830 - Badging for the Workplace, ASTD to Co-Host Learning 2014

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 30, 2014.
#830 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
56,519 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning 2014 - Oct 26-29 - Orlando. 407 Registered Already.

1. Badging for Workforce Development Explored!
2. Miss Matzoball Arrives in Saratoga Springs.
3. ASTD to Co-Host Learning 2014.

1. Badging and Workforce Development Pushed!  I spent 3 intense days in Denver last week collaborating at the Clinton Global Initiative meeting, hosted by the Clinton Foundation and led by Bill and Hillary Clinton.  There was a conversation in our group, which included myself and representatives of several of our Learning CONSORTIUM members, including Walmart, Cablevision and Farmers Insurance, that were quite provocative:

* Badging Growth: An alliance of groups are pushing the concept of a standard and “open” badging system so that a learner could be awarded and have a validated display of badges that reflect courses, skills or participation in activities from validated institutions.  These would be quite diverse and it would really be up to the worker to decide which badges to collect/earn/assess – and how they would be shared on a job application or in other formats.  The employers in the group were quite interested in a system that allows for the rating of the badge provider based on both history and form of assessment.  In addition, there was interest in workers being able to earn badges from workforce learning offerings and/or workplace accomplishment.  For example, a worker at a food establishment might earn a badge in both customer service and in fast handling, which would enhance their attractiveness to an employer in a retail setting.  Of course, there are huge technological and HR issues to be worked through, but there was interest from a wide range of employers, educational institutions and workforce development groups.

The MASIE Center will be hosting a special event on Badging in the Workplace at Learning 2014 - www.learning2014.com

2. Miss Matzoball Arrives in Saratoga Springs:  Learning TRENDS readers often ask about MASIE Stable Horses.  With the start of the summer, Miss Matzoball, the first horse bred by MASIE Stable, just got to Saratoga Springs.  She is 2 years and will start active pre-racing training this week.  If you want a peek at Miss Matzoball, here is a short video of the filly: http://vimeo.com/99388863

Training a racehorse has so many connections to the world of learning in the workplace:  Personalization, Routines, Repetition, Coaching, Competition, Nutrition and Design - and Health.  Stay tuned for her progress.

3. ASTD to Co-Host Learning 2014:  We are honored to announce that ASTD (rebranding to ATD) will once again be the co-host of Learning 2014.  They are assembling a special Bookstore with learning resources, research and assets for Learning 2014 participants.  Details on the event are at http://www.learning2014.com

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Host, Learning 2014

email: emasie@masie.com
twitter: @emasie

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2014 - October 2014 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie

829 - Clinton Global Initiative and Learning

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 20, 2014.
#829 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
56,514 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning 2014 - Oct 26-29 - Orlando. 374 Registered Already.

1. Attending Clinton Global Initiative in Denver, Colorado.
2. Changing It Up: New Web Graphics!

1. Attending Clinton Global Initiative in Denver, Colorado: I am headed to Denver, Colorado for the Clinton Global Initiative gathering next week.  President Clinton, Secretary Clinton, and Chelsea Clinton will host CGI America, an annual event focused on finding solutions that promote economic recovery in the United States.

This working meeting will bring together leaders from the business, foundation, NGO, and government sectors to develop solutions for economic growth, long-term competitiveness, and social mobility. Since the first meeting in 2011, CGI America participants have made more than 300 commitments valued at more than $15.3 billion when fully-funded and implemented.  I am honored to represent The MASIE Center’s Learning CONSORTIUM at this effort of the Clinton Foundation.  I will be joined there by Learning Officers from our members including Farmers Insurance, Walmart and others.

I will be collaborating in the The Workforce Development Working Group, which will promote competencies, credentials, and career ladders in key industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and the service sector. Participants will also discuss initiatives that target small and medium-size businesses that are lacking the resources to invest in their human capital.

We will have a special focus on “Tools for Delivering Training and Education Building”.  A 21st century workforce will require innovative tools for delivering and recognizing skills. Participants will explore technologies to convey and assess skills development, partner with community colleges and other educational institutions to develop local talent pipelines, and use industry-recognized credentials and competencies to better align educational pathways to jobs and careers.    

Last October, Secretary Clinton shared her perspectives about learning and eLearning at our Learning 2013 event:

“Expanding learning and developing a more skilled and productive workforce will better position you, your companies and, I believe, our country to succeed in a world that is increasingly interconnected and interdependent in a fast-moving global economy that rewards creativity, innovation and partnership. The “e”, I know as Elliott constantly reminds us, the “e” in eLearning is about more than electronics. It’s about learning for everyone, everywhere. It has to be effective and efficient. And, it has to constantly evolve!”

At next week’s Clinton Global Initiative, partnerships of corporations, educational institutions and non-profits will collaborate together to explore new innovations in the learning and workforce field.  

