733 - Bildungsurlaub, Real Time Content, Marketplace Shifts

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 26, 2012.
#733 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
55,769 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning 2012 - Oct 21 to 24, Orlando, FL - www.learning2012.com

1. Bildungsurlaub: Learning & Training Leaves.
2. 15% Real Time Content: Scaled to Thousands?
3. Learning Marketplace Shifts Conference Call.

1. Bildungsurlaub - Learning & Training Leaves: That is a German word that is hard to pronounce and perhaps even harder to imagine in our organizations.  My colleague and friend, Dan Pink, highlighted Bildungsurlaub, a provocative learning approach, in his recent blog:

“German law entitles workers to six weeks of paid vacation. But according to a recent story in the Wall Street Journal, it also provides for — I just love saying it — a bildungsurlaub, five paid days off per year to participate in an approved training course.  Workers could take a Chinese course in Beijing or enroll in a computer course in a seaside town. Training doesn’t have to be directly connected to their job, as long as it is approved by the state.”

Take a few minutes to check out Dan Pink’s blog and the Wall Street Journal article that frames the corporate and policy perspectives on bildungsurlaub! http://www.danpink.com/archives/2012/07/word-of-the-day-bildungsurlaub

2. 15% Real Time Content: Scaled to Thousands? So, what happens when you attend a conference, with hundreds of sessions —- but the key topics that you need to discuss are not on the agenda? It happens to all of us and even to the events that folks like me produce. This year, we have reframed the program for Learning 2012 to include a design for at least 15% REAL TIME CONTENT. In other words, 15% of the sessions, workshops and activities will remain OPEN until you arrive in Orlando on October 21st.  These sessions will be organized, formatted, curated and facilitated by participants in REAL TIME at the event.

Some may extend the comments of a workshop or keynote speaker - to drill down farther.  Some will provide more detail or more framework in the programmed sessions. Others will take us in a new and different direction or will allow for a very REAL TIME discussion or argument about a key topic. And, some might even be fairly cutting edge (robotics in the classroom) or quite fundamental (Malcolm Knolwes in 2012).  And, some will be great - with a few note succeeding at all. 

This is not so hard to imagine at an event with 200 people.  But, when we have thousands of participants, how do we scale and curate REAL TIME CONTENT?  I am excited to see our teams create and experiment with new ways of approaching REAL TIME - shifting 15% of the design from a planned to a more collaborative and at the moment design.  Check out some of our perspectives at: http://www.learning2012.com/item/15-real-time-content.html

3. Learning Marketplace Shifts Conference Call: The Learning Marketplace is shifting - as organizations are changing the type and style of learning content, systems and services. We have organized a no-charge, 45 minute briefing on Learning Marketplace Shifts for our colleagues who are learning vendors, suppliers or consultants:

The Changing Learning Marketplace: Shifts, Hype and Expectations!
Hosted: Elliott Masie - The Learning CONSORTIUM.
Thursday, August 16, 2012, 11 am (EDT) - 1 hour - No Charge.
To Register for this call, go to: www.masie.com/MarketplaceCall

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2012 - Oct 21 - 24, 2012 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie

732 - Introverts at the Workplace: Susan Cain

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 23, 2012.
#732 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
55,765 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning 2012 - Oct 21 to 24, Orlando, FL - www.learning2012.com

Special: Introverts at Work - Presentation by Susan Cain.

In the age of Social Media, Social Learning and Social Everything, what happens to your workers who are “Introverts”? 

Yes, a significant percentage of your workforce is mildly or deeply introverted. How do they respond, react and adapt as we add the word “Social” to everything on corporate futures?

I have invited Susan Cain, the author of “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking”, as a Featured Keynoter at Learning 2012 (Oct 21st to 24th in Orlando).

Susan Cain says introverts often make better leaders, and have more creative ideas, than extroverts; yet, our culture still holds a decided bias toward the “extrovert ideal”. That may soon change.

Susan Cain is a former corporate lawyer and negotiations consultant - and a self-described introvert. At least one-third of the people we know are introverts, notes Cain in her new book Quiet. Although our culture undervalues them dramatically, introverts have made some of the great contributions to society – from Chopin’s nocturnes to the invention of the personal computer to Gandhi’s transformative leadership. Cain argues that we design our schools, workplaces, and religious institutions for extroverts, and that this bias creates a waste of talent, energy, and happiness. Based on intensive research in psychology and neurobiology and on prolific interviews, she also explains why introverts are capable of great love and great achievement, not in spite of their temperaments - but because of them.

