560 - Waterpark Learning Lessons in Quality in Dubai

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Jan 29, 2009.
#560 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,564 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.

Waterpark Learning and Quality Lessons in Dubai

Now, that is an unusual title for a TRENDS item. But, it is true. Yesterday, I had a significant lesson about learning and quality while playing at the Wadi Waterpark here in Dubai.

After presenting several speeches, we took a day to relax at a very complex waterpark near our hotel. There were dozens of waterslides, wave pools, lazy rivers and other fun water rides.

Soon after we arrived, we noticed a strange man who was doing some strange things on one of the rides. He had a small rubber doll that looked like a baby and he was sliding down the water ride with it in hand. He suddenly let the toy baby go under water and 8 or 9 lifeguard whistles were blown - signaling an emergency. He showed them that it was just a doll and laughed and walked away. We thought that was pretty weird behavior.

About a half hour later, Cathy and I were floating around the park and this strange guy started to push our rubber raft. We thought that he was a bit weird and once again, a lifeguard blew a whistle at him. Then, as we were leaving the park, he was in the wave pool - violating the rules. A staff member saw us watching him and told us to relax - he was a decoy. Every day, Wadi Waterpark hires someone to come and break the rules and even pretend to be drowning. This keeps the lifeguards on their toes and they get feedback on how quickly they spot and respond.

It was a great learning lesson in the use of decoy actors to push quality. Our feelings went from concern about the strange man to a sense of respect for their commitment to quality. And, it is a great example for learning organizations.

Sadly, we are leaving Dubai now. I’ll be sending an exciting announcement about our new ReSkilling project next week.

Warm regards,
Elliott

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Social Learning Lab & Seminar: March 11 to 13 - Saratoga Springs (Value Pricing)
* Performance Support Lab & Seminar: Feb 25 to 27 - Saratoga Springs (Value Pricing)
* 0ver 6,219 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown.
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

559 - Tribes and Social Learning - Report from Dubai

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Jan 27, 2009.
#559 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,554 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.

Report from Dubai - Social Learning and Tribes

Hello from Dubai! I am here giving the keynote to a Middle East Learning Symposium as well as working with senior executives from Emirates Airlines on Leadership in UnCertain Times.

Here are a few impressions and observations:

* During my keynote, I spoke of the rise of “Social Learning” and linked it to the role of the “tribe” in knowledge sharing. The metaphor of the tribe in social learning - linking to the more historical role of elders and peers in the learning process. Imagine the ability of designing a tribe for a learning activity - creating an intentional cluster of people that will enhance, extend and structure the social component of learning. The participants in my keynote were drawn to the added power of using Video Conferencing as part of social learning to allow for more natural communication, more deeply linked into the oral tradition.

I am convinced that as we explore Social Learning, we will find ways of aligning learning more closely to the culture and styles of our learners.

* e-Learning is increasing in implementation and sophistication in the region. There is a strong commitment to doing research on the most effective e-Learning approaches - with the support of their Ministry of Higher Education and the e-TQM arena. There are about 200 researchers and learning professionals from the region gathered here today and I was impressed with the degree of focus on standards and linking to “quality” measures.

* Economic downturns extend even to this part of the world. While there is still a massive amount of construction, several projects have been stalled or delayed due to the shift in the price of oil and change in the global economy. It is driving an increased interest in online, distance and distributed learning, which are less dependent on travel. And, when I talked about our upcoming ReSkilling Project, there was huge interest, mapping to the region’s need to rapidly align skills with changing markets.

Of course, all work and no play is no fun. We have been having a quite enjoyable time in Dubai, meeting new people and exploring this city that is a unique blend of old and very, very new. Along the way, I have taken a shower on our airplane at 36,000 feet, visited an indoor ski slope at a shopping mall and had more hummus than I ever thought I would consume. We’ve had some fascinating political conversations as well, with much attention focused on President Obama and finding a way to some creative peace solutions in the region.

Regards from Dubai,
Elliott

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Social Learning Lab & Seminar: March 11 to 13 - Saratoga Springs (Value Pricing)
* Performance Support Lab & Seminar: Feb 25 to 27 - Saratoga Springs (Value Pricing)
* 0ver 6,219 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown.
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

558 - ReSkilling Project & Inauguration Project

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Jan 21, 2009.
#558 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,544 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.

1. Four Days of Learning at Inauguration.
2. The Reskilling Project.
3. Off to Dubai.

1. Four Days of Learning at Inauguration: We have just left Washington after 4 days of very exciting involvement in the Inauguration of the President Obama. There were some interesting learnings about events, logistics and the experience. I kept a blog if you would like to read some of my observations, go to http://masie2009.blogspot.com

2. The Reskilling Project. In 2 weeks, we will be launching a major project called ReSkilling. It will be focused on the challenge of preparing millions of workers, currently employed or laid off, who will require ReSkilling to get stay employed or return to the workforce. We will be working with the new Administration and will bring together learning professionals, workforce development groups and private education resources. If you are interested in this effort and would be willing to help launch it, please send me an email to emasie@masie.com

3. Off to Dubai: We are switching suitcases and will head to the airport in a few hours to take a 14 hour flight to Dubai. I am doing a keynote at a Learning event and presenting on the challenge of Leading in UnCertain times. Dubai is also going through some challenging shifts in the economy. I’ll send some notes from there. Personally, I am very excited to take the new Emirates Airbus A380 for the direct flight from New York - complete with new technology features. I’ll do blogging from the sky :)

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Social Learning Lab & Seminar: March 11 to 13 - Saratoga Springs (Value Pricing)
* Performance Support Lab & Seminar: Feb 25 to 27 - Saratoga Springs (Value Pricing)
* 0ver 6,219 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown.
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

556 - Inauguration Learning Gathering & Dubai Meetup

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Jan 16, 2009.
#556 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,543 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.

1. Inauguration Gathering in DC for Learning Colleagues.
2. Dubai Get Together for Learning Colleagues.

Here are two invitations to Learning Colleagues and TRENDS Readers. I am heading to Washington, DC for the Inauguration of President Obama and then over to Dubai for a speech on Learning in Uncertain Times. I’d love to connect with colleagues:

1. Inauguration Gathering in DC for Learning Colleagues - We will gather with some colleagues for an informal reception on Monday afternoon in a downtown hotel. If you live in DC or are visiting for the Inauguration and would like to join us, please send me an email and I will send directions. Space is limited but we would love to see our TRENDS colleagues. Send to emasie@masie.com

2. Dubai Get Together for Learning Colleagues: I will be in Dubai for a week, starting on January 22nd, to deliver a speech and work with colleagues in the region. If you are in Dubai, please send me an email and we can arrange a time to get together. Send to emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Social Learning Lab & Seminar: March 11 to 13 - Saratoga Springs
* Performance Support Lab & Seminar: Feb 25 to 27 - Saratoga Springs.
* 0ver 6,219 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown.
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

Social Learning Lab and Seminar Announcement

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

1. Social Learning LAB & Seminar Announcement
2. Performance Support LAB & Seminar: Reminder
3. Value Pricing for MASIE Seminars for Tight Times

1. Social Learning LAB & Seminar Announcement: I am VERY excited to announce a brand new seminar that I will be leading and teaching:

Social Learning LAB & Seminar
March 11 to 13, 2009 - Saratoga Springs, NY

The use of social networking technology, leveraged with the “Wisdom of Colleagues”, creates a great opportunity to extend learning, competencies, knowledge and support to the workforce. This hands-on, project-based lab will provide a unique opportunity to experiment with and deploy social learning components in a learning setting. Attendance is limited. For complete details:

http://www.masie.com/social

2. Performance Support LAB & Seminar - Reminder: Check out our popular Performance Support LAB & Seminar, led by Bob Mosher and Conrad Gottfredson, at The MASIE Center, Feb 25th to 27th. “Learning at the Moment of Need” is a key strategy for Learning Departments. Information at http://www.masie.com

3. Value Pricing for MASIE Seminars for Tight Times: A large number of our colleagues have reported steep cuts or reductions in their learning budgets. To respond to the current economic climate, The MASIE Center is offering Value Pricing on our Seminars in the first quarter of 2009. We have reduced our 3 day Seminars to $995 to assist with restricted travel and tuition approvals.

Details at: http://www.masie.com

Yours in Learning,
Elliott Masie