517 - Corporate Cuts, Political Learnings, Elliott Goes Mac

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 30, 2008.
#517 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,197 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-28 - Orlando.

1. 88% of Companies Planning Cuts - Trying to Hold Line on Jobs.
2. Conversations about Political Campaign.
3. Elliott Goes Mac Today!

1. 88% of Companies Planning Cuts - Trying to Hold Line on Jobs: Here is a powerful piece of research from i4CP on the impact of the economy on corporate “cuts” and jobs:

“The cuts are coming suggests a recent study by the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp). According to the study, 88% of companies surveyed plan to implement cost-cutting measures within a year. When asked about how companies are planning to reduce costs, a full 87% of respondents said they are considering improving efficiency to a moderate, high or very high degree. Seventy-one percent said they are considering cutting discretionary spending to the same degree, and 65% are considering seeking lower costs from vendors. By contrast, just 33% said their organizations are planning to reduce head count to the same degree.”

“The most likely cutback targets are operations, with 49% of companies reporting they are looking at reducing costs in this area. That’s closely followed by administration, at 48%, and the use of external vendors/outsourced partners, at 43%. More than a third (35%) said they’d look to HR as a place for reducing costs. The least likely areas for cost-cutting measures are research and development, with just 19% of respondents saying their firms are – to a moderate, high or very high extent – planning to reduce costs in this area.”
 
“In this uncertain economic environment, it’s clear companies are intent on not being caught flat-footed,” notes Kevin Oakes, CEO of i4cp, “but so far it’s looking more like careful surgery than a bloodbath. Layoffs don’t seem to be the first choice for a lot of companies.”  More info at http://www.i4cp.com

2. Conversations about Political Campaign: We have a fascinating discussion underway about learnings from the current U.S. Presidential Campaign.  We have dozens of comments about learnings, ranging from the impact of YouTube to targeted education to the role of the Educator in Chief.  Please join in on the front page of LearningTown at http://www.learningtown.com

3. Elliott Goes Mac Today: Today, this is my first Learning TRENDS sent from my new Apple Mac, which just became my primary computer. After a year of experimenting with Macs, including using the thin MacBook Air as my laptop, I decided it was time to make the big shift! This is interesting given my background as the host of Microsoft Television during the release of Windows ‘95.

I moved to Macs as I saw my workstyle and format evolve. All of The MASIE Center systems are now web-based and hosted externally, so most of the day, the browser is my primary environment. In addition, I am producing audio and video segments throughout the day.  Using Microsoft Office for the Mac has allowed me to make the shift easily. (I still have a Vista machine near my desk for an occasional Windows-only application.)

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* 0ver 3,800 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
* Learning Design Seminar & LAB: June 23-25 - Saratoga Springs
* Performance Support Seminar & LAB: July 9-11 - Saratoga Springs
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

516 - System Conversation Shifts; Co-opetition Learning Design

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 11, 2008.
#516 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,183 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Orlando.

1. From Learning Systems to Learning!
2. Heading to Atlanta - FIRST Robotics Co-opetition.

1. From Learning Systems to Learning! I spent last week with 370 learning leaders at the Learning Systems event in Las Vegas. Here are a few of my learnings and impressions from the rich discussions:

* Conversation Shifts - From Learning Systems to Learning: While there are a few groups that are shopping for their first LMS/LCMS and quite a few are preparing for their next one, the conversation is not about features, functions or even price anymore. The key dialogues are about Richer Learning, Hybrid Learning, Content, Integration and Learner Experience. In some ways, we are entering the Post-LMS Obsession era. They are essential systems, but not sufficient systems. It takes key methodology to leverage even the best LMS.
* Content Dramatically Changing - From UserContent to more Media-Rich Content, there was universal agreement about a fundamental shift in the style of content being created and consumed by organizations and learners.
* Search is Key and Ignored - Learners are demanding, with some frustration, search capabilities at work, including within their Learning Systems that would allow them to “Google” their way to content, modules and learning resources.
* Broken RFPs: The suppliers of Learning Systems continue to be stymied by a broken RFP process used by many organizations, where companies request 300 features they will probably rarely use. Consider shifting to a Use Case model and demand a Sandbox approach to use and evaluate actual solutions.
* Performance Support Growing: More and more organizations are creating Performance Support as a companion or substitute for e-Learning. (Check out the Performance Support LAB at http://www.masie.com )
* Software as a Service: There was much interest and learning in Software as a Service model for provisioning the Learning Systems needs of organizations. Folks were predicting a rise in component-level learning functionality that could be purchased as a service and plugged into back office systems.

Later this week, we will post 3 hours of video interviews with 26 CEOs and CTOs of the major Learning Systems providers.

2. Heading to Atlanta - FIRST Robotics Co-opetition: I will be reporting and live-blogging from Atlanta starting on Thursday. I have the honor of attending the FIRST Robotics finals - a unique educational competition for high school students. This incredible “co-opetition”, created by Dean Kamen, combines learning, entertainment and a unique design to engage tens of thousands of students and adults. It involves intentional use of a game challenge, atmosphere, coaching, “gracious professionalism”, short/intense action spurts and a design/build experience. Creative use of “failure” is also leveraged in a way that could be deeply emulated within corporate learning designs.

FIRST is best reflected by this quote: “To create a world where science and technology are celebrated … where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes.”

My good friend and learning colleague John Abele is the Chair of FIRST. I will feed daily video interviews to give you a birds-eye view of this intense learning event in action.  If you are in Atlanta and would like to meet up at the FIRST event at the Georgia Dome, send me a note to emasie@masie.com 
FIRST website: http://www.usfirst.org

- 0ver 3,000 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Learning Design Seminar & LAB: June 23-25 - Saratoga Springs
* Performance Support Seminar & LAB: July 9-11 - Saratoga Springs
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Learning Research Fellowships

TO: Learning & Training Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie
RE: Learning Fellowships at The MASIE Center Offered

We are pleased to announce a new program that will support learning professionals pursuing an advanced degree (Master or Doctorate Level) or interested in a Research Sabbatical.

Starting in Summer 2008, for a period of one semester (2 to 4 months), we will select and host a series of Learning Fellowships at The MASIE Center in Saratoga Springs, NY.

The candidates will be provided housing, a stipend for living expenses, full access to the Center and our Learning CONSORTIUM.  They will have an opportunity to:

* Spend 50% of their time on a Research Project in the Learning Arena.
* Spend 50% of their time working with MASIE Center staff on key Learning Projects.
* Work with our Learning CONSORTIUM members to create and deploy their resarch.
* Place the results of their research in the public domain.
* Shadow Elliott Masie or other CLO’s in our Learning CONSORTIUM.
* Write at least one article for Learning TRENDS.
* Present their research at Learning 2008.

Candidates will be selected by an Advisory Panel of colleagues, academics and learning executives.  The Fellowships can begin at the start of the Fall, Winter or Summer semester/season.

Rather than complete a long application, we would like you to start by sending a personal note to us, outlining your interest in the Learning Fellowship.  We will follow-up with more details and requests for additional information.

Send your note to: fellowship@masie.com

We are very excited about this program and hope that it will support more research and advanced degrees in the learning field.

Regards,

Elliott Masie
The MASIE Center & Learning CONSORTIUM

514 - Moving the Front of the Room, Odetta, Learning Systems Changes

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 7, 2008.

#514 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.

54,177 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.

Host, Learning Systems ‘08 - Las Vegas - This Week.

1. Learning Systems: Changes for 2008/2009
2. Odetta - A Performance of a Lifetime
3. Tips for Trainers: Roving Podium - Moving the Front of the Class

1. Learning Systems - Changes for 2008/2009. In three days, I will be leading a User Group of 370 learning managers, focusing on the future of Learning Systems (LMS/LCMS). I’d like to get some input from Learning TRENDS readers on an interesting question:

“What features/functions/changes do you want in Learning Systems (LMS/LCMS) in the next two years?”

Can you send me a short email to emasie@masie.com with your thoughts? These can be evolutions in the systems or changes in how we use these systems in our organizations. Thanks and I will publish a summary next week.

2. Odetta - A Performance of a Lifetime: I went to one of the truly remarkable concerts of my lifetime this past Saturday. On short notice, Skidmore College hosted a performance of Odetta, a 77 year old legend in the songs of civil rights. She sang for an hour, from her wheelchair, with the grace and wisdom of a lifetime of music and leadership. If you can catch one of her performances or download a few of her songs, you will be deeply impressed. Her rendition of House of the Rising Sun still vibrates in my ears and soul.

3. Tips for Trainers: Roving Podium - Moving the Front of the Class: Get rid of the fixed podium in front of the class and substitute a stand on wheels. Add a wireless keyboard and mouse, and it allows the location of the trainer to move. I love to shift the front of the class, for both variety and to share control with the learners in the room. We even have a secondary LCD projector that can totally shift the learners focus to the side of the room. The geography of a room is very important and changes can energize both learners and trainers.

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:

* Join Free LearningTown Social Network: www.learningtown.com

* Learning Systems ‘08: April 9-11 - Las Vegas

* Learning Design Seminar & LAB: June 23-25 - Saratoga Springs

* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando

Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

513 - Giggle Launches, e-Learning for Super Delegates, Level 9 Evaluation

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 1, 2008.
#513 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,169 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning Systems ‘08 - http://www.masie.com.

1. Giggle Launched by Google: Humor in Searching.
2. e-Learning for Super Delegates: Coping with Pressure.
3. Level 9 Evaluation: Kirkpatrick and and MRI.
4. Speed Presenting: More Words Per Minute.
5. Surrogate Students: Outsourcing Class Attendance.

1. Giggle Launched by Google (Humor in Searching): We have been briefed on a new service that will soon be launched by Google, called Giggle. Sometimes you want to do a search and don’t want serious results.  In fact, you are looking for the funny or ridiculous. Giggle will use a new search algorithm to determine truly funny answers to search responses. Users of Giggle will also be able to turn on the speakers on their computers to hear a range of laughter based on the Giggle rating of each response. Launch date has not be announced.

2. e-Learning for Super Delegates “Coping with Pressure”: The Kennedy School of Government at Harvard is building a special e-Learning program for Super Delegates in the Democratic Presidential Campaign. Modules will focus on key issues such as “What to do when Bill Clinton calls you at 3 a.m. to get your vote?” and “Selling Your Vote on e-Bay - Is it Legal, Is it Wrong, How Much Could I Get?”  Faculty will include Stress Specialists and Professors of Negotiation. Stephen M.R. Covey will teach a special module based on “Speed of Trust - Making Up Your Mind in Just 4 Months”.

3. Level 9 Evaluation (Kirkpatrick and and MRI): Evaluation of training results are taking a leap forward with the announcement of Level 9 Assessment from Kirkpatrick. While this requires the learner taking an extensive MRI, to see actual changes in brain structure, it should be extremely helpful in moving the ROI conversation forward. There are concerns about using this form of assessment too often with a single learner, in fields such as financial services. But, no pain, no gain!

4. Speed Presenting (More Words Per Minute): Train the Trainer methods are being changed to include a new approach called Speed Presenting. This technique involves removing all of the pauses and spaces from the lecture portion of a trainer’s presentation (either in the classroom or on-line). Research indicates that teachers can double or even triple their speed of presenting. Bob Pike, world famous Train the Trainer expert, believes that the total cost of training can be reduced by 25% to 33% using Speed Presenting. Of course, upcoming advances in Speed Bathroom Breaks and Speed Lunches will help move this movement of Accelerated Learning along.

5. Surrogate Students (Outsourcing Class Attendance): I was shocked to hear about the emergence of a new trend of outsourcing class participation. In very busy organizations, learners can hire an unemployed or off-shore surrogate to attend a course and later get the “abbreviated” version. Retired employees are now offering their services as surrogate learners as a way of increasing their revenues and also staying involved in their fields. Surrogate Learning is also involving the relatives of work-at-home learners. Hmmm.

Note: Happy April 1st. For our international readers, April 1st is called April Fools Day and we have fun with our field on this day of satire and humor.  Send your notes to emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Join Free LearningTown Social Network: www.learningtown.com
* Learning Systems ‘08: April 9-11 - Las Vegas
* Learning Design Seminar & LAN: June 23-25 - Saratoga Springs
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com