I will be sharing daily briefings on the work of the Clinton Global Initiative via Learning TRENDS and also on Twitter @emasie If you would like to follow and add your perspectives, see http://www.cgiamerica.org/  Please feel free to send me ideas and questions to emasie@masie.com

2. Changing It Up: New Web Graphics! I am proud of the team at The MASIE Center that has created and produced a very different looking and content-rich site for Learning 2014.  Please take a minute to check it out: http://www.learning2014.com

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Host, Learning 2014

email: emasie@masie.com
twitter: @emasie

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2014 - October 2014 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie

828 - Starbucks Learning Plan, Student from Afghanistan, Hidden Video Assets

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 16, 2014.
#828 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
56,494 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning 2014 - Oct 26-29 - Orlando. 374 Registered Already.

1. Starbucks Learning Announcement Today.
2. Hidden Video Assets: Digital Metal Cabinets.
3. Metra Mehran, Student from Afghanistan to Keynote Learning 2014.
4. Learning Perspectives from New Zealand and Dubai Visits.

1. Starbucks Learning Announcement Today: U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will join Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, Arizona State University President Michael Crow, and 350 New York area Starbucks employees and their families for a discussion regarding the unique role business can play in addressing the issue of college affordability and access at 10:45 a.m. in New York City. Schultz and Crow will announce an innovative approach and partnership between their organizations, called the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, to help employees complete their bachelor’s degree with full tuition reimbursement.
 
Duncan will address the challenges facing Americans who are eager to get a degree but are faced with the barriers of both escalating costs and challenging access and how public-private partnerships such as the Starbucks College Achievement Plan can be part of the solution, along with other programs across the country. Details at http://www.starbucks.com/careers/college-plan

2. Hidden Video Assets - Digital Metal Cabinets: Workers are using video more and more as knowledge and learning assets at work. However, finding all the good video that is already in use at the organization is an old problem in a new shape. Years ago, companies would have great reels of film and video cassettes, stored in metal cabinets around the enterprise. But, there was no way to know that a cool video was located 3 stories below your office. The same problem now exists with digital online video.

Few LMS or LCMS systems provide a full and continually updated library of video assets. As more and more video is harvested from User Content and leveraged from Open Source (e.g. TED videos), organizations are seeking ways to create the equivalent of an efficient Internal YouTube type system. Watch for add-ins to existing LMS and other learning systems in the next 2 years to provide this resource. But, other organizations are moving all of their video assets to cloud-based video management systems, such as Vimeo or Brightcove, with behind-the-firewall security.  The metal cabinet challenge is here again – in digital form.

3. Metra Mehran, Student from Afghanistan, to Keynote Learning 2014: We are honored to announce an exciting keynote speaker at Learning 2014 – Metra Mehran, a college student from Afghanistan.  Metra will be flying to Orlando in October with her mother to present a perspective about the role that digital education has played in her life, as it opened up the door to her furthering her education.  Previously, access to education was often restricted for female students. Metra is an incredible case study of how a blended model of online learning has been a personal and societal game changer. Details at http://www.learning2014.com/blog/item/afghanistan-student

4. Learning Perspectives from New Zealand and Dubai Visits: I am writing this issue of TRENDS with a bit of jetlag after a wonderful 21 day trip to Dubai, Australia and New Zealand.  Here are a few learning observations from my stops and discussions in New Zealand and Dubai:

New Zealand: Key issues that were shared with me by colleagues in New Zealand focused on mapping skills in workforce courses to changing competencies needed in the workplace.  They were also quite focused on evolving the technical and blended nature of the classroom.  Several learning officers raised the challenge of blending “Open” content from formats like MOOCs with traditional courses.  In addition, learners are asking for shorter, more focused, more portable access to learning assets.  Finally, shifting certifications were on the mind of several learning groups, including focus on more global certifications and global workforces.  Thanks to the New Zealand Learning and Development group for hosting me in Auckland for a provocative morning dialogue.

Dubai: As always, Dubai is in constant change. One of the main topics of conversation was on the role of employment for Emirates natives and the recent decision to have all males, after high school, conscripted for a several month stint in the military.  This will be a major culture shift with implications on future workforce culture.  And, the country is quite excited about Expo 2020, a World’s Fair to be located there in 6 years.  I will be returning to the Emirates in late November for a series of meetings and sessions that will focus on building a learning culture for a major event like Expo 2020.

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Host, Learning 2014

email: emasie@masie.com
twitter: @emasie

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2014 - October 2014 - Orlando, Florida.
* On The Job Learning LAB.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie

827 - Drones and Learning; The LMS Forum; Down Under Learning Views

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 3, 2014.
#827 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
56,481 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning 2014 - Oct 26-29 - Orlando. 304 Registered Already.

1. Learning Conversations from Australia.
2. New: LMS & Learning Systems Forum Announced.
3. My First Drone: Learning Implications.

1. Learning Conversations from Australia: I have just delivered several keynotes and briefings in Melbourne and Brisbane with learning colleagues, business executives and educational leaders in the past few days.  Here are a few key messages that I heard from my Australian learning leaders:

* Linking Higher Education Closer to Workforce Skill Needs.
* Radical Increase in the use of Desktop and Room Based Video Chat/Conferencing for Learning.
* Fewer Full Time Learning and Development Staff - More Learning in the Business Units.
* Intrigued with the “Massive” Letter in MOOCs - and Scaling Expertise to Learner Time.
* Need to Design Collaboration Design Models - Social Isn’t Collaboration Without Guidance.
* Desire for Learning “Apps” - For Devices, For Learners and for Trainers.
* Redesigning Classrooms into Experiential Labs.

