1. Instant Messaging Battle Shows Key Role of Digital Collaboration - At
the end of last week, a war broke out between AOL, Microsoft and Yahoo over
the format and business models for "instant messaging". Microsoft launched
a new messenger application that could integrate with AOL's installed base.
AOL changed their technology to block it. Microsoft changed it. Yahoo
entered the scene with their messenger. And the heat rises. How this will
all work out in the courts and the court of public opinion remains to be
seen. But, from a TechLearn perspective, it highlights the importance of
the trend towards Digital Collaboration.

People don't want to rely solely on asynchronous email for communicating
with key people. They want to know if YOU are on-line NOW and to touch you
digitally NOW. If I am going to collaborate with a colleague on building a
proposal for a project, being able to SENSE their on-line presence and to
have a granular, short communication with them is vital for moving the work
forward. In the next several years, you will see this arena of
collaboration move forward dramatically. We will have groups of colleagues
in communities of learning, of practice, of collaboration and of production.
And, the field will evolve with new standards, new business models and new
tools for shaping the levels of access that we allow people into our moment
to moment lives.

We will be raising the issues of Digital Collaboration at the upcoming
TechLearn '99 event and at future conferences and telecasts in partnership
with ASTD. The MASIE Center and ASTD believe that Digital Collaboration is
a core topic for businesses and will be the focus of future events and
activities in our partnership.

2. ITTA to Co-Host TechLearn '99: We are pleased to announce that ITTA, The
Information Technology Training Association, will be a co-host of TechLearn
'99. I have been a former Board Member and long time member of ITTA and we
are very excited that they are joining us as a co-host of TechLearn '99.
Here is the announcement from Doug Upchurch, the Executive Director of ITTA:

"ITTA's decision to co-host TechLearn and more importantly the Computer & IT
Training Convention was a strategic decision on behalf of our membership.
Many ITTA members have benefited from the insights and information that past
TechLearn conferences have brought them. With the addition of the Computer
& IT Training Convention, more opportunities for insight and information are
available to ITTA members. As well, we welcome the introduction of our
international network of IT Education professionals to the TechLearn
attendees in hopes that they will also find value in our mission and work
of, 'Shaping and Supporting IT Education for the Future.'

ITTA members will receive a $100 discount at TechLearn. Sign up now at

http://www.techlearn.com

3. Portal Sites Launched: Last week, two portal sites opened up on the
Internet for purchasing learning. Asymetrix launched the Click2Learn
Portal Site. http://click2learn.asymetrix.com It is a content authoring
and selling focused site, with early entries in a wide range of topics from
established training companies.

Seventh Street renamed itself Learn2.com and launched a new learning portal
site at http://www.learn2.com They are running a storefront model for
aggregating content for on-line delivery.

Watch for at least 10 more portal sites to be launched between now and
January 1st.

4. Knowledge Management and Business Alignment of Learning Themes at
Microsoft Fusion Conference: I gave several speeches and keynotes at
Microsoft's FUSION and CTEC Conferences that just ended in San Francisco.
The key themes of Knowledge Management and
Business Alignment of Learning were echoed in many of the sessions and
keynotes. Bill Gates presented his view of the next wave of technology
impact and focused on the need to enhance the skill base of integrating
technology with business processes and to leverage technology as a knowledge
management capability. The conversations were clearly aiming towards an
expanding role of learning, extending the impact beyond traditional
classroom offerings focused on a specific software package to an emphasis on
the competencies needed to create a business solution (eg. setting up an
e-commerce or customer service site).

5. Tips for Trainers: Rotational Note Taking - Medical students do it!
They rotate the role of note taking around the group. One person has
detailed note taking roles for an hour and then duplicates (or posts) the
results for everyone in the class. I use that technique in technical
classes and it works very well. For 60 minutes a person has the role of
note taking and then passes it along to the next person in class. Everyone
gets a copy of the group notes, as well as taking whatever level of personal
notes they want. It works!

TechLearn '99 Update: Oct 31 to Nov 3rd - Orlando, Florida - Over 1,432
Registered Already!
* Jazz Band Selected for TechLearn: We are pleased to announce that a
Seattle based jazz band, comprised of high school great musicians, has been
formed to provide the musical context for TechLearn '99. Welcome The Jazz
Continuum. They are awesome and will provide music at every General
Session and for Bill Cosby's session. Coordinated by Gabe McCormick, son
of Marsha Kabakov from Microsoft, this group of young musicians will astound
you with their music and spirit. We are also planning to produce a CD of
their music to raise money for Starbright, one of the TechLearn charities.
* CEU's Available for TechLearn: If you want to obtain Continuing
Education Units for your attendance at TechLearn, we have created a
partnership with Idaho State University to bring that option to you. More
details will be available in September.
* Resource Suitcase for Every Participant: Each participant at TechLearn
will leave with an additional suitcase. We don't have an Expo or Trade
Show at TechLearn. So, we have done the information gathering for you. You
will receive a "Roll-On" Suitcase, with a handle and wheels, chocked full
with information from the TechLearn Sponsors. Videotapes, CD's and other
info that you can take back to your office and share with colleagues,
without having to walk around a crowded Expo. And, you get to keep the
suitcase for your next journey.
* International Perspectives @ TechLearn: We will have case studies from a
variety of overseas groups to add an international flair to the event.
* Decision Support Lab: We will demonstrate how to use a classroom as a
Decision Support Lab, to facilitate group writing, development and decisions
making. Very cool stuff!
PLEASE REGISTER SOON! We plan on filling all of the seats at TechLearn and
would like to accommodate you and your colleagues. Just go to
http://www.techlearn.com

136 - A Story from Brazil: A Teaching Moment; Laptop Clicking in Class?

1. A Story from Brazil: A Teaching Moment - One of our colleagues from
Brazil, Eduardo Ramos - eduardo@infnet.com.br
Instituto de Formacao Internet - Infnet sent us this story which has a great
message for trainers:

"Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took
her boy to a Paderewski concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted
a friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her. Seizing the
opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose
and eventually explored his way through a door marked "NO ADMITTANCE." When
the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother
returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing. Suddenly,
the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on
stage."

"In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard,
innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." At that moment, the
great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and
whispered in he boy's ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing." Then leaning over,
Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part.
Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child and he
added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice
transformed a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience.
The audience was mesmerized."

2. Questions about Language Training: A reader of TechLearn Trends is in
need of some benchmarking information about the extent of Language Training
in organizations. Here are her questions:

1. What is the average cost of teaching a language to an employee?
2. What percentage of corporations currently offer language training?
3. What percentage of multinationals offer English training in their
non-English speaking offices?
4. What is the current length of time required to learn a language?
5. What percentage of language training is directly related to relocation
programs?
6. What percentage of companies offer internal language learning?

If you can help her with answers to any of these questions, just send an
email to language@masie.com and we will pass it along.

3. Laptop Clicking in Class? One of my own trainer nightmares is when
someone arrives in a class and sets up their laptop for note taking. Now, I
know that in the Digital Age, laptops are critical for capturing
information. Yet, as a trainer, I am still a bit in fear of them (in a
non-IT or computer training class). The sound of clicking sometimes drives
me crazy! I recently taught a seminar where there were 15 laptops going,
all with the most aggressive typists. The noise was almost funny. Anyone
have any experiences or policies on laptops in class? Send them to us at
laptops@masie.com

4. Kristin Barton Joins The MASIE Center as Director of Development: We
are pleased to announce that Kristin Barton has joined The MASIE Center as
our new Director of Development. Kristin comes to us from Achieve Global in
Florida, where she worked on a range of projects including research,
marketing and development. Kristin will be leading the Business
Development and Research area at The MASIE Center. In the coming months, we
will be adding additional research and publishing projects, and focusing on
how to best serve the readers of TechLearn Trends. Kristin can be reached
at kristin@masie.com

5. Structured Case Studies : We have developed a structure for the Case
Studies at TechLearn '99. Each of the one hour case studies will be
presented by a corporate training or business representative (not a supplier
or vendor). The sessions will be facilitated by a member of the TechLearn
Collaborative and will focus on a SPECIFIC approach to implementing a
learning or training solution. These are the five questions that will be
explored in each TechLearn Case Study:

* What was the business problem or challenge?
* What were your choices for solutions and why did you choose this one?
* What happened - the nuts and bolts! Cost, resources, steps and decisions.
* What were the positive and negative results?
* If you were to do it all over again, how would you do it differently?

We believe that an intellectual format for case studies adds enormous value
for the attendees, focusing on going "under the hood" of colleague's
organizational approach to learning. There will be about 25 TechLearn
Case Studies. We have spaces available for 9 more Case Studies. If you
would like to explore being a case study presenter and would be comfortable
with this format, please send a note to case@techlearn.com Summaries of
Case Studies will be posted after TechLearn. Information on TechLearn '99
(Oct. 31 to Nov 3 in Orlando, FL) is located at http://www.techlearn.com

TechLearn Trends FLASH

TechLearn Readers... FLASH.... July 29, 1999 From: Elliott Masie

A major announcement was made today in the learning and training industry.

IBM's Lotus Development Division today announced that they are purchasing
Macromedia's Pathware learning management system. In addition, Lotus will
distribute Macromedia's Authorware, Director, Attain Objects for
Dreamweaver, Fireworks and Flash products.

This brings Pathware into the same group at Lotus that currently develops
and market's Lotus Learning Space. I recently met with IBM's Learning
Services Group and this announcement adds fuel to the perception that
they are taking the learning services opportunity very seriously.

The learning industry continues its consolidation evolution. Details on
this deal at http://www.lotus.com

NOTE: Both Macromedia and Lotus are Sponsors of our TechLearn '99
Conference (http://www.techlearn.com)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

137 - Acceptance of Current State Quality & Coaching Delivered Via Technology

1. Acceptance of Current State Quality: I was using my cell phone and was
struck by how we accept current quality as a transitional state when it
comes to certain technologies. I know that my cell phone is not what I saw
on Star Trek. Commander Kirk never said to Scotty that he was moving
through cells and could he call him back. The cell phone is wonderful. It
works and it is now so small I wear it on my belt. BUT, I accept the
current state quality as a necessary compromise. I know that SOMEDAY this
technology will sound better than my home phone and I will always be in
range. The current state of quality has not slowed down the vast explosion
of this technology. We use it for what it is and have full confidence that
it will keep getting better and better.

The same can or cannot apply to learning technologies. When I go to a
website to see a streamed video presentation, I fluctuate between acceptance
of the current state and sometimes fleeing when the bandwidth drops too low.
Our users may be seeing the glass as half full or moaning that it is half
empty. I would be interested in TechLearn Readers comments on acceptance
of current state quality. Can you send a note to current@masie.com and we
will publish the results next week.

2. Free Seminar for Associations on The Impact of Technology. The
traditional association is being challenged and sometimes even threatened by
technology. The MASIE Center and The Washington Speakers Bureau are
collaborating on a FREE seminar for associations that I will present on
Thursday, November 18th from 10 am to Noon in Washington, DC. We will
explore how associations meetings and publications are altering in the
Digital Age. I will present a number of models for calibrating the
association to new expectations and opportunities. This seminar is for
non-profit and association employees. Go to http://www.washspeakers.com
and select "The Executive Technology Briefing" option on the home page to
register.

3. Coaching Delivered Via Technology: Granular Elements of Coaching &
Consulting: Watch for innovations in the field of coaching and consulting
delivered in smaller chunks, via technology. Imagine a CEO who needs
coaching on a key topic. Why not provide that via video-conferencing or
even internet based collaboration. Imagine a consultant who is really
needed for 2 hours, but sells their services on a day rate. Imagine being
able to access their expertise, via technology, on a more granular basis.

This is really all about on-line knowledge transfer and new business models
for coaching/consulting. Marshall Goldsmith, one of world's foremost
authorities in helping leaders achieve positive, measurable change in
behavior: for themselves, their people and their teams, is pioneering in
this area. Marshall and I will demonstrate video based coaching at
TechLearn '99. Marshall will be in California and will conduct a one hour
coaching session via a real time videoconferencing hookup. (His web site is
http://www.marshallgoldsmith.com/) Watch for more coaching and consulting
services to be offered in this medium.

4. NetPodium Acquired by Intervu: INTERVU Inc, a leading service provider
for Internet audio and video delivery solutions, today announced a
definitive agreement to acquire privately-held Netpodium Inc., a
Seattle-based innovator of live, interactive Web-based communication
software and event hosting services. The acquisition will expand the company
's audio and video Internet broadcasting offerings in the business services
market.

Netpodium's Web Events technology is an interactive, Web-centric solution
that integrates streaming media platforms from Microsoft and Real Networks
to enable users to broadcast their messages to thousands, while
simultaneously interacting with audiences in a virtual auditorium setting.
Features include instantaneous messaging and audience polling to facilitate
interactions during live events. Also, an integrated standards-based
database system offers access to event reporting and supports actionable
follow-up. Netpodium's customers have been utilizing INTERVU's delivery
network since the two companies formed an alliance in April of this year.
Their websites are www.netpodium.com and www.intervu.com

5. Charles Schwab Launches Learning Intranet with Teamscape: Charles Schwab
& Co., Inc. today announced that it is creating a Schwab Learning Intranet
using Teamscape Learning Portal.. The company-wide implementation is a
one-stop, self-service environment on the Schwab Intranet for all training
delivered to over 13,000 users across 8 separate business units worldwide.
By moving their global training operations onto the web and delivering day
or night access to training for all users, Schwab expects significant
operational cost-savings, enhanced productivity, and improved overall
employee training. "Teamscape will play a strategic role in enabling
Charles Schwab to create a unified learning and training infrastructure on
the web," said Irene Beiriger, Schwab's Vice President Retail Client
Services Training and Development. "The end result will be employees who are
better trained and a training organization ready for the 21st century."
Their websites are www.schwab.com and www.teamscape.com

TechLearn '99 Update: (Oct 31 to Nov 3, 1999 - Orlando, Florida)
* 1,598 Registered. Design limit is 2,500. On-Line registration is open at
http://www.techlearn.com
* Research Sessions at TechLearn Presented by ASTD and The MASIE Center
* Pre-Conference Learning Session to be Conducted On-Line in October. All
registrants will receive access codes in the Fall to participate in the
On-Line TechLearn Sessions. These sessions will focus on: Learning
Technology, Computer & IT Training and Learning Decisions!
* Charity Golf Tournament on Sunday, October 31st: We are planning a
Charity Golf Event. If you are a golfer and would like to help organize
this event, please send an email to emasie@masie.com
* ASTD, ITTA, ISA, CEdMA and MASIE Center members receive a $100 discount
at TechLearn '99.

Vacations & Technology Survey

Vacations & Technology Survey

Take 2 minutes and complete a MASIE Center/TechLearn Trends survey on the
role (or non-use) of technology and work during your summer vacation. For
example, do you check email while on vacation? How about bringing along
work-related reading?

Just go to: http://www.masie.com/survey/

Results will be published in TechLearn Trends in the next 10 days.

Thanks, Elliott Masie

Information on TechLearn '99 (1,641 Registered Already!) is available
http://www.techlearn.com

What is Your Learning Support Agreement (LSA)?

TO: Learning and Training Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, The MASIE Center

RE: What is Your Learning Support Agreement (LSA)?

Here is a new term: LSA. Learning Support Agreement. Imagine a short
statement detailing the learning support services that one can expect to
receive when they sign up for a training experience. A classroom seminar
may have a very different LSA than an on-line course. A short web based
tutorial may have a different LSA (and price) than a 3 month distance
learning certification program. Yet, each experience has a learner (and a
provider) who can benefit from clarity about roles and expectations.

Here are some of the categories that could be covered by a LSA:

a) Learning Coaching: When the learner needs assistance in processing the
information from the class, what services are available? Do they go to the
instructor, to a support center and what will they receive?
b) Technology Assistance: When the learner has difficulty with using
learning technology, who should they turn towards? Is it the sole
responsibility of their organization or does the learning provider have
resources to help?
c) Response Time: When I have a question in a small seminar, my
expectations for response time are short.a few minutes at the most. When I
have a question in a larger lecture class, my response time expectations get
recalibrated. When I am a learner in a distributed learning experience,
what type of turn-around time for learning services should I expect?
(Minutes, Hours, or Days?)
d) Mode of Learning Support: What are the delivery modes for learning
support? Is everything contained in the class FAQ's? Do I have the ability
to talk to the instructor? What if I don't like email? Or, in some
instances, there is no support available...you are just buying access to a
computer based class without coaching support.
e) Collaborative Expectations: What is the expectation for peer support
during the learning event? Is it my role to assist other people taking the
course or is that an optional activity on my part?
f) Remediation Options: If I need to take a class or module again, is
that an option? Are there asynchronous versions of our synchronous classes
available for viewing and repeat exposures? Can I take modules from
earlier programs that may assist with some pre-requisites that are
challenging?
g) Documentation Services: What will the learning provider document about
my participation in this program.
h) Duration of Access: How long do I have access to the content from the
class? Does it "linger" for years, much as my college textbooks or does it
evaporate at a specified time?

The idea for a Learning Support Agreement is triggered by the explosion of
offerings in the training marketplace. The expectations for traditional
classrooms were pretty clear and could be explained at the start of the
class. Yet, when taking on-line and other technology delivered programs,
the LSA is needed to help all of the players understand the expectations.

LSA's will also help the marketplace discern value and price points when
looking at a vast number of similar programs. Buyers can more clearly value
the component elements of a program when they can understand the LSA.

Here is an example of some of the components of a Learning Support Agreement
for an on-line class:

1) Pre-Class: Learners will be provided with a list of on-line articles and
resources for review prior to the start of the class. Learners can also
take an on-line self-assessment quiz to ascertain their readiness to take
this program.

2) During Class: The primary method for accessing the instructor will be
emails and threaded discussions. Once a week, the instructor (or a
teaching assistant) will be available for a real-time on-line chat. The
response time for learner questions will be between 24 and 48 hours.

3) Post Class: All class materials will remain accessible to students in
the program for 12 months. All post class support will be provided in the
threaded discussions and FAQ posting.

4) Technical Support: First level technical support should be accessed from
your internal IS group. Email requests for additional technical assistance
should be directed to our support desk at the email provided below.

Learning Support Agreements will take on different tones, scopes and styles.
They might be more conversational and less legal. They could focus more
clearly about what is NOT included (though marketing folks may object). The
idea of this article is to spark a dialogue about the LSA. The MASIE
Center believes that LSA's can add a great deal to both the learner and the
marketplace. We will be hosting a session at TechLearn '99 focused on
Learning Support Agreements.

Send your comments and reactions to lsa@masie.com and we will post these in
a future TechLearn Trends. Permission granted to post and circulate this
column.

TechLearn '99 will be held in Orlando, Florida - Oct 31 to Nov 3, 1999 -
1,692 Registered Already --- http://www.techlearn.com for details and
on-line registration.

138 - Portals - Portals - Portals Everywhere!; Results from Vacation and Technology Survey

(Quick Notes on a Summer Day in Saratoga Springs!)

1. Loretta LaRoche Featured on PBS - Relax, You Only Have a Few Minutes
Left: If you are in the United States, your local PBS station should be
running a new show by Loretta LaRoche, the queen of stress management and a
keynoter at TechLearn '99. Loretta's latest show is called Relax, You Only
Have a Few Minutes Left. She has an incredible ability to make people
laugh (and tear) by focusing on some of the funny things we do in our daily,
busy lives. Loretta is going to be offering 2 FREE pre-conferences at
TechLearn '99 on Sunday, Oct. 31 and will also be doing a keynote session.
Check this website for information and listings on her PBS show:
http://www.pbs.org/whatson/press/relax.html

2. Portals - Portals - Portals Everywhere!: In the last few weeks, five
more portals have popped on the learning scene. Portals are efforts to
build public or internal single point of access sites for learning from
multiple sources. The portal frenzy has led to an invitation by the folks
from the U.S. Department of Labor's America Learning eXchange and The MASIE
Center to have a meeting of portals (announced and upcoming) at TechLearn
'99. We will start with a conference call in September and have a face to
face meeting and panel on Portals at TechLearn '99. If you are an executive
at a portal company, please contact me at emasie@masie.com and we will get
you involved in the portals, portals everywhere discussion.

3. Results from Vacation and Technology Survey: 1,493 of your colleagues
responded to our recent survey on the use of technology during vacations.
The complete results are at http://www.masie.com/survey/ Here are a few
tidbits: 32% of the respondents brought a laptop along; 49% of the folks
checked email during their vacation; 696 people checked their work voice
mail while on vacation; and 293 people read a business book on a recent
vacation.

4. Feedback from Readers on Language Training: Here are some comments from
TechLearn Trends readers responding to a query about the state of language
training: http://www.masie.com/language.htm

5. Women in Training and Learning: Diane Hessan has agreed to host our
Women in Training and Learning Symposium at TechLearn. If you would be
interested in participating or helping to facilitate this sessions, please
send a note to diane@techlearn.com

6. TechLearn '99 is Filling Fast! We now have 1,714 registrations and they
are coming in at the rate of 25 per day. There will be a hard design limit
of 2,500 paid participants and we expect to reach that in early Fall.
PLEASE REGISTER SOON! Just go to http://www.techlearn.com for details and
on-line registration. Remember, members of ASTD, ISA, ITTA, CEdMA and The
MASIE Center receive a special discount of $100 off tuition. Dates for
TechLearn are October 31 to November 3, 1999.

TechLearn '99 Expo on Wheels

TO: Learning and Technology Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, The MASIE Center

We just received the first sample of the TechLearn '99 Learning & Technology Expo Luggage!

Instead of a trade show, all TechLearn '99 participants will receive an Expo in a Carry-On. All the info and none of the booth walking. Plus a cool piece of luggage to use after TechLearn. Each Participant Will Receive
This Carry-On Luggage Filled with Catalogs, CD's and Video's from over 100 suppliers and developers.

Take a look at the new model of a Expo on Wheels:
http://www.techlearn99.com/luggage.htm

(TechLearn '99 is scheduled for Orlando, Florida from October 31 to November
3, 1999)

Info at http://www.techlearn.com

139 - Summer Media Based Learning; Digital Collaboration Factors

(Returning from a Johnny Mathis Concert at Saratoga Performing Arts
Center --- He is still hot!)

1. Summer Media Based Learning: Do You Want to Be a Millionaire TV
Experience - Summer television is never a big thing in my house. Mainly
reruns and lots of other outdoor activities to do. Yet, a TV show in the
United States has caught our attention and that of millions of other
viewers. ABC Television has adapted a quiz show concept from a European
show and offered a nightly competition for a prize of One Million United
States Dollars. The show gets it contestants from an automated telephone
call (to a $1.95 cent 900 number) which allows people to answer questions
and qualify for the show. Then, the contestants answer a series of
questions, with the ability to use a few "lifelines" like calling a friend
or taking a poll of the audience.

We are hooked! My wife and I (and our extended family) have become avid
viewers. We compete for answers with each other and the TV contestant.
And, we are engaged in the process. I've gone to the web several times to
understand a question that I got wrong. And, millions of viewers are
following along. Sure, it is about game show fascination that is decades
old. Yet, on another level, there are several elements that we can apply to
our work in the learning world:

- Multiple Formats of Engagement are Used
- Competition Between Players (Learners)
- Providing Multiple Coaching Models (Live Coaches and Peer Resources)
- Value in the Observation Side of a Learning Experience

If you are watching this series, I would be interested in your comments on
how we might apply some of the elements to learning and technology. Send
your comments to million@masie.com Sorry, the prize here is
smaller...mention in a future TechLearn Trends.

2. Learning Phrase Counts - Last 60 Days: Here is a new feature of
TechLearn TRENDS. We will provide monthly "phrase and jargon" checks. Here
are the counts of these phrases from a search of Lexis-Nexis for mentions in
major publications over the past 60 days:

E-Learning: 23
Web Based Training: 113
Application Service Provider: 691
On Line Learning: 233
Distance Learning: 1458
Learning Portals: 23
Chief Learning Officer: 15

3. Digital Collaboration Factors: Yesterday, I facilitated a one hour
dialogue with a group of training and learning executives in the UK. We
used Centra's product to conduct this briefing, focused on Digital
Collaboration. Here were the factors that we discussed as driving
corporate demand for Digital Collaboration:

* Cycle Time: The desire to reduce the cycle time for the distribution of
knowledge throughout the enterprise.
* Globalization: The need to hit every corner of the enterprise at the same
time (from the Mailroom to Remote Offices)
* Live to Stored: The requirement of taking live events and using elements
as the core of stored, asynchronous knowledge offerings.
* Granularization: The reality that many folks only want to participate in
a small chunk of a meeting or event.
* Engagement: The need to get immediate feedback and data from the
organization on proposed actions.
* Knowledge Management: The capacity to capture, treat and deploy knowledge
for strategic objectives.

Our dialogue focused heavily on the need to address the CULTURAL ELEMENTS of
Digital Collaboration, even more than the technological challenges.
Digital Collaboration is the title of a new initiative by The MASIE Center
and ASTD, which will reflect itself in sessions at TechLearn '99 and ASTD's
events in 2000.

4. The Telephone Doctor is Coming to TechLearn '99: We have 1,887 paid
participants for TechLearn '99 --- with a limit of 2,500. If you are
planning on attending, please register ASAP, to avoid being locked out.
Here are some new program elements at TechLearn '99 (Oct 31 to Nov 3, 1999):

* The Telephone Doctor, Nancy Friedman, will present two Featured Sessions
on High Tech Customer Service Nightmares
* Portals, Portals and More Portals: A Dialogue with over 25 Learning
Portal Companies
* Department of Defense's ADL International Panel of NATO Learning Leaders
* Training Hero: Award to Beth Thomas, The Limited, as a Training Hero and
Role Model
* Public Policy and Learning: What About Overtime, Compensation,
Certification in New Learning Models
* Career Advice: What Careers Are Ahead for Us in This Crazy Changing Field

Plus, BEHIND the SCENE Optional Tours of Disney....Visit the tunnels
underneath Disney World to see their processes and approach to customer
service.

Register ASAP On-Line at http://www.techlearn.com

140 - Trouble Teaching Old Faculty New Tricks

1. Trouble Teaching Old Faculty New Tricks: Study Released - Kristin Barton, our Director of Development, passes along the following study hot off the press. The study found that a large percentage of faculty in
higher education institutions were slow adopters of technology for teaching and were feeling some difficulty in keeping up with the ever changing world of technology. Here is a segment of the story from the Associated Press:

"As college students research papers on the Internet and manipulate numbers on spreadsheets, their professors are feeling a little less in tune with the newest computer trends. Two out of three professors say they are stressed trying to keep up with the emerging technology, surpassing traditional troubles such as publishing pressure and teaching loads, according to a new national survey of university faculty.

Researchers say they may be not be using the technology because they are scared by it, which means they never learn how it works or how to handle it calmly.

"The level of stress resulting from information technology is quite likely a reflection of the time faculty invest in computer use," said Linda Sax, a researcher who directed the faculty survey at the University of California,
Los Angeles.

Nearly nine in 10 college instructors agreed that "student use of computers enhances their learning." But only 35 percent use the Internet to conduct research, and just 38 percent use technology to create class presentations.

By contrast, 87 percent use computers to send e-mail and 85 percent use them to write memos or letters.

Like most of his peers, Thomas King, a theology professor at Georgetown University, said he doesn't use computers for classroom presentations.

"I just don't have the time. I don't have the time to use everything they come up with," he said. King uses e-mail, calling it a "very nice development" for keeping up with friends and colleagues. But he said even
that can be cumbersome. "I just get so many messages that it's a real chore," he said.

The 34,000 faculty members surveyed by mail in the 1998-99 academic year represent 378 of the nation's two-year and four-year colleges and universities. The survey suggests that colleges, like the nation's
elementary and secondary schools, have a way to go in preparing teachers for their technically savvy students."

2. TechLearn '99 Case Studies Announced! Corporate Training Managers Present Inside Perspectives: Training managers from over 30 major corporations including McDonald's, Chase Manhattan Bank, NatWest Group, The Limited, Proctor & Gamble, NASA, Oracle, The World Bank, The National Guard, Hills Pet Nutrition and many others are leading one hour structured discussions on their implementation of learning and technology. A list of over 30 of these case studies is now online at http://www.techlearn99.com/cstudy/ Each corporation will answer these questions about their implementation:

* What was the business problem or challenge?
* What were your choices for solutions and why did you choose this one?
* What happened - the nuts and bolts! Cost, resources, steps and decisions.
* What were the positive and negative results?
* If you were to do it all over again, how would you do it differently?

Registration for TechLearn '99 (Oct 31 to Nov 3, 1999 in Orlando, FL) is now 1,903...with a design limit of 2,500 paid attendees. If you would like to make a reservation (while space is still available), go to
http://www.techlearn.com

3. Nancy Weingarten Leaves Post as Editor of Inside Technology Training Magazine. Nancy Weingarten, a long time colleague and sometimes competitor, has announced her final issue as Publisher of Inside Technology Training Magazine (which was recently sold by Ziff Davis to Lakewood Publications). Nancy has served the learning industry for over 20 years and has birthed many of the key conferences and publications. Nancy brought the spotlight to the world of IT Training (then called Data Training) and has consistently advocated for the growth of the learning and technology industry. While Nancy and I had competitive conferences over the years, we also had a great time chatting about the world of learning and the
possibilities for technology as a tool for corporate training. We look forward to seeing Nancy's future efforts in this field. Hats off to you, Nancy!

4. Learning Quotation: Deming

"Learning is not compulsory... neither is survival."
- W. Edwards Deming

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
TechLearn '99 - http://www.techlearn.com

141 - "If We Build Learning Technology, Will They Come"; Orientation Redesign Project

1. "If We Build Learning Technology, Will They Come" - Landmark ASTD/MASIE Center Study Announced:

Technology-based learning is a hot item on the corporate radar screen.
Concept: Take technology and deliver workplace learning right to the
desktops of the workforce. Learn anytime, anywhere. But, the big question
is: If we build it, will they come?

The MASIE Center and the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD)
will partner to study the critical success factors behind learning
technologies. The purpose of the study is to better understand how
organizations can increase learner use and acceptance of learning
technologies.

"The future of learning and technology is bright," said Elliott Masie,
President of The MASIE Center in Saratoga Springs, NY. "This is the perfect
time to better understand how workers and their managers will accept new
delivery methods for corporate training."

Greta Kotler, Interim President of ASTD, observed, "The idea of workplace
learning is poised for a revolutionary change, and technology is the primary
driver. Companies aspiring to stay on the leading edge of workplace learning
need to know how to address the tremendous cultural challenges that learning
technologies present.

""We are very excited about the ASTD and MASIE Center research project,
focusing on worker's acceptance of technology-based learning", said Paul
Petrylka, a director of learning at Kmart. "As organizations such as Kmart
implement new models of learning and training, it is critical that we have
validated research to guide our efforts and decisions."

Kotler adds, "We see this unparalleled study as a partnership that draws
upon the strengths of both ASTD and The Masie Center."

The study is expected to launch in November 1999. Organizations interested
in becoming sponsors or participants are encouraged to contact Mark Van
Buren, ASTD Director of Research, at 1.800.628.2783, ext. 257. We will
post additional information on this study in future TechLearn Trends. The
complete press release is located at http://www.masie.com/study1.htm

2. TechLearn '99 Registers 2000th Attendee - Trends Hits 30,000: We are
pleased to announce that the 2000th person has just registered for TechLearn
'99 (October 31 to November 3rd, Orlando, Florida). There is a design
limit of 2,500 attendees for this industry event and we encourage our
TechLearn Trends readers to register ASAP. http://www.techlearn.com is
the place to go for registration and information. We have now posted the
information for Behind The Scene's Tours of Disney, a Charity Golf
Tournament and all of our case studies.

On Monday night of TechLearn, we will be hosting a special Investment in
Learning session led by , Howard Block, Ph.D., CPA of Bank of America
Securities. He is a Managing Director in the Senior Research Analyst
Department and a leading expert on investment and Wall Street views of the
learning segment. We are honored to have Howard and Bank of America host
these timely dialogues at TechLearn.

We also hit a new mark for TechLearn TRENDS readership. Today, the
registered readership hit 30,012. This is a fun and exciting experiment by
The MASIE Center. We are honored that so many of our colleagues are
regular readers and encourage you to keep sending comments and articles.

3. Orientation Redesign Project? How to Change It? New employee
orientation is the most widely attended training session in the world. Yet,
most people give it a C- or even F. If you were to use technology and new
learning processes to change the way in which we orient and induct our new
employees, what would you do? No limit of resources and no constraints on
models of learning. Brainstorm a few ideas and send us an email to
orientation@masie.com As always, we will publish the results in an
upcoming Trends. New Incentive: A free Behind the Scene's Tour at Disney
during TechLearn for the best entry!

4. Learning Quotation: Carl Rogers

"The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and
change."

~ Carl Rogers ~

5. Request from 3M: Ratio's of Training Expenditure to Sales Levels

John Humphrey, a training colleague from 3 M Corporation, submitted this
question to TRENDS readers. Can you help him out (and we will post a
summary of the results)

"What I'm looking for is the ratio of total $ spent on training to total $
sales for a year (or better yet, over a period of years) for a company.
Just to be clear, here's an example:

In 1994, Company X spent $1.6MM on training companywide, and had total
sales of $64MM, for a 1:40 ratio.
In 1995, they spent $2.5MM on training, and sold $75MM, for a 1:30
ratio.
In 1996, they spent $8MM on training, and sold $160MM, for a 1:20
ratio.
In 1997 they spent $10MM on training, and sold $500MM, for a 1:50
ratio.

I'm not looking for cause-and-effect. I understand many factors could
impact either or both figures positively or negatively. However, I'd
certainly be interested to know what was included in the 'total training $'
figure:
customer training?
facilities and salaries for training?
external as well as internal training?
education?
conferences and seminars?
time-away-from-work-for-class?
other cost centers (e.g., help desk, library) considered part of your training function/organization?
consulting?
internships?
other?

Please send your responses to John Humphrey via email to jrhumphrey@mmm.com
All responses will be kept confidential and a summary will be posted on
Trends in the future. Thanks!

142 - Growth of Self-Service Human Resources; The Future of the Meeting in the Digital Age; Vertical Market Content Grows

1. Growth of Self-Service Human Resources: The growth of on-line
self-service resources and transactions within corporate Human Resources is
powerful and an interesting "surround" for learning and technology. Almost
every large and mid-sized corporation that I have visited in the last year
is in the midst of moving their HR transactions to a self-service model.
The idea is simple and compelling....the employee can make the bulk of their
transactions with the HR function via a corporate intranet. It gives the
employee greater control over the timeliness of the information, it shifts
the clerical task to the employee and it provides the ability for 24 x 7
access, even from home in some cases.

This profound growth of self-service HR is seen in investments in ERP
systems in this area and in the growth of service bureaus and application
service providers targeted at this space. On a recent visit to a large
manufacturing company, the CIO proudly pointed to the ability of any
employee to make the following transactions from any browser in the world
(with proper password access):

- Manage their retirement funds
- View their past performance reviews and current work targets
- Access a database of talents and resources of colleagues in the workforce
- Update personal and benefits information and choices
- Request vacation
- Apply for internal jobs
- Access a HR coach on an anonymous basis
- Participate in 360 feedback surveys
- Take a wide range of personality and skills assessments on-line
- Join a digital community dialogue on work and outside interests
- Enroll for any learning and training activity

In large measure, these companies are using the intranet and browser to
dramatically explode the access to Human Resource information and to orient
employees around a self-service model. This will condition the workforce
to use their desktops to access knowledge resources and for ongoing
development. The last item in the list above is popping up as organizations
are using enterprise systems to allow employees to view and select training
and learning options via a self-service model. We have seen some very
intriguing systems that engage both the employee and their manager in
shaping learning objectives and building a learning contract on-line, rather
than just handling the transaction side of the learning event.

Watch for the growth of HR self-service systems as a great cousin for the
adoption of e-Learning and on-line learning approaches. For a great list
of links on the topics of using technology for the delivery of self-service
HR options go the Society for Human Resource Management link page:
http://www.shrm.org/hrlinks/hris.htm

2. The Future of the Meeting in the Digital Age: Last week, I led a two
day dialogue of meeting planners from large organizations on the future of
meetings in the Digital Age. Clearly, technology has the capability of
dramatically changing the format and role of the traditional meeting. Here
are some comments from the group about their view of how meetings would
evolve as our use of technology grows:

- Meetings Focus On Process Rather than Information Transfer: The group
felt that the meeting format would be used to do things that were not doable
on-line. So, pure information downloads and one way presentations would
not be the core of meetings. More of the meeting time would be focused on
dialogue, interaction, decision making and hands-on work. Meetings would
have a digital introduction, taken prior to coming to the meeting, that
might actually build the agenda and even the final invitation list.

- Meetings as Content Capture: More meetings will be used to capture
content for people that might not be able to attend. While audio or video
taping a meeting rarely yields usable results, a more indexed content
capture, to allow others to drill down to a specific question and answer,
would be a great benefit of meeting time. Meetings might also be used to
create a Knowledge Capture Session, where the stories and knowledge sets of
key workers could be captured.

- Meetings as Social Experiences: This was not really about having more
parties or golf sessions, but it did address the need for us to get human
face time as we go more digitally in our relationships. The thought was to
make sure that when we did gather people together for face to face meetings
that the social experience be considered and built into the process. Often
our agendas do not include real valuation of the social nature of teams
building trust and other norms that are critical to their success.

- Meeting Technology in the Meeting: There was some great brainstorming
about the meeting room of the future. What technology would we add to the
meeting room of the future. I would love to get TechLearn TRENDS readers
views on this topic. Send us a quick note about the types of technology
that you would imagine would be in a meeting room in the year 2003. Send it
to meeting@masie.com and we will post a summary in a week or two.

3. Vertical Market Content Grows: Real Estate University Launched - We are
seeing the growth of vertical market on-line content collections. Here is a
recent one that came across our screen:

Real Estate University.com (REU). www.realestate.university.com. REU offers
its users over 300 hours of courses, including technology training and
professional development classes

Watch for dozens of new universities and content portals to be announced in
the next few months by both associations and for-profit learning ventures.

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
* TechLearn '99 (Oct 31 to Nov 3 - Orlando) We have 2,079 paid
registrations, with a limit of 2,500. Please register ASAP at
http://www.techlearn.com
* Free Seminar for Associations: The MASIE Center and The Washington
Speakers Bureau are presenting a free 1/2 day session on Thursday, November
18th entitled Associations in the Digital Age. Go to
http://www.washspkrs.com/whats_new/show.htm to reserve a space in this free
session - for Association staff only.

143 - Focus on Experience vs. Delivery Method; Cellular Phone Facilitation

1. Focus on Experience vs. Delivery Method: We ought to shift our language
from describing learning by the delivery method (on-line, web-based,
video-conference, classroom) to more of an emphasis on the EXPERIENCES of
the learner. For example, I can look at an on-line seminar on a topic and
not understand what I will DO or EXPERIENCE during the event. Will I read?
Will I listen? Will I do a project? Will I work with other people? Will I
practice? Will I reflect? Will I get feedback?

Far too much of our conversation about changes in the learning industry is
focusing on delivery. While we are building dramatically new delivery
systems, and that is at the core of the e-learning revolution, we must keep
our focus on the experience of the participant. I recently visited with
the training team at IBM, who are rolling out a great management development
program. I was very impressed that they didn't talk about delivery, but
rather that they were building a multi-month experience for newly hired IBM
managers, and would give them experiences of feedback, scenario practice,
group projects, role models, policy exploration and testing for
capabilities. These EXPERIENCES are going to be delivered via a variety of
delivery systems, including the web and classrooms. The emphasis is on
making specific types of EXPERIENCES available to the learner, rather than
just shifting the delivery system.

ebay.com and amazon.com are different in large measure to the change in the
experience of the buyer. Let's not look at On-Line Learning and think that
publishing content to a browser or dealing it from a portal is the core of
the benefit. I would argue that we should not talk about on-line learning
to the learner, but rather focus on the EXPERIENCE they will have and brand
it according to the activities they will engage in.

2. Cellular Phone Facilitation: I had a first in my life as a instructor
yesterday. We were driving to New York City to participate in a meeting of
several area banking and financial institutions exploring learning
technology (hosted by Chase Manhattan and the TechLearn Collaborative).
The combination of bad weather and a visit to the UN by President Clinton
brought a 2 hour delay in our arrival. So, when it was time for me to kick
off our panel, I was in traffic on upper 5th Avenue. The folks at Chase
said, "Walk the Talk". So, my cell phone was called into action and I led
my first 100 person meeting via cell phone. The group was kind, the
reception OK, and the experience deeply strange. But, it did highlight why
we are all exploring collaborative technology...for those moments when we
just can't get in the same place and the learning has to take place NOW.

3. Report on E-Knowledge from Wit Capital: There is a very thorough
analysis of the e-knowledge business opportunity from Wit Capital. They
explore the various elements of this growing field. You can view or
download the report entitled E-Knowledge: New Ways to Build the New Economy
at this URL: http://www.witcapital.com/research/reports/reports.html

4. Food and Technology for Networking at TechLearn '99: We know that one
of the most valuable aspects of going to conferences is the informal aspects
of people meeting colleagues from around the world. At TechLearn '99, we
are going to use technology and food to help the process. There are
currently 2,250 people registered for TechLearn (Oct 31 to Nov 3 - Orlando):
We will be giving each person access to a database of fellow participants
and the ability to contact them digitally at the event. The food part is a
series of optional dinners (from restaurants to picnics) that are available
on Monday night after the Bill Cosby show. We want to give folks the
chance to break bread and meet new colleagues with similar interests, career
paths or organizations. More info about these get togethers will be sent
to each participant two weeks prior to the event. If you are planning on
attending TechLearn please register ASAP at http://www.techlearn.com We
have added 3 additional hotels to accommodate people registering in these
final weeks before the event.

A Personal Note: My wife and business partner, Cathy DiMiceli Masie, had
sad news come to her this weekend. Grandma DiMiceli passed away quietly at
the age of 93. She was a feisty lady who gave her children and
grandchildren love and care. We had the good fortune to visit her one week
ago in her nursing home where she was doing math and remembering good times.
God Bless, Grandma. (Cathy's email is cathy@masie.com if you know her and
want to send a note).