672 - iPad: "Game Changer" Learning Award; Labeling Open Content?

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 26, 2011.
#672 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
55,345 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2011 - Over 746 Registered Already!

1. The “iPad” - Spotlighted as “Game Changer” Learning Award!
2. Labeling Content That is Open - Methods Please?

1. The “iPad” - Spotlighted as “Game Changer” Learning Award!  The iPad will receive this award at Learning 2011 as a powerful “Game Changer” in the field of learning, knowledge, collaboration and performance.

“Apple’s iPad has put a spotlight on evolving “affordances” for learning, teaching, knowledge access and collaborating by introducing the most widely used Tablet computing device.  From the power of a personal “second screen”, to the provocative shift to multi-touch image/data manipulation, to the form factor of thin and affordable learning apps, we are tracking wide and deep innovations triggered by the iPad.  In the coming years, this shift will continue with new content, collaboration and performance supporting applications for tablets and other mobile devices. Thanks, iPad, for getting this started!” said Elliott Masie, host of Learning 2011.

We are also honored that Antonia Galindo, Director of Apple Sales Training, will both accept the award at Learning 2011 and engage in a keynote dialogue focused on Global Learning. Details about the iPad Award at Learning 2011 and more at http://www.learning2011.com/ipad

In addition, every participant will have an opportunity to help develop a series of Learning Apps, demonstrating new design models for leveraging tablet devices for learning, knowledge access, collaboration and organizational readiness.  For example, we will brainstorm Learning Apps that could be used for onboarding, leadership development, relocation, performance reviews, compliance requirements and other key workplace events.

2. Labeling Content That is Open - Methods Please? When your organization places learning content or other content (documents, video, pdf’s, elearning modules) in the “open”, how do you label or explain the rights of use?  For example, if your company had a great video on safety or compliance and wanted to share it with the larger community - how would you label or indicate that it was free for use - and whether people had the right to re-distribute, link, charge or edit?  Do you use a standard like Creative Commons, a modified copyright statement or other means?  Could you please send me a note ASAP to emasie@masie.com 

As content is shared more widely and freely, methods of accurately labeling rights and restrictions are ever more important. The MASIE Center will be highlighting this in coming months and I could really use feedback from our TRENDS Readers.

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

671 - Joint Special Operations University, Checklists for Learning, Selectric Usability

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 21, 2011.
#671 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
55,339 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2011 - Over 746 Registered Already!

1. Joint Special Operations University - Spotlighted for Excellence!
2. Selectric Typewriter and Usability Smiles.
3. Checklists for Learning - Frameworks for Collaboration.

1. Joint Special Operations University - Spotlighted for Excellence! The Learning CONSORTIUM is proud to announce that the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) will receive a Learning Spotlight Award at Elliott Masie’s Learning 2011, November 6-9, in Orlando, FL.

In these complex times, this award recognizes JSOU’s unique mission: the education of the Special Operations Forces executive, senior, and intermediate leaders and selected other national and international security decision-makers, both military and civilian, through teaching, research, and outreach in the science and art of Joint Special Operations.

“We are deeply honored to recognize the unique role that Joint Special Operations University plays in supporting the critical missions and activities of Joint Special Operations.  Their education, training, research and lessons learned activities are important keys to mission readiness and talent development in the world of Joint Special Operations.  In these complex times, we are honored to spotlight JSOU’s important learning leadership.” – Elliott Masie

“As a representative of our nation’s Special Operations Forces, I am honored to accept this award on behalf of the men and women of the Joint Special Operations University. As a new learning institution, we have concentrated on developing the cognitive understanding and intellectual capacity of our force to think beyond the norm. Our strength lies in rapidly combining the best instructional methods with highly relevant content into academic programs specifically tailored for special operations”, said Dr. Brian Maher, President, Joint Special Operations University.

At Learning 2011, we will spotlight the work, programs and innovations of Joint Special Operations University. Details at http://www.learning2011.com/jsou

2. Selectric Typewriter and Usability Smiles: I just bought a reconditioned IBM Selectric Typewriter. Why? First, I love to collect artifacts of the progression of technology. But, actually I miss the feel of the wonderful keyboard. Like many other Baby Boomers, I wrote my college papers and a decade of work letters using a Selectric. From the feel of the keys to the nice auto-correct button, it was well designed and reflected great usability. While my keyboards are OK now, I really wanted to refresh my memory with one in my office. It arrived, got spruced up, and within a few minutes, I was typing at 70 words a minute. I even remember the sound of pulling the completed paper from the roller, with a flourish!!! Here is a link to pictures of that wonderful machine http://tinyurl.com/3th3bec

3. Checklists for Learning - Frameworks for Collaboration: One of the projects that we are undertaking in the coming months is focused on Checklists for Learning! Inspired by “The Checklist Manifesto”, we are curious about the ways in which we can create a Checklist Culture that leverages both e-learning assets as well as collaborative frameworks, including common vocabulary and peer feedback on core work steps. If you have ideas or opinions about Checklists for Learning, please send a note to our CLO Bob Baker at bob@masie.com

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

John Lithgow to Peform and Keynote at Learning 2011

TO: Learning Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, Learning 2011 Host
DATE: July 19, 2011

RE: John Lithgow to Perform and Keynote at Learning 2011

We are honored to announce that Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe Award Winner, John Lithgow will perform “Stories by Heart” and be interviewed by Elliott Masie on “The Power of Storytelling” at the Learning 2011 Conference on November 8, 2011 in Orlando, Florida.