I will conduct an interactive interview with Susan Cain on her work, the implications for maximizing and engaging the Introverts appropriately in the workplace and some of the traps that “Social Hype” can have with this population. Here is a description of Susan’s work along with a television interview with her: http://www.learning2012.com/cain

In addition to her presentation and interview, she will conduct a Question and Answer drill down session. And, a number of discussion groups on Introverts will be organized as part of our “Real Time Content” at Learning 2012. Details and advanced registration discounts at http://www.learning2012.com

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2012 - Oct 21 - 24, 2012 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie

731 - Research Internships, Video Marathoning, Collaborator Runs

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 19, 2012.
#731 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
55,754 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning 2012 - Oct 21 to 24, Orlando, FL - www.learning2012.com

1. Research Internships and Learning Leaders Wanted!
2. Marathons of Video and Learning?
3. See Collaborator Run!

1. Research Internships and Learning Leaders Wanted: We are very excited about the new programs and efforts of The MASIE Center and are actively looking for a few Research Interns and several Learning Leaders to join our team. As we open up our Asia Learning Project, expand our Learning LAB here in Saratoga Springs and grow the “Real-Time Content” segments for Learning 2012, we would love to add some great talent to our team in a variety of roles:

* Research Internships: If you are a Masters or PhD level candidate in the Learning, Education, Technology or HR areas, consider a Research Internship based here in Saratoga Springs. You can work on a learning related research project with Elliott Masie and our Learning CONSORTIUM, or engage in one of our ongoing research projects. In the past, we have hosted Research Interns from Korea, Brazil and other parts of the world, as well as from the United States. This program could begin in the next few weeks or months and extend for several months. An honorarium is available to assist with living expenses. Please send an email with your background and interests to emasie@masie.com

* Learning Leaders: We are looking for one or more learning leaders who can play a key role in helping to design the “Real-Time Content” dimensions of our Learning 2012 event. This year, 15 percent of the content and sessions will be “curated” and designed at Learning 2012 by participants in real time. We are looking for learning leaders with a strong set of facilitation skills and a desire to stretch the boundaries of “Open” Learning to help us in finalizing the plans for our Real-Time Content and to play a co-leadership role in Orlando. It can be a part time assignment or a project role for several months.  Please send an email with your background and interests to emasie@masie.com

2. Marathons of Video and Learning? I recently watched almost 20 hours of a television series “Pasta” in just a few days. There is a trend toward “Marathoning”: compressing video consumption of a series into a small amount of time. While it seems strange, it was a wonderful and deeply engaging way to enjoy this series - way more than stretching it out over a year. Marathoning is picking up in a range of video shows as a result of the growth of both on-demand TV from cable networks and the use of Netflix to the screen. I wonder how Marathoning might impact eLearning or online programs. I can imagine a graduate student taking a semester-long online course in a deeply intensive one-week vacation. Or, a certification program being scrunched with Marathoning. Hmmm. I would love to hear your thoughts or reactions.  Send me a note to emasie@masie.com

3. See Collaborator Run! As you may know, we have a very cool new horse named “Collaborator”. He is now in Saratoga Springs, preparing to run in the horse racing season that starts in a few days. Here is a 2 minute video of Collaborator as he does his morning exercise with his trainer Michelle Nihei at 7 am. I’ll let you know the day he runs! Watch at: http://bcove.me/quvjc1rm 

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2012 - Oct 21 - 24, 2012 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie

730 - Stephen Covey Dies at Age 79

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 16, 2012.
#730 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
55,745 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.

Sadly, we report that Stephen Covey, author of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and a leader in the world of learning and development, died today at the age of 79.

I had the privilege of working with Stephen a number of times in his distinguished career.  He brought a sense of focus, clarity and passion to his writing, his speaking and his advocacy of skills and development.

In 2001, a few days after 9/11, I did a podcast with Stephen about his reactions to the events and how it might impact managers in business: http://www.masie.com/perspectives

Stephen, you contributed so much to people and the field of learning and development. Your work taught so many people how to focus their priorities and life.  And your son Stephen M.R. Covey extends your work with breakthrough efforts on “Trust”. Stephen Covey, you will be missed!

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2012 - Oct 21 - 24, 2012 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie

729 - Open Learning Futures? Opening Up Choices; Save on Early Registration

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 12, 2012.
#729 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
55,744 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning 2012 - Early Registration Discounts Until 7/15/12!

1. Open Learning Futures in Your Workplace.
2. Early Registration Next 4 Days!

1. Open Learning Futures in Your Workplace: The word “Open” is popping up in the world of learning with great frequency.  Open refers to “free” classes, widely available segments, community developed tools and more.

The MASIE Center is actively tracking and experimenting with multiple sides of “Open” Learning. Here are a few ways we will explore several sides of how “Open” Learning impacts our field:

* Open Courses: Massive course offerings, usually free, from institutions such as MIT, Stamford and most recently Google.  Learners can sign up, engage in lessons, take optional assessments and collaborate with others around the world.
* Open Learning Segments: Pioneered by Kahn Academy, these are short, free, 3 to 12 minute learning “objects”, which can be used by learners as nano-segments or integrated into a class.
* Open Content Models: Learners are encouraged and expected to use a wide set of open tools, content and expertise resources to master the content and context of a course. The designer is not specifying content - but pointing the learner to open learning assets.
* Open Social Collaboration: Learners access and collaborate with fellow learners or field experts using Open Social Networks.  For example, a learner in an HR Competency class might work with colleagues from LinkedIn or Facebook on a key example.
* Open Learning Personalization: Designers move away from tight “Scope and Sequence” layouts for courses and instead build an Open Design Architecture, encouraging learners to master specific competencies, using a personally selected set of resources and assets.
* Open Learning Marketplace: Open Source tools are expanding their role in our field - from Joomla, the Content System of this website, to Moodle as a “free” LMS site, to tools, apps and open marketplaces.

Some look at “Open” as either a fad or as being just about free assets.  We see “Open” as a shift in the field - expanding from Instructional Design to a connected world where Learning Designers have way more agility and learners are able to drive the learning with more personalization.

At Learning 2012, Elliott Masie will lead a set of discussions, LABS and activities aimed at exploring OPEN assets, approaches and marketplaces for workplace learning.  We are inviting experimenters, implementers and international examples of how “Open” can open up our learning options - and avoid the “Hype” factor in the process.

2. Early Registration Next 4 Days! Save hundreds of dollars and make your Learning 2012 Early Registration before July 16th.  Join thousands of global learning colleagues and keynoters including General Colin Powell (Ret), Author Susan Cain (Introverts) and The Midtown Men (4 Original Jersey Boys) at our annual gathering of the learning field.  October 21 to 24th at Walt Disney World in Orlando.  Register now and request billing at http://www.learning2012.com

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
email: emasie@masie.com

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

728 - Infographics and Learning; Father of Learning Organization Passes

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 3, 2012.
#728 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
55,739 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Video for Learning LAB & Studio - July in Saratoga Springs, NY.

1. Father of the “Learning Organization” Concept Dies.
2. Infographics and Learning.
3. Save with Early Registration Discount for Learning 2012.

1. Father of the “Learning Organization” Concept Dies: A psychologist who was deeply influential in the field of workplace learning and organizational culture, Dr. Harry Levinson, died at age 90 this Tuesday.

While his name is not familiar to many in the learning field, his work introduced the concept of the “Learning Organization” and the leader as “teacher”, which has been quite influential in corporate settings. I remember reading his book “The Exceptional Executive” while in organizational psychology in college - and saw the threads of what would become systemic approaches to employee development and training. I met him briefly in the 1980s, at a conference on the psychological contract between employees and employers, and was impressed by his advocacy of leadership characters that would instill trust at the workplace way before the word trust became a hot topic.

“My philosophy of life is reflected in my behavior… and includes a number of significant elements: deep concern about my family; support of humanitarian causes; appreciation of the value of continuous learning; helping other people grow and develop; and believing in fair play and integrity, which is what a teacher is all about, and which is where I started.”
—Harry Levinson

His obituary can be read at: http://tinyurl.com/7djusn6

2. Infographics and Learning: We are exploring the power and potential of using Infographics as a key in the learning development process.  Think of an Infographic as a visual “shorthand” that moves from text/bullets to using information graphics in an age of increasingly shortened attention spans.

The MASIE Center is building an action lab at Learning 2012, to provide real time experiences in creating Infographics that can be part of a learning program or performance support activity.  We are working on simpler design approaches that would create meaningful expression of:

* Numerical Data or Scorecards.
* Research Findings.
* Business Process Steps.
* Content/Context Mapping.
* Visualization of Social/Collaborative Contributions.
* Learning at the Moment of Need (OJT) Charts.

To see a fun blog on Infographics go to: http://www.coolinfographics.com/  In the coming months, we will be building a Learning Infographics gallery with a wide range of sample Infographics leveraged in learning projects. And, at Learning 2012, we will have both a keynote demonstration and action lab to support leveraging Infographics as key elements in a design.

3. Save with Early Registration Discount for Learning 2012: Save hundreds of dollars on Learning 2012 Early Registration by July 15th. You can place your registration now and request billing for Learning 2012 by going to http://www.learning2012.com

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning Directions - New York City (July 10th)
* Video for Learning LAB - July in Saratoga Springs.
* Learning 2012 - Oct 21 - 24, 2012 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie