1019 - Web Based Education Conflict, Retooling Article, Elliott's Score Almost 69

Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS - April 23, 2019.
#1,019 Updates on Learning, Business & Technology Since 1997.
58,104 Readers - www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: Curation & Learning LAB - April 30 to May 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 

1. Wall Street Journal Article on Evolving at Work!
2. Web Based Courses in Schools Hit Bump/Reaction
3. Elliott Prepares to Reach Score 69 in 3 Weeks
4. Curation & Learning LAB - Several Spaces Open in One Week 

1. Wall Street Journal Article on Evolving at Work!  One of the best articles on Workplace Reskilling that I have ever read was written by Lauren Webber in the Wall Street Journal this weekend.  “Evolving at Work” is available as a paid link for those that do not have a subscription: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-answer-to-your-companys-hiring-problem-might-be-right-under-your-nose-11555689542 

The heart of the article talks about the process of reskilling the current workforce to prepare them for the next generation of job opportunities.  It lays out an intriguing set of graphics that frame up steps to go from front line worker roles to higher level positions - using internal or supported external education. 

If your organization has access to the Wall Street Journal from April 20th, this is a “must-see” and “must-circulate” article.  It maps so crisply to the efforts of our partner Lumina Foundation and many employers in our Learning CONSORTIUM. 

2) Web Based Courses in Schools Hit Bump/Reaction: Another article that appeared in the New York Times this weekend also got my learning curiosity attention. 

It discussed a web based program for K-12 called Summit Learning, which is supported by Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan. 

On the surface, the program maps to much that we have been exploring in learning changes - with personalization, learner focused activities, teachers shifting to coaches. 

Yet, there have been some student groups, parent clusters and schools that have pushed back on this technological approach.  The article points to a mixed set of evidence reviews of impact.  Some students have felt very lonely and isolated in this learning model, which may, like most changes, be a result of the process as much as the technology and learning methodology. 

I would love to get reactions from Learning TRENDS readers.  The article about Summit Learning is at https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/21/technology/silicon-valley-kansas-schools.html 

Send me a confidential note to emasie@masie.com with your thoughts and reactions. 

3. Elliott Prepares to Reach Score 69 in 3 Weeks: My friend and actor George Takei from Star Trek told me to refer to age as a score.  He just turned score 82.  

And, in three weeks, my score increases to 69. 

Unlike age, as your score goes up, it means more points, experiences and options.  I am about halfway through my career and really excited about the next few decades of exploring the changing world of business, workplaces, learning and careers. 

My score goes to 69 on May 13th.  If you would like to join me for a fun 30 minute online party, send a note to emasie@masie.com and I will send you a link. 

4. Curation & Learning LAB - Several Spaces Open in One Week:  There are just a few spaces left in our popular Curation & Learning LAB, that I will be leading in Saratoga Springs, NY next week.  Check it out and join us if you can: http://www.masie.com

Yours in learning, 

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

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:  www.masie.com for Details: 

- Curation & Learning LAB - April 30 to May 2 - Saratoga Springs, NY
- Learning Innovations LAB - June 18 to 20 - Saratoga Springs, NY
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM 

Elliott Masie will be a Featured Keynote Speaker at Learning 2019, now produced by CloserStill (October 27 to 30, Orlando, Florida). The Learning CONSORTIUM will have its annual meeting at Learning 2019.  Information and Registration at http://www.learning2019.com 

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

1018 - European Learning Views, LPI to Boycott Brunei Hotel, Elliott Masie Keynotes

Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS - April 7, 2019.
#1,018 Updates on Learning, Business & Technology Since 1997.
58,095 Readers - www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: Curation & Learning LAB - April 30 to May 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 

Written on the EuroStar Train to London! 

1. Amsterdam Learning Perspectives.
2. Learning Awards in UK Shifts in Brunei Protest.
3. Knowledge & Learning Tourism Opportunities.
4. Elliott Masie’s Events Ahead. 

I am drafting this Learning TRENDS on the EuroStar train from Brussels to London.  As the countyside of France zooms by outside the window before we enter the Channel Tunnel to the UK, I thought it would be a neat time to write the next TRENDS. 

1. Amsterdam Learning Perspectives: I was keynoting the Next Learning Conference this week in Den Bosch, Netherlands and meeting at the University of Nijmegen. Here are some observations and perspectives: 

• Learning Conversations Shifting: There were fewer conversations about the construction of eLearning or classroom curriculums. Rather, the emphasis was on constructing a pathway for a new hire (or newly promoted employee) to have mentoring, experiences, workflow support, assessment and incentives to meet skill shifts. 

