534 - "The Last Lecture" Educator Passes - Randy Pausch

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 25, 2008.
#534 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,312 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Over 800 Registered!

“The Last Lecture” Educator - Randy Pausch Dies

If you were to watch only one video this year, please view “The Last Lecture”. Randy Pausch, the remarkable computer scientist and educator, passed away today. He was passionate about evolving models of education and learning.  And, his lecture has been read and viewd by millions around the world.  Here is the link to this remarkable man and message:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5700431505846055184

Thank you for your inspiration, work and example, Randy. Rest in Peace.

Elliott
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:)
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
* 0ver 5,450 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

533 - Monitoring On-Line Testing; On-Boarding Redesign, Horses Starting

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 23, 2008.
#533 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,298 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Over 800 Registered!

1. Law to Monitor On-Line Testing at Home.
2. Racing and Learning: Saratoga Horses Start Today.
3. Task Force at Learning 2008: New Models of On-Boarding.

1. Law to Monitor On-Line Testing at Home: I was reading this week’s Chronicle of Higher Education when I came upon an item that startled me:  “Tucked away in a 1,200 page bill now in Congress is a small paragraph that could lead distance-education institutions to require spy cameras in their sutdents’ homes.” 

As I read the whole article, it became clear that Congress is about to add new requirements for the assurance of honesty in testing for some distance learning programs. There are new devices coming to the market that monitor the learner’s environment, including audio, video and fingerprint authentication, to assure that the registered student is the one taking the exam.  Here is the URL for this article:

http://chronicle.com/free/v54/i46/46a00103.htm

There are interesting pedagogical and “freedom” issues raised by this article. For example, is there more concern about “cheating” by online vs. classroom learners?  I’d love to hear your thoughts. Send a note to emasie@masie.com

2. Racing and Learning - Saratoga Horses Start Today: As you may know, we own several thoroughbred race horses. And, today is the first day of the racing season at Saratoga. Training a racehorse has a lot of parallels in the organizational learning world. Practice, focus and even feedback are key. We have a new horse, a spirited 2 year old colt. His name is “Head Heart Hoof”. He will run his first race in Saratoga in the coming 2 weeks. Each day, “Hoof” gets up at about 5 am and goes through a very thorough day of training and preparation. (Though on some days, Hoof, like us humans, really just wants to loaf and relax for the day). We’ll let you know when Hoof is about to run if you’d like to follow his progress.  Here is a picture of our fine learner:

http://www.sethbenzelinc.com/Equine/Stable/Head_Heart_Hoof/

3. Task Force at Learning 2008 - New Models of On-Boarding: We will take to the whiteboards at Learning 2008 to explore significantly new models of On-Boarding. Several volunteers will participate in a multi-day Task Force to redesign from scratch the corporate On-Boarding process. I am excited to add Task Forces to our design, allowing for in-depth, out-of-the-box thinking on key topics. Learning 2008 will take place in Orlando from October 26 to 29. It is co-hosted by ASTD, The Learning CONSORTIUM, ISPI, MPI and LearningTown. Save by using our Advanced Registration Discounts: http://www.learning2008.com

Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:)
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
* 0ver 5,450 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

532 - Summer Learning - 3 Minute Survey

TO: Learning & Training Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie

RE: Summer Learning - 3 Minute Survey

How do organizations and learners approach learning differently in the summer?  Please take 3 minutes to participate in a quick, global survey on Summer Learning.  Do people attend more or fewer classes?  Is there more informal learning? And, how do learning departments take advantage of the summer?  Just go to:

http://www.masieweb.com/summerlearning

We will publish the results in the next two weeks.

Yours in learning,
Elliott

Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:)
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
* 0ver 5,385 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

531 - Learning and My New iPhone: From CopApp to Bubble Wrap

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 17, 2008.
#531 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,289 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Over 805 Registered!

My iPhone after 5 Days - I Want Learning Apps!
By Elliott Masie

I really did wait. While the new iPhone came out on Friday, I showed great patience and waited until Saturday morning. On my way to give a speech for the FBI at West Point, I stopped at the Albany Apple store and upgraded by iPhone.

Luckily, they had worked out the server kinks, so my signup was simple and soon I was heading to West Point (with my wife driving) as I explored my new phone. The most provocative feature are the Apps (mini-applications) that can be downloaded for free or a small fee from the Apple Store.

In just 2 hours, I saw my view of mobile computing change! Suddenly, my phone transformed itself into a mobile communications and communication device. Here are a few of the applications that I loaded and explored (some for work and some for play):

* Netters Anatomy Flash Card: A series of high-def images of anatomy, to be used by medical students or doctors. Press a pushpin on the picture of a skull or spine and it reveals the formal terminology. Press again, and it does a Google Search. I was amazed at the level of learning and performance support in my palm. This morning, on a plane to Chicago, I showed this to a 3rd year Medical Student. I had to pry it out of her hands as we landed.  She saw it as a great tool for patient/doctor education and communication.

* Midomi and Shazam: If I hum or sing a few seconds of a song, Midomi will locate the song and give me a sample. If I hold Shazam up to the radio or in a concert, in 20 seconds it will find the song and Album art from that exact tune. The audio/speech search capability is still amazing to me and has incredible implications for other learning applications.

* Box Office and Restaurants: Using the GPS function, it provides context specific information. Box Office provides User Ratings on current films and then real time information on show times and even on-line ordering. Restaurants does a similar thing and adds nutritional information for national chains. Both provide directions to the selected location.

* Flash My Brain: This is a cue-card platform for learning, linked to both an open-source and fee-based set of cards on a wide range of learning topics.

* iFob: One of several permission-based apps that provide location information for members of my social networking. I can see where my morning buddies are having coffee in town and choose to join (or avoid) them.

What is most impressive about the concept of these apps is the potential to develop them for very specific courses, roles, jobs or performance support objectives.  Here are a few ideas and I will ask for some more from you.

* CopApp: When I gave my speech to the FBI and Police Chiefs the next morning, I showed them the iPhone and we did a brainstorm of what an application for police might look like. They came up with CopApp that would include the following: Visualization of the Compliance Requirements for Roles; Take a Picture of a Gang Tatoo and receive a profile on that specific gang; Language Translation for key phrases (with voice) for 80 different languages they might encounter - organized by situation.

* Leader App: Imagine giving this application to leadership development candidates. It would provide feeds of key information, locations of mentors and peers in the cafeteria to chat with about assigned topics, mentoring advice and link to coaching feedback.

Now it is your turn. As these Apps grow for both the iPhone and other mobile applications, what would be your suggestions or dreams for some learning Apps? Please send a short note to me at emasie@masie.com  We will try to build a few of these in the near future and place them in the public domain.

Oh, I didn’t mention one of my favorite Apps - Bubble Wrap. Yup, this is a mobile, digital sheet of bubble wrap. Press the bubbles and it makes that most interesting sound (wonderful or annoying, depending on your mood and moment). Low ROI and large private smiles.

Yours in learning,

Elliott

Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:)
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
* 0ver 5,385 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

530 - The First 3 Minutes of Learning - Oh, So Important

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 9, 2008.
#530 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,282 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Over 805 Registered!

The First 3 Minutes of Learning - Oh So Powerful!

1. The First 3 Minutes of Learning - Oh So Powerful! I’ve been obsessing about the first three minutes of learning and training. In those first 180 seconds, very key decisions and frameworks are established by and for the learner:

* 3 Minutes of a Class: Learners “sniff” out the teaching style of the instructor and the level of energy of their fellow students. They see the role that PowerPoint might play. They remember why they were sent to the class and predict (on a percentage basis) how likely it is that they will reach their objective. They even give ratings in that first 3 minutes to the efficiency, speed of learning, level of content and type of engagement. After teaching for 30 years, I feel that a large number of learners make a thumbs up or thumbs down rating in those sweet 180 seconds.

* 3 Minutes of e-Learning: Learners do a parallel process in the first 3 minutes (or even less) of an e-Learning or technology-delivered offering. They look to see how much navigational freedom they have. They see if this a read-and-test, by-the-page type of behavioral offering. Learners decide what is the best or fastest way to complete the learning. They probe for the current or outdated nature of the content. Quick decisions are made in synchronous webinars about the possibility of multi-tasking for the next hour. And, once again, those first 180 second often lead to rapid abandonment if participation is optional.

Madeline Hunter, one of the great educational researchers, calls these first moments key to “Anticipatory Set”. What do learners anticipate and how do they enter the learning process? Some of this can be shaped by pre-event communications or contracting. But, those first 180 seconds are all about framing.

So, let’s put our Learning TRENDS thinking caps on and share some ideas about how to make the first 3 minutes of e-Learning or Classroom Learning more powerful and positive for the learner. Please send a quick note to emasie@masie.com and I will summarize these in a TRENDS next week, along with a list of suggestions from The MASIE Center.  Thanks!

Note: Learning 2008 registration passed the 800 mark today. That is a higher number than at this point last year and we are very excited about the over 30 groups that are having Learning Retreats at the event (Oct 26 to 29 - Orlando). We are adding several major themes to Learning 2008 in the coming days which will include:

* Rebooting Learning: How does an organization hit the reboot key to get a major redesign and refresh of the learning function?
* LMS Frustrations: Why are so many organizations frustrated by and underwhelmed with their LMS implementation (and what can we do about it)?
* Evidence-Based Learning: Working with Wharton & UPenn CLO Program, we will focus deeply on looking at real evidence of learning success rather than “cool innovations”.

Register now and save with our Advanced Registration Rate: http://www.learning2008.com

Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
* 0ver 5,275 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

529 - Learning and July 4th

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 4, 2008.
#529 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,275 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Over 730 Registered!

A July 4th Edition - Learning & Independence By Elliott Masie

July 4th is one of my favorite holidays. We’ll celebrate the Independence Day here in Saratoga Springs, NY with a music festival, a Re-enactment of the Revolutionary War, friends on our porch and wonderful fireworks at dusk.  It is also a day to think about freedom and independence.

Learning is a key pillar for freedom and independence. The ability of a society and an economy to make learning a prime and core value - from elementary school through high school, on to college and into our work and vocational lives - is essential.  Some would assert that Learning is actually a fundamental element of national security. It keeps us wise, vigilant and competitive.

As the challenges of the world get more complex, the need for a focus on learning becomes more and more critical. We need the culture, habits and tools that enable constant and life-long learning. Learning is a key to our personal and community freedom and independence.

So, on July 4th, in addition to the celebrations, I take a few minutes to think and honor the people who have supported learning in my life:

* Hans and Dorothy Masie, my parents, for asking me to read a newspaper before coming to dinner every night.
* Mrs. Ham - PS 173 3rd Grade, for posing questions that pushed my creativity.
* Mr. Jensen - Stuyvesant High School English Teacher, for tapping the emotional intelligence with a love of fiction.
* Rabbi Chavel - Hebrew School Teacher, for posing value clarification questions that had no easy answers.
* Weekly Reader Newspaper - arriving every week in the summer - to continue my learning year round.
* Dick Rehberg, Statistics Prof, for flunking me in Statistics - “the most dangerous thing is a C in statistics”.
* Dick Rehberg, Statistics Prof, who gave me an A when I took his class the second time.
* Malcolm Knowles, Mentor and Hero, for positioning learning as a process that could be designed.
* John Abele, Colleague and President of FIRST, for pushing collaboration as an essential learning tool.
* Cathy Masie, Wife and Life Partner, for adding learning to our lives on a daily basis.
* And, Learning TRENDS Readers, for taking a learning journey together.

Freedom and Independence is, in part, the memory of important battles fought.  But, it is also a living process - one that has learning at its core. Here in the U.S., over 7,000 high school students will drop out of school every day. Each drop out challenges our independence and significantly reduces their freedom of choice for the rest of their lives.  Consider the incredible role that Learning can play in all of our lives on this July 4th.

Respectfully,

Elliott

Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Performance Support Seminar & LAB: July 9-11 - Saratoga Springs  (4 Seats Left)
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
* 0ver 5,275 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

527 - Instant Messaging for Learning Professionals

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 1, 2008.
#527 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,265 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Orlando.

1. Instant Messaging for Learning Professionals.
2. Learning Leaders at Learning 2008.

1. Instant Messaging for Learning Professionals: Every hour, dozens of learning professionals are having “instant” conversations with each other in LearningTown. Our free community for Learning Professionals has just added an IM functionality.  This is a great way to have a discussion with a new colleague from a nearby location or someone from across the globe.  Just this morning, I chatted with a few new colleagues from China, India, Denver and Chile.  Go to LearningTown at http://www.learningtown.com.  If you are new, just set up a profile. You can click on the front page to IM any member who is online at the time.  Enjoy!

2. Learning Leaders at Learning 2008: We are honored to announce the first wave of Chief Learning Officers and key Learning Leaders at Learning 2008.  These senior executives will be facilitating “Big Question” conversations, participating in CLO Lunch Panels and providing in-depth coaching on key learning issues.  They include Learning Leaders from Kellogg’s, JetBlue, JCPenny, Veteran’s Administration, Wal-Mart, Xerox, CIA and many more.  Check out the Learning 2008 Learning Leaders and Keynoters at http://www.learning2008.com.  There are over 713 colleagues registered already for Learning 2008.

* On a Personal Note: I will be having dinner and a small group conversation with Senator Obama next week in New York City. I would love to share ideas from colleagues about key issues that are impacting the world of learning, education and industry. Please send me a personal note to emasie@masie.com 

Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Performance Support Seminar & LAB: July 9-11 - Saratoga Springs  (4 Seats Left)
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
* 0ver 5,045 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com