Next week I will be working with the New Zealand Training & Development group in Auckland and then networking with learning colleagues in Dubai.  Stay tuned.

2. New: LMS & Learning System Forum Announced: We are proud to announce a special forum at Learning 2014 to address the challenges and changes in LMS and Learning Systems:

New: The LMS & Learning Systems Forum at Learning 2014 - October 26 to 29th - Orlando.

Topics will include:

- The Changing Role of Learning Systems and LMS in the Workplace?
- Why Do Many Organizations View LMS as “Tired or Lazy”?
- Shrinking or Expanding the Role of the LMS?
- Can the LMS Deliver Personalized Learning?
- Adding Video and User Content to the LMS!
- Are LMS Apps Around the Corner?
- Pricing Shifts in LMS and Learning Systems?
- Leveraging Social & Collaborative Elements in a LMS!
- Learning Systems and Tin Can/Experience API?
- Alternatives to LMS and Learning Systems

These issues and topics will be discussed in a series of sessions and discussions at Learning 2014.  Participants can attend all or just one of these activities. There will also be a Featured Panel for the LMS & Learning Systems Forum - providing changing perspectives from both Corporate Learning Leaders and LMS Providers.  Info at: http://www.learning2014.com/blog/item/lms-learning-systems

3. My First Drone: Learning Implications! OK, you know that Elliott is a gadget experimenter. And, that now includes my first full high-def Drone. Two weeks ago, I received the new Phantom 2 Vision Plus Drone - with a gyroscopic Go Pro High Def Camera. I have been carefully flying my Drone several hundred feet in the air and pretty far afield. Tracking the movement on my iPhone and teaching myself Drone control has been fun.  And, I can immediately see implications for learning and training. Imagine being able to provide an outdoor overhead shot of equipment or facilities. It cost about $1,300 and is quite an incredible piece of technology that is bringing up many new cultural and privacy issues. I was able to inspect the top of the chimney on my roof for the first time in 13 years. Here is the first video that I made of my Drone experiences!

Video of Elliott’s first drone flight in Saratoga Springs: http://vimeo.com/95605495

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Host, Learning 2014

email: emasie@masie.com
twitter: @emasie

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2014 - October 2014 - Orlando, Florida.
* On The Job Learning LAB.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie

826 - 30 Under 30 Learning Leaders; The App Generation; Webinar Design Challenges

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - May 24, 2014.
#826 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
56,461 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: On The Job Learning LAB - July in Saratoga Springs.

1. 30 Under 30 Program Opens - Next Generation of Learning Leaders.
2. Book to Read: The App Generation by Howard Gardner.
3. Webinar Pulse Survey - The Design Challenge.

1. 30 Under 30 Program Opens - Next Generation of Learning Leaders: I am honored to announce the opening of the 30 Under 30 Program for Learning 2014.  Each year, we select 30 learning colleagues under the age of 30 to participate in a focused, special program at our annual Learning conference. 

The goal of the 30 Under 30 @ Learning 2014 Program is to provide support, visibility, voice and development for the next generation of Learning Leaders. Each member of the 30 Under 30 program will receive:

* A Major Discount to Learning 2014.
* Time with Keynote and Featured Speakers.
* Participation in Mentoring Activities.
* Key Roles at Learning 2014 as Leaders and Facilitators.
* Learning and Development Activities.

The dates are October 26 to 29, 2014 in Orlando, Florida.

Details and online application are available at: http://www.learning2014.com/details/30-under-30

2. The App Generation by Howard Gardner: Here is a great and provocative book to read. 

The App Generation: How Today’s Youth Navigate Identity, Intimacy, and Imagination in a Digital World.
Authors: Howard Gardner and Katie Davis.

Professors Howard Gardner and Katie Davis name today’s young people The App Generation, and in this spellbinding book they explore what it means to be “app-dependent” versus “app-enabled” and how life for this generation differs from life before the digital era. This is a great thought provoker: http://www.amazon.com/The-App-Generation-Navigate-Imagination/dp/0300196210

3. Webinar Pulse Survey - The Design Challenge: We have had several hundred organizations respond to our Webinar Trends Pulse Survey.  The results are raising the issue of how we design webinars and how participants design their engagement. Please take a few minutes to add your experiences with webinars to this survey. We will publish the results in a week:

Webinar Use & Trends? - 4 Minute Pulse Survey!
http://masie.com/webinarpulse

NOTE: I am leaving tonight for a several week trip to Dubai, Melbourne, Sidney, Auckland and other places in Australia and New Zealand. Watch for notes and pictures from the keynotes and meetings with global learning colleagues. If you are in those cities, send me a note to emasie@masie.com

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Host, Learning 2014

email: emasie@masie.com
twitter: @emasie

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2014 - October 2014 - Orlando, Florida.
* On The Job Learning LAB.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie

Webinar Use and Trends? 4 Minute Pulse Survey Please

TO: Learning, Training, Performance and Technology Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, The MASIE Center

RE: Webinar Use & Trends? 4 Minute Pulse Survey!

Please take a few minutes to provide your perspectives on how webinars are working (or not working) for your organization:

Webinar Use & Trends? - 4 Minute Pulse Survey!
http://masie.com/webinarpulse   

Webinars make up a HUGE part of learning delivery in workplaces! They are often undervalued, overused and strangely designed, making for poor delivery choices. We invite you to provide a quick “FLASH” view of webinars in your world today. We will publish a summary of responses in the weeks ahead.

Please take a few minutes at: http://masie.com/webinarpulse

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie

email: emasie@masie.com
twitter: @emasie

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2014 - October 2014 - Orlando, Florida.
* Video & Learning LAB - May in Saratoga.
* On the Job (OJL) Learning LAB - July in Saratoga.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie

825 - Brain Research by Game; Dubai, Australia and New Zealand; OJL Lab Added

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - May 14, 2014.
#825 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
56,461 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Video and Learning LAB - Next Week in Saratoga Springs.

1. Brain Research Via Game by MIT Student.
2. Birthday Connections with Social Media Clip.
3. Travel Ahead: Dubai, Australia and New Zealand.
4. On The Job Learning LAB - Session Added.

1. Brain Research Via Game by MIT Student: Imagine doing breakthrough Brain and Cognitive Research - using a crowdsourced game - engaging students as researchers around the world. That is the cool approach taken by Claire O’Connell, a MITx Fellow, who I am honored to announce will be one of our Featured Speakers at Learning 2014.

Claire focused on Brain and Cognitive Science, as she graduated as a Junior from MIT last year.  Now she is working on very cool new approaches to content delivery and assessment in her role as a Fellow at MITx - working on a neuroscience program they are developing.  When she was 20, she was a featured speaker at a TEDx event and is a wonderful representative of a new approach to learning, research and innovation.  I can’t wait to interview her at our opening General Session at Learning 2014.  You can watch a TED Video of Claire at http://www.learning2014.com/blog/item/gamebrain

2. Birthday Connections with Social Media Clip: Yesterday, I had fun with celebrating my birthday. Friends and colleagues from around the world waved at me with loads of messages, text and emails as I celebrated my happy birthday.  So, how to respond? Rather than cut and paste a “thank you”, I made a short video note back to say thanks with some news about turning the next year of life.  If you want to take a peak, it is live at http://vimeo.com/95283953

3. Travel Ahead – Dubai, Australia and New Zealand: A big trip ahead with keynotes, meetings and fun in Dubai, Australia (Brisbane & Melbourne) and New Zealand starting on May 24th. If you are in any of those cities and would like to have a cup of coffee and chat, please send a note to me at emasie@masie.com  I’ll post some video from the road from discussions with learning leaders in the various countries.

4. On The Job Learning (OJL) LAB - Session Added: We just added a new section of our popular “On The Job Learning (OJL) LAB & Seminar”, taught by Bob Mosher and Conrad Gottfredson.  It will be held at The MASIE Center in Saratoga Springs, from July 9th to 11th.  Details at http://www.masie.com/ojl

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Host, Learning 2014

email: emasie@masie.com
twitter: @emasie

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2014 - October 2014 - Orlando, Florida.
* Video & Learning LAB.
* On The Job Learning LAB.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie

824 - Interns in Learning

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - May 12, 2014.
#824 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
56,459 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Video and Learning LAB - Next Week in Saratoga Springs.

Special Note: MASIE Learning Interns Sought! I am seeking several high-energy graduate students or independent learners who want a 2 to 5 month “deep dive” experience as:

* MASIE Learning Interns: Graduate students coming to Saratoga Springs to help with key projects and experiments in The MASIE Center Lab - working closely with Elliott Masie.

Every year, we invite a global colleague to play a special role in the learning work at The MASIE Center.  We have had Interns and Fellows in previous years from Korea, Brazil, India, Italy, China and Eastern Europe. We are also open to applications from colleagues in the United States.

You will be living in Saratoga Springs, NY, a wonderful community several hours north of New York City.  Included is an honorarium to help cover expenses during this project.

The ideal candidate will be deeply involved in the worlds of learning, training, performance, technology and/or workplace improvement. The duration of the program is flexible, based on your experience and availability.

Please start the process by sending a short email to Elliott Masie at emasie@masie.com Share your educational and work experiences, and why you want to be one of our next MASIE Learning Interns.

Pass this along to colleagues who might be interested!

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Host, Learning 2014

email: emasie@masie.com
twitter: @emasie

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2014 - October 2014 - Orlando, Florida.
* Video & Learning LAB.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie

823 - Compliance and Learning Crisis, Laptop Learning? ASTD to ATD

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - May 9, 2014.
#823 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
56,454 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning 2014 - Oct 26-29, Orlando. 238 Registered Already!

1. Compliance & Learning: A Crisis!
2. ASTD Becomes ATD.
3. Laptop Learning? Mobile Learning? Sigh!
4. Video for Learning: Last Call.

1. Compliance & Learning: A Crisis! There is a crisis in the learning field. Compliance, regulatory-based and mandated learning and training programs are out of control!  Many major organizations are reporting that as much as 70% of learning time and expenditures are being spent on programs mandated by compliance and regulatory requirements. Sadly, many of these do not really move the “performance needle”, nor do they account for what employees already know.

There are alternatives, but it will take an industry-wide effort and conversation to re-align Compliance and Learning.  We can include more pre-testing, followed by learning for those missing competency or information gaps.  We can increase the use of sampling of a subset of employees vs. testing every employee, every year.  And, we can shift to a more granular and distributed content publishing model throughout the year, where we aggregate compliance conformance over time.

We are proud to announce the “Compliance & Learning Crisis” forum at Learning 2014 (Oct 26 to 29 in Orlando).  These topics and a deep conversation about new approaches to Compliance & Learning will be explored.  An article about this is at: http://www.learning2014.com/blog/item/compliance-learning

2. ASTD Becomes ATD: I was a speaker at the recent ASTD event in Washington, DC, where there was a big announcement about a branding and name change for ASTD.  They are shifting to “Association for Talent Development”.  Details at: http://www.astdnews.org/

We are pleased to announce that they will be hosting the bookstore at Learning 2014 with a wide range of both Talent and Learning publications.

3. Laptop Learning? Mobile Learning? Sigh! One of the most frustrating conversations that I had at ASTD was with folks looking for “Mobile Learning” solutions.  I usually laugh and sigh, since I am an active user of mobile devices but not a fan of using the term or the current limited view of Mobile Learning.

Yes, our workforce and our computing platforms are going more mobile.  I touch my mobile phone throughout the day, read most articles on my tablet, travel with my laptop for some webinar hosting and use my desktop in the office for video capture and large document editing.  I am a multi-device user and I want BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) access.  I want your learning programs to sense and adapt to the screen and other capabilities of my devices.  And, I don’t expect to have all of my learning resources working perfectly on my mobile device.  The funniest thing is to see someone squinting to take a course on a small phone - with small text and tight spaces.  It would work perfectly on a larger screen or could be adapted for a different type of program on a mobile phone.

Yes, I await great Learning Apps. I want a learning app for new hires, for newly promoted folks, for key projects, for performance support and more.  I want apps that use the camera, video, GPS and other mobile device capabilities that would never work on a laptop.  And, I look for more apps that would leverage the mobile device for content, context, community, collaboration or even learning commerce throughout the day.

But, it won’t be called Mobile Learning or M-Learning!  It will be the natural development of learning assets to changing platforms and functions.  For example, when was the last time someone said, “Look at my cool Laptop Learning Program”?  Let’s think more broadly and not worry about cute new titles for transformations in the technology and learning world.  We will use the cloud, the mobile devices, the Internet and more.  Focus on design and usability, focus on mobility and BYOD access, and focus on performance tools in the hands of our workforce.  It will be way bigger and way more transformational than “Mobile Learning”.

4. Video for Learning: Last Call! This is the last call for our Video for Learning LAB to be held at The MASIE Center in Saratoga Springs, NY from May 19th to 21st.  I am pleased to facilitate and host this program, which will engage a small group of learning professionals in using video and video equipment to explore the shifting world of learning content.  We will explore user created video, live video, video and collaboration, video in eLearning, the connected classroom and much more. Plus, you get full use of the 10,000 square feet Masie Learning LAB.  There are just a few spaces left and we will close registration soon.  Details and online registration at http://www.masie.com

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Host, Learning 2014

email: emasie@masie.com
twitter: @emasie

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2014 - October 2014 - Orlando, Florida.
* Video & Learning LAB.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie

Video: Learning Extender and Disrupter

TO: Learning, Training, Performance and Technology Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, The MASIE Center

You and your colleagues are invited to a small and hands-on program that I will be leading on the changing role of Video and Learning in Saratoga Springs:

Video and Learning LAB.
Exploring the Changing and Disruptive Role of Video and Learning.
May 19-21, 2014 - The MASIE Center, Saratoga Springs, NY.

Complete details and online registration at http://www.masie.com 

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie

email: emasie@masie.com
twitter: @emasie

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2014 - October 2014 - Orlando, Florida.
* Video & Learning LAB.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie

822 - Big Data Too Big, Meet Me at ASTD, Video for Learning Shifts

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 23, 2014.
#822 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
56,449 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Video and Learning LAB & Seminar - May in Saratoga Springs.

1. When is Big Learning Data Too Big?
2. Meet Me at ASTD Conference in DC.
3. Video for Learning - Shifts & Moves.
4. Robin Roberts Book Released.

1. When is Big Learning Data Too Big? An interesting question arose in our conversations about Big Learning Data:

When is Big Learning Data too Big?

