396 - PodCasting for Learning, Tagging, Talent Search

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 30, 2006.
#396 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
52,537 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Early Registration Now Open - www.learning2006.com.

1. PodCasting for Learning Studio.
2. Warren Buffett Decision - Tipping Point.
3. Tagging More Important.
4. Talent Search for The MASIE Center.

1. PodCasting for Learning Studio: I am so excited about the PodCasting for Learning Studio that we are building for Learning 2006. We will provide a hands-on lab environment for you to experiment with designing, producing and publishing learning content in an Audio or Video PodCasting format. These Learning Studios are included in our fee for the event.
Register now to take advantage of early discounts. Complete details at http://www.learning2006.com/blog/

2. Warren Buffett Decision - Tipping Point: The announcement this week by Warren Buffett that he was donating the bulk of his fortune to the Gates Foundation to target world issues is truly a "tipping point". This is a key example of how many of our super-wealthy entrepreneurs are focusing on the critical social needs in the world and setting out to create solutions. What a July 4th present Buffett has given our citizens and what a great example he and the Gates Family are to the younger generation.

3. Tagging More Important: Get your tagging skills ready. Increasingly, we will need to develop the habit and the process for tagging documents. Tags allow for an enterprise level of knowledge management and document sharing. I have started a personal experiment to "tag" all documents that I write with several keywords to allow for easier search access. For example, this issue of Trends has been tagged with the phrases "Trends", "PodCasting", "Tagging" and "Talent Search". Metadata and tagging will be a critical force in learning in the years ahead.

4. Talent Search for The MASIE Center: We are looking for two more people to join The MASIE Center and Learning CONSORTIUM team on a full time or contract basis. We are seeking one person to work on benchmarking and learning projects with our CONSORTIUM. In addition, I am seeking a sales and marketing person to focus on sponsorship relationships for our conferences and events. We are looking for folks with industry experience and high energy personalities. Ideally, these roles are located in Saratoga Springs, NY, but we are open to a contract relationship for some projects. Send a letter and resume to emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events and Services:
* Membership in the Learning CONSORTIUM.
* Keynote Presentations by Elliott Masie.
* Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8 - Orlando.
Info at http://www.masie.com

395 - Video Visit to CNN Pipeline, Wise Crowds - Redesigning Meetings

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 21, 2006.
#395 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
52,512 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Early Registration Now Open - www.learning2006.com.

1. Video Report on CNN Pipeline - Content Objects Model.
2. Wise Crowds - Redesigning Meetings.
3. Blog Process for Learning 2006.
4. Dorothy's Run - Report and Thanks.

1. Video Report on CNN Pipeline - Content Objects Model: Here is a short video (or audio/text) interview that I recently conducted at the CNN Pipeline Headquarters in Atlanta. CNN has developed the first video object model of publishing user-driven live and stored content in an impressive format. Porter Anderson, CNN Pipeline Producer, takes us on a tour of CNN's content studio and describes the future of content on demand. We normally reserve these interviews for our Learning CONSORTIUM, but I wanted to share this experience with a wider audience. Go to this URL to view, listen to or read the interview:

http://www.learning2006.com/university/

2. Wise Crowds - Redesigning Meetings: Yesterday, I participated and co-hosted a unique dialogue about redesigning meetings. John Abele, the Chair of Boston Scientific and a great innovator in the learning world, invited fifty fascinating thinkers to a one-day, unstructured conversation called "Wise Crowds". We dug into the nature of meetings, looking at how new processes, organizational shifts and technology could (and should) evolve the world of meetings. Here are a few morning after notes from Wise Crowds:

* Most meetings are more designed around logistics, scheduling and the needs of presenters rather than building trust, fostering creative disagreement and participant engagement.
* Tom Malone from MIT triggered some provocative conversations about the growth of models of collective intelligence and increased "freedom" at work.
* The creation of a GREAT QUESTION, which steers participants to really dig down into a topic may be more important than the delivery of the "perfect" content.
* Audience response and collaboration technology can be used to empower the participants as designers, even at the event. John asked for detailed feedback 3 times during the meeting which led to immediate process changes.
* Predictive markets could be harnessed to use participants to forecast the future of a specific process or trends.
* Examine our meeting "rituals". While nametags and coffee breaks are probably positive rituals, there are many that may actually result in suppressed audience engagement and satisfaction, such as long PowerPoint presentations.
* Leverage pre-event content and collaboration to allow participants to "stipulate" what knowledge they already possess, focusing on a more advanced and context-focused set of dialogues.

I will send TRENDS readers a more in-depth summary of the notes and collaborations from Wise Crowds. In addition, we will be expanding this conversation with a major thread on Meetings Reconsidered at Learning 2006.

3. Blog Process for Learning 2006: We have started an almost daily blog documenting the design process for Learning 2006. Check it out at http://www.learning2006.com/blog/

4. Dorothy's Run - Report and Thanks: Our horse, Dorothy's Destiny, had her maiden run at Belmont last Friday. While she came in 8th out of 12 horses, she had a great race and was healthy the next day. As she said to me, "That was one big learning experience." She also wanted to thank the over 400 TRENDS readers who wrote her notes of encouragement. She was the envy of all the horses in the stable.

