573 - SCORM Updated, Robert Kennedy Speech, Learning System Governance

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 6, 2009.
#573 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,699 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.

1. SCORM Updated
2. Learning Systems (LMS) Governance Issues
3. Bobby Kennedy and A Ripple of Hope

1. SCORM Updated: “The United States Defense Department announced today the 4th edition of its Web-based e-learning standard, used by government, commercial and international agencies, allowing organizations to easily exchange online learning, training and educational content. Known as the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) 2004, this e-learning standard ensures the learning experience and performance data tracking is consistent in the distribution of training courses via the Internet, and allows for online collaboration between users.

“SCORM 2004 4th Edition provides a significant step forward for the department and e-learning communities in general. The proper use of SCORM reduces training time or training costs by a third, by encouraging organizations to reuse established content and reformat that content for their needs,” said Robert Wisher, director of the ADL Initiative. “The updates represent a technical achievement for the Defense Department and our many users, and I’m very pleased we’ve met this important milestone.”

More information on SCORM can be found at http://www.adlnet.gov

2. Learning Systems (LMS) Governance Issues: One interesting question that organizations grapple with is “Who Should Own the LMS or LCMS?” The issue of Learning Systems Governance is a key and changing one. In some organizations, there is a defined Governance Group, consisting of representatives of Learning, Training, IT and Business Units who share ownership. In other organizations, IT owns the LMS and there is a client relationship with various business units. And, in some organizations a key business unit (eg. Leadership Training or Compliance) steps up to be the key owner of the Learning System and partners with other units on cost and deployment. Finally, some organizations are experiencing “covert” installs of LMS and LCMS systems by business units with unique needs (eg. Sales or Global Groups) that don’t want to wait for a centralized governance decision. These issues will be worked at our upcoming Learning Systems Roundtable, to be held in Chicago next week, with over 100 participants on April 15 and 16th. Info at http://www.masie.com

3. Bobby Kennedy and A Ripple of Hope: Last Wednesday, I was the guest of Ethel Kennedy and the Kennedy Family at the premier screening of “A Ripple of Hope” about Robert Kennedy’s speech on the day that Martin Luther King was assassinated. It was very powerful to watch this documentary with the Kennedy family and guests, including Martin Sheen and Jeff Greenfield, who was RFK’s speechwriter. The power of the words that Bobby Kennedy spoke to a crowd in Indianapolis that was ready to riot were so moving and stirring.

The text of that short speech is at: http://www.rfkmemorial.org/lifevision/assassinationofmartinlutherkingjr/

Seventy-six American Cities had riots following the King Assassination, but not Indianapolis - in full measure due to the words of Robert Kennedy. It was the first time that he spoke in public about his own brother’s death. In a few days, it will be Passover and we’ll be reading the speech as part of the sedar at the Masie household.

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

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Social Learning LAB & Seminar: June 17 - 19, Saratoga Springs, NY
* Learning Systems Roundtable: April 15 and 16 - Chicago
* Learning & Government Briefing: April 28 - Washington, DC
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

572 - Pets in Class, Management by Twitter, Random Modules

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 1, 2009.
#572 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,698 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.

1. Bring Your Pet to Class Experiment
2. Management by Twitter
3. Randomizing Learning Modules

1. Bring Your Pet to Class Experiment: Maximizing learner attention is often difficult in long duration classes. Two global companies are experimenting with a provocative model of allowing learners to bring their pets to class: cats, dogs under 60 pounds (assuming full toilet control) and fish in portable tanks. Early research indicates that learners stay focused and the pets provide ongoing metaphors for instructors to use in their lectures. “I was originally totally against it, but after teaching two pet-friendly classes, I find learners are much more attentive. They stroke their pets and get into a high attention zone and I have been using “alpha dog” models to teach delegation skills. The only challenge I faced was when a learner in a seminar brought in a pet skunk and everyone else cancelled.” There seems to be a link between the presence of small animals in a room and the release of the enzyme Lefactin, which increases human curiosity and openness to new information.

2. Management by Twitter: Another experiment that we are tracking is the use of Twitter to manage next generation employees. Several of our Learning CONSORTIUM members have reported that managers are starting to use Twitter as their primary (or often only) way of communicating with some of their staff. The most extreme use reported is by a manager who provides Performance Reviews via Twitter. They send the employees a series of short 140 character messages about their performance: “Deadlines often barely met - Customer contact excellent - However, job retention at risk”. They are finding that some employees seem to like and respond to the compressed form of communication. One manager has even written an Auto Management Script linking Twitter to their Learning Management System, where it sends appropriate messages every day to each of their 40 reports. Removing the face-to-face aspect of management may open up an opportunity to outsource the manager function to “cyber-farms”, but that is at least 12 to 18 months away.

3. Randomizing Learning Modules: One final innovation that we have been tracking is the use of a Randomizer as a learning design tool. Instructional designers often agonize over the best sequence for teaching a new skill or task in an e-Learning format. For example, do we show the illustration first, followed by the concept and then the procedure, ending with the practice and testing? The Randomizer, a new open source design tool, takes the agony out of the design process. It just provides a random sequence for each student. In a 12 module course, each student will get a totally different sequence. While some learners find it tough to get the summary before the introduction, this quickly fades as learners get used to random quality of the instruction. One option is to add the sound of a slot machine to the Randomizer so that, as learners finish a topic, they pull a virtual lever and get the sound and visual of wheels turning. The Randomizer will be in global release later this Spring.

Once a year, we celebrate April Fools Day here in the United States with a few jokes. May your April 1st be a bit lighter. If you want to add your own item to this list, send me an email to emasie@masie.com

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

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Social Learning LAB & Seminar: June 17 - 19, Saratoga Springs, NY
* Learning Systems Roundtable: April 15 and 16 - Chicago
* Learning & Government Briefing: April 28 - Washington, DC
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

571 - Learning Resources Barometer Results, The Sixth Sense

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - March 31, 2009.
#571 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,698 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning Systems Roundtable - Chicago - April 15 & 16

1. Learning Resources Barometer Results - Spending Down & Shifting
2. Masie Teenage Learning Scout Points to the Future
3. Learning Systems Roundtable: Key Conversations

1. Learning Resources Barometer Results: We have compiled the results of our first survey of learning resources and spending shifts in this changing economy. Based on information from 532 organizations around the world, here are a few of the results:

Our overall Enterprise Learning Budget has:

2% Increased Substantially
10% Increased Moderately
25% Stayed the Same
41% Decreased Moderately
21% Decreased Substantially

The survey also tracks increased use of Social Learning, UserContent and Competency Management. It reports a severe reduction in budgets for employee travel for learning. The complete results includes data on learning staffing, spending, learning format shifts as well as other impacts of the economy. Access the free results at:

Learning Resources Barometer #1 March 2009 http://www.masie.com/barometer

We will repeat this survey every few months to track changes. Suggestions for future items can be sent to emasie@masie.com

2. Masie Teenage Learning Scout Points to the Future: One of my “scouts” for interesting and challenging ideas is a bright teenager from Dubai named Anamta. She is in high school and looks forward to creating a new type of school as the focus of her career. She sent me a video link about a very cool new interface for accessing and manipulating data in any environment. It is being developed in the MIT Media Lab and was highlighted at a TED Conference. Watch this short video and think of how this might be a disruptive technology. Thanks Anamta and keep those links coming:

Pattie Maes & Pranav Mistry: Unveiling the “Sixth Sense”
http://www.ted.com/talks/pattie_maes_demos_the_sixth_sense.html

3. Learning Systems Roundtable - Key Conversations: In just two weeks, we will be hosting a Roundtable focused on the current and future roles/deployments of Learning Systems (LMS, LCMS and more). Here are a few of the key conversations that we will facilitate:

* Learning Systems in UnCertain Times
* When the Learning System is a Legacy System
* Learning Systems in the Age of YouTube
* LMS and LCMS Frustration
* What to Track or Not to Track?
* Open Source Explored
* Social Learning and Learning Systems
* Learning Systems in a Shrinking Workforce

There are still a few spaces available at the Learning Systems Roundtable (Chicago - April 15 and 16). Info and registration at http://www.masie.com