The question is framed around the ability of an individual or an organization to process really large amounts of data. Can a learning designer or even a learner “handle” really large amounts of data? When is someone (or even an organization) handicapped by the size, scope and variety of data that is available to reflect learning patterns and outcomes?  When do we want a tight summary vs. a scatter gram of many data points?

As we grow the size, volume and variety of Big Learning Data elements, we will also need to respect the ability (or challenge) of people to process the data. A parent may hear that their kid has a B- in mathematics - and want a lot more data. But, the same parent does not want 1,000 data elements covering 500 sub-competencies. The goal is to find a way to reflect Big Learning Data to an individual in a fashion that enables them to make better sense of the process - and have a “Continuum” that they can move to get more or less data as a situational choice.

Sometimes we get too small in data.  I gag when I read about a company claiming a 1,034% ROI on learning investments.  What does that reflect?  Does that include wage costs, soft costs, manager costs etc.? It is an impressive Big Learning Number with VERY SMALL validity.  Let’s continue an honest conversation about when Big Learning Data is too Big or Small.

2. Meet Me at ASTD Conference in DC: I am honored to be presenting and exhibiting at the ASTD International Conference in Washington, DC from Sunday, May 4th to Wednesday, May 7th. I would love to connect with any Learning TRENDS readers or your colleagues attending the ASTD Event:

* Session: Monday, May 5 - 4:30-5:30pm M301 - Big Learning Directions & Big Learning Data - Ballroom A.
* Learning 2014 & MASIE Center Booth 438. I will be in the booth for learning conversations throughout the event.

Or, send me an email to emasie@masie.com and let’s try to meet.  See you in DC.

3. Video for Learning - Shifts & Moves. As we track the use of Video for Learning in the workplace, here are a few of the shifts that are emerging:

- Video Outside the LMS: A large percentage of companies are placing video clips outside the LMS - without adding viewing to the learning record.
- Video Templates: Just as PowerPoint yielded a series of templates for presentations, we are now seeing Video Brand Templates emerging.
- Animated Whiteboards Soar: Colleagues like Dan Pink made whiteboard animations quite popular with his presentations. There are now online packages to automate the production of these quick sketch segments.
- High Def and Low Overhead: Organizations are pushing the high definition quality while reducing the overhead and time of production.
- Open Video Blends: Adding corporate content as a blend with “open” content from TED and other sources for a unique mix.

These are just a few of the topics that we will investigate in our twice a year offered “Video and Learning LAB” that I will be hosting in Saratoga Springs from May 19 to 21st.  There are just 10 seats available for this session. Content and online registration at http://www.masie.com

4. Robin Roberts Book Released: Yesterday, as we released the Learning 2014 Keynote Speakers, it was also the day that Robin Roberts’s book was launched: “Everybody’s Got Something”. Details at http://www.learning2014.com/blog/item/robertsbook

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Host, Learning 2014

email: emasie@masie.com
twitter: @emasie

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2014 - October 2014 - Orlando, Florida.
* Video & Learning LAB.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie

Robin Roberts, Chef Bobby Flay and More About Learning

TO: Learning, Training & Performance Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, Host & Curator – Learning 2014

We are honored to invite you and your colleagues to participate in Learning 2014, focused on the changing, evolving and sometimes disruptive shifts in the world of workplace and workforce learning.

This year, our Learning 2014 Keynote Speakers will include:

* Robin Roberts, the co-anchor of ABC’s Good Morning America, sharing her experiences as a journalist and anchor covering breaking news events, interviews with world leaders and her courageous and public battle with breast cancer and a bone marrow transplant.
* Chef Bobby Flay, providing us with a real-time demonstration and conversation about the connection between Cooking and Learning. Bobby will create a cool dish in our Learning 2014 Kitchen and share his experiences about design and learning.
* Sir Ken Robinson, one of the most viewed TED Speakers, will lead a one-hour discussion with Elliott Masie and Learning 2014 participants on “The Learning Revolution” and how it will impact the workplace and workforce.

We will explore key themes including: Learning Personalization, Video Clips & Content, Engagement, Compliance & Learning, Collaboration & Social, Mobile in the Workplace, Leadership Shifts, Massive & MOOCs, Big Learning Data and more. Our sessions will be high engagement conversations, benchmarking, and colleagues sharing with colleagues.

In addition, Learning 2014 will be loaded with hundreds of high engagement activities and conversations focused on the ever-changing world of learning.

Early Registration Discounts and Group Discounts now available. Information and online registration at http://www.learning2014.com

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Learning 2014 Host & Curator

email: emasie@masie.com
twitter: @emasie

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2014 - October 2014 - Orlando, Florida.
* Video & Learning LAB.
* On-The-Job Learning LAB.
* MOOCs & Corporate Learning.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie

821 - Rethinking Webinars, Mobile Knowledge, Video from Train

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 15, 2014.
#821 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
56,444 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: MOOC’s in Corporate Learning LAB - July in Saratoga Springs, NY.

1. Rethinking Webinar Design - Your Ideas Please.
2. Mobility with Knowledge in the Hand.
3. Video of My Cross Country Train Trip.

