864 - Blizzards and Learning Modes, Video Shifts

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - January 28, 2015.
#864 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
56,815 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning Strategies LAB - March in Saratoga Springs!

1. Learning for a Pending Snow Blizzard.
2. Video Shifts: 4K, User Blending, Shorter and Targeted.

1. Learning for a Pending Snow Blizzard. I was in New York City for the past week and lived through the process of awaiting a major snow blizzard. While Manhattan did not get the huge snow storm, it was fascinating to see how learning, content, performance support and digital collaboration played out for a potential disaster in 2015.  Here are a few of my observations:

* Connected Population: It was amazing to see how connected to the breaking news, weather updates, flight schedules and government declarations people were. I went to the small supermarket where we were all buying loads of emergency food - and almost every person on the long line was digitally on top of the breaking news. We had our mobile phones out and had a deep discussion amongst 10 of us (of all language and backgrounds) about the weather forecast map and times when subways would shut down.  It was the first time that I saw true widespread and agile content connection in a busy city.
* Consequence Awareness: New York City had been walloped and somewhat surprised with the Sandy Hurricane that happened a few years ago.  I noticed how many people used Sandy as a metaphor for why it was important to prepare.  The sense of “prep and consequence” was also quite different and new - and a shared experience.
* Video Content on Readiness: I counted 12 widespread videos that had been posted by people, media networks or government agencies to prepare and teach people what to do if something critical happened.  I watched one video about how to walk down from my 33rd Floor apartment should electricity go out and I needed to leave.  There were short (most under 6 minutes) videos on preparing for food, taking care of a sick relative or roommate, dressing tips and even more.
* Prep for Building Staff: I was impressed with how well trained and briefed various maintenance and custodial staff were in apartment buildings.  They had announcements for a situation like this, backup plans for coverage and more.
* TV Networks go Micro and Skype: While all traffic was banned during the storm, TV stations were given permission to travel and broadcast.  CNN and others used a small 2 sided camera - mounted in the front seat of a car - that would provide high def coverage for a reporter in the passenger seat and could be quickly swapped for a view out the window - even as a stand-up camera with the reporter in front of the car.  These were connected by 4G to the station.  Cool to see Small Tech in action.
* Skype, Google Hangout and Facetime Circles: Throughout the night, I and others were connected to friends and relatives via social networks and online video.  I felt quite supported even though I was alone in my apartment.
* Political Leaders Dressed for Social Broadcasting: It was funny to watch the Mayor, Governor and others dressed in warm jackets with their names and logos ready for Broadcasting.  They each went to multiple outdoor sites during and after the storm to show real-time presence live from the field. While some might complain that there was an over-reaction to the snow forecast, their field presence and manner was helpful in response.

There is much that the corporate learning space can learn from this moment. It was both a user-driven shift and also an awareness of the need for content, connection, performance support and presence. 

2. Video Shifts - 4K, User Blending, Shorter and Targeted: The world of video in workplace learning is continually shifting. There are new capacities for high-end, 4K, and Ultra High Def video as well as simple and just-in-time video from a user’s mobile phone. There are shifts in how we have to edit, tag and disseminate video.  And, learners and their managers want video that can be better targeted and shaped for user needs and personalization.  We will be addressing these issues using over $50,000 of new video equipment and technologies in our upcoming Video for Learning LAB in two weeks.  There are a few spaces still available and I would love to learn with you as we explore changing video design and deployment approaches.  Details about our Video for Learning LAB at http://www.masie.com

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Chair, The Learning CONSORTIUM

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
- Video & Learning LAB - Feb 10 - 12, Saratoga Springs.
- Learning Strategies LAB - With Doug Lynch and Elliott Masie - March 25 – 27, Saratoga Springs.
- Learning 2015 - Nov 1 – 4, Orlando, Florida.
Upcoming:
- Gamification and Learning Summit.
- MOOCs and Corporate Learning LAB.

Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie 

863 - Boo Hoo - Goodbye Radio Shack, Learning Habits, Expertise Notes

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - January 16, 2015.
#863 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
56,805 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Performance Support/Agile Learning LAB - Next Week!

1. Boo Hoo - Goodbye Radio Shack!
2. My Learning Habit - 2 TED Videos a Day.
3. Making Notes About Expertise - Where Does it Go?

1. Boo Hoo - Goodbye Radio Shack! OK, I am pretty depressed this morning. Many of the Radio Shack stores in my area are closing. It is part of a slow and painful wind down of Radio Shack, a key place and institution in my youth as a nerd who loved to “make” stuff.

I probably visited a Radio Shack once a week from my early teens through my 30’s. Here were some of the things I did (somewhat dated or alien to my younger TRENDS readers) when I visited the local “Shack”:

* Brought the “tubes” from inside a television set or radio to be tested at Radio Shack. They had a machine in the store (that later moved to the storeroom) that tested an electronic, glowing tube. Image here: http://tinyurl.com/tubetester  This let me help my neighbors when their TV or radio wasn’t working - before calling for a visit from the service company.
* Bought small resistors to build electronic devices. I would pick the right resistor, based on Ohms of electric resistance, and find it by reading the color codes on the wire. Each resistor was less than a $1 and it allowed me to make or fix things. Radio Shack had the best and widest selection. Image here: http://tinyurl.com/resistorspic
* Stop in and talk to the staff at the Radio Shack about a project or idea - and they would help me to invent or adapt it. I wanted to have my radio in my bedroom play the sound from our Black and White TV in the living room - to listen to shows after my bedtime curfew. They gave me a wiring chart and I bought some parts to listen to the 11 o’clock news quietly enough that my parents never found out.  Thanks, Radio Shack!

Radio Shack was a “makers” haven and heaven. It was the place where we could buy the bits and parts to fix, improve or even create something electrical or electronic. This was way before mail order and large stores. But, Radio Shack played a key role in my generation’s development.

I bought my first computer, The TRS 80 Model 1, from Radio Shack. It had almost no memory, all CAPS on the small monitor, and read and wrote programs from a cassette recorder. But, many of the breakthrough early programming was done on a Radio Shack computer. I even led one of the first “computer clubs” in my region, which met at the Radio Shack at the mall and then had pizza at the food court afterwards.

Sure, things change. And, there are so many ways in which we can buy what we need, instantly. But I wonder what would have happened if the owners of Radio Shack, starting with the Tandy Corporation, had dropped the name “Radio” and just made it “The Shack”. I wonder if the stores could have become places where people who wanted to be “makers” of tools, technologies or fixes - from wiring together the appliances in our homes to experimenting with 3D Printing or even a students’ area - could play with and buy robotics. I even suggested to the CEO of Best Buy, whom I met shortly after he was hired, that they buy Radio Shack and add a “Shack” to each of their stores.

Alas, goodbye to Radio Shack! I will always value the memories, the learnings and even the burn on my finger from the mistake I made with the new soldering gun that I bought at a Shack. I wish that you had “Lived Long and Prospered”. You were part of my growth. And, you were a part of the technology revolution that was triggered by the race to the Moon, science fairs, computers and the rise of the digital age. Thanks and farewell.

2. My Learning Habit - 2 TED Videos a Day: We are honored to host Jennifer Cheng, a learning professional from PwC Hong Kong, who is working on a research project for a few months at The MASIE Center focused on “Making Learning a Habit”. I am experimenting with this idea and have started a behavior that may become one of my habits:

Every workday, I watch 1 or even better 2 TED Videos. These may be from one of the global TED conferences or from a TEDx regional event. They range from 6 to 18 minutes in duration and it is interesting for me to have the act of watching these as a daily expectation of myself. After a week, I have watched about 9 segments and it feels wonderful, short and invigorating. As I tell folks about my emerging habit, I am getting emails and messages suggesting a cool TED video to view.

We are curious about the idea of making Learning a Habit. We would love to hear from some of our TRENDS readers about this idea. Send a note to emasie@masie.com

3. Making Notes About Expertise - Where Does it Go? A learning leader asked me a fascinating question yesterday:

“Where do workers keep notes about colleagues that have useful expertise?”

Do they keep a running list, add personal notes to their version of the employee directory, create a personal contact on their mobile phones or use other strategies?

Ultimately, we want to build our own knowledge and expertise maps of a subset of the large employee bases in our organizations. It is a great feature for LMS and Social Network suppliers to expand.

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Chair, The Learning CONSORTIUM

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
- On The Job Learning & Performance Support = Agile Learning - Jan 20 to 22, Saratoga Springs.
- Video & Learning LAB - Feb 10 to 12, Saratoga Springs.
- Learning Innovations LAB - With Doug Lynch and Elliott Masie - March 25 to 27 Saratoga Springs.
- Learning 2015 - Nov 1 to 4 - Orlando, Florida.
Upcoming:
- Gamification and Learning Summit.
- MOOCs and Corporate Learning LAB.

Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie

Learning Strategies Invitation

TO: Learning, Training and Leadership Colleagues.
FROM: Elliott Masie, Host & Curator.
DATE: 13 January 2015

RE: Learning Strategies LAB Invitation

We would like to invite you and your colleagues to participate in a new program for Learning Leaders:

Learning Strategies LAB
Led By: Doug Lynch and Elliott Masie
March 25 to 27, 2015 - Saratoga Springs, NY USA

Learning Strategies are key to aligning business strategies with learning decisions and directions.

This event will be led, facilitated and curated by Elliott Masie and Doug Lynch, with over 45 years of combined experience in learning leadership on a global level. We are honored to have Doug Lynch as our faculty member for this program. Doug is a major leader in the business and academic world. Doug is the Chief Academic Officer for CorpU and a member of the faculty at the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education.

We will explore these key issues related to Learning Strategies:

* Learning Strategies - From Crisp to Hype.
* Linking the Learning Strategy to Business Strategies.
* Learning Innovations & Learning Strategies.
* Analyzing Learning Strategies.
* Learning Leadership with Learning Strategies.
* Budgeting, Assessment and The Learning Strategy.
* Context for Learning Strategies.
* One Enterprise Learning Strategy vs. One Strategy Per Business Unit.
* Who Cares About Your Learning Strategy?
* Competencies & Business Strategies.
* The Learning or The Talent Strategy.
* 5 Case Studies of Learning Strategies.
* Partnering & Sourcing: Strategy Implications.
* Hackathon Model for Learning Innovation.
* Engagement & Learners.
* Learning Strategies & Leadership Styles.

This event is a small, hands-on and vendor-neutral deep dive into Learning Strategies in 2015. Space is limited and complete information is available at http://www.masie.com

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Chair, The Learning CONSORTIUM

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
- On The Job Learning & Performance Support = Agile Learning - Jan 20 to 22, Saratoga Springs.
- Video & Learning LAB - Feb 10 to 12, Saratoga Springs.
- Learning 2015 - Nov 1 to 4 - Orlando, Florida.
- Learning Strategies LAB - March 25 to 27 - Saratoga Springs, NY.
Upcoming:
- Gamification and Learning Summit.
- MOOCs and Corporate Learning LAB.

Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie

862 - Badges for Learners, On The Job Learning LAB, CES Wrap Up

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - January 12, 2015.
#862 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
56,799 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Video and Learning LAB - Feb. 10 to 12th - Saratoga Springs.

1. Badges for Learners and Learning?
2. Gadgets and Technology Scan from CES.
3. On-The-Job Learning & Performance Support LAB.

1. Badges for Learners and Learning? One of the topics that is brewing in the world of learning and talent is “Badges”. I have written about the experiments and collaborations with Badges over the past three years. In 2015, The MASIE Center will be taking an in-depth look at how Badges can be used for the benefit of both learners and organizations.  We will be exploring the following questions:

* Badges for Competencies vs. Certifications?
* Badges that Workers Can Take to Their Next Job?
* Badges vs. Digital Badges?
* What did we Learn from the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts about Badges?
* Badges to Reflect Learning Interest vs. Accomplished Goal?
* Who Validates a Badge?

If you are interested in thinking with us on the role of Badges and Learning, please send a note to brooke@masie.com   We will be reaching out to several colleagues to help in our explorations and partnerships with external Badging efforts.

2. Gadgets and Technology Scan from CES: Here are our key reports from colleagues and journalists who were at last week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Add these to your “Technology & Learning” radar screens:

* Cable TV Disruption! What’s the Impact on Corporate Learning? There were many announcements that focused on the shift from Cable TV to a variety of on-demand and on-device options for viewers at home. “Cut the Cord” was one of the disruptive themes throughout CES. As employees have ever more choices at home - including the timing, format and packaging of content - it may result in a great demand for “personalization” and time-shifting of scheduled learning activities at the workplace. Watch the impact of Sling TV and others in this space.
* eLearning Recast as At-Home Activities: It has been a few years since eLearning was talked about at CES as a revenue center. But, with the rise of user demand for targeted, short video content, it was revitalized at CES this year. One product that was featured was curious.com, an eLearning site with about 10,000 user created videos. The buzz on the floor was to watch the rising marketplace for user purchased (or watched with ad revenue) that some predicted would be as high as $50 billion in 2016.  There was also buzz about the role that TED, YouTube and structured platforms like Corsera would have in this marketplace.
* 4K and Ultra HD Video: The good news was an announcement about industry standards for 4K and Ultra HD Video formats. The technology for higher def curved screens and lower cost high end cameras was displayed throughout CES.  Watch this video about a very slim and very high def screen: http://www.cnet.com/products/sony-xbr-65x900c/   We will be using more and more 4K and Ultra HD Video in corporate learning.
* Wearables and Connections: So, how will the wearables, such as digital watches, work with other technologies and processes? There were demonstrations about the connections between wearables and other environmentals, including health, proximity monitoring and ways in which a wearable could be an integral part of a Performance Support System.

3. On-The-Job Learning & Performance Support LAB: There are several spaces still open in our popular “On-The-Job Learning & Performance Support LAB & Seminar”, to be led by Bob Mosher and Conrad Gottfredson at The MASIE Center from January 20 to 22. This is a drill-deep program that looks at how we make learning more Agile while leveraging the powerful tools of both OJL and Performance Support Systems. Details and online registration at http://www.masie.com

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Chair, The Learning CONSORTIUM

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
- On-The-Job Learning & Performance Support = Agile Learning - Jan 20 to 22, Saratoga Springs.
- Video & Learning LAB - Feb 10 to 12, Saratoga Springs.
- Learning 2015 - Nov 1 to 4 - Orlando, Florida.
Upcoming:
- Gamification and Learning Summit.
- MOOCs and Corporate Learning LAB.
- Learning Strategies LAB with Doug Lynch.

Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie

861 - First Day of Work, Targeting and Personalization, CES Reports

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - January 5, 2015.
#861 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
56,793 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Video and Learning LAB - Feb. 10 to 12 - Saratoga Springs.

1. The First Work Day of 2015. How is it Different?
2. Targeting: The First Cousin of Learning Personalization.
3. Reports from The Tech/Gadget Show in Las Vegas.
4. Learning Innovation and the Marketplace - Video Clip.
5++ Thank You!

1. The First Work Day of 2015. How is it Different? I am curious how my Learning TRENDS colleagues approach today, the first day of work for most people in 2015. I am a big fan of two work days each year, days when I go into deep perspective about personal learning processes and also shifts in my business models. Those days are Labor Day - when I am still like a 7-year-old preparing for the start of school with fresh school supplies, a new notebook and the excitement of starting a learning year - and today, the first work day of a new year.

This morning, I had a staff meeting of the MASIE Center team and we focused on how 2015 would be different than 2014. Here are a few snippets:

* More Laughter! Learning can be a very serious topic; yet, laughter is key to making learning come alive. We will be adding more laughter and humor and fun perspectives to MASIE Center projects and events in 2015. Let’s use the AHA of HAHA to embrace the humanity and usability aspects of learning strategies.
* More Curation and Relationship Content! This year, we will focus more and more on curating REAL learning experiments and projects in actual large organizations. Let’s balance the press release avalanche of new product announcements from optimistic suppliers with real-world examples and even “autopsies” of learning changes in action.
* Simplicity: We are looking at each of our in-house and external-world-facing systems with an eye toward simplicity. Can we do that with a simpler, more agile and less complex process?

And, on a focus level, we will be delving deep into 3 topics in 2015: Gamification & Learning: The Ups and Downs; Digital Trust; and Learning Strategy Shifts. Stay tuned! We will do those with gusto.

2. Targeting! The First Cousin of Learning Personalization: One of the key themes that we are hearing from Chief Learning and Talent Officers in larger organizations is TARGETING!

A first cousin of Learning Personalization, Targeting is the process by which:

* The Learner.
* The Manager of the Learner.
* The Teacher/Coach/On-The-Job Colleague.
* The System.

…might “target” the learning of the learner - in real time - based on:

* What They Really Need to Know That is New.
* What They Don’t Know Already.
* What They Can’t Just Look Up Online.
* What is a Performance Gap or Pattern.

The Learning Personalization conversation revolves around the choices and preferences of a learner. Targeting adds a second level of choice, selection and sequence to create a faster-to-competence pathway. As we explore Learning Personalization this year, we will be equally focused on Targeting and will watch the rising innovations in system assistance for learner confusion and content primacy.

3. Reports from The Tech/Gadget Show in Las Vegas: In the next few days, I will send out several special Learning TRENDS, curating reports from analysts, colleagues and journalists at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas where major new technologies are introduced, primed and sometimes exaggerated. We will give you some eyeball reactions to the technologies with a special emphasis on how Technology & Learning might intersect.

As a coming attraction, about 70% of the CES press releases are all about “wearables”. Anticipating the release of Apple’s Watch, there are competitors, collaborators and extenders of the Wearable World. We will also recount the role of 4K and Ultra Def in screens for the classroom.

4. Learning Innovation and Education - Elliott Video Clip. There is another video clip of an interview that I did recently on Learning Innovation, Education and the Marketplace - exploring in a few minutes our approach to tracking more rapid innovation processes. This was shot by BigThink and can be viewed at: http://bigthink.com/videos/eliot-masie-on-using-innovation-for-education

5++ Well, this is a special, quick Thank You to each of the over 50,000 Learning TRENDS readers. I have had the privilege of writing Learning TRENDS since November 1, 1997. It is an awesome honor to be in communication with so many learning colleagues from around the world. So, as part of a delayed New Year’s Greeting, here is a personal and warm thank you, Learning Trends Colleague. And, you can always reach me at emasie@masie.com or @emasie.com  

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Chair, The Learning CONSORTIUM

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
- Learning Innovations Retreat at Elliott Masie’s LAB. - Jan 7 to 9, Saratoga Springs (2 Spots Remaining).
- On The Job Learning & Performance Support = Agile Learning - Jan 20 to 22, Saratoga Springs.
- Video & Learning LAB - Feb 10 to 12, Saratoga Springs.
- Learning 2015 - Nov 1 to 4 - Orlando, Florida.
Upcoming:
- Gamification and Learning Summit.
- MOOCs and Corporate Learning LAB.
- Learning Strategies LAB with Doug Lynch.

Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie