706 - CES Show Impacts for Learning? Gesture & Reaction-Based Controls?

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - January 12, 2012.
#706 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
55,579 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2012 - Oct 21 to 24 - Orlando, FL, USA.

1. CES Gadget Show - Impacts for Learning?
2. Gesture Based/Reaction Based Content Response.
3. So Many Thanks for Your Kind and Warm Personal Notes!

1. CES Gadget Show - Impacts for Learning?: I have 8 colleagues who are attending the CES/Gadget Technology Show in Las Vegas this week, reporting on the implications of the announcements for our world of learning. In a nutshell, there really were very few major announcements at CES that would shock or rock your budgets for the coming year. But, there are some trends that we should be tracking that may have implications for our field. Here are a few of the comments from our “reporters” in Las Vegas:

A- Monitors, Screens and Interactions: “The city is packed with hundreds of new larger and more interactive screens. The size, brightness, thinness and the affordability of screens are rapidly increasing.  In fact, soon it will be difficult to choose a projector if we can get a 70+ inch screen with more interactivity that can be seen in most classrooms. 3D, while interesting to watch, still is ahead of a real ability to leverage it in a face- to-face setting. Keep an eye on upcoming announcements from Apple, Google and others extending the Screen/TV/Internet connections.”
B- Skype/Video for the Room: “There are several new and highly affordable camera/microphone connections being displayed. From $80 to $300, you can turn a plasma/LCD screen into an interactive video conference. Watch for more integration with Skype, Microsoft Lync and other video/communication platforms.”
C- Ultrabook Confusion: “While there was a lot of hype about the role of the Ultrabook, as an alternative to the tablet, no one was seeing these hitting the jackpot.  Perhaps most missing, was the lack of Apps, that would give the Ultrabook more a tablet + PC capability.”
D- Gaming Moving to Next: “Some of the most interesting announcements were done off the main stage, as Gaming companies were showing simpler App-like functions that organizations could leverage as part of their content. Stay tuned!”

We will do a more comprehensive review this weekend, after all of the reports are in. Thanks to our Vegas spotters.

2. Gesture-Based/Reaction-Based Content Response: One other “aha” from CES was the announcement that Microsoft is shifting the Kinect, which was a gesture-based extension of XBOX, to a Windows environment on Feb 1st. This weekend, Microsoft made the Kinect system available to each of the high schools in the FIRST Robotics competition as another way in which devices could be controlled by human interaction. The MASIE Center will be doing some lab experiments in in the next month to look at how gestures and even reactions of learners could shift how content is displayed. The Kinect will be one system, but we will also experiment with laptop and tablet-based systems. Stay tuned.

3. So Many Thanks for Your Kind and Warm Personal Notes! I was flooded with over 900 notes from TRENDS readers after sharing the news of my head injury and fall in Bali during our Asian trip in December. Your comments and prayers have been so warmly received. I started to answer each one, but I’ll rely on a TRENDS note to say thanks. I am feeling much better. My brain is functioning at almost full level (95%) and I am getting my back into better shape. It was a scary moment and I feel very blessed to be fully recovering. But, most importantly, the trust and thanks from learning colleagues around the world has been inspiring. Thanks again!

Yours in learning,
Elliott Masie.
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2012 - Oct 21 - 24, 2012 - Orlando, Florida.
* Video for Learning LAB - January in Saratoga Springs
* Performance Support LAB - January in Saratoga Springs
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

Back from Asia, 2012 Seminars and Elliott Falls & Heals

TO: Learning, Training & Performance Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie
DATE: January 4, 2012

1. Starting 2012 With Learning Labs for Learning Professionals!
2. Asia Trip was Awesome - And, Elliott Heals After Bali Fall.

1. Starting 2012 With Learning Labs for Learning Professionals: After a month in Asia, I am pleased to be back in Saratoga Springs, NY! We have two in-depth labs for learning professionals in the coming weeks.  There are a few seats left in each of these programs. Consider joining us:

* Video for Learning LAB & Seminar!
Led by Elliott Masie
January 23-25, 2012 - Saratoga Springs, NY
Info & Registration: http://www.masie.com

* Performance Support & Workplace GPS!
Led by Bob Mosher, Conrad Gottfredson
January 18 to 20, 2012 - Saratoga Springs
Info & Registration: http://www.masie.com

2. Asia Trip was Awesome - And, Elliott Heals After Bali Fall: Our 26 day learning trip to Asia was awesome. We visited learning colleagues in Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore and other countries where we learned about the rapid growth of Starbucks, the plans for Disney English, the work at Shanghai General Motors and many other organizations. Our Chinese, American and global learning colleagues were so gracious to us. Everywhere we went, the learning conversation rapidly evolved to Learning Globally. In the coming weeks, watch for new programs from The MASIE Center on this key topic!

Elliott Falls and Heals: Well, sometimes accidents happen. One morning in Bali, on the path to an outdoor massage, something happened and I ended up falling 9 feet, gashing my head and ending up pretty rattled. The good news is that I got great care. When I returned to Saratoga, a CT scan showed that I had 2 small brain bleeds, but my brain is alive, active and will be deeply involved in learning issues in the coming weeks. A bit of rest and loads of great support are helping me to heal. I will be fine and really appreciate the notes from colleagues around the world.

Yours in learning,
Elliott Masie.
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2012 - Oct 21 - 24, 2012 - Orlando, Florida.
* Video for Learning LAB & Seminar - Jan 23-25 - Saratoga Springs.
* Performance Support/Workplace GPS - Jan 18-20 - Saratoga Springs.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM.
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com