1. Rethinking Webinar Design - Your Ideas Please: Webinars are increasingly popular for distributing content and context to large numbers of distributed workers without the cost of travel.  Yet, webinars are suffering from a weakened brand in many organizations.  Here are some common complaints/brand descriptions:

* Attrition Before Arrival: In some companies, as few as 40% of individuals registered for a webinar actually show up.
* Departure Before Completion: We track early departure, after 12 minutes, as increasing in recent years.
* 2 or 3 Multi-Tasks: Many learners, including me, often engage in 2 or 3 other activities during the webinar.
* Low Engagement: Webinars are meant to be live to facilitate learner engagement. But, it is often quite low or just symbolic.
* PowerPoint Obsession: What is the right role for slides or PowerPoint during the webinar, especially as we add live video to the screen?
* Decreased Brand Sparkle: In many companies, the brand of a webinar is dropping, reflecting decreased learner value.

Bob Mosher, the Learning Advocate at The MASIE Center, is heading up our project to take a collaborative look at rethinking and redesigning the webinar.  We are interested in your comments and perspectives.  Could you send a note to mosher@masie.com with your thoughts about webinar redesign.

2. Mobility with Knowledge in the Hand: I have spent the last few days in Los Angeles in dialogue with a wide range of younger colleagues, most of whom are avid users of mobile phones.  I took some time with each to talk about their view of the mobile device and how they use it for learning:

* Not a single person was doing “mobile learning” in terms of constructed learning activities.
* Search was the single most commonly used function, beyond text messaging.
* Few of my colleagues had made a phone call in the last five days. They use their devices for content, messaging and apps, but rarely for calls.
* They actively see the mobile device as a core part of their memory and knowledge system.  They consciously keep large amounts of their own memory in the memory of the device. 
* They each wish for more focused performance or job assistance apps.  Their apps are for shopping, entertainment, travel and community.  Each colleague wishes for apps that are more deeply mapped to his/her role, job, career or job outcome.
* Work IT security issues actually hamper their use of mobile devices to support work.  Firewalls, security validation and other issues often kept them from using the mobile device as a work assistant.

We need to change our conversation away from “M-Learning” or “Mobile Learning”. Instead, let’s fully engage, innovate and explore how a range of mobile devices, in the hands of workers and customers, can be fully enabled for assisting performance at work.  We must widen our BYOD (Bring Your Own Devices) approaches to make content and collaboration more device enabled.  And, let’s apply a usability model to assess the best enabling approaches with workplace mobile use.

3. Video of My Cross Country Train Trip: As I mentioned last week, my trip from Chicago to Los Angeles involved a 2 1/2 day train ride on Amtrak.  I used my new, very high-def video camera (Cannon VIXIA Mini) to make a 4 minute sample of my ride across America: http://vimeo.com/91977484 

For once, I changed the ending of this video from “Yours in Learning” to “Yours in Training”. 

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Host, Learning 2014

email: emasie@masie.com
twitter: @emasie

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2014 - October 2014 - Orlando, Florida.
* Video & Learning LAB.
* On-The-Job Learning LAB.
* MOOCs & Corporate Learning.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie

820 - LA by Train; Massive Collaboration; Mergers in Learning; Masie Sessions

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 11, 2014.
#820 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
56,434 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: OJL - On The Job Learning LAB - April in Saratoga Springs.

1. Heading to Los Angeles by Train!
2. Collaboration & Massive Together.
3. SkillSoft and KnowledgeAdvisors Acquired.
4. MASIE Center Sessions Announced.

1. Heading to Los Angeles by Train! Readers of TRENDS know that I have a fun interest in taking long distance train rides.  So, tomorrow (Saturday, April 12th), I will fly to Chicago and, at 3 PM, board the Amtrak Southwest Chief for a 2 1/2 day wonderful train ride to Los Angeles.  I get a small bedroom with great windows and for several days I enjoy the views of America as the train runs along the rails.  I would love to connect with any colleagues by either phone or a quick hello at the train stations during my journey across America.  If you are along the way, send me an email to emasie@masie.com - with a phone number - and we can connect along the way.  And, if you are in Chicago and want to meet for a few hours before my 3 pm trip, send a quick note. 

Why trains?  Well, I am not afraid of flying and, in fact, do hundreds of thousands of miles of air flights. But, there is a relaxing, stimulating and reflective process of experiencing a long rail journey with great views, interesting folks on board and a large sense of history out the windows.  I am on wireless most of the way and look up both GPS and local history to understand the sights I pass along the way.  Plus, it is a great way to do some reading and planning - and I am finalizing a big announcement in a few days about the keynoters and themes for Learning 2014.  So, wish me well and get in touch if you want to connect.  All aboard!

2. Collaboration & Massive Together: There were many learnings about the world of massive design and delivery during our recent MOOCs in Corporate Learning Symposium and Lab.  I wanted to share a “word cloud” done by the 70 global participants on our 3rd day, as they looked at the futures of MOOCs.  Note the size of the word “Collaboration”.