Upcoming MASIE Center Events and Services:
* Membership in the Learning CONSORTIUM.
* Keynote Presentations by Elliott Masie.
* Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8 - Orlando.
Info at http://www.masie.com

394 - High Definition Learning, Ken Blanchard, Dorothy's Destiny Runs

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 15, 2006.
#394 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
52,491 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Early Registration Now Open - www.learning2006.com.

1. High Definition Learning.
2. Dorothy's Destiny Runs Maiden Race Friday.
3. Ken Blanchard - Thought Leader at Learning 2006.

1. High Definition Learning: Pay close attention to the shift toward High Definition formats for media. Our recording, editing, broadcasting and viewing/display technologies are rapidly shifting to High Definition, allowing for more picture resolution, increased viewer control, additional data/information and easier storage. The MASIE Center believes that we will see an emerging High Definition Learning world. Here are a few
predictions:

* Learner Control of Perspectives: NASCAR fans can pick from any number of camera shots during a race. Imagine a learner being able to select from dozens of perspectives and zooms while learning about a mechanical or business process.
* Searchable Content: In a few days, I will post a report we just did from CNN's Pipeline headquarters in Atlanta. Watch for highly searchable storage of deep amounts of content on corporate servers. Imagine if you could capture dozens of meetings during a project and then instantly access content snips from key milestones as part of your summary.
* Globalization: The high definition formats will provide additional opportunities for multi-language and localization elements embedded in media content.
* Video-Conferencing Arrives: There are newer models of High Def Video Conferencing that will knock your socks off, overcoming some of the challenges of video and audio quality during real time collaboration.

The MASIE Center will have a High Definition Learning demonstration at Learning 2006, providing a view of what may be possible in a richer media world, with faster and more affordable content production/collaboration.

2. Dorothy's Destiny Runs Maiden Race Friday: As you may know, Cathy and I own several thoroughbred race horses. One of them, a cute 3-year-old filly, Dorothy's Destiny, is having her first (maiden) race on Friday at Belmont. She is named after my mom and is finishing up her learning curve on the world of racing. It is intriguing to watch the learning process of a horse and reflect on performance improvement in our field. If you would like to send her a note of support, she has her own email at the stable: dorothy@masie.com She'll send a picture for an email :)

3. Ken Blanchard - Thought Leader at Learning 2006: I am delighted to announce that Ken Blanchard, one of the leading management experts, will be a Thought Leader at Learning 2006. Ken and I will have a live video dialogue about the changing world of leadership development. Ken, the author of One Minute Manager and many other books, has a unique and passionate perspective on how organizations can develop their next generation of leaders. Ken and I will discuss how the world of leadership development may be shifting. Thanks, Ken, for supporting this unique event!

Early Registration Discount Ends on July 1st: If you would like to take advantage of a several hundred dollar discount for Learning 2006, go to http://www.learning2006.com before July 1st.

Upcoming MASIE Center Events and Services:
* Membership in the Learning CONSORTIUM.
* Keynote Presentations by Elliott Masie.
* Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8 - Orlando.
Info at http://www.masie.com

393 - Wearable Content, Impact Objectives and Wage Cost of Learning

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 12, 2006.
#393 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
52,487 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Early Registration Now Open - www.learning2006.com.

Learnings From the Field:
1. Wearable Content.
2. Impact Objectives.
3. Wage Cost of Learning.
4. Raw Content.
5. Document Management for Compliance.
6. Learning 2006 Additions.

Note: I have been on a 3 month tour around the U.S., meeting with our Learning CONSORTIUM Members, including Apple, Wal-Mart, Disney, GM, CNN and more. Here are some "observations and tidbits" from the field as we have met with over 600 learning colleagues:

1. Wearable Content: Apple has created a great, low-tech tool for their sales staff in the field. Imagine a D ring that fits around your belt with a dozen of small plastic cards filled with product and process content.

2. Impact Objectives: A number of our CONSORTIUM members have started to use our model of adding Impact Objectives to every course. In addition to instructional objectives that focus on what the learner can do, the Impact Objectives target the effect on a business process or outcome. For example, the impact objective for a course on scheduling staff might be a 5% reduction in overtime. Usually, the metrics for an Impact Objective have to be gathered by the business unit, some time after the learning event, and often on a sampling basis for all learners in a given course.

3. Wage Cost of Learning: This is a measure used by Home Depot and others to place the cost of development into perspective. How much will an organization spend for all employees taking a mandated module or suggested course? When one loads up the total "Learning Wages", it often puts into perspective the costs of development, design and delivery.

4. Raw Content: As much as learners want context with their content, they sometimes just want the raw content. In some situations, learners want the original content without reformatting or style. For example, look at the field notes from a service rep, straight from their logs, rather than what's "designed" by the learning department. In fact, if you can provide the learners with access to many items of "raw content", this can give them the ability to design their own pathway to understanding.

