614 - Consumer LCD/Plasma Screens in Learning Spaces

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - March 30, 2010.
#614 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,904 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning and Government - Special Forum in Washington, DC

Special Note: When Consumer LCD/Plasma Screens Become Affordable - Implications for Learning

We just bought two 55 to 58 inch High Definition LCD and Plasma screens for our classroom at The MASIE Center and only paid about $1,500 for each. The drop in price and growth in size and features of these display devices provides us with an interesting moment to think about re-formatting our learning spaces.

We built our building in 2001 and bought really fine 42” screens and high-powered projectors to give learners and trainers many options.  But, 9 years later, the technology was feeling old. So, off we went to our local stores and electronic centers to shop for replacements.

It is fascinating to see what our new 55”-58” television sets offer as “affordances” for learning:

* We have hooked up a new High Definition Video Conference system that allows us to have real telepresence at speeds up to 5 gigs of bandwidth.
* At the other end of the video spectrum, we now display our CLO, Jonathan Kayes, coming from his office in Virginia, via Skype, but displayed in full size with “good enough” video - and an amazing sense of presence.
* Multiple computers (Windows and Mac) are hooked up to the televisions via HDMI cables as well as old fashioned VGA.

The size of the monitors has moved us from reliance on projectors and, at this price point, we can create a very immersive environment with many monitors capable of displaying different or similar images.

We even had my colleague Jonathan participate in a 3-day class via desktop video as a continual presence and occasional co-teacher from a large screen in the corner of our classroom/lab space.

I am bringing one of these new screens into my office later this month and will use it for regular staff interactions as well as moments when I want to do video conferencing from my desk but have a full size colleague displayed.

I am always on the lookout for price and technology changes in the consumer marketplace that will have potential impacts on the learning environments in our organizations. The shift in costs and size of these new screens seems to be one of those moments.

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

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Virtual Leadership: Skills for Leading Distributed Teams.
* Learning & Government Briefing.
* Video for Learning LAB & Seminar.
* Learning 2010 - Oct 24 to 27 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

613 - Government and Learning; Lawsuits Hit LMS Field Again.

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - March 29, 2010.
#613 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,895 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning and Government - Special Forum in Washington, DC

1. Learning & Government Briefing.
2. Law Suits Hit LMS Field - Sigh - Again!
3. Virtual Leadership Focus for Rising Leaders Programs.

1. Learning & Government Briefing: The learning field in government organizations is undergoing significant changes. From large retirement “bubbles” to stimulus funds flowing for learning oriented projects to changing models of learning delivery (video, mobile and distributed), we are tracking a high rate of change for both government learning departments and the suppliers that sell to the government. It even extends to new learning efforts that include courses and assets aimed at citizens as part of the Obama Administration’s IT 2.0 efforts. We are pleased to announce our 2nd annual Learning & Government one-day briefing, to be held in Washington, DC on May 3rd. Complete information and registration at http://www.masie.com

2. Law Suits Hit LMS Field - Sigh - Again! Sadly, I must report that a number of LMS companies have just been sued by IPLearn, a group that holds a number of patents in the learning world. This group pops up every few years as they target another LMS company with several patents that they received under the questionable “Business Process Patent” statute a decade ago. In several instances, they were able to get the LMS company to settle, after a very expensive pre-trial discovery process. I have served as a free witness to the defendants as I believe these patents were improperly awarded and there is significant prior art, dating back decades, that would contradict many of the patent claims. This time, they have sued a large collection of LMS companies: Learn.com, Inc., Certpoint Systems, Inc., Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC, Netdimensions Ltd., ND Services, Inc., Emtrain, HRSmart, Inc. and Perot Systems Corp.

For example, they claim invention of this from 1999: “A method and a system to teach a user a subject based on his questions. The system allows the user to control his learning process, and helps to fill in gaps of misunderstanding in the subject.” We will be reaching out to the field for help in gathering prior art that existed prior to these patent claims.  And, there is a major Supreme Court decision pending about the validity of this genre of Business Process Patent. Stay tuned.

3. Virtual Leadership Focus for Rising Leaders Programs: As The MASIE Center works with leadership development groups around the world, we have noticed a sharp increase in the inclusion of segments addressing Virtual Leadership. Programs for rising leaders are increasingly adding modules to teach leadership skills for a distributed team. These range from how to build trust across time zones and increased use of video technology, to extending presence globally and how to engage dispersed team members in culture and process. If you would like to take a look at some of the topics that we have been tracking, look at the graphics on the site for our Virtual Leadership LAB and Seminar at: http://www.masie.com  We will be offering another section of this program in a few weeks and there are a few seats still available.

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

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Virtual Leadership: Skills for Leading Distributed Teams.
* Learning & Government Briefing.
* Video for Learning LAB & Seminar.
* Learning 2010 - Oct 24 to 27 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

612 - 30 Under 30, Legal Departments & Learning Sitdowns

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - March 19, 2010.
#612 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,895 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning and Government - Special Forum in Washington, DC

1. Learning Challenges For and From Legal Departments.
2. Virtual Leaders Increase Skype and Video Calls.
3. 30 Under 30! Developing the Next Generation of Learning Leaders!