Word Map: http://www.learningmoocs.com/index.php/item/collaboration-design.html

We are excited to announce the next edition of MOOCs & Corporate Learning.  It will be held in Saratoga Springs on July 9-11. Information and registration at http://www.learningmoocs.com

3. SkillSoft and KnowledgeAdvisors Acquired: In recent weeks, several learning and education companies have been acquired or merged.  Here are two announcements to follow and track:

* SkillSoft Acquired by Charterhouse Capital Partners for 2 Billion Dollars:  http://www.skillsoft.com/about/press_room/press_releases/march_14_14_release.asp -
* KnowledgeAdvisors Acquired by CEB for 52 Million Dollars: http://knowledgeadvisors.com/about-us-2/

Stay tuned for more mergers and buyouts in the ever-changing learning world.

4. MASIE Center Sessions Announced for Spring 2014:

Here is the list of new and continuing programs offered by The MASIE Center for Learning Professionals:

* On-The-Job Learning (OJL) LAB - By Bob Mosher & Conrad Gottfredson - April 23 to 25 (Saratoga Springs).
* Video and Learning LAB - By Elliott Masie - May 19 to 21 - (Saratoga Springs).
* Learning Directions Briefing - April 29th - Led by Elliott Masie - (Houston).
* Learning Directions Briefing - April 16th - Led by Elliott Masie - (San Jose).
* MOOCs & Corporate Learning: Symposium & Lab - July 9 to 11 - (Saratoga Springs).

Complete information and registration for all of these programs at http://www.masie.com

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Host, Learning 2014

email: emasie@masie.com
twitter: @emasie

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2014 - October 2014 - Orlando, Florida.
* Video & Learning LAB.
* On-The-Job Learning LAB.
* MOOCs & Corporate Learning.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie

819 - Fewer Commas, Mobile Movements, Sensible Sneakers

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 1, 2014.
#819 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
56,427 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: OJL - On The Job Learning LAB - April in Saratoga Springs.

1. Comma is Evaporating: Text & Twitter Reduce Comma Use.
2. Mobile Phone Micro Movements: Reacting to User Stress.
3. Sensible Shoes: Can Classroom Trainers Wear Colorful Sneakers?

1. Comma is Evaporating - Text & Twitter Reduce Comma Use: A recent study on writing and composition has revealed a major decline in the use of the commas. “Recent trends indicate a 48% decline in the use of commas in sentence construction. People are being influenced by the short nature of a text message or tweet - reducing sentence length and almost wiping out use of the comma.”

In addition, the Institute on Writing Construction has asked if the reduced use of commas would help or hurt the learning process for workers.  Often, a writer adds several subtle modifications to a sentence, each with a comma, raising complexity but perhaps hurting the comprehension level of a new learner.

The MASIE Center has agreed to participate in a study with the Institute on Writing Construction and will be monitoring and analyzing comma use in both formal writing and also peer-to-peer texting. Our hunch is that learners want shorter and less modified statements such as “Press the Blue Button” rather than “There are several options, including the blue button and other alternatives, open to you as a new user.”

2. Mobile Phone Micro Movements - Reacting to User Stress: Most of the new smartphones have a movement monitor that can sense micro movements of users as they read or watch a message or video.

This movement sensor was added originally to automatically align the screen shot with the way in which the mobile device was being held. However, new apps are emerging that will monitor your hand movements as you read a screen, watch a video or send a message. Decades of research has shown that as the users’ stress rises, their hands provide a “TELL”, indicating stress or dishonesty. Poker players have mastered watching for these movements in the hands of their competitors, which reveal a bad hand or really stupid bet.

Learning may become more adaptive and responsive as our authoring systems can tap into the real-time movements of each user, filtering any normal, everyday shaking caused by habits or disease. Imagine if a user with higher movements would get an automatic offer of assistance or even if the typeface would become larger when their micro movements increase. Learners may even learn to use micro movements as a request for more detail or assistance.

3. Sensible Shoes - Can Classroom Trainers Wear Colorful Sneakers? While many corporations have standards and even rules requiring business shoes for employees, we are mapping a recent change in how classroom teachers and trainers are dressing.

Colorful sneakers, when worn by a trainer, add several pluses to the classroom environment:

- Sensible shoes like sneakers encourage trainers to walk more in class, show more energy and reflect enthusiasm for their material.
- Learners enjoy and closely monitor the color choices for their trainers’ shoes. These add a sense of connection and humor to the classroom, which can be powerful, even when teaching difficult topics.
- Colorful sneakers are often ventilated to allow more air to pass over the trainer’s toes, which increases their energy and personal presence in the classroom.

There are difficult aspects, however. When wearing sneakers with orange, green and blue elements, coordination with the rest of your business attire can be challenging. For example: http://tinyurl.com/colorfulsneakers

——-

Each year on April 1st in the United States, we celebrate April Fool’s Day with several “TRENDS” that may not be totally real, yet!  Hope you enjoyed these and have a great April 1st. Feel free to send me a note to emasie@masie.com

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Host, Learning 2014

email: emasie@masie.com
twitter: @emasie

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2014 - October 2014 - Orlando, Florida.
* Video & Learning LAB.
* On-The-Job Learning LAB.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie