950 - "Fake News", "Alternative Facts" and Learning

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - January 25, 2017
#950: “Fake News” & “Alternative Facts” 
www.masie.com - Twitter: @emasie - The MASIE Center - 57,286 Readers 

 

“FAKE NEWS” & “Alternative Facts”: Learning Implications?

The current media and political conversations about “FAKE NEWS” and “Alternative Facts” are already impacting the world of Learning and Development.

I am in Germany this week and was asked by six different learning leaders if we need to address “FAKE NEWS” in the workplace.  Our workers receive and scan the widest range of information sources from in and outside the organization.  Some of those stories, even if coming from what seems like a trusted source such as a TED Talk or major publication, may contain content that the organization sees as “Fake” or Not Based on Facts.

How does an organization “CURATE” content and provide context, ratings or, in some cases, repudiation for high volume “FAKE NEWS”? One colleague from The Netherlands is asking his IT department to provide a trending report of the key external news stories accessed by workers - to guide their response.

And, in some cases the news is truly “FAKE NEWS”.  It might be a phony website that is created by a competitor or ex-employee, aimed at discrediting the organization

Or, it might be what has just surfaced as an “ALTERNATIVE FACTS” model.  Imagine how an employee might react to a statement by management that directly contradicts their experience dealing with customers or products.  Watch for the phrase “Alternative Facts” to start to surface in workplace discussion.

Your Thoughts Please:  I would love to get reactions from the widest set of Learning TRENDS readers about the possible implications for “FAKE NEWS or Alternative Facts” reactions. This is not a political issue; rather, it is a shift in how everyday people are using or evaluating content’s truthfulness.  Send me an email to emasie@masie.com 

- Upcoming MASIE Center LABS & Events:
* Learning Innovations LAB: February 1-3, Saratoga Springs, NY
* Curation & Learning LAB: March 7-9, Saratoga Springs, NY
* Learning Systems & Tools ‘17: April 19 & 20, Chicago, IL
Information and Registration at: http://www.masie.com

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
Host, Learning 2017
Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: @emasie

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
- Learning Innovations LAB -  Feb 1-3, 2017 Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Curation & Learning LAB - March 7-9, 2017 Saratoga Springs, NY
- Learning Systems & Tools ‘17 - April 19 & 20, Chicago, IL
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM.
- Learning 2017- October 22 to 25 - Orlando, Florida.
Details and Online Registration: http://www.masie.com

Curation and Workplace Learning

You and your colleagues are invited to participate in our new LAB, focused on Curation and Learning.  I will facilitate a small group of Learning Professionals interested in exploring the evolving methods, tools, systems, and impacts of Curation for Workplace Learning.

Complete details at http://www.masie.com

Yours in learning,  

Elliott Masie, Host & Curator, emasie@masie.com

949 - Gadgets, Tech & Learning: Update from CES Vegas

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - January 11, 2017
#949 - Gadgets, Tech & Learning: Update from CES Vegas
www.masie.com - Twitter: @emasie - The MASIE Center - 57,272 Readers  

- Gadgets, Tech & Learning: Update from CES Vegas:  Each year, for the past decade, I have curated reports from my colleagues attending the CES Show in Las Vegas, where emerging gadgets, technology and systems are previewed and announced.  I have been smiling at the range of announcements made at CES that may have impact on the world of workplace learning:

- Sound Canceling and Connected Mini-Earbuds:  Nuhera IQBuds are intriguing earbuds that can be worn in a busy and noisy workplace.  They serve multiple purposes, providing a lower noise level in the ears, connecting to phones and wireless and still allowing clear conversations with a person right in front of the user.  Multiple microphones in each earbud and an algorithm of noise canceling software could be an asset for both communication and real time support information in employee ears in those high noise environments.   Info at: http://www.nuheara.com

- VR Without VR Viewer - Projected Mixed Reality - Project Ariana:  Here is a huge step forward in the ability to deliver Mixed Reality (VR, AR and More) to a group of employees without using wearable goggles.  Project Ariana, from Razer, is aimed at teens for gaming projection in a basement, but has huge implications for adding Mixed Reality Learning and Simulation displays in our workplace.  It is emerging technology and you should check it out at: http://www.razerzone.com/project-ariana

- Robotics: Learning to Read Pudding:  I am convinced that Robots will play a much larger part of our world of workplace performance and learning.  Here is an announcement of “Pudding” - which is a friendly support presence to assist a child in mastering reading skills.  It has a combination of Robotics, AI and Performance Support in a “cute” presence.  Information at: http://www.roobo.com/en/

- More CES Gadget/Tech Trends to Follow:
* Expansion of “Talk To” Systems (eg. Alexa, Siri and Google’s Home)
* Paper Thin Monitors - Mountable on the Workplace Walls
* Self-Driving Cars and Assisted Mobility
* Mixed Reality Expands Beyond VR and AR
* Health and Wellness Based Wearable Technologies

Check out several of the summaries of CES that are online.  Here is one that I read: http://www.valuewalk.com/2017/01/consumer-electronics-show-2017/

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
Host, Learning 2017
Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: @emasie

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
- Learning Innovations LAB -  Feb 1-3, 2017 Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM.
- Learning 2017- October 22 to 25- Orlando, Florida.
Details and Online Registration: http://www.masie.com

948 - Content Reminders for January? AI App for Weight Loss, Research Intern

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - January 3, 2017
#948 - Content Reminders for New Year, AI App for Weight Loss, Research Intern at MASIE
www.masie.com - Twitter: @emasie - The MASIE Center - 57,265 Readers  

I hope that our Learning TRENDS Colleagues around the world had a healthy and safe New Years.  2017 will clearly be a time of change, disruption and shifts in our businesses, marketplaces and lifestyles.  I am excited for the conversations that we have here on Learning TRENDS and look forward to engaging with you in the coming year. 

- Content Reminders for the New Year?  When I came to work this morning, as the first day of 2017, I wished that I had a New Year Reminder for Content.  Imagine if we each received very targeted and efficient reminders of key content, knowledge, skills and focuses on our first day back, at the start of a new year, a new month or even a new week.  

 

Whether you are 66 like me or a 23 year old, reminders in a digital age could be very powerful.  A sort of thread around your finger as a key content reminder.  Remember, the “e” in e-Learning can be about Evolving, just like our memories.
 
- AI App for Weight Loss:  At the start of the year, many folks turn to diets and exercise for support in learning and implementing healthier lifestyles.  Check out the app “Noom”, which combines machine learning, AI, personalized feedback and coaching to users.  Here is an interesting article in Fast Company about “Noom”

- Learning Research Intern at MASIE Center: We are looking for a great intern who will participate in learning research at The MASIE Center in the coming year.  You can be a graduate student, undergraduate or self-study student who can spend several months in Saratoga Springs working on learning research, with a wide range of corporations and government agencies.  Send a note to me at emasie@masie.com

- Learning Innovations LAB Added in February:  We have filled our Learning Innovations LAB in January. So, we added a new session that I will lead from Feb 1 to 3 in Saratoga Springs, NY.  It is a very high energy, hands-on exploration of new and emerging learning innovations, technology and methodologies.  Space is limited and online registration is open at: http://www.masie.com

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
Host, Learning 2017
Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: @emasie

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
- Learning Innovations LAB - Feb 1-3, 2017 Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM.
- Learning 2017 - October 22 to 25- Orlando, Florida.
Details and Online Registration: http://www.masie.com