1. Learning Challenges For and From Legal Departments: It is time to take your corporate legal department to lunch for a major sitdown! Legal departments are being challenged by learning and are one of our major challenges. As we evolve the processes for creating and delivering content, taking advantage of digital connections, social networks and collaborative approaches, the voices of concern are being heard from legal departments.  Here are some of the challenges that The MASIE Center has been tracking:

* What to Capture? Should every digital communication be captured? We don’t tape most corporate telephone calls, but should be capture every minute of video conferencing? When do we allow for some conversations to “evaporate”?
* Is Web Content Kosher? As our learners and instructors go to the web for content and examples, is all legal and kosher? What are the processes to keeping the learning department legal? When do “fair use” rights cover classroom use of copyrighted content?
* Who Owns Collaborative Content? When a learner contributes something to an online class, who owns that content? If someone makes a video as an employer, can we continue to use their image after they leave to go to a competitor? What digital rights releases should we create?
* Home Based Learning? What are the legal and wage implications for employee access to learning content from home?

The MASIE Center is going to launch a series of discussions with legal departments of major corporations on these and other learning issues. If you would like to be part of that discussion, would you send a note to me at emasie@masie.com

2. Virtual Leaders Increase Skype and Video Calls: Quick observation about corporate use of Skype Video. In our LABs, over 70 percent of the companies reported that there was new and growing use of Skype Desktop Video between leaders and employees, especially those located globally or working from home. While most IT departments have not blessed Skype and there are other corporate desktop video solutions, we are fascinated by this distributed video leadership model. On a personal note, as I work with our new CLO, Jonathan Kayes, who just joined us from a similar role at the CIA, we are using Skype Video between 2 and 4 times a day. It is, in fact, easier than making a call and faster than Instant Messenger. I am noticing a rise in the “affective” nature of these calls and it is creating a presence of Jonathan here in Saratoga and me in his home office in Virginia. Next week, we are adding a stand-alone Skype Video Phone to the MASIE Center staff dining table, to include him in the informal and social moments. These trends and approaches are core to our Virtual Leadership LAB & Seminar, to be held in Saratoga in April. Info at http://www.masie.com

3. 30 Under 30! Developing the Next Generation of Learning Leaders: I am tired of seeing mainly 40, 50 and 60 year old colleagues in the audience of learning events! We have just launched a new project called “30 Under 30” to support and develop the next generation of learning leaders in our field. For 30 colleagues who are below the age of 30, we will provide a host of resources, highlights and deep discounts at Learning 2010. It is our effort to coach, support and LISTEN to the next generation of learning professionals in our field. Complete details at http://www.learning2010.com/30under30

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

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Virtual Leadership: Skills for Leading Distributed Teams.
* Video for Learning LAB & Seminar.
* Learning 2010 - Oct 24 to 27 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

611 - Apolo Ohno to Keynote Learning 2010: Extreme Learning and Performance

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - March 11, 2010.
#611 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,895 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.

Announcement: Apolo Anton Ohno will Keynote Learning 2010 - Topic: Extreme Learning & Performance.

Each year, one of my favorite tasks is to invite provocative speakers to keynote our Learning event. In the past, we have hosted Capt. “Sully” Sullenberger, Chef Bobby Flay, General Colin Powell and Bill Cosby. Each has provided an interesting perspective into the world of learning, education and performance from their personal life story and experience.

It is a great honor to announce that Apolo Anto Ohno will be one of our keynoters at Learning 2010, to be held in Orlando, Florida from Oct 24 to 27th. I will interview him and he will present on “Extreme Learning & Performance”. 

“You put your mind to something, you give 100 percent, sacrifice and dedication, anything is possible.”

He will speak about the learning process he took to become the most decorated U.S. Winter Olympian in history. We will also discuss his route to winning “Dancing with the Stars” as he needed to learn a whole new domain, including mastery of the Cha Cha, Tango and Waltz.

Like Olympic Speed Skating, learning needs to be agile, quick, filled with mastery and based on a vision, goal and path to achievement.

Read the complete announcement along with a video of Apolo Ohno in training mode at http://www.learning2010.com

Early Registration is now open. Save money by bringing a team to Learning 2010.

Yours in learning,

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

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Virtual Leadership: Skills for Leading Distributed Teams.
* Performer Support LAB & Seminar.
* Video for Learning LAB & Seminar.
* Learning 2010 - Oct 24 to 27 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

610 - Jonathan Kayes, New CLO at MASIE Center's Learning CONSORTIUM

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - March 9, 2010.
#610 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,895 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: Virtual Leadership LAB & Seminar - Saratoga Springs

Welcome to the new MASIE Center’s Learning CONSORTIUM Chief Learning Officer! Jonathan Kayes has joined The MASIE Center’s Learning CONSORTIUM as the Chief Learning Officer. He recently completed a 27 year career with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), most recently as their Chief Learning Officer.

It is a dream come true for us to be able to add a senior and deeply experienced CLO to our team. I am so excited to have Jonathan Kayes as our partner in researching and developing new models for the future of organizational and personal learning. Since 2001, Jonathan’s work at the CIA has been focused primarily on training and education - including building new organizational learning strategies and incorporating multiple instructional approaches and new technologies to reach a largely globally deployed workforce.

Jonathan will be working with our Learning CONSORTIUM’s 240 global members as well as directing projects in our Learning LAB at The MASIE Center including: Learning Radar Screens, Changing Learning Function Roles, Learning Costs, Mobile Learning, ePub and a wide range of LAB Projects involving CONSORTIUM companies around the world.

Here is a statement from Jonathan about his new role with The MASIE Center and his interests/passions:

“I am truly a lifelong learner and my favorite days are days when I learn something I didn’t know at the beginning of the day. Connecting people is something I love to help happen. When I know that two people share similar interests or one has expertise in an area which another person really needs, I try to provide a virtual or actual handshake.

One my greatest joys has been in serving as a Chief Learning Officer. The CLO gets to work with various constituencies from the C-Suite to the newest employee coming in for orientation. I very much look forward to connecting with and sharing learning with the CLOs, aspiring CLOs, learning leaders, and learning professionals. Trying something new really excites me. Sometimes I have to try it several times, or from several angles, but chewing on that new thing while you get to think about how to apply it is fun and surprisingly productive. I’m really passionate about avoiding staying the same. I don’t believe in change for its own sake, but when you look at almost anything, you see the problem with never leaving your comfortable rut. The world changes even if you don’t.

In solving most problems there are two or three possible ways to skin the cat which will all work. I think we should try method A for a couple of years and then be willing to go back and see if maybe method B or C would work well for us too. I love helping someone find their own passion and give that person support so that they can thrive and grow. That provided the joy in management for me and I hope that will come about in some of my activities with The MASIE Center.

My brain circuits start firing in all directions when I can link knowledge from one sector with an application in a totally different sector. I love listening to people talk about their ideas, discoveries, projects and programs because it adds new possibilities for connections.”

Please join me in welcoming Jonathan as our new CLO. His announcement and pictures are at http://www.masieweb.com/newclo  Jonathan’s email is jonathan@masie.com

There will be another exciting announcement about our keynote speakers at Learning 2010 in just a few days. Stay tuned.

Yours in learning,

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

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Virtual Leadership: Skills for Leading Distributed Teams.
* Performer Support LAB & Seminar.
* Video for Learning LAB & Seminar.
* Learning 2010 - Oct 24 to 27 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM Info and Registration:
http://www.masie.com

609 - Snow Triggers Telework, Demise of the Desktop, Performer Support?

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - March 5, 2010.
#609 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,891 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: Virtual Leadership LAB & Seminar - Saratoga Springs

1. DC Snowstorm Triggers Teleworking.
2. Google Predicts Demise of the Desktop.
3. What is Performer Support?

1. DC Snowstorm Triggers Teleworking: I had the honor of meeting this week with the US Secretary of Energy, Dr. Steven Chu, and the Director of the US Office of Personnel Management, John Berry. The topic of snow in Washington came up and we discussed the shift in Teleworking. John Berry stated that over 1/3 of Washington area workers at the OPM and GSA logged on to the Agency’s computers, even though the government was officially closed. Secretary Chu said he was tempted to come to work, but functioned from home for 3 days to set an example. He did come in on the last day, along with some of his staff, since he reported, “we really missed each other!”

Contrast this with 2008 when only 8.7 of eligible employees did any teleworking. These senior Cabinet officers talked about the desire of the workforce to be able to stay connected and support each other in times of crisis. And, that it would trigger a broader conversation about flexibility of workplace footprint - mirroring changes in leading organizations like BestBuy that are highly flexible about hours and location as long as measured goals are achieved.

2. Google Predicts Demise of the Desktop: John Herlihy, Google’s VP of Global Ad Operations, has claimed that desktop PCs would become “irrelevant” in three years down the line. Addressing the Digital Landscapes Conference in Dublin, Herlihy predicted a bleak future for desktop PCs as smartphones and netbooks, along with other gadgets, are evidently gaining ground over them. In his keynote speech, Herlihy said, “In three years time, desktops will be irrelevant. In Japan, most research is done today on smart phones, not PCs”. This echoes Google CEO Eric Schmidt’s comments that “Global sales of smartphones and other high-end handheld devices have been soaring at a rapid pace and would very soon surpass sales of traditional PCs.” This has huge implications for the learning field as we look towards supporting learning through a new and broader range of mobile-based resources. Learning designers will need to refocus their design sensibilities towards a smaller footprint and very different type of learning application.

3. What is Performer Support?: One of my favorite approaches is Peformer Support. From my Spellcheck to my GPS, the concept of being able to learn what I need at the moment of need is always appealing. Conrad Gottfredson and Bob Mosher, who are our resources on Performer Support, have supplied an informative definition:

Performer Support (PS) is any learning modality, resource or asset that is accessible and applicable at the moment of need. It is embedded in the work process such that the learning is accessed in the context of the work flow and helps solve a very specific business problem. Fundamentally, PS can be grouped into two categories: Paper-based or Electronic. Paper-based is the oldest form of Performance Support and one that’s taken an unfortunate backseat to its more “flashy” counterparts. Paper-based PS includes job-aids and quick references. These tools can be seen in most work spaces in the form of yellow “post-it notes” surrounding someone’s monitor, but they can also be a much more elaborate, structured and individually tailored form factor designed to optimize their overall effectiveness. Electronic PS, often called EPSS, is typically found on a PC, BUT is increasingly accessible on MP3 players and other hand-held devices. Many of us remember the earliest forms of this solution as the “F1” key or help menu found in most of the early PC applications.

We have a few seats still open in our intensive and hands-on LAB and Seminar on Performer Support that will be held in Saratoga Springs, NY on March 17 to 19th.
For information and registration: http://www.masie.com

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Contact: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Virtual Leadership: Skills for Leading Distributed Teams.
* Performer Support LAB & Seminar.
* Video for Learning LAB & Seminar.
* Learning 2010 - Oct 24 to 27 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

608 - Video for Learning Modes, 1964 World's Fair?

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - March 2, 2010.
#608 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,885 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: Virtual Leadership LAB & Seminar - Saratoga Springs

1. Video Learning in So Many Modes.
2. Video Conferencing at the 1964 World’s Fair.

1. Video Learning in So Many Modes: I am struck by the wide variety of uses for video in learning that are on our menu as designers. As I inventory how we are using video at The MASIE Center, the list is long and growing:

- Video “YouTube” Story Segments.
- Video PodCasts.
- Video Reports - Webcam Captures.
- Produced Video for Learning Modules.
- Skype (on every one of our desks at work).
- Webinar Video Elements.
- High Definition Video Conferencing (up to 4 Megs).
- Telepresence Video (Beyond 6 Megs).
- Flipcam and iPhone Video Clips.
- Webchat Video.
- Video Capture of Seminars and Classrooms.
- Video Keynotes - Live and Asynchronous.
- Video Guests in Workshops and Conferences.
- Video Coaching.

The introduction of video into almost every aspect of our learning and work tasks is profound and “disrupting”. As designers, we must experiment with these formats, looking for evidence and appropriate use cases and examples of when not to use video. Rising bandwidth, lowered equipment costs, ease of editing and growing expectations of learners will make video a profound component of our learning efforts going forward. I would be quite interested in hearing from Learning TRENDS readers about their experiments with video.  Send me an email to emasie@masie.com

(If your budget allows, we have a deep dive LAB on Video for Learning in Saratoga Springs later this month. Go to http://www.masie.com for info and registration. Eight seats available.)

2. Video Conferencing at 1964 Worlds Fair: I was a kid when I did my first video conference. In a pavilion at the 1964 Worlds Fair in Flushing, NY, I sat with my parents as we used a video phone to a booth 100 feet away where my brother was sitting. We all thought that video phones were just a year away. Here is a photo of that videophone: http://tinyurl.com/ydzxl9v  Now, I find myself Skyping from my laptop and having detailed meetings from our high-def videoconferencing room. It took 46 years, but it is still way cool! (Note, that is not me in the picture —- but it could have been in appearance and moment!)

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Contact: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Virtual Leadership: Skills for Leading Distributed Teams.
* Performer Support LAB & Seminar.
* Video for Learning LAB & Seminar.
* Learning 2010 - Oct 24 to 27 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

607 - Goodbye, Training Magazine; Social Learning Survey Data

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - February 19, 2010.
#607 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,877 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: Virtual Leadership LAB & Seminar - Saratoga Springs

1. Goodbye Training Magazine & Thanks!
2. Social Learning Survey Data.
3. Sustainability: One Theme for Learning 2010.

1. Goodbye Training Magazine & Thanks! Yesterday, Training Magazine was closed. Nielsen, the owner of Training Magazine, made a decision to close the magazine (after failing to find a buyer) and lay off the staff. Training Magazine and its related events have been a part of the industry and field for many decades. Over that time, I have written in its columns, keynoted at its conference and later competed with it in the event space - as we launched TechLearn and later our annual Learning Conference.

Things, themes and publications evolve as our field shifts from Training to a broader focus on Learning. But, it is important to remember and honor the people that contributed to the development of our field. Jim Secord and Phil Jones were two colleagues that grew the publication and helped to champion the industry. I have fond memories of them, their teams and the dialogues that were triggered by their publications. Goodbye, Training Magazine, and thanks!

2. Social Learning Survey Data: We recently surveyed Learning TRENDS readers about their current implementation and plans for deploying Social Learning as part of their design process. This was done in support of the doctoral research of our MASIE Fellow from South Korea, Hyunkyung Lee. Here are a few of the questions and results from the survey of 781 global organizations:

a) Is your organization currently using or planning to use any Social Learning at any time in the future?
- Yes: 76.57%
- No: 23.43%

b) What are the reasons why your organization is not using Social Learning? (4 Top Reasons):
- More proof of Social Learning’s effectiveness is needed.
- No interest in our organization..
- Compliance, legal, privacy, security or other restraints.
- Not compatible with our organizational culture.

c) Why is your organization using or planing to use Social Learning?
- To provide opportunities to share knowledge and the experiences of colleagues - 90.66%
- To motivate learners in the learning process - 47.98%
- To accelerate time to competence - 44.95%
- To keep up with the Social Learning trend - 40.40%
- To decrease formal learning time - 35.35%

d) What types of Social Learning activities does your organization offer?
- Collaborative Documents (wikis, blogs) for learning - 77.49%
- Internal Social Networks/Media for learning - 67.26%
- Discussion Boards for learning - 59.85%
- Classroom-based collaboration or group projects - 44.50%
- External Social Networks/Media for learning - 39.13%
- Projects with Multiple Learners - 37.60%

We will publish additional results in our future editions of Learning TRENDS.

3. Sustainability - One Theme for Learning 2010: As we start our design process for Learning 2010, one new theme has emerged - “Sustainability & Learning”. Corporate sustainability describes business practices built around social and environmental considerations. These may range from corporate objectives of “zero to the landfill” manufacturing to “a business approach that creates long-term shareholder value by embracing opportunities and managing risks deriving from economic, environmental and social development.” At Learning 2010, we will take a dual look at sustainability. First, what can the learning function contribute to sustainability through activities with suppliers, employees and customers? Secondly, how can we apply corporate sustainability goals to our own processes and practices in the learning and training fields? We will have panels with organizational Sustainability Officers and look at the opportunities and challenges of this issue.

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Contact: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Virtual Leadership: Skills for Leading Distributed Teams.
* Performer Support LAB & Seminar.
* Video for Learning LAB & Seminar.
* Learning 2010 - Oct 24 to 27 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM.
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

606 - Collaboration is Hard!, Apple Tablet & Content Changes

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - January 27, 2010.
#606 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,875 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: Social Learning LAB - Feb 22 to 24 - Saratoga Springs

1. Collaboration: It Is Hard!
2. Apple Tablet & Content.
3. Performance Support LAB & Seminar in Saratoga

1. Collaboration: It Is Hard! As we explore the power, potential and impact of Social Learning and Collaboration in our organizations, let’s not oversimplify. We need to take an EVIDENCE approach to how we best design and deploy strategies that include collaboration. Why? Collaboration is Hard! 

Collaboration requires several key components:

* Trust
* Need/Motivation
* Shared Aspirations
* Traditions
* Listening
* Courage
* Critical Thinking
* Time
* Tolerance of Diversity
* A Shared Language

I am deeply excited about the opportunity for us to use emerging technologies and evolving learning strategies to leverage collaboration and social learning in our field. But, it will take time and organizational change efforts to evolve the skill and attitude sets of our workplaces. Lotus Notes, in 1993, was a great tool for collaboration, but most organizations just used it for email. Breaking a classroom into small groups with a short assignment does not mean the learners will authentically collaborate. It takes intentional design and feedback to leverage these techniques. And, please don’t think that giving people a bulletin board or access to their Facebook accounts will yield meaningful collaboration. 

We are at a very cool and precious moment when workers and learning professionals can learn about the power and methods of organizational collaboration. Let us collectively experiment, gather evidence and evolve our assumptions and knowledge about collaboration.  It is hard; yet, it is a powerful tool to be honored and designed in our organizational cultures.

2. Apple Tablet & Content: In a couple of hours, Steve Jobs will make an announcement about the upcoming Apple Tablet. As we read and watch the details and industry analysis, I would suggest we focus on the CONTENT side of the conversation. What was provocative about the iPod were the changes in how music content could be shared, bought and utilized. It started the deconstruction of the album to the single song. It rocked the music industry’s assumptions and allowed emerging bands to distribute a single song in a new supply chain.

Whatever the Apple Tablet might do technologically, The MASIE Center’s Learning LAB is focusing on how content such as manuals, learning programs and even Performer Support might be impacted. As a trustee of a college, I would be fascinated to imagine students buying articles or textbooks in a totally new model. And, what if a new model for learning content modules might emerge in which a Learning App could be purchased for $1 or $3? Think of developers around the world focusing on ever better ways of supporting learning about millions of topics.

3. Performer Support LAB & Seminar in Saratoga: There are several spaces available at our popular Performer Support program. Focusing on “learning at the moment of need”, this 3 day program, led by Bob Mosher and Conrad Gottfredson, provides practical and hands-on perspectives for leveraging “performer support” in your organization. Details at http://www.masie.com

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

MASIE Center Seminars, Events & Services:
* Virtual Leadership: Skills for Leading Distributed Teams.
* Social Learning LAB & Seminar.
* Performer Support LAB & Seminar.
* Video for Learning LAB & Seminar.
* Learning Leaders Academy.
* Learning 2010 - Oct 24 to 27 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

605 - Gladwell on Learning, Social Learning Research, Malaria Griots

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - January 14, 2010.
#605 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,867 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: Virtual Leadership Seminar - Feb 1 to 3 - Saratoga Springs

1. Social Learning Research - Please Take 10 Minute Survey.
2. Malcolm Gladwell Video Interview Excerpts.
3. Malaria Griots - A Learning Project with Bono’s ONE Campaign.

1. Social Learning Research - Please Take 10 Minute Survey: This is a research project by Hyunkyung Lee, a doctoral scholar from South Korea who has been working as a Fellow at The MASIE Center. Your comments will greatly move her research forward in this important field. This survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete. Our goal is to gather information about reasons and methods to use Social Learning in organizations. In addition, we focus on the types and tools of Social Learning activities, Social Learning in instructional design, and also hurdles and future plans of Social Learning.

Please go to: http://masieweb.com/survey/jan10

2. Malcolm Gladwell Video Interview Excerpts: We have just released video excerpts of my interview with Malcolm Gladwell, author of “Outliers” and “The Tipping Point”, from Learning 2009. Malcolm talks about some of the key issues of learning, culture, expertise and impacts of automation. The video clips are viewable at: http://www.learning2010.com/gladwell

3. Malaria Griots - A Learning Project with Bono’s ONE Campaign: The MASIE Center has been supporting a new project focused on Malaria by training future spokespeople and advocates through an online program. If you would like to dive deep into the issue of Malaria - and work with Malaria No More and The ONE Campaign - consider becoming a “Griot”: a storyteller with deep impacts. Check out the Blog on the ONE Campaign site for information: http://www.one.org/blog/2009/12/14/malaria-griots/

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

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Virtual Leadership: Skills for Leading Distributed Teams.
* Social Learning LAB & Seminar.
* Performer Support LAB & Seminar.
* Video for Learning LAB & Seminar.
* Learning Leaders Academy.
* Learning 2010 - Oct 24 to 27 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

604 - Google - Why Not a Beta Phone? Twitter in the Classroom.

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - January 11, 2010.
#604 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,864 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning 2010 - Oct 24 to 27, Orlando, FL

1. Google - Make Me a Beta Phone!
2. Twitter in the Classroom - Software and Process for Back Channel.
3. Social Learning LAB & Seminar in February.

1. Google - Make Me a Beta Phone! On Thursday, the new Google Phone arrived in my hands. And, I have one major suggestion for Google - Embrace Your Own Beta Model!

While there are many interesting aspects to the Google Phone - from “haptic” sensory touch, to a flash for the camera, to user configurable screens and one-click publishing - I was slightly underwhelmed. There was an absence of multi-touch and the size of the fonts were difficult on my soon-to-be-60-year-old eyeballs. The one question that I have and am raising directly to Google is, “Why didn’t you create the Google Beta Phone?”

Google has brilliantly used the beta approach on Gmail, Google Documents and more.  Essentially, label the innovation as a beta and everyone then becomes your partner in feedback and improvement.

Imagine if Google had sold me a Google Beta Phone. In fact, etch the word Beta right above the name Google on the back. The deal could be for 100,000 to 1/2 millon Beta users: we pay full price and agree to send comments, suggestions and improvement paths to Google each month. We get downloaded versions of new software and six months later, for just $179 (their cost of hardware), we get the Version 1.1 handset. Google has been an expert in using the “wisdom of the crowds” to advise and direct their design and improvement of much of their product line. Yet, the Google phone was shippped as a “DONE” product.

Bottom line: I am interested in the Google platform and open apps, as well as coming innovations in the mobile arena that we will see from Apple, Microsoft and others. But, Google (and others), please remember the Beta process. We would be willing to pay real dollars to use and improve new products. It can be both profitable and your path to true game changers.

2. Twitter in the Classroom - Software and Process for Back Channel: At Learning 2009, we experimented with a visible “Twitter Back Channel” at our General Sessions. A number of colleagues have asked about the process and learnings from this approach. Here are the details:

* Pick a # Tag for the event. For example, we used #L2009.
* Ask your participants who have Twitter access in the classroom or conference to use that in all of their messages.
* We used a web based application called SPY to display a real time display of these Tweets behind the speakers on a large screen and on a plasma display in front of the podium. SPY is at http://spy.appspot.com
* You just add a search term (eg. #L2009) and SPY will display, in full screen mode, a real time monitoring of the related messages.
* The impact is pretty different. For the speakers, they kept one eye on the display in front of us. I would use this to steer specific questions or comments that were posed by the participants.
* For the audience, they had a cable news-like feed to watch in back of the speakers. Some loved it; some hated it. But, it was interesting.
* As a facilitator, I liked the experiment and it really pushed me to drive the conversation in new directions.
* For some speakers, I kept the monitor in front of us on and turned off the back display.
* And, we had one instance of someone who was flooding the screen with very commercial messages from another location. (I chose to turn off the feed for a while, until I could “coach” them.)
* One variation is to just have a laptop near the instructor/speaker with a switch to display messages from time to time.

We will see lots of experiments about the best use of a Back Channel in live events. I have seen parallel uses during webinars that often provide a rich flow of context to folks watching a seminar around the globe, even “translating” regional jargon or technical terms.

3. Social Learning LAB & Seminar in February: We are pleased to offer our third offering of the popular Social Learning LAB & Seminar, to be held in Saratoga Springs from Feb. 22nd to 24th. For three days, you will be exploring how organizations are (and will be) evolving Learning Designs to leverage Social Learning and Collaboration. This can range from “adding” a social dimension to an e-Learning module to fully redesigning a program to be collaborative and project based. Information and registration at http://www.masie.com

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

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Virtual Leadership: Skills for Leading Distributed Teams.
* Social Learning LAB & Seminar.
* Performer Support LAB & Seminar.
* Video for Learning LAB & Seminar.
* Learning Leaders Academy.
* Learning 2010 - Oct 24 to 27 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

603 - Gadgets and Learning; PodCast on Drive and Workers

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - January 5, 2010.
#603- Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,857 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning 2010 - Oct 24 to 27, Orlando, FL

1. PodCast on “Drive” and Motivation with Dan Pink.
2. The Gadget Show Opens: Learning TRENDS Reporting.
3. Virtual Leadership: Leader as Publisher of Context.

1. PodCast on “Drive” and Motivation with Dan Pink: We start 2010 with an in-depth interview on “DRIVE”, a new book by Dan Pink, focused on worker motivation. Dan drills down on the roles of:

* Autonomy.
* Mastery.
* Purpose.

and provides some provocative insights to how organizations are changing their talent assumptions. You will find some great perspectives for learning from Dan, who also wrote “A Whole New Mind”. Listen to all or parts of this PodCast at http://www.masie.com/danpink

2. The Gadget Show Opens - Learning TRENDS Reporting: We have several “scouts” in Las Vegas at the annual gadget and technology show - CES. Throughout the week, I will write daily updates on announcements that may have some impact on learning, collaboration and performance. Here are a few technologies and approaches that we are tracking:

* eReaders: There are 5 scheduled announcements about new digital readers. I am quite interested in the new “Skiff” that is a large format model with content from newspaper publishers. It will be interesting to see if the eReaders can be adapted to the learning and performer support field.
* Apps Expand: The shift continues towards small, low-cost, easy-to-buy/install apps, like the ones on the iPhone. The app movement is all over the map on CES announcements. We are tracking the expansion of the app model to tablets, notebooks and desktops - and the implications for targeted performance and knowledge apps.
* Displays for Classrooms: It may be a great time from a price and technology perspective to freshen up our classroom technology. We will be tracking larger displays, multi-touch capacity and even the use of 3D screens for simulation and presentation.
* Health and Information: Watch for a deluge of announcements about technologies and systems that will track and provide us with personal health information. For example, I have been experimenting with the Zeos, which tracks my nightly sleep patterns (REM, light, deep and awake), through a wireless headband sensor. Systems like these will be linked to coaching and education, as well as collaboration with medical resources.
* Video Conferencing Coming Out Year: While video conferencing has been around for over 20 years, 2010 may be the year where we see it growing to the mainstream. Watch for an announcement from Verizon about a handheld vidcon phone, track the inclusion of cameras on many monitors/laptops and the rise of Skype type vidcon capability in the home and office.  Huge implications for teaching and coaching.
* Gadget Hype: I have been tracking CES for a decade. Lesson learned: about 50% of the announcements never make it to market or die soon after delivery. So, watch gadgets for trends but remember the failed technology that may be sitting in our attic at home :)

If you have specific questions about CES that I can pass on to our on-site “Scouts”, please send me an email to emasie@masie.com Happy New Year to Learning TRENDS Readers. See you in 2010!

3. Virtual Leadership - Leader as Publisher of Context: One of the evolving skillsets of the Virtual Leader, who is managing a distributed team, is as “Publisher”.  The leader can build a pattern of publishing CONTEXT to the team, commenting on a range of events that occur on a weekly/monthly basis. These might include:

* Context about Corporate Policy: When a new rule, model or approach is announced, the Virtual Leader follows on with an email, video segment or blog entry, adding her context to the content of the policy.
* Aggregating Team Activity: Quick summaries of what is happening around the country or globe with individual team members. One manager has a web page with a graphic of the world - with images of each distributed team member on the map. Regular updates about accomplishments or personal milestones are added to the map.
* Trends: Much as we do in Learning TRENDS, a manager who is in touch with a wide range of colleagues and customers can do an irregular posting of key trends that impact their goals and work.
* Trip Logs: A CFO friend of mine travels about 130 days a year. He has a place on SharePoint where he takes quick pictures and posts tidbits and conversations from the field. It is the one of the most frequently visited websites on their intranet.

It does not matter what the technology is (documents, Twitter, emails or printed paper). What matters is that the Virtual Leader provides team members with a flow of CONTEXT. This will add trust and effectiveness to their management style. We will be addressing a wide range of these approaches in our new seminar, Virtual Leadership, that I will be leading in Saratoga Springs from Feb 1 to 3. Info and registration at: http://www.masie.com

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

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Social Learning LAB & Seminar.
* Performer Support LAB & Seminar.
* Video for Learning LAB & Seminar.
* Virtual Leadership: Skills for Leading Distributed Teams.
* Learning Leaders Academy.
* Learning 2010 - Oct 24 to 27 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

602 - Cool eReader; Drive by Dan Pink; Y2K 10 Years Later

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - December 29, 2009.
#602- Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,853 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.

1. Cool eReader About to Launch.
2. “Drive” by Dan Pink Released Today - Questions Please.
3. Y2K 10 Years Ago.

1. Cool eReader About to Launch: There are 4 different eReaders in my office: 2 Kindles, a Sony Reader and a Kindle App on my iPhone. For the past few years, I have become a user and fan of the digital book. And, on Christmas Day, Amazon sold more digital Kindle titles than print books. So, my eyes went wide today when I read the preview announcement of a new eReader “platform” from Ray Kurzweil, one of my favorite thinkers and innovators. He will announce this color based eReader technology at CES in a week. Check out the preview at: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/12/blio-kurzweil-reinvents-the-book/

2. “Drive” by Dan Pink Released Today - Questions Please: Dan Pink is a colleague and friend who has written several groundbreaking books, including “A Whole New Mind”. Today, he releases his latest book “Drive”. The book focuses on what motivates workers - including the three elements of true motivation: autonomy, mastery and purpose. Check out Dan’s site at http://www.danpink.com to explore this new title. And, tomorrow I will be doing an interview with Dan about “Drive”. If you would like to send me a question to ask him, email it to emasie@masie.com  I will post the PodCast after the New Year.

3. Y2K 10 Years Ago: This morning, as I was thinking about New Year’s Eve, my thoughts went back a decade and to the worldwide focus on Y2K. Friends of mine were sleeping on cots in their offices, ready to support the IT structure if the Y2K date change would damage our systems and processes. Here is an interesting historical perspective on the Y2K incident and lessons learned: http://alturl.com/tdbn

Happy New Years to Learning TRENDS Readers. See you in 2010!

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

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Virtual Leadership: Skills for Leading Distributed Teams.
* Social Learning LAB & Seminar.
* Performer Support LAB & Seminar.
* Video for Learning LAB & Seminar.
* Learning Leaders Academy.
* Learning 2010 - Oct 24 to 27 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

601 - Video for Learning Skills; More Content; Holiday Greetings

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - December 23, 2009.
#601- Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,846 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.

1. Video for Learning LAB & Seminar.
2. Video Clips from Learning 2009.
3. Using 2009 Dollars for 2010 Learning Events.
4. Holiday Greetings!

1. Video for Learning LAB & Seminar: Video is dramatically expanding as a delivery mode for learning in our organizations. From Video Stories to Video Content to Video Conferencing - we are tracking increased deployment and utilization by learners, knowledge programs and learning departments. I am pleased to announce a new hands-on deep dive into this critical topic:

Video for Learning LAB & Seminar
March 22 to 24, 2010 - Saratoga Springs, NY

I am assembling a faculty team that will include instructional designers, videographers and learning leaders to lead this course with me. The space is limited! Each participant will receive an HD camera and Snowball Audio Microphone along with a wide range of resources to increase their organizational and personal readiness to capture, design, deploy and utilize a wide range of Video for Learning approaches. Registration is now open at http://www.masie.com

2. Video Clips from Learning 2009: We now have dozens of hours of content from Learning 2009 Keynotes. Check it out at http://www.learning2010.com/video

3. Using 2009 Dollars for 2010 Learning Events: We have received many requests from colleagues to be able to use 2009 budget dollars for programs in 2010. We are therefore opening early registration on this list of MASIE Center Learning Programs for Learning Professionals:

* Performer Support LAB & Seminar - March 17 to 19.
* Virtual Leadership: Skills for Learning Distributed Teams - Feb. 1 to 3.
* Social Learning LAB & Seminar - Feb. 22 to 24.
* Learning Leaders Academy - April 18 to 21.
* Video for Learning LAB & Seminar - March 22 to 24.
* Learning 2010 - Oct. 24 to 27.

All information and early registration can be found at http://www.masie.com

4. Holiday Greetings! This has been a year of uncertainty for many of our colleagues in the learning field. May this Holiday Season be a joyous and learning-filled one for you, your family and your colleagues. The MASIE Center Staff send you our Holiday Greetings and hopes for a healthy New Year.

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

600 - Virtual Leadership: Skills for Leading Distributed Teams

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - December 9, 2009.
#600 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,839 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.

1. Virtual Leadership: Skills for Leading Distributed Teams
2. Social Learning LAB & Seminar
3. More Content from Posted from Learning 2009

1. Virtual Leadership - Skills for Leading Distributed Teams: We are honored to announce a brand new seminar that I will be teaching in 2010:

Virtual Leadership: Skills for Leading Distributed Teams
Feb 1 to 3 in Saratoga Springs with Online Follow-Up Projects

Leadership of distributed teams requires new and evolving approaches to the issues of Trust, Visibility, Team Work, Talent, Context and more.  I have been working with a number of global companies on this issue and have been struck by the size and importance of this challenge.

Participants in this unique program will investigate the skillsets, techniques, technologies and cultural shifts involved in being a Virtual Leader.  And, they will design programs to implement in their organizations to increase skills for current and new managers.

Space is limited. Registration and information at http://www.masie.com

2. Social Learning LAB & Seminar: We have also opened the next edition of our popular Social Learning LAB & Seminar. Dates are Feb 22 to 24th. Info at http://www.masie.com

3. More Content from Posted from Learning 2009: We have posted a wide range of video content from Learning 2009 including:

* Interview Excerpts with Capt. “Sully” Sullenberger
* Seminar by Elliott Masie on Future of e-Learning
* UnCertain Times with Wharton/UPenn Faculty
* Second City Improvisational Skits
* Twitter in the Enterprise with Laura Fitton
* Julie Chow from Google on gLearning

These clips are at http://learningwiki.editme.com/Learning2009-Video

Elliott Masie
Contact: emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Learning 2010 - Oct 24-27 - Orlando, FL
* Virtual Leadership: Skills for Distributed Teams - Feb 1-3, Saratoga Springs
* Social Learning LAB & Seminar - Feb 22-24, Saratoga Springs
* Membership in our Learning CONSORTIUM (Over 240 Fortune 1000 Organizations)
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com
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