“We are very excited that John Lithgow will be featured at Learning 2011 – focusing on stories and storytelling, a key element in the field of learning. I have seen John Lithgow perform in TV, Film and Broadway, [ranging] from 3rd Rock from the Sun, to Dexter, to Footloose, to Shrek and even Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. He is also an author and musician.

John Lithgow will be performing an incredible 1 person, 1 act play, where he plays all the characters at our Learning 2011 evening celebration on Tuesday night.  That afternoon, I will interview him in an “actor’s workshop” format, exploring what makes stories and storytelling powerful and effective. We are looking forward to laughing and learning with John Lithgow at Learning 2011,” said Elliott Masie.

Watch a 30 second video preview of John Lithgow’s appearance at Learning 2011 at http://www.learning2011.com

Other presenters at this year’s event include President Bill Clinton, Founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation and 42nd President of the United States, who will be addressing the Learning 2011 Conference at our Monday afternoon General Session.

We will also feature inventor Dean Kamen, EDUCAUSE’s Diana Oblinger, Wharton’s Peter Cappelli and more. Over 200 learning sessions and seminars on the changing world of learning are on the agenda.  Learning 2011 is co-hosted by The Learning CONSORTIUM and ASTD.

Complete details on Learning 2011 and Advanced Registration are available at http://www.learning2011.com

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
Chair, The Learning CONSORTIUM
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

670 - Higher Ed and Learning, Investing in Godspell, Summer Reading

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 13, 2011.
#670 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
55,339 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2011 - Over 656 Registered Already!

1. Corporate Learning & Higher Ed: Learning from Each Other!
2. Why Am I Investing in Broadway’s Godspell Show?
3. Summer Reading - What Are You Reading?
4. Last Minute Seats for Video for Learning.

1. Corporate Learning & Higher Ed: Learning from Each Other! Every year, I am struck by how similar some of the issues are that colleges and universities face with learning approaches to our own challenges in the corporate world. Yet, our 2 worlds rarely discuss or collaborate. Well, I am very pleased and honored to announce that EDUCAUSE’s President, Diana Oblinger, will be a keynoter at Learning 2011, to be held in Orlando in November. EDUCAUSE is the association, with 2,300 colleges and universities as members, whose mission is to advance higher education through the use of technology. Diana will present research and perspectives on how learners are evolving, learning systems need to change and ways in which workplace learning and higher education learning can learn from and with each other. I am excited about helping to build this connection. Diana will be meeting with the CLOs and other learning leaders at Learning 2011 to discuss collaboration between our two worlds.
Info at http://www.learning2011.com

2. Why Am I Investing in Broadway’s Godspell Show? You may have figured out that I am a compulsive learner. I thrive on learning about new fields, new worlds and new ventures. So, when I heard that one of my favorite shows, Godspell, was coming to Broadway as a revival, I thought it would be great to invest and learn about that world. Actually, the world of theater, it turns out, has a lot in common with learning design. The producer of Godspell, Ken Davenport, has been keeping a daily countdown blog, detailing the decisions - from casting, to marketing to design - that go into staging a Broadway show. The musical opens for preview on October 13th and on Broadway on November 7th. If you would like to follow along and learn with me, Ken’s blog is at http://www.godspellblog.com/

3. Summer Reading - What Are You Reading? We are compiling a list of books that learning colleagues are reading this summer. They can be professional, recreational, go-to-the-beach books - just anything that you are reading this summer. Send a quick note to me at emasie@masie.com and I will post a list of some of these titles for those of us wanting some new “reads”. 

4. Last Minute Seats for Video for Learning: There are a few seats left for last minute registration in next week’s Video for Learning LAB & Seminar, which starts on Monday in Saratoga Springs, NY. Info at http://www.masie.com 

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Video for Learning LAB & Seminar - July 18 - 20 - Saratoga Springs, NY.
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

669 - Video Chat Expands, Peter Cappelli on Older Workers, Elliott on a Bus in 1981

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 7, 2011.
#669 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
55,3214 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2011 - Over 656 Registered Already!

1. Video Chat Capabilities Surge.
2. Peter Cappelli on Managing Older Workers.
3. SumTotal Buys 2 More Companies.
4. 30 Years Ago - A Bus With 40 Future Leaders.

1. Video Chat Capabilities Surge: In the last few weeks, we have been seeing a dramatic increase in the capabilities and formats for live video chat and conferencing. First, Microsoft bought Skype. Yesterday, Facebook embedded video chat (in conjunction with Skype) into their product. Google launched with group video chat options. And, this week, we are testing www.bluejeans.com - a cloud-based bridge that combines room-based video conferencing with desktop and phone access, regardless of brand or mode. This is very exciting news for the world of learning.

The MASIE Center has been tracking the rise of live video, for structured learning experiences as well as mentoring/coaching/expertise access, and we are seeing significant deployment of these new resources by trainers, learners and learning designers. As browser-based access to video chat rises, with integration into corporate communication suites you will see evolutionary deployment in our learning programs. The ability to create real-time, instant panels of subject matter experts from the field is so exciting to me as a designer and teacher. And, the ability to embed live video in a blended fashion to asynchronous learning modules opens up new doors for our development and deployment of learning resources.

2. Peter Cappelli on Managing Older Workers: I am thrilled to announce that Peter Cappelli, one of the leading thinkers in the world of Talent and HR, will be a keynoter at Learning 2011. I will be interviewing Peter about his research on “Managing the Older Worker: How to Prepare for the New Organizational Order”. He is the George W. Taylor Professor of Management at The Wharton School and Director of Wharton’s Center for Human Resources. Peter will be providing a keynote perspective via a live interactive video interview from Wharton on Monday morning, focusing on the Changing Workforce and Workforce Imperatives. We now have over 656 colleagues registered for Learning 2011, to be held in Orlando from Nov 6 to 9th. Details and advanced registration discounts at http://www.learning2011.com

3. SumTotal Buys 2 More Companies: Another merger/purchase in the learning system world.  SumTotal, one of the major LMS players, just announced the acquisitions of CyberShift and Accero - both Talent Management entities. Details at www.sumtotalsystems.com As I wrote in last week’s TRENDS, you will see 2 more of these deals in the months ahead, reflecting both a shift toward wider Talent systems and renewed equity market interest in this space.

4. 30 Years Ago - A Bus With 40 Future Leaders: Thirty years ago this week, I had a very different job. I was leading a group of 40 teenagers on a bus tour across America. I put together a project called “National Student Leadership & Adventure Trip”, selecting 40 teenagers between the age of 14 and 16 to spend six weeks camping and learning across the U.S.  Each student had leadership potential and was willing to be part of a collaborative learning experiment. They planned their own itinerary, shopped for and cooked all of their meals and interviewed citizens and leaders around the country. We started our trip in July 1981 at the steps of the New York State Capital and drove over 6,000 miles - learning every step of the way - from the Grand Canyon to Little Rock, Arkansas. Thirty years later, I am in touch with many of the students. They have gone on to lead really interesting lives, ranging from my colleague Jonathan Kopp who is the head of Digital at Ketchum, to Robyn Benson who is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine in Sante Fe, to Eric Reed, a program manager at Microsoft and a pilot on the US Hang Gliding Team. Each looks back at the action learning experiences of 30 years ago that ranged from working on rules for collaborative decision making to learning from interviews with people across the country as some of their most powerful learning experiences. Thirty years later, I find myself smiling with pride when thinking about the power of powerful learning designs.

Note: There are still several spaces in the upcoming Video for Learning LAB & Seminar: http://www.masie.com

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Video for Learning LAB & Seminar - July 18 - 20 - Saratoga Springs, NY.
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

668 - Blackboard Purchased, Netflix Advice from a LMS, Last Days for Discounts

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 1, 2011.
#668 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
55,314 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2011 - Over 614 Registered Already!

1. Blackboard Purchased - More Learning Systems Market Action.
2. Netflix-Like Advice from a Learning System?
3. Last Day for Early Discount for Learning 2011.

1. Blackboard Purchased - More Learning Systems Market Action: I woke up this morning to news that Blackboard, a major provider of Learning Management Systems software to the higher education market, accepted a $45-a-share cash takeover bid from a group led by Providence Equity Partners. The deal is worth $1.64 billion, plus the assumption of about $130 million in net debt. Over the past few months, there has been significant speculation about who would buy Blackboard, including rumors about Google or Pearson as possible new owners. This purchase continues a wave of market interest and activity in Learning Systems, following purchases of Learn.com, Plateau and the IPO for Cornerstone.

The Blackboard deal also fits into expanded action in the private, higher education marketplace. The acquisition marks Providence’s third education deal in recent years. The private equity firm acquired educational services provider Study Group Pty Ltd. last year. It joined with Goldman Sachs Capital Partners and Leeds Equity Partners to acquire for-profit college operator Education Management Corp., which sold shares to the public in 2009. Providence, founded in 1989, manages $23 billion and focuses on media, communications, information and education investments.

Watch for 2 or 3 more major deals in the coming months, meaning that it is more important than ever for buyers of Learning Systems to focus on both contractual aspects of their agreements and portability of their resources if a deal does not go in their favor.

2. Netflix-Like Advice from a Learning System? Talking about Learning Systems, I was very intrigued by a recent article about adding Netflix-like recommendations to a learning system. Last week, undergraduates at Austin Peay State Uni¬versity were invited to visit its new online recommendation system before meeting with their academic advisers. When suggesting a course, the automated system considers each student’s planned major, past academic performance and data on how similar students fared in that class. It crunches this information to arrive at a recommendation. An early test of the system found that it could lead to higher grades and fewer dropouts, officials say.

I contacted Tristan Denley, Austin Peay’s provost and a former professor of math¬ematics who designed the course-picking software, to find out more. The system uses data mining to look at which courses will help accelerate students to completion of their requirements and what courses are most likely to be successful for students with specific backgrounds, performance levels and other factors. The students are getting an additional resource of advice, in addition to their own research and conversations with Faculty Advisors.

I am convinced that Recommendation and Guidance features will be the next wave of functionality that corporations will ask for in our Learning Systems. As the quantity of learning assets increases, learner choices get more difficult. Give us the same advice and suggestions that we find in Netflix or Amazon.  After talking with Tristan Denly, I asked him to be one of our keynote speakers at Learning 2011! He will be joining us to explore the role of data mining and recommending as part of the learning empowerment process. You can read the article in the Chronicle of Higher Education at http://chronicle.com/article/The-Netflix-Effect-When/127059/

3. Last Days for Early Discount for Learning 2011: Please register now to take advantage of our lowest rates for Learning 2011 (Nov 6 to 9 in Orlando). The discount ends this weekend. We will be announcing additional keynoters for our event and the lineup now includes:

* President Bill Clinton.
* Inventor Dean Kamen on Innovation.
* Wharton’s Peter Cappelli: Managing the Older Worker: How to Prepare for the New Organizational Order.
* MIT’s Ken Zolot on Entrepreneurial Learning Departments.
* Newsweek’s Sharon Begley on Brain Freeze and Information Overload.
* Elliott Masie on Learning Trends and The Learning Imperative.
* Betsy Myers on Growing Women in Leadership.
* Honoring McDonald’s Corporation for 50 Years of Hamburger University.
And much more!

Complete information and registration information at http://www.learning2011.com 

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Video for Learning LAB & Seminar - July 18 - 20 - Saratoga Springs, NY.
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

667 - McDonald's Hamburger University Honored, LeadershipDev at Learning 2011 and Early Discounts

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 20, 2011.
#667 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
55,304 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.

1. McDonald’s Corporation Learning & Hamburger University Honored for 50 Years of Innovation.
2. LeadershipDev @ Learning 2011 Announced - The Future of Leadership Development.
3. Early Discounts Throughout June.

1. McDonald’s Corporation Learning & Hamburger University Honored for 50 Years of Innovation. The Learning CONSORTIUM is proud to announce that McDonald’s Corporation, WW Training, Learning & Development will receive a Learning Spotlight Award at Elliott Masie’s Learning 2011, November 6-9 in Orlando, FL.

This award recognizes 50 years of Hamburger University, which has become McDonald’s center of training excellence and one of the most outstanding corporate training organizations in the world. Focusing on the importance of talent, knowledge and skills in a global marketplace, McDonald’s Worldwide Training, Learning & Development (WWTL&D) has led the way along with the 7 Hamburger Universities globally. They have role modeled learning innovations ranging from intensive local training programs to global programs, all the while leveraging emerging technologies for workforce learning.

McDonald’s Corporation, WWTL&D will receive this award and be highlighted at Learning 2011, in front of over 1,700 corporate learning leaders from around the globe. President Bill Clinton and inventor Dean Kamen will be keynoting Learning 2011.

“McDonald’s Hamburger University Oak Brook was one of the first of 7 corporate universities globally dedicated to employee development, training and talent. Over the past 50 years, it has impacted the careers and lives of tens of thousands of employees - leading with learning design, delivery and global deployment - and been a stellar example of corporate investment and commitment to talent. We are excited to honor McDonald’s and WWTL&D, to tell the story of their past, present and future global learning strategy.” – Elliott Masie

“We are pleased to receive this recognition from The MASIE Center. We are very proud of our Hamburger University Brand and as we look ahead, we will continue to invest in our people by creating new and innovative ways to develop our leaders…staying on the cutting edge to ensure our learners build skills for life and continue to provide lifelong learning to our people.  This will ensure McDonald’s success well into the future.” – Chris Lyons, WW Training, Learning & Development, Vice President 
For details: http://www.learning2011.com/mcdonalds

2. LeadershipDev @ Learning 2011 Announced - The Future of Leadership Development: We are pleased to announce that there will be a special event - LeadershipDev @ Learning 2011. Our organizations make significant annual investments in Leadership Development and Training as we prepare each wave of leaders, managers and executives for new roles and succession. We are all aware of the significant changes taking place in our organizations’ workforce, marketplace, strategies, technologies and operational tempo. Yet, many of our Leadership Development designs have not significantly changed in years.

LeadershipDev @ Learning 2011 will be a vendor-neutral forum where major corporations and government agencies can:

- Benchmark on Current Leadership Development Approaches.
- Explore Changing Models for Development & Delivery.
- Challenge Assumptions about Speed, Process & Intensity of Leadership Development.
- Consider & Design Alternative Models for Leadership Training.
- Align with Changing Technology & Evolving Workforce Demographics.

LeadershipDev @ Learning 2011 will consist of a range of small sessions, benchmarking activities and other gatherings that can be attended as part of your overall Learning 2011 experience. Details at http://www.learning2011.com/leadershipdev

3. Early Discounts Throughout June: Save money with Early Registration Discounts for Learning 2011. There are low airfares and major discounts at our hotel. Take advantage of the Early Registration Rate, valid through the end of June. Your organization can also request billing for payment at a future date. Details at http://www.learning2011.com

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Video for Learning LAB & Seminar - July 18 - 20 - Saratoga Springs, NY.
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

666 - Move HQ to China for a Month?; Video for Pre-Work Alternative

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 7, 2011.
#666 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
55,299 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning 2011 - Nov 7 to 9, in Orlando, FL.

1. Shifting HQ: Starwood Hotels Moves Executive Team to China for a Month.
2. Peters, Blanchard & Gergen Clips for Leadership Development Prep.
3. Video for Learning LAB & Seminar - July in Saratoga Springs.

1. Starwood Hotels Moves Executive Team to China for a Month: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is taking its commitment to growth in China seriously. The company will move its senior leadership team to Shanghai for one month. From June 8 through July 11, Starwood president and CEO Frits van Paasschen and seven of the company’s top executives will conduct business on a 12-hour time difference with their headquarters in White Plains, New York.

“With properties in nearly 100 countries, Starwood is no longer an American company that happens to run some hotels overseas. Today, we’re a global company that happens to be based in New York,” said van Paasschen in a statement. “Eighty percent of our future pipeline is outside of North America, and nowhere is more emblematic of our global growth than China, where we will open one hotel every two weeks this year.” Starwood currently has more than 70 hotels in China and another 90 properties in the pipeline. 

More than 20 Starwood executives from the U.S. and international locations will join the leadership team throughout the course of the relocation. The group will delve into Starwood’s extensive business in China, meeting with local customers, partners and developers, while also touring new properties throughout the country. Starwood intends to implement a month-long global relocation annually. Its next high-growth target markets include Brazil, the United Arab Emirates and India. “It is not just language that gets lost in translation, but also cultural nuances. The companies that will break away in an increasingly global world will be those that are most globally fluent,” said van Paasschen.

2. Peters, Blanchard & Gergen Clips for Leadership Development Prep: Pre-work for a Leadership Development event is always a tricky design decision. Do you send the participants a stack of reading only to have 20% of participants read the material? So, we are experimenting with a different model for next week’s LeadershipDev 2011 event in Las Vegas. Last week, I went to Ken Blanchard, Tom Peters and David Gergen (Kennedy School @ Harvard) and did 1/2 hour video interviews on the changing nature of the Leadership Development field. We then took 3 minute clips of these interviews, along with a 7 minute “welcome to the event” video by me - and sent it out to participants. If you would like to take a look at this approach to “pre-event communication”, go to http://www.masie.com/leadervid

3. Video for Learning LAB & Seminar - July in Saratoga Springs: Our most popular course at The MASIE Center, will be offered again this summer:

Video for Learning LAB & Seminar - July 18 to 20th. This is a comprehensive and hands-on learning experience about the evolving role for video in learning. We address stories, short content, live to telepresence and hybrid models. Space is limited and each participant receives a high definition camera for their use back at the workplace. Info and registration at http://www.masie.com

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* LeadershipDev 2011 - June 14 & 15 - Las Vegas, NV.
* Video for Learning LAB & Seminar - July 18 - 20 - Saratoga Springs, NY.
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com
 

665 - Learning in the Summer? Design Conversation about Leadership Development

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 1, 2011.
#665 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
55,297 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: LeadershipDev 2011 - June in Las Vegas.

1. Designs Needed for New Leadership Development Models.
2. Learning During the Summer - More, Less or Different?

1. Designs Needed for New Leadership Development Models: Each day, I am interviewing key leadership authors as we ramp up to LeadershipDev 2011 (Las Vegas in 2 weeks). This Friday, Betsy Myers and I will do video interviews with Tom Peters and David Gergen, focusing on new approaches and requirements for leadership development as our workforce, business structures and career expectations change.

It is interesting to note that the conversations are not focusing on Content. There is a load of great content out there. What seems to be more critical is DESIGN. How are organizations creating new blends of content, context, coaching, stretch assignments, 360 Feedback, online collaboration and time with C Suite leaders as they update and extend their leadership development approaches?

We invite your organization to join in this unique conversation. There are a few spaces open at LeadershipDev 2011 (June 13 & 14) and reasonable flights and hotel rooms. Join over 110 senior leadership development colleagues as we imagine an evolving set of Learning Designs for the next chapter of leadership development. Details at http://www.leadershipdev.com

2. Learning During the Summer - More, Less or Different? As the weather evolves here in the Northeast, thoughts turn to summer. I’d like to pose a simple question to Learning Trends Readers:

What is different about your organization’s learning/training activities during the summer months?

Do you do more classroom, less face to face, longer institutes, development experiments or other changes? Could you take a minute and send me a quick note to emasie@masie.com with a few lines about how, if at all, your learning activities change as the summer starts? We’ll summarize and share back in a few days.

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* LeadershipDev 2011 - June 14 & 15 - Las Vegas, NV.
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

664 - New CLO, Expertise as a Word, Ken Blanchard for LeadershipDev

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - May 24, 2011.
#664 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
55,281 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: LeadershipDev 2011 - June in Las Vegas.

1. New Chief Learning Officer at The MASIE Center.
2. Expertise is the Word on Organizations’ Lips.
3. LeadershipDev 2011 adds Ken Blanchard Perspectives!

1. New Chief Learning Officer at The MASIE Center: We are pleased to announce that Bob Baker will be serving as the Chief Learning Officer of The MASIE Center & Learning CONSORTIUM starting on June 6, 2011.

Bob Baker served in the Central Intelligence Agency for over 31 years as both an Intelligence Analyst and later as a Learning Leader. He served most recently as the Deputy Chief Learning Officer. His work in learning has focused on a variety of topics, including leadership development, instructor development, intelligence-related substantive issues, onboarding and learning strategy. In his role as an analyst, Bob has worked on a variety of global issues impacting our national security and conducted assessments of potential future threats.

Bob will be working with our colleagues around the world on The MASIE Center’s projects and research efforts on evolving learning trends.  Here is the announcement and details: http://www.masie.com/bakerclo

2. Expertise is the Word on Organizations’ Lips: The word EXPERTISE is popping up in more and more conversations with learning and talent colleagues. Here are a few of the reasons and examples:

* Video Connections to Expertise: As organizations increase the use of live video - ranging from telepresence to tablet-based video - they are focusing on easier access to real-time expertise, regardless of location.
* Video Stories Capture Expertise: At the same time, organizations are using video stories (ala YouTube) to capture expertise in short story formats from colleagues, customers and retiring employees.
* Social for Expertise: Underneath the rise of social media within organizations is a desire for colleagues to access the “just right” chunk of expertise or context from another colleague within the enterprise.
* Talent Focus: Organizations shifting to a talent perspective are framing the workplace in an expertise model. Hiring managers are viewing the potential candidate from both a readiness and expertise perspective, including their agility at accessing external expertise to support their performance.

3. LeadershipDev 2011 adds Ken Blanchard Perspectives: I was talking about leadership the other day with Ken Blanchard, one of the key thinkers in our field, and he got excited about adding his perspectives to the LeadershipDev 2011 conversation that we will have in Las Vegas in June. His schedule is filled, so I am flying down to Washington, DC next week to have dinner with Ken and we will videotape a dialogue about the need to take a really fresh look at Leadership Development models and learning designs. I am honored to add Ken’s experience and passion to our event. Join us in Las Vegas! Online registration at http://www.leadershipdev.com

Yours in learning,
Elliott Masie
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* LeadershipDev 2011 - June 14 & 15 - Las Vegas, NV.
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

663 - Virtual Snow Days, Skill Transcripts for Workers, Next Learning

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - May 18, 2011.
#663 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
55,276 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: LeadershipDev 2011 - June in Las Vegas.

1. Virtual Snow Days Grow in Schools.
2. Transcripts for Workers?
3. LeadershipDev 2011 Hotel Discounts.
4. Next Learning, Unwrapped by Nick van Dam Published.

1. Virtual Snow Days Grow in Schools: When I was growing up, a snow day meant a play day for students (and also teachers). Now, digital learning resources are turning snow days to at-home learning days.  Schools are experimenting with Virtual Snow Days, where snow just means a change in venue from the classroom to the home. Students are provided with asynchronous and live - via video - learning activities. Teachers work from home and students continue with their studies, or engage in special snow day learning projects. “Even if you can’t continue on at the same pace, being able to keep students on track can make a difference,” said Doug Levin, State Educational Directors Association.

There are obstacles, including access to broadband and at-home computers. And, some students/parents are mourning the loss of the days off. But, Virtual Snow Days are being built into state funding equations, allowing school districts to receive state aid, even when snow has grounded the school buses.

2. Skills Transcripts for Workers? We are seeing continued pressure from workers and employers to move towards a Skills Transcript that could be grown over a career, with inputs and skills verifications by multiple employers along the way. In a nutshell, a person might work for a company for 2 or 20 years, attend a range of training programs, engage in e-Learning activities, acquire new skills, and, upon departure (voluntary or involuntary), all that many HR policies allow is a statement of his/her role, duration and salary. As our careers stretch across multiple jobs, it would be so valuable for workers to have Skills Transcripts or Portfolios that would increase their marketability for their next role or organization. These could be built in a way that protects the liability of the organization adding to the transcript, while adding knowledge about the worker’s learning history and status. Comments please! Send me a note to emasie@masie.com

3. LeadershipDev 2011 Hotel Discounts: There are only 2 more weeks to use the hotel discount in Las Vegas for our upcoming LeadershipDev 2011 event (June 14 & 15 in Las Vegas). Rooms at Green Valley Resort are quite affordable, along with great airline fares. Come join other Leadership Training and Development coordinators from around the country at LeadershipDev. We will take a deep drill down look at the learning designs, assumptions and practices for building leadership skills in our organizations. Details and access to the hotel discounts at http://www.leadershipdev.com

4. Next Learning, Unwrapped by Nick van Dam - Published! I am proud to announce a new book from Nick Van Dam, a great colleague and the founder of eLearning for Kids. In this new book, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL) Talent leader Nick van Dam presents new technology-driven learning concepts in the context of nearly 40 business cases from leading organizations that use technology-based learning to achieve business goals. Business and learning leaders can use these success stories and lessons learned as blueprints to embed technology-based learning deeper into the culture of their organizations. “Technology has created a fantastic opportunity to provide people around the world with ‘any time, any place’ access to knowledge and learning that can help them to be more successful professionally,” says van Dam, Director and a Chief Learning Officer in Global Talent for DTTL. “Essentially, this book ‘unwraps’ the concept of technology-based learning and shows organizations how they can benefit from this’. I wrote the introduction to this book and the proceeds go to eLearning for Kids. Order a copy at http://tinyurl.com/6z82zb7

5. Guest Tickets to President Clinton Session at Learning 2011? We have had many calls about the possibility of bringing friends and family to the President Clinton session at Learning 2011 (Nov 7th). The answer is Yes! Family or friends of participants who are coming to Orlando will be able to get a free ticket to the session, as well as the Learning 2011 Party on Tuesday night. Due to security requirements, we will issue these tickets on site on Sunday, after registration. To register for Learning 2011, go to http://www.learning2011.com

Yours in learning,
Elliott Masie
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* LeadershipDev 2011 - June 14 & 15 - Las Vegas, NV.
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

President Bill Clinton to Keynote Learning 2011

TO: Learning Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, Learning 2011 Host
DATE: May 13, 2011

RE: President Bill Clinton to Keynote Learning 2011

We are honored to announce that President Bill Clinton will be the keynote speaker at the Learning 2011 Conference on November 7, 2011 in Orlando, Florida.

President Clinton, Founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation and 42nd President of the United States, will be addressing the Learning 2011 Conference at our Monday afternoon General Session.

President Clinton served the United States for eight years during a time of unprecedented prosperity and change. Now, President Clinton is a powerful voice for progress globally as he shares his unique insights and observations with audiences around the world. 

President Clinton’s address will describe the challenge of globalization, emphasize our growing interdependence, and point the way toward a common future based on shared goals and values.

“I am pleased to announce President Clinton’s participation in Learning 2011. His perspectives on the role of learning, education and knowledge in the changing global economy will be of deep interest to our field. Following his speech, we will be conducting an interview with President Clinton, including questions from the Learning 2011 participants”, said Elliott Masie.

Complete details on Learning 2011 and Early Registration are available at http://www.learning2011.com

Elliott Masie
Chair, The Learning CONSORTIUM
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* LeadershipDev 2011 - June 14 & 15 - Las Vegas, NV.
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

661 - Leadership Rituals or Design, Hire This Graduating Talent

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - May 7, 2011.
#661 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
55,274 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.

1. Rituals vs. Design for Leadership Development?
2. Hire This Great Talent Who is Graduating!
3. Announcements this Week for Learning 2011.

1. Rituals vs. Design for Leadership Development? As we look at how major organizations conduct their leadership development and training programs, a key question keeps popping up. Are the elements in the average leadership program (eg. 360 Feedback, Management Experts, Time with the CEO, Stretch Assignments) “rituals” or are they authentically effective elements of design? We are in the midst of conducting surveys and conversations with the executives in charge of leadership development programs and there is a growing sense of concern that the “mix” of these elements may be more based in ritual rather than evidence-based design. There seems to be a common yearning to take a fresher look at the format, delivery methods, duration and even assumptions of leadership programs. Some organizations, such as Google, have taken a large leap to stop procuring new content and to leverage media already “in the cloud”. Others are moving to project-based learning or reducing the amount of external expertise brought into a classroom setting. And, a few brave organizations are experimenting with significant shifts in the duration and distribution of leadership - moving from “High Potential” interventions to more cultural-based leadership capacity building.

We invite the Learning TRENDS readers to engage with us in this exploration. There are spaces available at LeadershipDev 2011, which we will host in Las Vegas on June 14 and 15th. Info and registration at http://www.leadershipdev.com

2. Hire This Great Talent Who is Graduating! I have an awesome young professional for your organization. This year, Joyce Chan has served as my research assistant at The MASIE Center during her senior year at Skidmore College. She conducted our Classroom of the Future Survey and worked with organizations around the world on research projects for us.  She is getting her Business and Asian Studies Bachelor degree in 2 weeks and would like to find a role in an innovative organization, some day perhaps working in or facing Asia. She speaks Cantonese and Mandarin, was born in the US and raised in Hong Kong, and is one of the best interns that we have ever had. Joyce is willing to locate anywhere in the world for the right opportunity in business, global outreach or analysis. If you have any ideas, please send me a note to emasie@masie.com. You would be getting a highly responsible and incredible learning-focused new employee, who has impressed us and works until excellence is achieved.

3. Announcements this Week for Learning 2011: In the next four days, we will be making a very exciting set of announcements about the Keynote Speakers and Spotlight Organizations featured at Learning 2011. Save the dates - Nov 6 to 9 in Orlando - and watch our website http://www.learning2011.com for details by the middle of the week. Our themes this year will include: Learning Agility, Flip Learning, A Checklist Mentality, Empowered Learning, Research to Practice, GPS/Performance Support, Learning as a Global Force, Learning Systems Revisited, Cloud Based Learning and more. Once again, stay tuned and we will make the announcement in just a few days!

Yours in learning,
Elliott Masie
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* LeadershipDev 2011 - June 14 & 15 - Las Vegas, NV.
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Learning Essentials LAB - May in Saratoga Springs.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

660 - Starbucks at LeadershipDev, Robots and Weight Loss Logging

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 28, 2011.
#660 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
55,265 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.

1. Starbucks Leadership Development Director @ LeadershipDev 2011.
2. Robots: At The MASIE Center and Will.i.am for FIRST.
3. Collaborative Logging Supports My Weight Loss.

1. Starbucks Leadership Development Director @ LeadershipDev 2011: We have two very exciting announcements about LeadershipDev 2011, our new event focused on changing the models for leadership development:

* Michael Wright, Starbucks Director of Leadership Development, will provide one of our featured case studies. Michael was previously the Head of Microsoft China University and has a unique perspective on the relationship of leadership and organizational development.
* Research to Practice: The Doctoral Students at the University of Pennsylvania/Wharton CLO Program will be designing and conducting the Leadership Development Trends research project for LeadershipDev 2011. They are building a set of benchmarking surveys on Leadership Development practices that will be conducted prior to LeadershipDev and will form the basis for an in-depth discussion on patterns and design dimensions in Executive, Mid-Level and First Line leadership programs.

LeadershipDev 2011 will take place in Las Vegas, NV on June 14 and 15. Info and registration at http://www.leadershipdev.com

2. Robots: At The MASIE Center and Will.i.am for FIRST! A couple of learning and robots items:

* Robots and Will.i.am: In a few minutes, I will be flying off to St. Louis for the finals of the FIRST Robotics Championship. I am on its Board of Directors. Thousands of students, along with their mentors, are converging in St. Louis for a 3-day competition of the robots they have designed and built in the last six weeks. It is an amazing experience to see the students celebrate the power of science, technology and engineering - with creativity and pizzazz! We have a special guest for the students this year: Will.i.am will be performing a private show, along with a few special guests. This is a great way to make STEM education cool and kids who are techies feel even cooler! Info about FIRST at http://www.usfirst.org/

* Meet The MASIE Center Robot: We have been testing a video conferencing robot that has remote control capabilities from anywhere in the world. Called VGO, it could allow a learner or teleworker to navigate a workplace, interact with colleagues and do a wide range of tasks. See our MASIE Center LAB video of our new “staff” member: http://www.masie.com/mcrobo

3. Collaborative Logging Supports My Weight Loss: Like many folks, weight has been a challenge for me at times in my life. For the last few months, I have been engaged in a personal learning experiment to look at the impact of collaborative logging on my own wellness. I worked with a doctor who specializes in lifestyle medicine and developed an exercise and nutrition approach that would work for me. The new dimension has been the use of a collaborative logging system where I enter, in real time, everything that I am eating and all of my exercise. I can do this from my smartphone, iPad or PC and it is then viewed by a doctor and nutritionist, who give me very regular feedback and suggestions.  It has been fascinating to see how it has helped me to modify my own behavior. Being a numbers person, it is like a personal Profit/Loss statement, with a Board of Advisors watching on. I am now several inches slimmer and several dozen pounds lighter - and feel great. For your info, I have been using fatsecret.com but there are many other online logging systems. I feel great and will do everything I can to integrate this “transparency” into my wellness for years to come.

Yours in learning,
Elliott Masie
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* LeadershipDev 2011 - June 14 & 15 - Las Vegas, NV.
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Learning Essentials LAB - May in Saratoga Springs.
* Video for Learning LAB - May in Saratoga Springs.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

659 - Good Enough Video is Great, Classroom of Future Results, Volunteers Needed

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 11, 2011.
#659 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
55,252 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: LeadershipDev 2011 - June in Las Vegas, NV.

1. “Good Enough” Video for Learning May Be Better.
2. Classroom of the Future Survey Results.
3. Please Volunteer for e-Learning for Kids!

1. “Good Enough” Video for Learning May Be Better: Over the past 18 months, I have watched a shift in our expectations for the production quality of video used for learning. Just a short while ago, corporate training and learning videos needed to reflect almost “Hollywood” production quality; yet, recently, as we are more comfortable watching YouTube-type video outside of work, our acceptance of “Good Enough” video - often short, to the point and almost in home video mode - has risen dramatically. Learners seem to thrive on the “Good Enough” values because of:

* Speed to Publishing - These are fresh and often reflect very recent changes or observations.
* Voice of the Field - They often have a sense of authenticity, reflecting the voice of the field vs. HQ.
* Duration - They tend to be to the point and are more likely 3 to 7 minutes long vs. 15 to 30 minute “films”.
* Quantity - Due to the lower cost and overhead, they are resulting in a wide range of video to choose from.
* Rankable - Many are allowing workforce ranking of these videos to allow the best to rise to the top.

Of course, it is key that the audio be clear, the focus (video and content) be high and, please, watch the lighting.

Note: We have just 8 seats left in our May Video for Learning LAB that I teach in Saratoga. “Good Enough” is our mantra. Details at http://www.masie.com

2. Classroom of the Future Survey Results: We are pleased to announce that over 640 organizations around the globe responded to a recent survey by The MASIE Center, looking at future and current uses of the classroom. Contrary to rumors, the classroom does not seem to be going away. In fact a wide percentage of respondents are seeing an increase in classroom demand. But, the length, size and format of classes are changing. And, we have very compelling data on what technologies and affordances organizations want in their future classrooms.

Refreshing the Classroom by The MASIE Center - Joyce Chan & Elliott Masie, Researchers Complete results and analysis at:
http://masieweb.com/classroom2011

3. Please Volunteer for e-Learning for Kids! One of the most powerful non-profit efforts in our field is “e-Learning for Kids”. This global foundation reached over 2.3 million children in 190 countries last year (35% usage in the US) with its free courseware. Currently, it is launching a new project that will offer a complete K-6 Math curriculum. The goal is to develop 150 e-lessons in 2011, and they need all the help they can get! They need volunteer learning professionals to volunteer some of their time to work on these courses.

This is a very important and wonderful thing to do! Each year, our Learning Conference donates $5,000 to e-Learning for Kids and recruits volunteer designers to help with the next batch of courses. They need your help now! If you are a learning professional, this is important work that you can do in your spare time and impact kids around the world. Go to http://www.masie.com/ekids and volunteer.

Yours in learning,
Elliott Masie
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events & Services:
* LeadershipDev 2011 - June 14 & 15 - Las Vegas, NV.
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Learning Essentials LAB - May in Saratoga Springs.
* Video for Learning LAB - May in Saratoga Springs.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com