978 - Daily Checklists, Diversity & Inclusion, Character Day

Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS - September 6, 2017.
#978 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology Since 1997.
57,704  Readers - www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2017 - Oct 22 to 25 - Orlando - 1,219 Registered Already 

1. Daily Checklists - Change Happens Over Time.
2. Diversity & Inclusion: Jayzen Patria Keynotes.
3. Character Day - September 13th.
4. More Emergencies & Readiness: Texas, Florida and South Korea. 

1. Daily Checklists - Change Happens Over Time.  I am an amazing fan of Daily Checklists for changes that one wants to make.  The reality of checking a box or adding a number EVERY DAY, creates a continual process of self-checking.  And, if you can have a colleague or coach lightly monitor your checklist, it adds even greater accountability. 

These can be focused on personal health, delegation habits, planning methods or even cleaning a machine at the workplace. 

On a personal level, I started a weight loss plan on New Years Day, which we often do.  This time, I made a commitment to add the details of what I ate at every meal, the exercise and walking that I did every day, and my weight in the morning.  And, I asked a nutrition coach to lightly monitor it. 

Good news is that I went from 229 pounds to 194 pounds as of this morning.  But, more importantly, it has changed my cholesterol and other health findings. 

Checklists are an intriguing model - and keeping them going for a very long time (or maybe longer) works! 

2. Diversity & Inclusion - Jayzen Patria Keynotes: I am honored to add Jayzen Patria as a keynoter on Diversity & Inclusion at Learning 2017.  I have known Jayzen for many years as a colleague and learning thought leader.  Now, as an energizing and pragmatic speaker and change agent, Jayzen will share key perspectives at our event.  Go to his bio at: http://tinyurl.com/jayzenlearning 

3. Character Day - September 13th! Tiffany Shlain, one of my favorite thinkers and videographers sponsors, a global broadcast on September 13th.  Check it out at http://www.characterday.org 

4. More Emergencies & Readiness - Texas, Florida and South Korea: What a year for emergencies.  As you have read, Emergency Readiness should be an added focus for the Learning and Development Field.  From the floods in Texas to the coming Hurricane headed to Florida to our colleagues in South Korea having bombing simulations, it is clear that we have to extend the reach of Learning and Development to the Emergency Readiness arena and partner with internal and external subject matter partners.  

Our thoughts and prayers go to those regions facing these emergencies.  And, thanks to the Responders and Volunteers who bravely respond. 

Yours in learning, 

Elliott Masie
Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: @emasie 

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:

- Learning 2017 - October 22 to 25  Orlando, Florida USA - Over 1,219 Colleagues Registered Already!
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM 

Details and Online Registration: http://www.masie.com 

Learning TRENDS is produced by The MASIE Center.  95 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

977 - Labor Day, Work and Learning

Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS - September 2, 2017.
#977 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology Since 1997.
57,704  Readers - www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2017 - Oct 22 to 25 - Orlando - 1,124 Registered Already 

1. Labor Day, Work & Learning.
2. Big & Small Data for Teachers & Trainers.
3. Countdown to Learning. 

1. Labor Day, Work & Learning: Labor Day in the United States has always been an intense mixture of thoughts, emotions and anticipations for me.  When I was growing up, Labor Day meant: 

- The end of summer.
- The start of school in just a few days (which I loved).
- Buying new school supplies (especially a new notebook and looseleaf reinforcements).
- The leaves starting to change as Fall approached.
- In other words, it was a time of change and a focus on learning. 

In political terms, Labor Day was a celebration of Labor and the role of organized labor associations and unions.  It was a time to celebrate the role that Work, Workers and Skills played in our society.  There were often parades in Manhattan, where I grew up, of plumbers, transit workers and other craft trade unions. 

As Labor Day approaches this year, these themes re-emerge for me.  Labor Day now means: 

- The start of the “school year”.  I still think of the year starting with the “start” of school.
- A reflection on Learning.  I bought a few new books this week and signed up for an online course.
- Honoring time of work and workers.  Our societies depend on the skills and readiness of the workforce.
- Hope for more efforts on Apprenticeships, Lifelong Learning, Learning Culture and more.
- A time for planning my own development and “stretch” experiences. 

We should more deeply leverage Labor Day to recognize, celebrate and support Work, Workers and Learning in the Workplace.  As the tools of learning extend to our phones, social networks and beyond, ask yourself and your circle of people to think about Labor Day, Work and Learning. 

“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” Martin Luther King, Jr. 

On this Labor Day, let us also think of and celebrate the work, skills and sense of community that is supporting the residents of Texas. 

2. Big & Small Data for Teachers & Trainers: Much of the conversation about “Big Data” has focused on assessment and improvement of the learning activities and processes we create for our workforce.  

We should extend this conversation to consider the role of Big Data (and small data) on providing feedback, adjustment and optimization of Teachers and Trainers in their roles as leaders and facilitators of learning. 

Most data conversations are focused on looking at the “overall” impact from or reaction to a learning experience.  We may gather some data about how the teacher is presenting, but it usually stays at a macro level. 

I am intrigued to drill down and look at my own teaching skills.  It would be powerful (and perhaps jarring) to understand: 

- Which types of learners learn best or worst from me as a teacher?
- Which type of content do I explain and explore best or worst?
- What length of content delivery is my ideal and where do I waste time or focus?
- When do I “over-teach” or focus on content that is better delivered in a different method?
- What is my reaction to “under-motivated” learners?
- What is the class reaction of my presence as a teacher and how do I use or ignore their early reactions?
- How would my teaching change if I shifted the sequence of learning elements? 

This level of data is never really collected or shared back to the trainer/teacher.  Yet, with deep feedback, Effective Teaching can be optimized.  People who are teaching can be coached and supported to continually align their teaching methods, content, style and process to help their learners get to readiness as effectively as possible. 

3. Countdown to Learning: Labor Day weekend also is our signal moment that we are just 2 months away from hosting thousands of our learning colleagues at Learning 2017 (Oct 22 to 25 - Orlando, Florida USA). 

People often ask me about the process of organizing an event for thousands.  It is a combination of producing a Broadway Show, organizing a huge wedding and helping a single individual learn a new task. 

Labor Day also triggers the Countdown to Learning 2017: 

- On Tuesday, we start to place 180 magnets on a scheduling board, to time what experiences will happen in each of the 9 Activity Blocks.
- We are starting to create a brand new song and dance number that will focus on Learning in this digital and changing time.  Fun to work with artists in Seattle, New York and overseas on this WOW experience that will be at the start of Learning 2017.
- Working with the staff for our keynoters to format their time with conversations and experiences with our participants.
- Designing how to use a massive screen (over 70 feet wide) at our General Sessions with video from 6 cameras and real-time content from the audience to have WOW experiences - even at the back of the room.
- Collaborating with our 30 Under 30 Alumni on Reverse Mentoring, Learning Escape Rooms, Storytelling LABs, Learning TV, Gamification LABs, Innovation Sessions and more. 

We are now at 1,124 registrations and it is growing every day.  We encourage our colleagues to register early, as the hotel rooms at the conference hotel are filling rapidly.  Go to http://www.learning2017.com and check out the content, experiences and excitement.  Hope to learn with you in Orlando in October!

Yours in learning, 

Elliott Masie
Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: @emasie 

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:

- Learning 2017 - October 22 to 25  Orlando, Florida USA - Over 1,124 Colleagues Registered Already!
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM 

Details and Online Registration: http://www.masie.com 

Learning TRENDS is produced by The MASIE Center.  95 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

976 - Texas Flood Readiness, Graying of Learners, 1,000th Participant

Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS - August 28, 2017.
#976 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology Since 1997.
57,698  Readers - www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2017 - Oct 22 to 25 - Orlando - 1,017 Registered Already 

1. Crisis Readiness Perspectives: Texas Floods.
2. Graying of our Learners?
3. 1,000th Participant: Shelley Moss. 

1. Crisis Readiness Perspectives - Texas Floods: As you may know, The MASIE Center has been focusing on the Readiness of our Workplaces and Workforces for Cyber, Terror & Emergency Disruptions.  It will be a major focus at Learning 2017 and the current tragic weather in Texas is a deep reminder of preparing for the “worst”.

This morning, I was communicating with several learning leaders in the Houston and nearby regions about the impact of the Hurricane/Flood on their workplaces and the nature of readiness planning that was already (or not) in place to prepare for this type of emergency. 

Clearly, organizations have Crisis Reaction plans in place to strategically deal with weather intense shutdowns.  However, the readiness does not always extend to the entire workforce and many are working hard to stay on top of the impact of the storms and rising waters. 

Readiness must extend and include: 

- Employee safety.
- Employee anxiety about family/neighbors and property.
- Clear communication systems and Code Red status when communication systems are down.
- Multiple ways of reaching and communicating with employees, colleagues and management.
- Access to limited corporate networks (eg. Sharepoint) from remote locations without a firewall.
- Ability to work from home or remotely.
- Systems to communicate status and readiness with external customers, including a Code Red website.
- Coaching and intervention for employees facing significant loss.
- Volunteering and service mechanisms for staff to support each other. 

These are just a few of the elements that we MUST put in place, practice and keep up to date, with the entire workforce PRIOR to a Weather, Cyber, Terror or other Emergency. 

I am traveling to Japan on October 6th, to visit their Emergency Readiness and Simulation centers, which provide realistic and VR sims of hurricanes, earthquakes, radiation and other disasters.  We will be videotaping myself and others going through these Centers in both Tokyo and Kobe, in anticipation of providing a Learning Award to the program at Learning 2017 in October. 

2. Graying of our Learners? While much of the “age” conversation about shifts in the workforce has focused on the youngest folks in our organizations, there is a larger story. 

We have a significant “Graying” of the Workforce and also a “Graying of our Learners!” 

Many organizations are experiencing delayed retirement from workers in their 60’s and 70’s - due to either economic issues or an employee totally not ready to be “done”.  

Other organizations are consciously hiring more senior employees, often in a flex schedule model, to expand and extend the workforce.  And, many of these employees bring deep and wide skills, experiences and capacities. 

So, what does a “Graying of our Learners” trend imply for Learning & Development?  How do our learners learn differently as they grow older?  How should our learning assumptions and designs shift or be personalized as our learners age? And, how can we leverage the best of the mature learner as a vehicle for innovation in the world of learning? 

If you have some perspectives, I would love to hear from you.  Send an email to emasie@masie.com   And, you don’t have to be “gray” to contribute your perspectives. 

3. 1,000th Participant - Shelley Moss: We are honored to recognize Shelley Moss as our 1,000th Registered Participant for Learning 2017.  Shelley is a learning leader at Boeing in Seattle.  And, it will be her first time at our event. 

Since regulations prohibit us awarding any gifts to Shelley, we will give her a big cheer and hello in Orlando in October.  Check out her smiles at: http://tinyurl.com/masie1000 

Yours in learning, 

Elliott Masie
Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: @emasie 

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:

- Learning 2017 - October 22 to 25  Orlando, Florida USA - Over 1,017 Colleagues Registered Already!
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM 

Details and Online Registration: http://www.masie.com 

Learning TRENDS is produced by The MASIE Center.  95 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

975 - Level Zero Evaluation? Updates on Eclipse at Work.

Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS - August 21, 2017.
#975 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology Since 1997.
57,694  Readers - www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2017 - Oct 22 to 25 - Orlando - 904 Registered Already 

1. Level Zero: Learning Assessment Rethought!
2. Eclipse Experience: What is Happening at Your Workplace Now?

1. Level Zero: Learning Assessment Rethought! We all know about Learning Evaluation at Level 1, 2, 3 or 4.  And, it can be a tricky conversation about how each of those Kirkpatrick levels can impact learning. 

But, I would like to SPIN this conversation to introduce: 

Level Zero: User Experience, Evidence, Alignment, and Readiness 

Before we focus on “how did the learners like or benefit from the learning activity”, let’s look at Level Zero - what we MUST do before learning is released, published, or delivered.  

Level Zero will be a theme of our Learning CONSORTIUM and Learning 2017 - as our field adds the approaches of User Experience Design, Usability, Alignment, and Evidence to Develop Learning. 

For example: 

* What did our User Experience testing tell us about the readiness of the learning program to be launched?
* What did our Usability work tell us about the technical and learner understanding status of the program?
* Alignment: Is this learning activity STILL relevant for the needs of this business unit or function?
* Evidence: How will we gather evidence to test if it would be better to stick with the old program or even drop the learning activity all together - with the same or better outcomes?
* And More… 

If you would like to think with me and others on the role that Level Zero has on learning, please send an email with some thoughts to emasie@masie.com 

2. Eclipse Experience: What is Happening at Your Workplace Now? Right now, we are preparing to go to the porch of The MASIE Center in Saratoga and watch some of the Eclipse through official Eclipse glasses. The staff have been sharing stories from their past about solar and lunar eclipses. And, I have been playing “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler. Curious about what other folks or organizations are doing at this Eclipse Moment. 

** Registrations for Learning 2017 are Soaring: We have had our highest rate of registrations in over 27 years for Learning 2017, which will happen Oct 22 to Oct 25 in Orlando, Florida. If you are planning on sending one colleague or a team to Learning 2017, please register early. We just added groups coming from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Dubai. Registration and Early Discounts at http://www.learning2017.com 

Yours in learning, 

Elliott Masie
Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: @emasie 

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:

- Learning 2017 - October 22 to 25 in Orlando, Florida USA - Over 904 Colleagues Registered Already!
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM 

Details and Online Registration: http://www.masie.com 

Learning TRENDS is produced by The MASIE Center.  95 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

974 - Escape Room Learning, Leaders as Learners, Kinky Sox Races

Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS - August 11, 2017.
#974 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology Since 1997.
57,685  Readers - www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2017 - Oct 22 to 25 - Orlando - 819 Registered Already 

1. Gamification & Escape Room Learning Experiences!
2. Leaders as Overt Learners.
3. Watch Learning TRENDS Video & Curated Answers.
4. MASIE Stable:  Kinky Sox and Matzo Toga Horses Running! 

1. Gamification & Escape Room Learning Experiences! This year, we are adding a Gamification LAB and an Escape Room LAB as Experiences at Learning 2017. In both situations, our participants will have opportunities to create and experiment with “extreme” experiences as learning activity options: 

* Gamification LAB: In Orlando, a group of participants will discuss, design and sketch out a Learning App with gamification elements at the core.  Working with expert Karl Kapp and some of our 30 Under 30 Alumni, participants will imagine and frame out an engaging and cool app. Then, overnight a group of techie colleagues in Shanghai China will create a working prototype of the app that can be shared with the several thousand Learning 2017 participants. Based on the feedback, the app will be improved and then refined again overnight for review at the last session. And, the app will be placed in Open Source to be used by folks back at work. My fantasy is that we can locate the China colleagues at the new Disney in Shanghai and have a 24x7 video link between our two Magic Learning Castles. 

* Escape Room LAB: Last year, one of our highest impact activities was the Learning Escape Room, which was designed by participants to create a 30 minute intense engagement around a learning outcome. We are “scaling” this for Learning 2017, once again led by our 30 Under 30 Alumni. Participants will have an opportunity to be Producers of the Escape Room content and help assemble the challenges. And, more folks will have a one hour experience in the Escape Room, processing how it might be applied to the world of learning. In fact, several organizations leveraged the experience last year and have implemented Escape Rooms for leadership and other programs. 

Details at http://www.learning2017.com 

2. Leaders as Overt Learners: Consider a small and powerful intervention to better brand the leaders of your organization as Learners.  Here are a few suggestions: 

* Leaders’ Library: Books and small reactions to the titles that leaders (including your CEO) are currently reading.  Set them up in the lobby or an area in the dining room or a site online.  Watch these titles pop up on many folks’ desks.  And, they don’t have to be non-fiction or business books. 

* Leader as Online Student: Ask several leaders to enroll in an online learning program (offered internally or externally) and provide some photo shots and interviews with the leaders. 

* Curiosity Tags: Post small phrases that reflect the current “Curiosities” of leaders on any topic. 

* Trip Report: When leaders take business trips to other regions or countries, occasionally post a video that documents what they discovered or learned during the journey. 

3. Watch Learning TRENDS Video & Curated Answers: The 58 minute video Briefing on Learning TRENDS & Challenges in 2017 and a curated video of answers to emailed-in questions is now posted for viewing. We had over 2,500 watch these segments. Check it out at: http://www.learning2017.com/2017trends 

4. MASIE Stable: Kinky Sox and Matzo Toga Horses Running! It is Summer in Saratoga and the horses in The MASIE Stable have the honor of racing at the leading track in the world. Today, Kinky Sox (named after “Kinky Boots” that we produce) will run in the 9th race.  And, next week, we are hoping that Citizen Matzo will have her first race ever on Thursday. Don’t bet any money - but root for the horses. They are in “stretch assignments” and it is a powerful experience to race with 30,000 people watching and cheering. FYI: Kinky Sox has white ankles and gets a secret glazed doughnut every few days. “And they are off…..” 

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: @emasie 

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:

- Learning 2017 - October 22 to 25  Orlando, Florida USA - Over 819 Colleagues Registered Already!
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM 

Details and Online Registration: http://www.masie.com 

Learning TRENDS is produced by The MASIE Center.  95 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

973 - Check Now - Act Later? Time Shifting Shift; Ask John Lithgow Questions on Storytelling

Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS - August 7, 2017.
#973 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology Since 1997.
57,678  Readers - www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2017 - Oct 22 to 25 - Orlando - 819 Registered Already 

1. Check Now - Act Later? Time Shifting!
2. Questions for John Lithgow on Storytelling???
3. Join Free Video Briefing on August 9th on Learning TRENDS 

1. Check Now - Act Later? Time Shifting!: One of the “trends” that I have been tracking is the way in which people are Time Shifting their decision making process. 

Let’s call it: “Check Now — Act Later?” 

In a nutshell, I watch many people (including myself) do a two-step, time-spread process for making a decision. 

* Check Now!  We have become awesome at using mobile devices and the internet to CHECK something out right now.  For example, are their tickets for a flight in six weeks.  We quickly check and validate that it is an OPTION.
* BUT!  Since we live in a time of continuous change and choices, rarely do we act right now.
* Act Later! A few days before the actual event or activity, we check again and ACT at the very last minute. 

Why? Things may change.  Prices may change.  Better options may appear.  “Check Now — Act Later!” is a process that is surfacing in the learning field, as many of our fellow employees are checking to see if the class or lab is still open.  But, they wait until the very last minute to confirm. 

This creates agility for the learner.  And, it could create ulcers for the learning producer/planner. 

Many learners are wanting to have an Uber or Lyft or AirBnB around learning.  I will be broadening this perception into a fun essay in the coming weeks.  What do you see is happening with the “Check Now — Act Later” shift? Send me an email to emasie@masie.com 

2. Questions for John Lithgow on Storytelling???  John Arthur Lithgow is an American actor, musician, singer, comedian, voice actor, and author. He will be one of our Keynoters at Learning 2017 and I would love to have some questions about “Storytelling” to ask him. 

John has received two Tony Awards, five Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, an American Comedy Award, four Drama Desk Awards and has also been nominated for two Academy Awards and four Grammy Awards.  He is well known for his television roles as Dick Solomon in 3rd Rock from the Sun, Arthur Mitchell in Dexter and Sir Winston Churchill in The Crown as well as for his roles in films Blow Out, Twilight Zone: The Movie, Footloose, Harry and the Hendersons, Raising Cain, Shrek, Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Interstellar. His performances in The World According to Garp and Terms of Endearment each earned him Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor.

At Learning 2017, we will have two experiences of and with John Lithgow.  He will be performing a one-man, one-act drama that is 55 minutes long - that will have you on the edge of your seats.  And, I will be interviewing John Lithgow about the art, skill and process of “Storytelling”. 

Send me a few questions that I could ask John Lithgow to emasie@masie.com   Thanks! 

e) Join Free Video Briefing on August 9th on Learning Trends: I will be doing a Live and Free one hour video briefing on Learning Trends and Challenges in 2017 on August 9th.  There are already over 1,500 earning colleagues signed up for this briefing.  Check out the content and hope you can join me: http://tinyurl.com/vidbriefing 

Yours in learning, 

Elliott Masie
Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: @emasie 

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:

- Learning 2017 - October 22 to 25  Orlando, Florida USA - Over 819 Colleagues Registered Already!
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM 

Details and Online Registration: http://www.masie.com 

Learning TRENDS is produced by The MASIE Center.  95 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

972 - Augmented Performance Support, British Invasion of Learning Resources

Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS - August 1, 2017.
#972 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology Since 1997.
57,673  Readers - www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2017 - Oct 22 to 25 - Orlando - 713 Registered Already 

1. Augmented Performance Support for the Workplace: iPhone and Mobile
2. Join Free Video Briefing on August 9th on Learning Trends.
3. Julian Stodd and Nigel Paine “British Invasion” :) 

1. Augmented Performance Support for the Workplace - Phone and Mobile: While Virtual Reality is fascinating and engaging, the challenge of having to wear a surround set of goggles and be hooked to a high end computer has reduced the widespread adoption of VR for workplace learning and readiness.  There are exceptions in the aviation and medical space, but it is not scalable in 2017. 

However, watch the technologies that you will see coming from mobile phones, including some early indicators that the next iPhone MAY have dual cameras that allow for what we are calling “Augmented Reality”. (Don’t love the term but am intrigued by the emerging capacities.) 

Imagine a worker can take out their phone and point to something in the workplace or even on their screen, add a video chat with another resource, and have “performance support” content appear over the picture.  This ability for the user to mix and call forth content that is overlaid on a visual in the camera is where we see performance support moving. 

In the coming months, we will see the merger of Augmented Reality, Phones, Machine Learning, and more.  It has huge implications for the world of marketing, apps, and I believe Workplace Augmented content.  The technology has to blend into the learner’s daily reality vs. donning a heavy headset.  Here is one of the articles to check out: http://tinyurl.com/augrealwork 

2. Join Free Video Briefing on August 9th on Learning Trends: I will be doing a Live and Free one hour video briefing on Learning Trends and Challenges in 2017 on August 9th.  There are already over 1,300 learning colleagues signed up for this briefing.  Check out the content and hope you can join me: http://tinyurl.com/vidbriefing 

3. Julian Stodd and Nigel Paine “British Invasion” :)  Two of the most interesting learning authors and analysts from the United Kingdom are coming to our Learning 2017 Main Stage in October. 

Julian Stodd is the author of “The Social Leadership Handbook”.  He looks at the design of Scaffolded Social Learning and the impact of Social Collaborative Leadership.  I am honored to be interviewing Julian as a Keynoter and he will be facilitating conversations on this topic at Learning 2017. 

Nigel Paine is the author of  “The Learning Challenge: Dealing with Technology, Innovation and Change in Learning and Development”.  Nigel is a MASIE Learning Fellow and will be keynoting and leading a range of sessions. 

Complete details on our British colleagues at: http://www.learning2017.com 

Yours in learning, 

Elliott Masie
Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: @emasie 

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:

- Learning 2017 - October 22 to 25, Orlando, Florida USA - Over 713 Colleagues Registered Already!
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM 

Details and Online Registration: http://www.masie.com 

Learning TRENDS is produced by The MASIE Center.  95 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

971 - Amazon Show for Performance Support, Elliott: 2nd Citizenship from Germany, McDonald's at Learning 2017

Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS - July 19, 2017.
#971 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology Since 1997.
57,665 Readers - www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2017 - October 22 to 25 - Orlando, Florida, USA 

1. Elliott Masie Adds 2nd Citizenship from Germany - Following from Nazi Times.
2. McDonald’s Featured at Learning 2017.
3. Amazon Echo Show - Alexa with a Screen - Performance Support Platform? 

1. Elliott Masie Adds 2nd Citizenship from Germany - Following from Nazi Times: Thursday morning at 9 am, at the German Consulate at the UN in New York City, I am naturalized for a second citizenship for Germany. 

My father, Hans H. Masie, had to flee Germany in 1938, as a Jewish person, and came to the United States.  After the war, all refugees and their childern were eligible to apply for “reclaimed German Citizenship.” 

While my father had to flee and lost many relatives, he never wanted us to feel badly toward Germany after the war. And, I went over to be at the Berlin Wall when it came down. 

This year, I decided to honor my father and apply for a 2nd Citizenship from Germany. It took 5 months and recovering much paperwork.  And, tomorrow morning, I go the UN and receive my German Citizenship.  My dad, who passed away in 1976, will be looking down and say “Elliott, Sehr Gut!” 

2. McDonald’s Featured at Learning 2017:  We are honored to have Rob Lauber, the CLO of McDonald’s, as a featured speaker at a General Session of Learning 2017.  Rob will be talking about McDonald’s projects on adding education and support for front line development.  Check out their new video on being the “best first job” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QP9Q_Fa-BA 

3. Amazon Echo Show - Alexa with a Screen - Performance Support Platform?  We have been experimenting with a new version of Amazon Alexa: the Echo Show product.  It is a combination of the Amazon Alexa with a video screen and a video camera.  It is intriguing to see how it might fit into the workplace as an On-The-Job prompting platform, using audio interactions with workers.  We will experiment with it to demonstrate at Learning 2017.  Here is an early review: https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/26/15865292/amazon-echo-show-alexa-review 

Yours in learning, 

Elliott Masie
Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: @emasie 

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:

- Learning 2017 - October 22 to 25 in Orlando, Florida USA - Over 543 Colleagues Registered Already!
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM 

Details and Online Registration: http://www.masie.com 

Learning TRENDS is produced by The MASIE Center.  95 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

970 - Brain Research and Learning Duration; Tickets to Animal Kingdom or Epcot

Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS - July 12, 2017.
#970 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology Since 1997.
57,660 Readers - www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2017 - October 22 to 25 - Orlando, Florida, USA 

1. Length of Learning: MIT/Masie Brain Research LAB.

2. Learning Coming Attractions, Please!

3. Ticket to Epcot or Animal Kingdom for Learning 2017. 

1. Length of Learning: MIT/Masie Brain Research LAB: So, how long should a content activity be?  As we talk about compression, “micro-learning” and personalization, let’s do some research that studies brain activities during content offerings of different lengths.

I just returned from an exciting day at MIT’s Office of Digital Learning, where we designed a Real-Time Brain Research LAB that our organizations will conduct to study how learner’s brains react differently to learning of short vs. longer duration.  

Check out the details of our upcoming study - along with a picture of a learner wearing an EEG cap: http://tinyurl.com/mitmasie 

2. Learning Coming Attractions, Please! In the age of personalization, could we please have short “coming attractions” added to eLearning, webinar, classroom and other offerings?  Give the learner a 30 to 90 second glimpse into the feel, tone, depth and nature of the learning activity that is offered.  I will rarely watch a movie that does not have a preview clip online.  Why not add a “coming attraction” clip that can be glimpsed by learners as they make choices? 

3. Ticket to Epcot or Animal Kingdom for Learning 2017: We are pleased to announce that we will be taking over 1,600 learning professionals to Disney on Tuesday night of Learning 2017.  This year, we will offer a ticket and transportation to either Animal Kingdom (with “Pandora – The World of Avatar” attractions, and the Rivers of Light nighttime spectacular) OR Epcot (with the Wine and Food Festival).  

Right after Actor John Lithgow presents a wonderful one-act, one-man dramatic play focusing on Storytelling, you can come with other global learning colleagues for a fun and interactive night at one of Disney’s parks - with some special gamification activities from Learning 2017.  Details at: https://tinyurl.com/masietuespm 

Yours in learning, 

Elliott Masie
Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: @emasie 

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:

- Learning 2017 - October 22 to 25  Orlando, Florida USA - Over 543 Colleagues Registered Already!
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM 

Details and Online Registration: http://www.masie.com 

Learning TRENDS is produced by The MASIE Center.  95 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

969 - Learning Independence Day? Unified Messages Wish

Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS - July 5, 2017.
#969 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology Since 1997.
57,661 Readers - www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2017 - October 22 to 25 - Orlando, Florida, USA 

1. Independence Day for Learning - Freedom for Learning?
2. A Hope for Single Contact Format.
3. New Website for Learning 2017 is Up! 

1. Independence Day for Learning? We just celebrated Independence Day here in the United States with Fireworks, BBQ, and Parades for the annual July 4th festivities. 

As I watched the fireworks soar in New York City last night, I thought about Learning Independence and Freedom in the workplace. How might we recognize and perhaps celebrate the ways in which Learners, Learning Producers, and Organizations have new and evolving “independence and freedom”? Here is the start of my Learning Independence brainstorm: 

* Learners as Designers: Our learners are designing and producing more and more of their own learning pathways.
* Open Content Expands Radically: Content from “open” sources like TED and YouTube are growing radically.
* Duration of Learning Activities Shrink: Classes, webinars, video and even coaching gets smaller and more concise.
* Learning Systems Stretch Beyond LMS: Talent, learning apps, and other systems push LMS down under.
* Machine Learning May Evolve Design: Can AI and machine learning shift the creation of learning activities?
* Shoulder-to-Shoulder Learning Comes Back: OJT and OJL are re-emerging with workplace job aids.
* Video Chat Extends Social Collaboration: Click and connect with colleagues anywhere.
* User Experience Spins the Process: Creating learning with user design elements at the core.
* Curation Empowers the Learner & Organization: Content and context from anywhere for everyone.
* Curiosity, Mobile Devices, and Search Engines for Learning Everywhere! YES! 

These are just my start. If you were celebrating Learning Independence Day, what might you add to this list? Send me a quick email to emasie@masie.com and I will curate that into a list to be published in 2 weeks on TRENDS. 

2. A Hope for Single Contact Format: As long as I am celebrating Learning Independence Day, I want to add a big wish: 

“A Single Contact Format to Reach Learners - Mail, SMS Text, Jive, Yammer, Facebook Messenger, Twitter, Etc” 

I keep in touch with thousands of learning colleagues around the world and optimizing the format for interacting with them is a nightmare. Some only use email. Others never read their email but send me a note via Facebook Messenger. Others use an internal mail in LinkedIn. I have about 200 that are SMS only folks. Others want to connect to me with via Twitter Direct Message, and it goes on. And, that does not even touch internal systems such as Jive or Yammer. 

Back in the early days of email, before 1993, it was impossible to send a simple email from one company to another without using a very, very long X.25 format. Then, we realized that having a standard format such as emasie@masie.com would allow for simple interaction. 

That is what I want in a 2017 mode. It would be awesome if there were a way that I could send a note to you and your system would decide which one format (or many formats) that it would reach you. When you replied, it would aggregate to me in a unified format. I could have the levels of security and privacy that I chose. 

Why is this so important? A good percentage of our colleagues are shifting their messaging to a system of preference and it is slicing and complicating the ability to have permission-based connections flow with ease and compliance. Don’t know if it will happen, but it is my strong learning wish. 

3. New Website for Learning 2017 is Up! Our design for Learning 2017 is soaring forward. My team just updated the Learning 2017 website at http://www.learning2017.com to reflect the new keynoters, topics, and experiences at the 27th annual MASIE event in Orlando from Oct 22nd to 25th. A growing list is online but here is a small sample: 

* Former First Lady Michelle Obama - Featured Keynoter!
* Actor John Lithgow - Performing a One-Hour Drama to Highlight Storytelling.
* Karl Kapp, Engagement and Gamification.
* Christine McKinley, Physics for Rock Stars.
* Timo Gorner, Learning Leader, Fox Group.
* Andrea Wong, User Design, Google.
…and many more! 

Check it out at http://www.learning2017.com 

Learning 2017 is co-hosted by ATD, our Learning CONSORTIUM, and the new LearningTown. There are over 530 colleagues already registered! 

Yours in learning, 

Elliott Masie
Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: @emasie 

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:

- Learning 2017 - October 22 to 25  Orlando, Florida USA
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM 

Details and Online Registration: http://www.masie.com 

Learning TRENDS is produced by The MASIE Center.  95 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Help with Cyber/Terror Readiness & Global Learning Projects?

TO: Learning, Training, Talent & Performance Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, Host & Curator
DATE: June 16, 2017 

RE: Help with Cyber/Terror Readiness & Global Learning Projects? 

We need help with two critical projects that we are launching for the Learning & Talent field: 

* Cyber, Terror and Emergency Readiness: Learning’s Role? - How do we create “Readiness” for our employees to effectively, safely and appropriately react and respond to the ever increasing number of incidents that may include Cyber Intrusion, Terror Incidents, Emergencies and Catastrophes? How do we build “Readiness” to cope into our learning programs? Can we create simulations or virtual environments that can help employees prepare and practice Readiness? 

* Global Learning - Millions of employees use a 2nd or 3rd language as they work. How do organizations optimize the learning efforts of employees that are learning in a language different then their “mother language”? This is a key challenge as more organizations operate globally - connecting employees with a wide range of languages. How do we truly create a Global Learning Culture in an organization?  

Learning 2017 will host two major Forums that address these issues. Led by Chief Learning Officers and other business leaders, we will be examining, creating and benchmarking strategies and actions for the field of Learning, Training & Talent. 

I am looking for colleagues in our field that would be interested in working on and supporting these projects.   Please send a note to me at emasie@masie.com and we will respond with some ways in which you can help on these efforts. 

Yours in Learning, 

Elliott Masie
http://www.learning2017.com

968 - So Many Content Systems, 5 TONY Awards, PG&E Learning

Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS - June 13, 2017
#968 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology Since 1997.
57,657 Readers - www.masie.com - The MASIE Center. 
Host of Learning 2017 - October 22 to 25 - Orlando, Florida, USA

1. Content Management Confusion.
2. PG&E Learning Leader - Energy Skill Development.
3. 5 TONY Awards for MASIE Productions.

1. Content Management Confusion!: So much content in the workplace and so much confusion about content systems and optimization.  The quantity of content that is being created, curated, harvested and shared is growing at an endless rate in our workplaces.  This includes:

* Internally Developed Learning Content.
* Externally Licensed Content and Courses.
* User Created Content.
* Socially Created Internal Content.
* Internal Non-Learning Content Leveraged for Learning.
* Open Source External Content (eg. TED or YouTube).

Organizations are wanting to increase the access, reuse, tracking, targeting, review and optimization of all of these flavors of content. For some workplaces, content is sprinkled between one or more Learning Content Management Systems (LCMS), Learning Management Systems (LMS), Corporate Communications Systems, Social Systems, Curation Systems and more. 

Some of the confusion comes from the split governance of content management and from the shifting nature of employee learning styles and approaches.  For example, as use of short, user created video rises, where does that content live (LCMS, Video Management) and how does that include external Open Source content.

It is critical that organizations develop a Content Conversation, ideally leading to an agile content strategy, framing the selection, use and integration of the growing set of content management systems.  And, make sure there is a User Experience Design component, to align content navigation to how your busy employees actually access and use needed content.

2. PG&E Learning Leader - Energy Skill Development:  We are honored to announce Chris Pickett, the Senior Director of Training for Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) as one of our featured speakers at Learning 2017 (Oct 22 to 25).

PG&E is one of the largest combination natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. They have over 23,000 employees and serve 1 out of every 20 Americans.  Chris will share the strategies for skill development at PG&E  which are fascinating. We will explore how they are building the next wave of energy employees.  Details at: http://tinyurl.com/y9qbj3fc

3. 5 TONY Awards for MASIE Productions: Sunday night, MASIE Productions was thrilled to have 5 TONY awards presented to shows that we are helping produce.  Indecent, The Great Comet and The Play That Goes Wrong!

It is an amazing honor to be involved in Broadway Theater.  The TONY awards honor not only the winners but the entire theater community.  On Sunday night, one of our Learning 2017 Keynoters, John Lithgow, presented one of the awards.  He highlighted the importance of Storytelling in our cultures, which will be the focus of his keynote in Orlando.  And, next year, we will keeping our fingers crossed for our new production, SpongeBob the Musical that opens in November.

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: @emasie 

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
- Learning 2017 - October 22 to 25  Orlando, Florida USA
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM

Details and Online Registration: http://www.masie.com

967 - Cyber, Terror & Lights Out: Is Learning Ready?

Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS - June 8, 2017
#967 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology Since 1997.
57,649 Readers - www.masie.com - The MASIE Center. 
Host of Learning 2017 - October 22 to 25 - Orlando, Florida, USA

1. Cyber, Terror & Lights Out: Is Learning Ready?
2. Watching: ChatBots, Apple Speakers, Amazon Style Cameras
3. Learning Golf Tournament Announced

1. Cyber, Terror & Lights Out: Is Learning Ready? Yesterday, we had one of the most coincidental learning days of my career. Here are the simple details:

* We were hosting 70 learning leaders from our CONSORTIUM for a one-day meeting at McDonald’s Hamburger University in Chicago.
* One agenda item was to look at how Learning & Development should get engaged on prepping the workforce for Cyber, Terror and Disruptions. We were planning on talking about that after lunch.
* Our host Rob Lauber, CLO of McDonald’s, was engaging with the group about trends in learning when the lights flickered and then the room went into total darkness. (Actually the entire facility and 24 other companies in the area when dark.)
* We joked that it was part of a simulation about our Disruption topic, but actually there were no immediate other spaces to use and people had traveled from across the region and country for our gathering.
* So, we turned on some mobile phones, opened some laptops and Rob and the group dialogued in “near darkness” with great conversation for another 30 minutes. We checked out the nature of the emergency and alternative spaces, and made sure there were enough mobile “flashlights” to carry on for a short while.
* Then, an hour later we went to a lunchroom and continued without mics or powerpoints (with my loud briefing voice). It was a great day and the lights came back on in a few hours.
* We do need to take some care and awareness about READINESS for small or large disasters. Appoint people to reaction roles and teach new models of dealing with Cyber Threats or Terror Events in the workspace.
* Note: Some of the people in our event still think that perhaps Elliott and Rob created the blackout as a simulation. We didn’t, but I will always remember that morning.
* We are adding a track at Learning 2017 that will focus on “Cyber, Terror and Emergency Readiness: The Role of Learning!” If you would like to help with this, please send a note to me at emasie@masie.com

2. Watching - ChatBots, Amazon Echo Look Style Cameras: From time to time, Learning TRENDS will do a quick list of technologies that we are tracking or experimenting with at our Learning LAB. Here are 2 that I am working with this month:

* ChatBots for Learning: Many corporate IT and Learning groups are trying out the concept of a ChatBot for learning and performance support. Imagine that a new manager could send a text message or Jive note to a box called “Tips” and ask, “How do I handle an employee who is always late to work?” The response comes as a text message back. Machine Learning and AI are starting to shape some ChatBot technologies that will be ideal for learning, development, and performance elements.  Info Article Click Here.

* Style Camera (Echo Look) from Amazon: I took a selfie this morning, wearing today’s clothing choices. I have taken one each morning this week since receiving “Look” from Amazon Echo. The camera is voice activated with small powerful lights and integrated into a new mobile app. My pictures become a cloud-based style and dressing database of my choices and patterns. Amazon will now use that to advise my choices as I go online to shop for new clothing. Interesting, Creepy, Different??? It is adding a visual dimension to the audio-based interactive speakers (from Amazon, Google, and now Apple). Stay tuned. Info Article Click Here

3. Golf Tournament at Learning 2017: We are pleased to announce a new Golf Tournament at Learning 2017, which will be held on Sunday morning, Oct 22nd on the Disney Golf Courses. Join this fun competition with networking and a few prizes.  Details Click Here!

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: @emasie 

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
- Learning 2017 - October 22 to 25  Orlando, Florida USA
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM

Details and Online Registration: http://www.masie.com

John Lithgow: Storytelling at Learning 2017

John Lithgow will present a one-man theatrical memoir, STORIES BY HEART, and be interviewed on the “Power of Storytelling” at Elliott Masie’s Learning 2017 on October 24, 2017 in Orlando, Florida.

The Tony®, Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award winning actor will offer a touching and humorous reflection on storytelling as the tie that binds humanity.  “We are thrilled to have John Lithgow, who will illustrate the role and power of Storytelling”, said Elliott Masie, Host and Curator of Learning 2017, which also features Former First Lady Michelle Obama and Social Leadership expert Julian Stodd as Keynoters.

John Arthur Lithgow is an American actor, musician, singer, comedian, voice actor, and author. He has received two Tony Awards, five Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, an American Comedy Award, four Drama Desk Awards and has also been nominated for two Academy Awards and four Grammy Awards.  Lithgow has received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and has been inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.

Lithgow is well known for his television roles as Dick Solomon in 3rd Rock from the Sun, Arthur Mitchell in Dexter and Sir Winston Churchill in The Crown as well as for his roles in films Blow Out, Twilight Zone: The Movie, Footloose, Harry and the Hendersons, Raising Cain, Shrek, Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Interstellar. His performances in The World According to Garp and Terms of Endearment each earned him Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor.

“I have always loved the agile storytelling skills of John Lithgow. I was mesmerized by his performance in The Crown, scared by his role in Dexter and laughing deeply at 3rd Rock from the Sun.  John will perform a powerful and enthralling one man, one act play, with simple scenery and amazing impact in front of our global learning colleagues”, said Elliott Masie.

Learning 2017 will be held in Orlando, Florida from October 22 to October 25 at Walt Disney World.

Learning 2017 is produced by a collaborative of 200 global corporations, focused on improving workplace learning and training. Hosted and curated by Elliott Masie, Learning 2017 brings together several thousand learning professionals as they focus on the changing nature of workplace education and development. In previous years, keynotes have included General Colin Powell, CNN’s Anderson Cooper, President Bill Clinton, Apolo Ohno, Captain Sully Sullenberger, ABC’s Robin Roberts, and business authors Marshall Goldsmith, Ken Blanchard and Tom Peters. Learning 2017 is co-hosted by ATD, The Learning CONSORTIUM and the newly organized LearningTown.

Content and online registration at http://www.learning2017.com
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com 

966 - Physics for Rock Stars, Mixed vs Blended, ATD MeetUp

Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS - May 20, 2017
#966- Updates on Learning, Business & Technology Since 1997.
57,649 Readers - www.masie.com - The MASIE Center. 
Host of Learning 2017 - October 22 to 25 - Orlando, Florida, USA

1. Physics for Rock Stars: Christine McKinley!
2. Mixed vs. Blended Learning - A Shift.
3. Going to ATD? Meetup with Elliott Masie

1. Physics for Rock Stars: Christine McKinley! I am now announcing additional Keynoters for Learning 2017, featuring Michelle Obama.

Today, we are honored to announce that Christine McKinley, the author of Physics for Rock Stars and the featured engineer on “Decoded” on the History Channel, will be a featured speaker at Learning 2017.

Christine will bring a unique perspective on “Making the Laws of the Universe Work for You”. Her background includes engineering design of major facilities as well as being a musician and impassioned teacher.

Check it out and access Early Registration Discounts for Learning 2017 (Oct 22 to 25 - Orlando) at http://www.learning2017.com

2. Mixed vs. Blended Learning - A Shift:  Over 19 years ago, the field started to use the phrase “Blended Learning” to reflect the ways in which organizations were combining eLearning with classroom, OJT or other formats.  The assumption was that learning organizations would design and deliver a suggested or enforced format to learners.

I have noticed a recent drop in the use of the term “Blended Learning”.  For some organizations, it reflects a normalization of the blend, where most learning programs have a combination of two or more formats.  Yet, many organizations have had difficulty in designing, delivering and supporting a designed blend.  In fact, many LMS engines do not have the agility to deliver an effective blend.

But, the larger shift is that LEARNERS are more likely the BLENDERS than DESIGNERS.  Many learners are creating their own MIXTURE of learning formats.  For example, they may watch a Video, then review the Social Content or FAQ’s, then find a SME to have a discussion with, and finally take the assessment quiz.  We are seeing the MIXTURE as a dynamic shift - with learners MIXING their learning from a growing Panorama or Buffet of official, informal or open external content. 

It will be a new challenge for Learning Systems to support and optimize this learner centered MIXED learning model.

3. Going to ATD?  Meetup with Elliott Masie: I am heading to Atlanta to deliver a major session at the ATD Conference on Monday, May 22nd.  My session is Learning Trends, Hype, Disrupters, and Shifts in 2017 - on Monday at 3 PM in the Sydney Marcus Theater.  And, I will be at the Learning 2017 booth #644.  If you are coming to ATD and would like to MeetUp with myself and other colleagues, send an email to emasie@masie.com

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: @emasie 

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:

- Curation & Learning LAB - July 11 to 13, 2017 Saratoga Springs, NY
- Learning 2017 - October 22 to 25 - Orlando, Florida USA
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM

Details and Online Registration: http://www.masie.com