5. Document Management for Compliance: Companies are turning to newer Document Management systems that will track electronic signatures when workers access compliance mandated content. If we can leverage more of our Document Management for pure procedure-based compliance oriented changes, it will save significant design and delivery resources.

6. Learning 2006 Additions: We are adding content on a daily basis for our Learning 2006 event to be held in Orlando, Nov 5-8th:
* Nigel Paine, Head of People Development - BBC - New Keynoter.
* CLO Fantasy Camp: Peter Jones, one of our closest colleagues, will be building a Chief Learning Officer Fantasy Camp where you can step into the shoes of a CLO and face senior CFOs and CEOs for feedback and ratings.
* Great Debates: Knock-down debates on topics like:
- Is Instructional Design Dead (or Relevant in Rapid Development)?
- Outsourcing: Good or Evil?
- ROI: Real or Imaginary Numbers?
* Studios: We are building Studio Sessions such as:
- PodCasting for Learning Studio.
- Performance Support Design Studio.
- Blended Learning Studio.
- Impact of Learning on the Business Workout Studio.
* Learning in a "Flatter World": This is our top level theme for Learning 2006. How do we create and deliver high impact learning that is shorter, faster, changing formats and global in nature?

Save hundreds of dollars by using our Early Registration discount (valid until July 1st). Hundreds of your colleagues have already registered.
Information and registration at http://www.learning2006.com

392 - LMS Executive Interviews, YouTube Correction

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 6, 2006.
#392 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
52,468 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Early Registration Now Open - www.learning2006.com.

1. Interviews with LMS Executives.
2. Ooops: YouTube Correction - Silver Eyes :)

1. Interviews with LMS Executives: We are pleased to present 18 interviews with the Senior Executives of Learning Management Systems companies. We conducted these 20 minute audio interviews with leading LMS and LCMS companies. Hear (or read) their perspectives on the changing world of Learning Systems. Audio, PodCast or Text Transcripts are now posted at http://www.learning2006.com/lms/

2. Ooops: YouTube Correction - Silver Eyes :) Last night, as I typed TRENDS from the airport on the way to Wal-Mart headquarters, my "silver"
eyes must have been out of focus. The site I mentioned as a growing example of "Me-Publishing" with thousands of short posted videos is YouTube (not yourtube). Oops! Check it out at http://www.youtube.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events and Services:
* Extreme Learning Lab & Seminar - Saratoga Springs, NY - July 24-26.
* Membership in the Learning CONSORTIUM.
* Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8 - Orlando.
Info at http://www.masie.com

391 - Working From Home, Speed of Promotions, YouTube

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 5, 2006.
#391 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
52,465 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Early Registration Now Open - www.learning2006.com.

1. Working From Home - Journalist Request.
2. YouTube: More Me-Publishing.
3. Speed of Promotion to Supervisor Increasing.
4. Early Registration Discounts for Learning 2006.

(Note: On the road to Wal-Mart University for meetings with their learning team and Arkansas ASTD).

1. Working From Home - Journalist Request: A journalist for a major national newspaper contacted me today for help on a story she is writing in the next two days. Here is her request to TRENDS readers:

"Preparing Workers to Work From Home: As more companies are embracing broad telecommuting programs to reduce costs or ensure continuation of operations in emergencies, how are you preparing workers to work from home? How are organizations managing the transition? How do you help individual workers make the change to home-based work, and what kinds of challenges arise?"

If you can talk to this very reputable columnist, can you send a note to brooke@masie.com with your name, email and phone number. Thanks!

2. YouTube - More Me-Publishing: Another example of the evolution of Me-Publishing can be found in the rapid growth of the site You Tube.
Anyone can post a short (1 to 3 minute) home made video on this public board. Most are currently from and for teenagers, with tagging and rating a key component of this site. The MASIE Center believes that these sites will increase the acceptance and demand for informal media content in a work context. Imagine if your corporate directory included 3,000 2 minute short videos form every employee describing their talents or roles. Check it out at http://www.youtube.com

3. Speed of Promotion to Supervisor Increasing: In three different conversations over the past week, the speed of promotion to front line supervisor was raised by colleagues in our Learning CONSORTIUM. They reported a push to find, develop and deploy enough first line supervisors.
In some companies, staff are being promoted to these roles at an alarming rate, often without much work experience or exposure to supervisory role models. At the same time, a larger number of newer employees are saying "No Thanks" to the offer of promotion to supervisory roles. We'll be benchmarking on these issues in the coming weeks. Would love to hear your comments - send them to emasie@masie.com

4. Early Registration Discounts for Learning 2006: You can save hundreds of dollars by taking advantage of our Early Registration rates for Learning 2006. The lowest rates are available only until July 1st.
Hundreds of your colleagues have already registered for Learning 2006, to be held in Orlando from November 5 to 8th. Go to http://www.learning2006.com for information and registration.

Upcoming MASIE Center Events and Services:
* Extreme Learning Lab & Seminar - Saratoga Springs, NY - July 24-26.
* Membership in the Learning CONSORTIUM.
* Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8 - Orlando.
Info at http://www.masie.com