• Learning Systems Challenged: While there were several colleagues that are experimenting with Curation and LRS systems, there was a sense of frustration that the Learning Management Systems in place (and even on the market) are not Optimizing the Learning of a Learner, but more focused on tracking the delivery flow. On The Job Training, Mentoring, Stretch Assignments and other key elements were not part of the flow.

•  70-20-10 Raging Debate: Many of my readers of TRENDS know that while I have deep trouble with the “math” and fixed formula of 70-20-10, there is a need for us to have an agile and data-based shift in % of learning formats. But, when challenging the 70-20-10 numbers and the currency of the ADDIE model, both myself and Bob Mosher met some wonderful raging debates. Let’s move away from symbolic numbers and see learning as a multi-factored and personalized approach with rich data factors.

•  Learning in a Second or Third Language is an Unspoken Challenge: So many of the colleagues in Europe shared the reality that large chunks of the workforce are often in a learning activity (live or digital) where the teaching language is often their 2nd or 3rd language. As we learn in new languages, the learning (and teaching) needs change. Learners often want to have multiple exposures to lectures through recording, to process new knowledge in their non-native language.

•  Learning, Development and Performance as an Undergraduate Degree! Wow! Bob Mosher and I were blown away by the program at University of Nijmegen, where almost 300 students are in Undergraduate Applied Science for Learning degrees. As early as age 18 or 19, students are targeting Learning as a field.  Others are joining the program after years in the workplace. The rigor and global nature of the curriculum is impressive and we spent several hours in an evening dialogue with these future learning leaders. 

•  Pragmatic View of AI and Machine Learning: There are intriguing boot camps underway in Europe to connect working professionals with the conceptual frameworks of what AI and Machine Learning may evolve towards. Interesting connections between this work and Workflow Support – by deeply assessing the steps and opportunities in optimizing a work task or role. 

My brain is filled with wonderful thoughts and perspectives from our conversations in the Netherlands. And, as the train makes its way to London, I am excited to be having dinner and diving deeper into these topics with MASIE Learning Fellow Nigel Paine. 

2. Learning Awards in UK Shifts in Brunei Protest: As a recipient of the Colin Corder Award from the Learning & Performance Institute England, I am proud to 100% support their decision to leave the Dorchester Hotel for their annual Learning Awards, in response to the adoption of cruel anti LGBTQ laws in Brunei, which owns the property. 

Edmund Munk, Donald Taylor and the leadership of LPI (@YourLPI) are to be supported for their position on this key issue. Though at the Dorchester for 23 years, these policies cannot be tolerated or ignored by the Learning Field. 

3. Knowledge & Learning Tourism Opportunities: I wish there were new apps or models to connect tourists with knowledge about local economies, skills and workplace realities. In addition to visiting castles, museums, canals and arts institutions, it would be great if there were ways for us to visit workplaces to see each region’s approach to skills and employment. I often use my connections on LinkedIn to find local colleagues for awesome conversations. Wish there was a cool app that would connect us for these workplace connections. 

4. Elliott Masie’s Events Ahead: As you can tell, I have been speaking and connecting with learning colleagues around the world in 2019. Here are a few upcoming keynotes and events for Elliott Masie in the coming months: 

- Suzhou, China – May 30th – China Training & Development Conference: Elliott Masie Keynote - “Newer Models of Learning Based on the Shifts in Technology, Business Models and AI”

- Washington, DC: May 20th – ATD Annual Conference: Elliott Masie: Learning TRENDS & Disruptions

- Washington, DC: May 6th - Future Workforce Now Roundtable

- TONY Awards, Radio City Music Hall, NY – June 9th – MASIE Productions

- Philadelphia, PA: June 24th – ISTE National Conference – Elliott Masie: Learning Futures

- Learning 2019 – Elliott Masie Keynote on Monday Morning, Oct 29th, Orlando, Florida

- Watch for New LABS: Broadway & Storytelling, Learning Data Analysis, AI & Machine Learning Briefings, Global Learning and Trips to Ireland, South America, Japan and Canada. 

If groups are interested in scheduling Elliott Masie for a Keynote or Briefing, please send a note to cathy@masie.com 

Yours in learning, 

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

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:  www.masie.com for Details: 

- Curation & Learning LAB - April 30 to May 2 - Saratoga Springs, NY
- Learning Innovations LAB - June 18 to 20 - Saratoga Springs, NY
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM 

Elliott Masie will be a Featured Keynote Speaker at Learning 2019, now produced by CloserStill (October 27 to 30, Orlando, Florida). The Learning CONSORTIUM will have its annual meeting at Learning 2019.  Information and Registration at http://www.learning2019.com 

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

1017 - Height Matters for OJT, Machine Learning for Machines, Brexit and the LMS

Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS - April 1, 2019.
#1,017 Updates on Learning, Business & Technology Since 1997.
58,091 Readers - www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: Curation & Learning LAB - April 30 to May 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 

1. Height Matters: On The Job Training Parity?
2. Machines Sent Back for Machine Learning.
3. Brexit: Impact on Learning if UK Splits from Europe? 

1. Height Matters: On The Job Training Parity?  In this era of Big Learning Data, we are starting to see some intriguing trends in items that make a difference in learning and performance outcomes. 

A recent study by graduate students from Toronto compared the effectiveness of On the Job Training assistance, based on a range of characteristics.  One item that popped out was most intriguing: 

“When the heights of the learner and their On The Job Trainer were within 1.5 inches of each other, the speed to competency was the best.  If the learner or their OJT tutor were 2 inches or more different, with one of them being observably taller or shorter than the other, the speed to competency went down.” 

Apparently, the trust factor was the highest when they were almost the same height - and were able to look each other in the eye on a level field.  This applied to the manufacturing, sales and health care fields.  It did not matter what their height was - just that there was almost parity between the learner and OJT provider. 

The study’s researcher advocated that Learning Systems might include the height of both learners and tutors to advocate for parity.  But, I can only imagine Human Resources raising objections.   Hmmmm. 

2. Machines Sent Back for Machine Learning: While Machine Learning is usually focused on computer systems that can learn from the performance of tasks and users, it has sparked a new line of business:  

Machine Learning Schools for Machines 

Many offices have effective machines in their space that work fine, but they pre-date the world of Machine Learning and AI.  For example, your office probably has a printer/copier that is pre-Machine Learning. 

The office equipment could be replaced by a newer and “smarter” version.  Yet, that would not fit well with a more “Green” approach to recycling and extending the use of equipment.  A Machine Learning Enabled Printer would be improving their performance based on daily learning from usage. 

Hence, a coalition of office machine manufacturers have been testing a “Machine Learning for Machines” location.  The older machine is sent back to have a few extra computer chips added to its tech board and to go through a Boot Camp for Machine Learning.   The equipment gets significantly smarter after about 150 hours of high speed simulation and prompting from the Machine Learning algorithm. 

It is an exciting evolution of Machines Enjoying Machine Learning. 

3. Brexit Impact on Learning Systems in UK & Europe: This weekend I was in London and was deluged with news about the Brexit proposal.  Would the UK stay or not stay as part of Europe?  

There is heated debate and high levels of uncertainty about the impact of Brexit.  And, that now extends to the world of LMS and Learning Systems. 

Companies that purchased Europe-wide Licenses for their LMS, LCMS or even Leadership Programs are worried that Brexit will throw a wrench into the fee structure and data sharing arrangements.  

A group of UK Chief Learning Officers is meeting with MP’s in Parliament to craft a Brexit and Learning Waiver.  Ideally, learning programs will be safe, no matter what the outcome of the Brexit debate. 

NOTE:  It is my annual delight to have fun with Learning TRENDS on April 1st.  It is a day to stretch the writing and enjoy a smile with my learning colleagues around the world.  Although I am looking for an online tutor who is 6 Feet 2 Inches Tall, plan on sending my fax machine to Machine Learning School, and hoping that Brexit does freeze the LMS access when I return to London on Saturday.  Feel free to send me an email to emasie@masie.com 

Happy April Fools Day! 

Yours in learning, 

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

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services: 

- Curation & Learning LAB - April 30 to May 2 - Saratoga Springs, NY
- Learning Innovations LAB - June 18 to 20 - Saratoga Springs, NY
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM 

Details and Registration: https://www.masie.com 

Elliott Masie will be a Featured Keynote Speaker at Learning 2019, now produced by CloserStill  (October 27 to 30, Orlando, Florida).  The Learning CONSORTIUM will have its annual meeting at Learning 2019.  Information and Registration at http://www.learning2019.com 

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