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

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Social Learning LAB & Seminar: June 17 - 19, Saratoga Springs, NY
* Learning Systems Roundtable: April 15 and 16 - Chicago
* Learning & Government Briefing: April 28 - Washington, DC
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

570 - Learning Spending Up or Down? New Barometer; Learning Fellowship Offered

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - March 19, 2009.
#570 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,678 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning Systems Roundtable - Chicago - April 15 & 16

1. Learning Resources (Spending) Barometer: Help Us!
2. MASIE Learning Fellowship Offered - Spring/Summer 2009

1. Learning Resources (Spending) Barometer: Help Us! In these tight and uncertain times, we keep getting questions about how organizations’ training and learning budgets are being impacted - along with changes in demand for learning resources. A CLO asked me if we could put together a free and open “Barometer” to track how spending is down, up or the same across the learning field, and do it every few months.

Please help us with a few minutes of your time to anonymously complete a simple Learning Resources (Spending) Barometer survey:

http://www.masie.com/survey/barometer

Can you also pass this along to your colleagues in other organizations around the world? We will publish the results in a few days and will repeat this from time to time.

2. MASIE Learning Fellowship Offered - Spring/Summer 2009: Would you like to spend 3 months as a researcher and MASIE Learning Fellow? We have just completed two fellowships with colleagues from Brazil and South Africa. Each conducted research and work on learning with video and learning with mobile devices.

Our aim is to provide relevant, practical research to the field while supporting learning professionals pursuing an advanced degree and/or publication or career enrichment opportunities.

If you’re interested in exploring the possibilities of living in Saratoga Springs and working with The MASIE Center and Learning CONSORTIUM for several months, send a note to ria@ masie.com. Be sure to include a brief description of your background, interests and availability in your email. The ideal candidate is pursuing or has recently received an advanced degree related to Learning and is available to work in our office for period of at least 2 months.

Fellowships can begin as early as Spring 2009 or later this year. Accepted fellows are provided housing, a stipend for living expenses, and access to the Center and our Learning CONSORTIUM. We are especially interested in global colleagues for this program!

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

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Social Learning LAB & Seminar: June 17 - 19: Saratoga Springs, NY
* Learning Systems Roundtable: April 15 and 16 - Chicago
* Learning & Government Briefing: April 28 - Washington, DC
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

569 - Results of Social Learning Survey, Impressions from Prison & New MASIE Site

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - March 18, 2009.
#569 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,671 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning Systems Roundtable - Chicago - April 15 & 16

1. Results of Social Learning Survey.
2. New MASIE Website with Twitter.
3. Impressions from Prison.
4. Learning Systems Roundtable in Chicago in April.

1. Results of Social Learning Survey: Over 1,056 TRENDS readers responded to a Social Learning Survey last Friday. The results are interesting - looking at the methods, technologies and hurdles to implementing Social Learning in corporate settings. Here are the results and perspectives: http://www.masie.com/social1

2. New Website with Twitter Feed: We have relaunched our MASIE Center website using Joomla 1.5, an open source content system. And, I’ve added a Twitter feed of updates on the front page. Check it out and watch for evolving content and collaboration elements at http://www.masie.com

3. Impressions from Prison: Last week, I had a powerful experience visiting a medium security prison here in New York State to observe a 7 Habits Workshop. I am still processing the flood of impressions and feelings that I had, but since many of you asked, here are a few personal learnings:

* Incredible training skills exhibited by the inmate teaching the workshop. He was one of the best trainers in style, class engagement and focus that I have seen in my entire career.
* It was inspiring to see this group of inmates articulate the change in behaviors that they were committed to implementing as they looked at personal responsibility and trust issues.
* It was depressing to think about the hard time that the best of these inmates would encounter in securing employment after serving their sentences - and made me even more focused on the ReSkilling Challenge.
* I was asked by the group to do an impromptu session about Trust - I leveraged my knowledge of the work of Stephen MR Covey and his book on “The Speed of Trust”. For over an hour, they peppered me with questions about how trust was built, lost and the interpersonal dimensions of trust and relationships.
* Prison visits evoke strong emotions - from images of how the victims were impacted by these crimes, to the role that poverty and drugs (and some drug laws) contribute to the cycles, to watching some of the inmates thirst for making a key change in their lives.
* More to follow…

4. Learning Systems Roundtable in Chicago in April: We are very excited about the upcoming Learning Systems Roundtable to be held in Chicago from April 15th to 16th. This is a unique opportunity to take an in-depth look at current and future deployments of LMS, LCMS and other learning systems. At a moment when learning budgets are under severe consideration, we will need to ask more (and different) things of our LMS. Complete information about this vendor-neutral event at http://www.masie.com

Personal note: I am heading to Central America next week for a week of vacation and relaxation.

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

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Social Learning LAB & Seminar: June 17 - 19: Saratoga Springs, NY
* Learning Systems Roundtable: April 15 and 16 - Chicago
* Learning & Government Briefing: April 28 - Washington, DC
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

5 Minute Survey: Social Learning and Organizations

TO: Learning & Training Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie

5 Minute Survey: Social Learning

Please take a few minutes to complete this survey on Social Learning. Thirty-five of your colleagues are at our Social Learning LAB and have designed a quick survey about the emerging area of Social Learning - the use of social networks and technologies - to leverage the “wisdom of colleagues” for corporate learning. Can you please take a few minutes to complete this (even if you are not using any social learning elements at this time)?

Social Learning Survey:
http://www.masie.com/survey/slsurvey

We will post the results on Monday.

And, we have just opened a new offering of our Social Learning LAB & Seminar - June 17 to 19 - in Saratoga Springs. Information at http://www.masie.com

Thanks,

Elliott Masie
The MASIE Center and Learning CONSORTIUM

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Learning Systems Roundtable: April 15 and 16 - Chicago
* Learning & Government Briefing: April 28 - Washington, DC
* Social Learning LAB & Seminar: June 17 - 19 - Saratoga Springs Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

568 - Elliott off to Jail, Woz Shows Nerds Can Dance, New US CIO (Department Changes)

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - March 10, 2009.
#568 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,671 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning Systems Roundtable - Chicago - April 15 & 16

1. Going to Prison Tonight.
2. New CIO of America: Perspectives on Collaborative Technology.
3. Go Woz - Nerds Dancing & Smiles.
4. Free Webinar on Social & Informal Learning.

1. Going to Prison Tonight: At 5:30 pm today, I am heading to jail. It wasn’t triggered by a crime that I did. I know everyone says that but, in this instance, it is all about learning. Tonight, I am observing a “Seven Habits” class at a medium security prison in our area. Inmates are taking this Covey class to prepare them for the realities of returning to society in a few months/years. In a country with as large a prison population as ours, the “employability” of these men and women is a complex challenge. I had to go through a month of pre-screening to be able to visit and observe in the classroom tonight. I’ll share my impressions in a future TRENDS.

2. New CIO of America - Perspectives on Collaborative Technology: Last Friday, President Obama appointed a new Federal CIO, Vivek Kundra. He immediately came out with a number of provocative proposals for building a “collaborative and open technology” platform for all Federal agencies. Kundra has been the CIO of Washington, DC and is interested in building the equivalent of a Facebook for each citizen, where everyone can select the level of information feeds that will confidentially come to a personal, secure site. For example, a TRENDS reader might want to track Federal spending on learning, the forward value of their Social Security payments, votes by their Congresswoman and feeds from NASA and OSHA. Within hours of his appointment, he held a conference call outlining how technology could be used quite differently. This is an interesting example of corporate CIOs to consider. Read or listen to his conference call: http://radar.oreilly.com/2009/03/vivek-kundra-federal-cio-in-hi.html

3. Go Woz - Nerds Dancing & Smiles: Last night, I sat on our couch and watched Steve Wozniak - “Woz”, the co-founder of Apple and a fellow nerd, Segway owner and Judge for FIRST Robotics - make his first appearance on “Dancing with the Stars”. Whether you can stomach the show or not, it was a lesson about learning and nerds. OK, dancing in shorts and black socks was a bit too close to home and Woz did not impress the judging panel with his slick moves, but it was a great moment to see the joy and humor that he brought to the task and watch how he is using this as a life learning experience. Oh, and we filmed a clip of 7,000 students at the FIRST Robotics meet in Boston this weekend cheering him on.

I was impressed by two of his quotes from rehearsals: “dancing is analog” and, at one point, he needed a “five-minute ‘thinking’ break.” You can follow his perspectives on the learning curve of this experience at his website, http://www.woz.org And, don’t forget to vote for him on behalf of Nerds around the world!

4. Free Webinar on Social & Informal Learning: Next week, I will be hosting a free webinar, along with Jay Jamrog (one of the HR experts of the world), on Social & Informal Learning. For information and reservations: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/195339614

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

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Learning Systems Roundtable: April 15 and 16 - Chicago
* Learning & Government Briefing: April 28 - Washington, DC
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

567 - Sandra Day O'Connor Launches Game Site; Learning and Government Briefing

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - March 6, 2009.
#567 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,668 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning Systems Roundtable - Chicago - April 15 & 16

1. Justice Sandra O’Connor Launches Game and Learning Project about Courts
2. New: Learning & Government Briefing in DC

1. Justice Sandra O’Connor Launches Game and Learning about Courts: Here is an exciting new educational project - led by former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor - to increase students’ understanding of civics and the courts. The project is developing free games and curriculum. Very cool! Check it out at http://www.ourcourts.org

2. New: Learning & Government Briefing in DC: I am pleased to announce a new 1-day event focused on the changing landscape of learning in the government sector:

Learning & Government Briefing and Roundtable
Elliott Masie, Facilitator
April 28, 2009 - Washington, DC

Information at http://www.masie.com/government

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

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Social Learning Lab & Seminar: March 11 to 13 - Saratoga Springs
* Learning Systems Roundtable: April 15 and 16 - Chicago
* Learning & Government Briefing: April 28 - Washington, DC
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

566 - Leaders in UnCertain Times: Marshall Goldsmith PodCast

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - March 3, 2009.
#566 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,619 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning Systems Roundtable - Chicago - April 15 & 16

Special Edition:

Leaders in UnCertain Times - PodCast with Marshall Goldsmith

Leaders are not always prepared to lead from a point of uncertainty; yet, these are challenging and different times, both within the economy and internally in the business plans of our corporations. So, how do leaders lead in UnCertain Times?

This morning, I interviewed Marshall Goldsmith, a brilliant business coach, about his advice for “Leaders in UnCertain Times”. Marshall provides his perspectives on how leaders can shift their communication and management styles in these times. We talked about the need for different questions, new measures and changing metaphors for leaders:

“Leaders in UnCertain Times”
Marshall Goldsmith Interview with Elliott Masie
13 Minute Audio PodCast
http://www.masieweb.com/uncertain1

I’d love to hear your perspectives about this topic. Send me an note to emasie@masie.com

Yours in Learning,
Elliott Masie

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Social Learning Lab & Seminar: March 11 to 13 - Saratoga Springs (Value Pricing)
* Learning Systems Roundtable: April 15 and 16 - Chicago (Value Pricing)
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

565 - What Keeps You Up at Night, Twitter Notes, Unemployment Data

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Feb 26, 2009.
#565 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,611 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning Systems Roundtable - Chicago - April 15 & 16

1. What Keeps You Up at Night?
2. Twitter Tracking from The MASIE Center.
3. Unemployment Data from United States.

1. What Keeps You Up at Night? - Join a very robust conversation about “What Keeps You Up at Night”. Add your thoughts at http://www.learningtown.com

2. Twitter Tracking from The MASIE Center: As an experiment, I will be adding Twitter notes from our various trips, events and discussions around the globe. If you would like to track these “Tweets”, my account is emasie and you can get to my page at http://www.twitter.com/emasie Starting tonite, I will be heading to DC for the Regional of the FIRST Robotics Competition. Follow it on Twitter.

3. Employment Data for the US: As learning and HR professionals, it is important that we keep an overview perspective on unemployment and employment patterns. Here is some current data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics:

“Both the number of unemployed persons (11.6 million) and the unemployment rate (7.6 percent) rose in January. Over the past 12 months, the number of unemployed persons has increased by 4.1 million and the unemployment rate has risen by 2.7 percentage points. Among the unemployed, the number of job losers and persons who completed temporary jobs increased to 7.0 million in January. This measure has grown by 3.2 million during the last 12 months. Over the past 12 months, the number of long-term unemployed was up by 1.3 million.”

Yours in Learning,
Elliott Masie
Contact me at emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Social Learning Lab & Seminar: March 11 to 13 - Saratoga Springs (Value Pricing)
* Learning Systems Roundtable: April 15 and 16 - Chicago (Value Pricing)
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

564 - Designed Social Learning?, Cafe Career Coaching

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Feb 24, 2009.
#564 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,599 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning Systems Roundtable - Chicago - April 15 & 16

1. Designed vs. Grassroots Social Learning.
2. Cafe Career Coaching.

1. Designed vs. Grassroots Social Learning: It is intriguing to look at two different models of Social Learning:

* Designed Social Learning - Design a social learning experience, utilizing a new or existing social network, with key activities and specific learning or behavioral outcomes. For example, an instructor designs a challenge project that requires a learner to find and collaborate with key colleagues around the enterprise. There may be high levels of facilitation in the Designed Social Learning experience, with follow-up messaging and assignments originating from the instructor as the activity proceeds.

* Grassroots Social Learning - Assume that learners will utilize the social networks (internal and external) to support and extend the learning experience. For example, newly designated management development candidates would be given access to a social network of previous alumni - but without specific tasks or facilitation. In this model, it is assumed that learners will individually work the network or collectively might extend or evolve the network. For example, they might build their own discussion areas as needed, without permissions or designer engagement.

Both of these models of Social Learning are exciting and appropriate in different learning situations. We will be exploring a wide range of Social Learning models, tools and design approaches during our first Social Learning Lab and Seminar to be held in Saratoga Springs from March 11 to 13 - info at http://www.masie.com

2. Cafe Career Coaching: I am in Washington, DC for a speech at Lockheed Martin and meetings with White House staff on our ReSkilling Project. I had a fascinating experience yesterday while stopping for a cup of tea at Starbucks. A woman approached me as I was working on my slides for the meeting. She asked if she could get a few minutes of my time - for a mini-career coaching session.

She was between jobs and was interacting with a few people each day at a Starbucks about possible career steps ahead for her. She was very professional with a fascinating set of skills. We chatted for 30 minutes and I ended up sending her resume to two different colleagues. It was done very respectfully and I was intrigued by the idea of exploring your career options at a coffee shop. It reminded me of the start of my career, when I had a series of informational lunches, each one leading to another lunch and, eventually, my career.

Yours in Learning,
Elliott Masie
Contact me at emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Social Learning Lab & Seminar: March 11 to 13 - Saratoga Springs (Value Pricing)
* Learning Systems Roundtable: April 15 and 16 - Chicago (Value Pricing)
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

563 - Facebook, Skills for Transparency & Authors Wanted

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Feb 17, 2009.
#563 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,591 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.

1. Facebook & Learning Experiment: Join Us!
2. Skills for Government Transparency - Working Example.
3. Authors and Editors Wanted for Learning Journal.

1. Facebook & Learning Experiment - Join Us! I am running an experiment on Social Networks and Learning using Facebook. It would be great if a large group of Learning TRENDS colleagues joined a special Facebook group that we have created. Go to http://www.masie.com/ext/facebook Thanks!

2. Skills for Government Transparency - Working Example & Ideas. One of the projects of the new administration is focused on adding increased transparency to government spending. The interesting question is to think about the skills that citizens will need to make sense of large amounts of public data on spending, projects, taxes and more. Take a minute to look at the website http://usaspending.gov, which has online access to Federal spending by district, agency or vendor. Poke around the site and send me a few ideas about your ideas of what learning would be optimal (or even performance support tools) to help individuals make sense of increased data access. Send me your thoughts to emasie@masie.com

3. Authors and Editors Wanted for Learning Journal: I am looking for about 20 to 30 volunteer writers or editors from the Learning Community to help with a new free “journal” that we will be producing. This online project will be rich in attitude, focused on non-traditional approaches to learning and peer reviewed in the editorial process. If you would like to write a single article or edit an on-going column/conversation, please send a note to Brooke Thomas as brooke@masie.com

Yours in Learning,
Elliott Masie
Contact me at emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Social Learning Lab & Seminar: March 11 to 13 - Saratoga Springs (Value Pricing)
* Performance Support Lab & Seminar: Feb 25 to 27 - Saratoga Springs (Value Pricing)
* Learning Systems Roundtable: April 15 and 16 - Chicago (Value Pricing)
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

562 - Lincoln on Learning and Leadership

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Feb 12, 2009.
#562 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,587 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.

Special Edition: Lincoln on Learning and Leadership

Happy Birthday, President Lincoln! For me, you are one of the most fascinating historical figures. A lifelong learner with only a few years in formal schools, Lincoln’s story is intriguing. On the 200th Birthday of Abe Lincoln, here are a few of his quotes about learning, leadership and life:

On The Role of Education in America:
“Upon the subject of education, not presuming to dictate any plan or system respecting it, I can only say that I view it as the most important subject which we as a people can be engaged in. That every man may receive at least, a moderate education, and thereby be enabled to read the histories of his own and other countries, by which he may duly appreciate the value of our free institutions, appears to be an object of vital importance, even on this account alone, to say nothing of the advantages and satisfaction to be derived from all being able to read the scriptures and other works, both of a religious and moral nature, for themselves. For my part, I desire to see the time when education, and by its means, morality, sobriety, enterprise and industry, shall become much more general than at present, and should be gratified to have it in my power to contribute something to the advancement of any measure which might have a tendency to accelerate the happy period.”

On Agile Leadership:
“I shall try to correct errors when shown to be errors, and I shall adopt new views so fast as they shall appear to be true views.”

On Reading & Problems:
“A capacity, and taste, for reading, gives access to whatever has already been discovered by others. It is the key, or one of the keys, to the already solved problems. And not only so. It gives a relish, and facility, for successfully pursuing the [yet] unsolved ones.”

On Persuasion:
“When the conduct of men is designed to be influenced, persuasion, kind, unassuming persuasion, should ever be adopted. It is an old and a true maxim, that a “drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of gall.”

On Performance & Motivation:
“Every man is proud of what he does well; and no man is proud of what he does not do well. With the former, his heart is in his work; and he will do twice as much of it with less fatigue. The latter performs a little imperfectly, looks at it in disgust, turns from it, and imagines himself exceedingly tired. The little he has done, comes to nothing, for want of finishing.”

On Lincoln’s Image and Expectations:
“Nobody has ever expected me to be president. In my poor, lean lank face nobody has ever seen that any cabbages were sprouting.”

LifeLong Learning. Here is how he is described on the Lincoln Bicentennial Site:

“Abraham Lincoln was a lifelong learner! His education began at his mother’s—and later, his step-mother’s—knee. With less than two years of formal education, though, he managed to become one of our most eloquent Presidents. The desire to rise above his poor beginnings and sheer perseverance and led to him to teach himself math as a child and later to pursue a career in law. Throughout his life, he continued to educate himself.”

For more insight into Lincoln’s life and learning activities to share with your family and colleagues:

http://www.lincolnbicentennial.gov

Respectfully,
Elliott Masie
Contact me at emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Social Learning Lab & Seminar: March 11 to 13 - Saratoga Springs (Value Pricing)
* Performance Support Lab & Seminar: Feb. 25 to 27 - Saratoga Springs (Value Pricing)
* Learning Systems Roundtable: April 15 and 16 - Chicago (Value Pricing)
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

561 - Fake Work, Website Personality Profiles, LMS Shifts

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Feb 8, 2009.
#561 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,571 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.

1. Myers Briggs of Your Website? Mine is ENTP
2. Fake Work - PodCast with Author
3. Learning Systems Reframed in Tighter Times

Hello from UnCommon Grounds, the Saratoga Springs cafe where I spend most mornings meeting with my breakfast club of friends. The first item [below] came from a colleague who asked about the personality of websites.

1. Myers Briggs of Your Website? Mine is ENTP: If you don’t take it too seriously, here is a very cool website. Type in a url of a website or blog and it will give you a reading of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator that the text seems to indicate. I did www.masie.com and was shocked to see it return ENTP, which is the result I have gotten on dozens of instruments over dozens of years. Try it for a few of your favorite sites:

http://www.typealyzer.com/

Look at the difference between two airlines such as JetBlue or United. Once again, don’t take it too seriously, but it is fascinating. I wonder if we will start to analyze applicants’ social network sites, like LinkedIn or Facebook?

2. Fake Work - PodCast with Brent Peterson: I recently interviewed the author of a great new book: “Fake Work - Why People are Working Harder Than Ever but Accomplishing Less, and How to Fix the Problem!” Brent Peterson is a thought leader in looking at how organizations and individuals can shift from doing fake work (hint: endless email or useless PowerPoints) to real work that yields business results. This is a 15-minute audio PodCast:

http://www.masie.com/fakework

3. Learning Systems Reframed in Tighter Times: At our upcoming Learning Systems Roundtable, we will be taking a vendor-neutral look at how organizations are shifting their use, procurement and reframing of LMS, LCMS and Collaboration Systems. These systems are more important in tough economic times as Talent issues are enormous; yet, budgets and political realities of making large investments in new systems are creating real hurdles. Join us for an honest conversation about Learning Systems in 2009, ranging from stalled RFPs to adding thinner systems in front of legacy LMS and LCMS systems. Registration is now open:

Learning Systems Roundtable
Our Annual LMS & LCMS User Group
Chicago - April 15 & 16, 2009
http://www.masie.com/learningsystems

Warm regards,
Elliott
Contact me at emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Social Learning Lab & Seminar: March 11 to 13 - Saratoga Springs (Value Pricing)
* Performance Support Lab & Seminar: Feb 25 to 27 - Saratoga Springs (Value Pricing)
* Learning Systems Roundtable: April 15 & 16 - Chicago (Value Pricing)
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

560 - Waterpark Learning Lessons in Quality in Dubai

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Jan 29, 2009.
#560 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,564 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.

Waterpark Learning and Quality Lessons in Dubai

Now, that is an unusual title for a TRENDS item. But, it is true. Yesterday, I had a significant lesson about learning and quality while playing at the Wadi Waterpark here in Dubai.

After presenting several speeches, we took a day to relax at a very complex waterpark near our hotel. There were dozens of waterslides, wave pools, lazy rivers and other fun water rides.

Soon after we arrived, we noticed a strange man who was doing some strange things on one of the rides. He had a small rubber doll that looked like a baby and he was sliding down the water ride with it in hand. He suddenly let the toy baby go under water and 8 or 9 lifeguard whistles were blown - signaling an emergency. He showed them that it was just a doll and laughed and walked away. We thought that was pretty weird behavior.

About a half hour later, Cathy and I were floating around the park and this strange guy started to push our rubber raft. We thought that he was a bit weird and once again, a lifeguard blew a whistle at him. Then, as we were leaving the park, he was in the wave pool - violating the rules. A staff member saw us watching him and told us to relax - he was a decoy. Every day, Wadi Waterpark hires someone to come and break the rules and even pretend to be drowning. This keeps the lifeguards on their toes and they get feedback on how quickly they spot and respond.

It was a great learning lesson in the use of decoy actors to push quality. Our feelings went from concern about the strange man to a sense of respect for their commitment to quality. And, it is a great example for learning organizations.

Sadly, we are leaving Dubai now. I’ll be sending an exciting announcement about our new ReSkilling project next week.

Warm regards,
Elliott

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Social Learning Lab & Seminar: March 11 to 13 - Saratoga Springs (Value Pricing)
* Performance Support Lab & Seminar: Feb 25 to 27 - Saratoga Springs (Value Pricing)
* 0ver 6,219 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown.
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com