459 - Validated Identity for Trust; Wharton/Univ of Penn Leads Business Learning Case

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 31, 2007.
#459 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
53,654 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2007 - Oct 21-24 - Orlando, Florida, USA.
-- Over 1,045 Colleagues Registered Already --

1. Validated Identity Key to Trusted Collaboration.
2. Wharton/University of Pennsylvania Leads Business Learning Case Study with 2,500.

1. Validated Identity Key to Trusted Collaboration: This is a bit of an "Elliott Rant". I am increasingly worried about the validation of identity on the web - and the impact on collaboration, trust and the learning power of social networking.

I recently went to a board in a related industry and there were several discussions underway. Unfortunately, the contributions were signed with "webnames" like EngineerGuy and Frosty8765. Without knowing who you are, it is impossible for me to contextualize your contribution. While I am convinced of the Wisdom of the Crowds, I am not sure that an unsourced Crowd is safe and wise.

Consider the possibility of a Validated Identity model of collaboration. A person could choose to have their identity validated by a trusted agency or group. Your email would be tagged that you are who you say you are, at least in terms of name and a few demographics (eg. location or organizational affiliation). In a non work context, it might include gender or age, so that your children can safely network with real and safe peers.

Then, email inbound or on-line web contributions could be sorted by those with validated identities and those that are not. Personally, I am not interested in receiving email or reading much from unidentified sources for most of my professional work.

As we grow the use of user contributed content, it will become more and more important to know the source of contributions.

2. Wharton/University Penn Leads Business Case Study with 2,500: I am honored to announce that Wharton and the Graduate School of Education at University of Pennsylvania will be leading 2,500 of your colleagues through a fascinating real-time case study at Learning 2007. I have always wanted to bring the intensity of an MBA classroom discussion and the research perspective on education to our conference. This year, that dream comes true, as Doug Lynch, the leader of the new PhD and Masters programs for Learning Leaders at Wharton/University of Pennsylvania, brings his team to Orlando. We will be confronting you with a real-time examination of key learning and business issues for you to discuss and examine, along with relevant academic research.

Doug will join me as a Keynoter, looking at the key elements of Learning Leadership and will take our entire group through this unique case study.

He will be joined by other faculty, Advisory Board Members and the current PhD and Masters students in this program, who will lead breakout dialogues. It is time for our "learning field" to more actively collaborate with higher education to raise the discussion about learning.
Registration for Learning 2007 is available at http://www.learning2007.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
* Performance Support LAB: Sept 10 to 12 - Saratoga Springs.
* Learning 2007: Oct 21 to 24 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in our Learning CONSORTIUM.
Information at http://www.masie.com
Email for Elliott to emasie@masie.com

Updates: 1000th Registration and You Tube Questions

TO: Learning & Training Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, Host - Learning 2007
DATE: July 27, 2007
RE: Updates for Learning 2007

1. 1000th Registration(s) for Learning 2007: We are pleased to announce the 1000th registration came into our system. Actually, two were processed at the same time, so we have dual winners of our 1000th Registration
Award:

* Catherine Swybrous - PricewaterhouseCoopers, Toronto, Canada
* Derek Cunard - The American Heart Association, Dallas TX.

Each has won a special gift of $500 Disney Dollars to spend on fun and learning (eg. a Behind the Scenes Tour) while at Learning 2007.

2. YouTube and Learning 2007: We watched the CNN Presidential Debates this week with curiosity and "learning". So, participants for Learning 2007 and our TRENDS readers will be able, starting in August, to make a 30 second video question from our site, for one of our Keynoters including: Dan Pink, Bobby Flay, Don Tapscott, Ken Blanchard, Belinda Doolittle, Elliott Masie, Jenny Zhu, John Abele and others. We will pose these questions during our sessions to add the "Voice of the Audience" to our process.
You will also be able to raise key learning challenges to be discussed by the the CLO's who are Deans at Learning 2007.

These are just a few of the weekly design innovations and updates for Learning 2007. We encourage you to register as soon as possible, as we starting our Design Month in August -- which will engage each participant in defining the stories and key discussions the community will address in Orlando.

Dates: October 21 to 24, 2007.
Location: Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida, USA.
Theme: Changing Learning! Content, Learners, Systems and Process.

Information and on-line registration at http://www.learning2007.com

Yours in learning,
Elliott Masie

458 - Results of Learning at Desks? Industry Learning User Groups.

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 20, 2007.
#458 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
53,628 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2007 - Oct 21-24 - Orlando, Florida, USA.
-- Over 987 Colleagues Registered Already --

1. Results: Can We e-Learn at Our Desks?
2. Input Desired: Characteristics of a Learning Leader.
3. Learning Industry User Groups: 24 Industries!

1. Results: Can We e-Learn at Our Desks? Several weeks ago, I asked for your input on: "Can workers really learn via e-Learning at their work desks?"

We had hundreds of responses from around the world and the responses were "all over the map". The most common response expressed concern about the ability to learn in-depth topics at the workplace desktop. Folks generally felt that procedures could be learned but as the content got more complex or behavioral, it was harder. The phrase "It Depends" was rampant. Here is a large summary of the responses:

http://www.masieweb.com/desklearning

2. Input Desired: Characteristics of a Learning Leader: On Sunday, 30 learning leaders will gather at The MASIE Center in Saratoga for a 4-day intensive Learning Leaders Academy, co-led by Nigel Paine. I would love your input (and will share the results on Tuesday):

"If your organization were to be recruiting a new Learning Leader (CLO or Head Learning Officer), what would be the most important characteristics of this new leader?" (Skills, Attitudes, Experience or Style)

Send me short, confidential comments to emasie@masie.com These will be shared with our group and posted on TRENDS. Thanks

3. Learning Industry User Groups: 24 Industries! Each industry has a unique set of perspectives on key learning issues. I am pleased to announce that we have organized 24 Learning Industry User Groups, led by
48 senior learning executives. These User Groups will meet at Learning
2007 and will discuss the common, unique and major challenges for implementing great learning by industry. Here is the current lineup:

* Insurance Companies & Learning:
Karen Scott, Senior Manager - HR, Allstate Insurance Company.
Mark Wagner, Sr. Director Claims University, Progressive Insurance.

* Technology Companies & Learning:
Bruce Thompson, Director of Global Knowledge and Learning, Novell.
Allison Anderson, Business Operations Project Manager, Intel Corporation.

* Financial Services / Banking & Learning:
Betsy Gerlach, Vice President - Human Capital Solutions, JPMorgan Chase.
Michael Bunch, Manager of Learning Technologies, Washington Mutual.
Eren Rosenfeld, Director, Merrill Lynch.
Lou Bonaiuto, SVP Outsourcing Delivery Service, Wachovia Corporation.

* Pharma / Biotech & Learning:
Heidi Nyland, Global IT Training Director, Schering-Plough.
Jenny Blackburn, Associate Director, Enterprise Learning Services, Genentech.
Paul Nichol, Associate Director of Compliance Training, Astrazeneca.

* Retail & Learning:
Dorian Dandridge, Senior Learning Designer, Inter IKEA Systems B.V.
Jim Young, Manager of Development, OfficeMax.

* Professional Services & Learning:
Sarah Lindsell, Head of Learning Technology Group, PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Heather Maitre, Director, Technology Based Learning, KPMG LLP.

* Higher Education & Learning:
Michael Offerman, President, Capella University.
Rovy Branon, UWSA (University of Wisconsin System).
Ken Sadowski, Assistant Director Academic Technologies, University of Chicago.

* Intelligence Community / Military & Learning:
Jonathan Kayes, CLO, Central Intelligence Agency.

* Manufacturing Companies. & Learning:
Helen Larson, e-Learning Manager - GM University, General Motors.
Tony Loyd, Manager, Worldwide Training, John Deere.
Bonney Hettinger, Manager Global Learning Technologies, Corning, Inc.
Teresa Nolet, Corning, Inc.

* Healthcare Organizations & Learning:
Gary Wise, Sr. Director Learning Architecture, Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
Larry Jones, Director of Telehealth Services, University of Texas M.D.
Anderson Cancer Center.

* Communications & Learning:
Martha Soehren, Chief Learning Officer, Comcast University.
Dave Fogleman, VP Learning & Development, Sprint University, Sprint Nextel Corp.

* Consumer Products & Learning:
Kathy Milhauser, e-Learning Manager - Global Footwear, Nike.
Bonnie Ricchio, Learning Technologies Manager, S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
Linda Coffman, LMS Manager, Global Training & Dev, Procter & Gamble.

* Energy & Learning:
Sally Boyd, Schlumberger.
Michael Reakes, Saudi Aramco, E-Learning Development Team Leader.
Ken Huffman, Saudi Aramco.
David Whipple, Manager of Training & Learning Consulting, Halliburton.

* Food & Beverage:
Rob Lauber, VP of Global Training & YUM! University, YUM! Brands, Inc.
Andrea Sato, Sr. Director of Training and Development, Heineken USA Inc.
Liz Meyers, Director of Client Services, Sysco Corporation.

* Media & Learning:
Grace Dyson, Director of Training, Turner Broadcasting.
Melynda Otterbein, HR - Learning and Development, Bloomberg L.P.

* Government & Learning:
Leaders to be announced.

* Hospitality / Entertainment & Learning:
Jill Gardner, Instructional Design Manager, The Walt Disney Company.
Barbara Howes, VP of Disney University, The Walt Disney Company.
Allen Krom, Director, e-Learning & Workforce Development, Accor North America.

* Construction & Learning:
Debbe Ball, Program Manager, Holcim Inc.

* Associations & Learning:
Bill Lee, Dir, Educational Research & Development, American Heart Association.
Jack Wexler, Director of Technology Based Learning, Goodwill Industries.

* Real Estate & Other Consumer Services & Learning:
Tony Pusateri, Sr. VP of National Education, Equity Residential.

* Transportation, Airlines, Logistics & Learning:
Elaine Wilson, Manager eSolutions & Professional Training, British Airways.
Murry Christensen, Director of Learning Technology, JetBlue Airways University.
Linda Al Ansari, Manager of e-Learning Design and Delivery, Emirates Airlines.

We will be adding additional Industry Learning User Groups and sharing the knowledge from these groups before, during and after Learning 2007. If you have not registered yet, you can save $100 by using the Advanced Registration Rate. Go to http://www.learning2007.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
* Performance Support LAB: Sept 10 to 12 - Saratoga Springs.
* Learning 2007: Oct 21 to 24 - Orlando, Florida.
* Learning Leaders Academy: July 22 to 25 - Saratoga Springs.
* Membership in our Learning CONSORTIUM.
Information at http://www.masie.com
Email for Elliott to emasie@masie.com

Melinda Doolittle at Learning 2007 Party

TO: Learning & Training Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, Host - Learning 2007
RE: Melinda Doolittle, Featured Artist at Learning 2007 Party!

Over the years, we have had awesome artists at our events, including Bill Cosby. I am honored to announce that Melinda Doolittle will be our featured performer at the Learning 2007 Party (Oct 21 to 24 - Orlando)!

Melinda started as a back-up singer in studio recording sessions and broke out as the 3rd finalist in "Idol" this year. She is an incredible singer and will rock you and your family with a special concert on Tuesday night of Learning 2007.

Stephen Holden of The New York Times described her as a "phenomenally gifted, stylistically adroit Gladys Knight-Tina Turner hybrid who brings a compelling honesty to every phrase she sings."

In addition, I will interview Melinda about her experience on "Idol" and what it is like to get feedback in front of millions of viewers, followed by the "Wisdom of the Crowds'" votes every week. She will share her experiences of being mentored by world-class artists and coping with massive feedback while evolving her performance skills. For more information and a video clip:

http://www.learning2007.com/melinda

We have over 913 Learning Colleagues already registered for Learning 2007, which is focused on Learning Changes! Keynotes include Ken Blanchard, Dan Pink, Don Tapscott, Jenny Zhu, Jane McGonigal, Tony Bingham and many more.
We also have fifteen Chief Learning Officers serving as Deans for Learning
2007 (October 21 to 24 - Orlando, Florida)

Register today at: http://www.learning2007.com

Yours in learning (and fun),

Elliott Masie

457 - Can We Really e-Learn at the Desks?

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 5, 2007.
#457 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
53,611 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2007 - Oct 21-24 - Orlando, Florida, USA

1. Can We e-Learn at our Desks? Your Opinion Please!
2. Brazil Learning Notes.
3. Learning 2007 - 27 Corporate Team Retreats!

1. Can We e-Learn at our Desks? Your Opinion Please! Here is a provocative question to ponder:

"Can workers really learn via e-Learning at their work desks?"

This question has been posed by several TRENDS readers over the past year.
While it is clear that people can learn some step-by-step instructions right at their work desks, can they really concentrate on an e-Learning module that requires theory or reflection? Are workplaces, with peers and managers observing and interacting, really ideal for e-Learning? Do your workers actually move to another space or choose to learn more complex topics online from home? How do learners feel about learning at their desks?

Send me a short email with your thoughts to: emasie@masie.com We will publish a summary of these next week. This topic is an important and perhaps troubling one that we should all consider. Thanks!

2. Brazil Learning Notes: Yesterday, several of us participated in an exciting event in South America: e-Learning Brasil. This is the fifth year that I have keynoted to 500 colleagues in San Paolo, the third via video conference. I was joined by Wayne Hodgins and several colleagues as we dialogued about the future of Learning. A few interesting personal
learnings:

* Brazil has a very sophisticated perspective on the integration of learning among corporate, government and educational sectors.
* Brazil is concentrating on experimentation with "presence" and collaboration, as part of the social and tribal learning process.
* The conversation is moving from "cool" learning technology to the key processes and organizational changes needed to accelerate learning.

3. Learning 2007 - 27 Corporate Team Retreats! There are now 27 corporations and government agencies that are bringing teams to Learning
2007 in Orlando from Oct 21 to 24th. We are providing them with resources to have Team Retreats before, during or after the core event. One government agency is hosting regional learning teams from around the country -- using the core content of Learning 2007 as a structure to plan their learning goals for the next 36 months. Complete information on individual or team participation in Learning 2007 is available at http://www.learning2007.com To book a Team Retreat, email cathy@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
* Learning 2007: Oct 21 to 24 - Orlando, Florida.
* Learning Leaders Academy: July 22 to 25 - Saratoga Springs.
* Performance Support LAB: Sept 10 to 12 - Saratoga Springs.
* Membership in our Learning CONSORTIUM.
Information at http://www.masie.com
Email for Elliott to emasie@masie.com

456 - iPhones and Learning: 5 Minute Video Report

TO: Learning TRENDS Readers
FROM: Elliott Masie
DATE: July 2, 2007

RE: Special 5 Minute Video Report: iPhones and Learning

Dear Colleagues,

Well, we didn't wait on line all night in front of the Apple Store, but we did receive our iPhone this morning in our Learning LAB. It is an intriguing and provocative device that may trigger important discussions about the future of Mobile Learning.

I did a quick 5 minute video report from the LAB that you can view (or listen to) at:

http://www.learning2007.com/iphone1

Stay tuned for additional updates. There will also be a major section of Learning 2007, dedicated to Workplace Mobile Learning (methodology and technologies).

Yours in learning,

Elliot Masie

455 - Flight Cancellations, Design Changes; Books - Volunteers Wanted; Leaving Class Responses

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 28, 2007.
#455 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
53,607 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2007 - Oct 21-24 - Orlando, Florida, USA

1. Flight Cancellations...Learning Design Changes?
2. Results of "Leaving Class When You Get It" Question.
3. Books - Volunteers Requested!

1. Flight Cancels...Learning Design Changes? I should be writing this from Minnesota but instead I am in New York City today. Yesterday, after two hours in a plane on the runway, with no water and little air conditioning, they canceled my flight to Minnesota (as well as every other flight that day).

So, with almost 50 members of our Learning CONSORTIUM coming to a Regional session, what to do? Here is a profile of how our Plan B worked:

* Quickly arranged to have Target, which was hosting the meeting, add a conference phone to the room.
* Did a video conference from the room system in my NYC apartment to our office in Saratoga, to create three 5 to 10 minute content chunks. I made these high energy and focused on the key issues that we were going to discuss.
* My staff turned the video into MPEG high resolution files and put them on the server, so that they could be viewed this next morning in the Target meeting room.
* One of the TARGET team volunteered to be the in-room facilitator and keep the conversation going.
* I came in live by phone, asked for key segments to be played and gave the group instructions to process the content in small 2 and 3 person groups. Yes, they listened to a voice over the phone asking them to stand up, walk to another table and spend 7 minutes talking to new colleagues about Learning Changes!

Result: It worked! While it wasn't the same as being there, we had a high energy and very interactive session. The key is to always have a Plan B in your head and to design "continuity" into your learning design. The Blended Learning approach of using live audio and asynchronous video in small chunks ... along with a local facilitator kept the energy and spirit up during the session.

Oh, and it helps to bring your own big bottle of water on to the airplane when you travel. You might be sitting there for a while in these busy travel months.

2. Results of "Leaving Class When You Get It" Question: A few weeks ago, I asked TRENDS readers to react to an interesting idea: Could you imagine a way in which learners left the classroom as soon as they hit "competency", allowing the instructor to concentrate on the remaining students? This was suggested by a colleague from the army in Israel. We got a slew of answers, with a range of concern and excitement about this type of design change. Read a summary of some of these comments at:

http://www.masieweb.com/early

3. Books - Volunteers Requested! In the age of PodCasts, e-Learning and Fingertip Knowledge, there is still a great roll for the reading of books.

At our Learning 2007 event (Oct 21 to 24 - Orlando) we are putting a great focus on BOOKS as learning tools. We will have key sessions led by authors including Dan Pink (A Whole New Mind), Don Tapscott (Wikinomics) and others.

But, we want to address another 20 great business and learning books. So, we are soliciting volunteers who will lead a Book Club session on a key book that you think would be of interest/value to learning professionals.
We'll post a selection of these books, even get some dialogue going on-line prior to the event, and then gather folks who have read this book for Learning Book Club conversations. If you would like to volunteer, please send me a note to emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
* Learning 2007: Oct 21 to 24 - Orlando, Florida.
* Learning Leaders Academy: July 22 to 25 - Saratoga Springs.
* Performance Support LAB: Sept 10 to 12 - Saratoga Springs.
* Membership in our Learning CONSORTIUM.
Information at http://www.masie.com
Email for Elliott to emasie@masie.com

454 - ATM Birthday, Claude Ostyn Dies, Changing Roles for Learning Professionals

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 27, 2007.
#454 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
53,594 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2007 - Oct 21-24 - Orlando, Florida, USA

1. The ATM Machine Has a Birthday - 40 Years Old!
2. Claude Ostyn, Learning Pioneer, Dies.
3. Changing Roles for Learning Professionals.

1. The ATM Machine Has a Birthday - 40 Years Old! The age of self-service took a major step forward 40 years ago when the first ATM was deployed in a branch of Barclays Bank in Enfield, north London. There was widespread doubt whether people would trust the machines, use the machines or mourn the loss of face-to-face contact with tellers. Here is an article about the birthday of the ATM machine from the BBC:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6230194.stm

2. Claude Ostyn, Learning Pioneer, Dies: We received sad news about the death of a major pioneer in the world of Learning and Learning Standards, Claude Ostyn. Here is a remembrance about him from Tom King, one of our MASIE Learning Fellows:

"The elearning community and especially the specification and standards world mourns the loss of Claude Ostyn (http://www.ostyn.com/) who recently passed away after a battle with terminal illness. From his long-tenure at Asymetrix and Click2learn to his more recent independent consulting, Claude has been an advocate at the vanguard of learning frontiers.

Claude Ostyn made great contributions to elearning, always showing diligence, dedication and great passion in learning technology, as well as all of his other interests. He was a vigorous and active participant in the work of AICC, ADL SCORM, IEEE LTSC and IMS-- you'll find his name as a contributor and reviewer on countless documents & whitepapers, throughout the support forums, and on delightfully precise ballot comments. The Reusable Competencies Definition group is currently working on dedicating a specification to his memory.

Will elearning standards and specifications be the same without Claude Ostyn? Basically, in effect, No."

There will be additional tributes and remembrances of Claude posted on TRENDS.

3. Changing Roles for Learning Professionals: The roles and skillsets of Learning Professionals continue to evolve at a rapid rate. We are pleased to announce that we will have a series of sessions at Learning 2007 (Oct
21 to 24 - Orlando, Florida) focused on YOUR future roles. We will take a look at the profiles of learning professionals in the year 2012 - and how we can prepare our organizations and profession for these changes. Note:
There are now 811 colleagues registered for this event that is 4 months away. Sign up now at http://www.learning2007.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
* Learning 2007: Oct 21 to 24 - Orlando, Florida.
* Learning Leaders Academy: July 22 to 25 - Saratoga Springs.
* Performance Support LAB: Sept 10 to 12 - Saratoga Springs.
* Membership in our Learning CONSORTIUM.
Information at http://www.masie.com
Email for Elliott to emasie@masie.com

453 - On-Line Cheating; Pandemic and Learning Readiness?

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 19, 2007.
#453 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
53,585 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2007 - Oct 21-24 - Orlando, Florida, USA

1. On-Line Learning Cheating? Webcam Monitors!
2. Role-Based Learning Focus Grows.
3. Learning & Pandemic Readiness at Learning 2007.

1. On-Line Learning Cheating? Webcam Monitors! As on-line education grows, colleges and other institutions are looking for ways to monitor cheating during "distant exams". A new device is being deployed that includes a 360-degree camera, motion and sound detection software as well as biometric verification, including fingerprint verification. If there is a person prompting the student, if they make a cell phone call or even if their performance suddenly spikes, these are all warnings to the system. A proctor can later review the tapes to see if the student broke the exam rules during the test.

Other colleges are avoiding test-based assessments and using random telephone interviews with students to review and verify their project-based assessments. Check out the article from CNN at http://www.masieweb.com/onlinecheat

2. Role-Based Learning Focus Grows: I recently returned from a trip that took me to Israel, London and the Netherlands. In each region, there was a marked increased focus on "Role-Based Learning". Organizations are more focused on roles than jobs, as roles can and do change rapidly. The key in learning development is to align the content and competencies to these changing roles.

3. Learning & Pandemic Readiness Exercise at Learning 2007: One of the interesting learning options at Learning 2007 will be a Pandemic Readiness Exercise. In a nutshell, how can the learning function in your organization prepare for a massive crisis like a Pandemic? What capabilities can be created to provide "readiness" for an organization to respond to a Pandemic? You will have the option of participating in a high-intensity simulation exercise that will highlight the key elements that a learning function can play in Pandemic Readiness Planning. Actual Pandemic plans and officers will be a part of this exercise. A number of organizations participating in Learning 2007 (Oct 21 to 24 - Orlando) are bringing their Pandemic planning groups to the event.

There are now over 800 colleagues registered. Save money by using our Advanced Registration Discount. Information at http://www.learning2007.com

If you want to send a note to Elliott Masie, email me at emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
* Learning 2007: Oct 21 to 24 - Orlando, Florida.
* Learning Leaders Academy: July 22 to 25 - Saratoga Springs.
* Performance Support LAB: Sept 10 to 12 - Saratoga Springs.
* Membership in our Learning CONSORTIUM.
Information at http://www.masie.com

452 - Early Departure from Class? Stretch Assignments?

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 14, 2007.
#452 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
53,579 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2007 - Oct 21-24 - Orlando, Florida, USA

1. Can People Leave a Class Early?
2. Stretch Assignments.
3. Two Days Left for Early Registration for Learning 2007.

Hello from Utrecht, Netherlands! I am on the 4th leg of a two-week global trip that started with ASTD in Atlanta, on to Israel for a HR/Training Conference Keynote, then London and the Netherlands for the Moving Learning events.

1. Can People Leave a Class Early? While I was in Israel, a colleague posed a challenging question for me and several other learning
professionals:

"If you are teaching a class and some of the people in the course "get it"
after a few hours, can they leave? In other words, if they are quick and contextual learners and master the content rapidly, can they leave or do they need to stay until the end of the course?"

This got a heated conversation going at our table in Tel Aviv. It challenged the idea that we all stay until the last lesson. This person related it to training in the Army, where people move on as soon as they can show mastery. In that model, the class gets smaller and smaller, until a few people are left with personalized instruction from the instructor to help them achieve the objective.

It is a different metaphor ... but interesting if you consider the use of technology to allow a learner to "test out" in mid-stream. Does it more effectively focus the energy of the instructor on those needing extra coaching?

I'd love to hear your comments. Send me a note to emasie@masie.com with your reactions to the visual of people "peeling off" a class as they master the content. I'll publish a summary in a few days.

2. Stretch Assignments: Another topic that was raised in Europe was the role of "S T R E T C H" Assignments. These are the use of short-term deployments for the express purpose of helping develop an employee.

We have been seeing a dramatic increase in the use of stretch assignments as part of global Talent Development. Learners and managers often see stretch assignments as the single most effective leadership development activity. They are even more effective when the organization provides processing and coaching to help the worker integrate learnings from these assignments.

At Learning 2007, we will have a series of sessions called "S T R E T C H I N G for Learning" focused on the best ways to use and scale stretch deployments as a key element in learning.

3. Two Days Left for Early Registration for Learning 2007: Speaking of Learning 2007, there are only 2 days left to register and receive our lowest rates. The Early Registration deadline is this Friday night, June 15th.
You can register now and pay later. If you are sending groups of five or more team members, we can provide additional discounts and resources.

There are over 700 of your colleagues registered for Learning 2007, which will be held in Orlando, Florida from Oct 21 to 24th. Here are a few
highlights:

* Collective Intelligence and Learning: Don Tapscott (Wikinomics).
* Cooking and Learning: Bobby Flay, Master Chef to Cook and Keynote.
* Gaming 4 Learning Festival: Gaming and Virtual 3-D for Simulations.
* Dan Pink, Author of "A Whole New Mind" to Keynote.
* Jenny Zhu, Chinese Podcaster.
* Nigel Paine, Learning Leadership - Former CLO of the BBC.
* Plus Much More.

Information and Early Registration at http://www.learning2007.com

If you want to send a note to Elliott Masie, email me at emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
* Learning 2007: Oct 21 to 24 - Orlando, Florida.
* Learning Leaders Academy: July 22 to 25 - Saratoga Springs.
* Performance Support LAB: Sept 10 to 12 - Saratoga Springs.
* Membership in our Learning CONSORTIUM.
Information at http://www.masie.com

451 - Bobby Flay Cooks and Keynotes at Learning 2007

TO: Learning & Training Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, Host, Learning 2007
RE: Bobby Flay, Master Chef, Keynotes & Cooks at Learning 2007

Dear Colleague,

I am excited to announce:

Bobby Flay.
Master Chef, Food Network and "Iron Chef".
Cooks and Keynotes on "Cooking and Learning".
Learning 2007 - Oct 21 to 24 - Orlando, Florida, USA.

Recently, I asked readers of my Learning TRENDS newsletter a simple question: "How are cooking and learning similar?" Hundreds responded with comments like:

"I think that learning and cooking are very similar. Cooking is a process that usually begins with a recipe, many ingredients, time and finally enjoying the benefit of the process (eating!). Learning is also a process that should begin with a plan (recipe for learning), can consist of many ingredients (classroom, online, blended, etc.), requires time (both on the trainer's part and the learner's part) and also ends with a reward (increased knowledge)." Karen E. Frederick, Utica National Insurance Group

"From fast food and tapas to a five-course Prix Fixe gourmet creation, we have a similar menu of choices in learning and training. It's the role of the chef and the learning professional to offer a variety of choices to fit the needs of the customer. And just as people have tastes as varied as sushi to soul food, learners have their own preferences from mobile and self-directed learning to traditional instructor-led training." Carole J.Adams, Bank of America

"Cooking and learning are almost exactly alike in that you can do everything correctly from the technical perspective and still come up with something mediocre. As long as you follow all the steps and don't tinker with the ingredients the output won't kill anybody but it might not make them want to come back for seconds. On the other hand each--if structured properly--leaves the opportunity for surprise and delight: you connect the new learning with old knowledge in an unexpected way, or you decide to throw a handful of lavender into the pan with the beef even though the recipe didn't tell you to. You may never be able to duplicate that dish but your dinner guests will want to come back for whatever you make next time." Ron Dickinson, Intel Communications

I invite you to read dozens more of these fascinating comments from your colleagues at http://www.masieweb.com/cooking

Bobby Flay will cook for 2,500 learning professionals on stage, in a high definition set that we are building, while we interview him on the process of cooking and how it relates to the world of learning. At the end of this interview, every participant will be able to eat a sample of the dish he his making.

Other keynotes include: Don Tapscott ("Wikinomics"), Dan Pink ("A Whole New Mind"), Jenny Zhu (Chinese Podcaster), Tony Bingham (CEO of ASTD), Jane McGonigal (Gaming, Learning & Performance), Bruce MacMillan (The Meetings of the Future) and 12 Chief Learning Officers. We will also be conducting a session called Learning 2012, to project what YOUR learning structure and activities may be five years from now.

You can save money by using our Early Registration rates until June 15th. Invoicing can be requested as well.

Go to http://www.learning2007.com for information and easy on-line registration.

If you have any questions, just send an email to emasie@masie.com And, yes - your spouse, family or friends will be able to attend the Bobby Flay session at the event as well as the Learning 2007 Party on Tuesday night!

On a personal note, this is the 20th anniversary of MASIE events. Each year, I love the process of designing the event differently and inviting Thought Leaders with very different perspectives. Bobby Flay, as one of our keynoters, is an example of the fun and rich content you and I will experience together in Orlando. I invite you to come to Learning 2007 for interesting recipes, delightful tastes, good professional nutrition and challenging designs.

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie

450 - Cooking and Learning: Are They Similar?

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 5, 2007.
#450 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
53,567 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2007 - Oct 21-24 - Orlando, Florida, USA

1. Cooking & Learning! Similarities?
2. Coach: Here is My Video and Send Me Yours!
3. 10 Days Left for Early Discount to Learning 2007.

1. Cooking & Learning! Similarities? A quick question to my Learning TRENDS readers and colleagues:

"How is the world of Cooking and Food SIMILAR to the world of Learning & Training?"

I would love to get a quick email from as many TRENDS readers as possible with your quick response to this question! Cooking & Learning:
Similarities?

Send an email to emasie@masie.com I'll publish a summary in a few days.

2. Coach: Here is My Video and Send Me Yours! A colleague recently sent me a very interesting URL for a service that provides personalized video-based coaching on golf. The student has a friend videotape specific swings and shots. These are uploaded and sent to their coach. In response, they receive a personalized video that comments on their swing and provides appropriate examples and coaching. This is an interesting example of a blended model that exchanges simple quality video between learner and coach. Check it out at: http://www.swingstargolf.com

3. 10 Days Left for Early Discount to Learning 2007: There are now almost 700 colleagues registered for our Learning 2007 event (Oct 21 to 24 - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida). Save on Early Registration by signing up before June 15th. Go to http://www.masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
* Learning 2007: Oct 21 to 24 - Orlando, Florida.
* Learning Leaders Academy: July 22 to 25 - Saratoga Springs.
* Performance Support LAB: Sept 12 to 14 - Saratoga Springs.
* Membership in our Learning CONSORTIUM.
Information at http://www.masie.com

449 - e-Newspaper; Learner Choice Survey; Talent Search

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - May 27, 2007.
#449 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
53,559 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2007 - Oct 21-24 - Orlando, Florida, USA

1. A Sunday e-Newspaper Morning.
2. Learner Choice & Satisfaction Survey - Volunteers Wanted.
3. Talent Search at The MASIE Center.

1. A Sunday e-Newspaper Morning: Sunday mornings have been all about thick newspapers in my family for decades. I grew up in New York City and we would buy the Sunday Times to start a 3-day intensive reading process.
Different family members would dive for distinct sections (Mom would get the Travel Section, Dad would go to Week in Review and I would head towards Business or Magazine). So, today I took a turn to the digital.

There have been many experiments with on-line newspapers, and most of them have been used just for scanning headlines and little else. However, the New York Times has released a "reader" that is quite provocative. It downloads most of the paper into a form factor that is compelling. So, today I got the free trial and spent a few hours reading the e-Times. Same stories in the same font and with quite a compelling experience.

Try it out. There is a free 30-day trial, which is long enough to experiment with the process of reading online. Go to:

http://www.nytimes.com/timesreader/

I'd love to hear your comments about on-line reading to emasie@masie.com For example, when I viewed this on my Tablet Notebook (with stylus) it was a better experience for me as a reader. Send your comments.

2. Learner Choice & Satisfaction Survey - Volunteers Wanted: On June 1st, we will be starting on a major project that is part of Learning 2007:

Learner Choice & Satisfaction Survey

We will be engaging over 500 companies to survey a large section of their employees about Learner Choice & Satisfaction. We'll be designing a simple survey that will ask workers about how they would like to learn, how they do learn and their levels of satisfaction. These results will be provided to each company and we will roll up the global results to report to TRENDS readers and to discuss deeply at Learning 2007. The MASIE Center will pay all of the costs of this totally non-commercial effort. It is time for us to really ask learners about their satisfaction with existing and new learning choices!

I would like to solicit an Advisory Board for this effort. If you would like to volunteer to assist for a few hours with the design and review of this project, send me an email to emasie@masie.com Thanks!

3. Talent Search at The MASIE Center: We are expanding our team at The MASIE Center and Learning CONSORTIUM and I am looking for 3 people to work full time here in Saratoga Springs:

* Learning and Training Professional: To work with our content team on programs and events. Ideally, you will have been working in the learning and training field for several years and can provide support to our CONSORTIUM and event programs.

* Recent Graduate of Learning Ph.D or Masters Program: I have a cool job for someone who has just graduated with an advanced degree in learning or training. You will be working on learning research and experimental projects with our team.

* Executive Assistant: We are looking for an Executive Assistant to support our senior staff. This person does not need a background in learning but should be comfortable juggling tasks and dealing with a global mix of people.

If you know of anyone interested in these roles, have them send a cover letter and a resume to jobs@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
* Learning 2007: Oct 21 to 24 - Orlando, Florida.
* Learning Leaders Academy: July 22 to 25 - Saratoga Springs.
* Performance Support LAB: Sept 12 to 14 - Saratoga Springs.
* Membership in our Learning CONSORTIUM.
Information at http://www.masie.com

448 - A New Horse; Returning Soldiers as Learners

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - May 25, 2007.
#448 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
53,541 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2007 - Oct 21-24 - Orlando, Florida, USA

1. A New Horse With 4,841 Bottle Caps.
2. Trainer's Tip: End Class a Little Early.
3. Memorial Day Ponderings: Learning Challenges for New Veterans.

1. A New Horse With 4,841 Bottle Caps: Last night, we added another and very different horse to our stable. As many Learning TRENDS readers know, Cathy and I own 7 racing horses. The 8th horse is unique, as she is a full size horse made from 4,841 Bottle Caps. Saratoga Springs, the home of the MASIE Center, is filling the town with painted and designed horses this summer. So, we sponsored and purchased a special horse to sit in from of The MASIE Center Learning LAB. Handi-Cap is a 7 month old fiberglass horse designed by artist Ali Herrmann. You can take a peek at this cute new member of our stable at http://www.masie.com

2. Trainer's Tip - End Class a Little Early: Learners love to get out of class a bit early. It doesn't need to be hours earlier, but they really appreciate the ability to get to their next meeting or home earlier than expected. Often, we trainers forget how different and tiring a day in a classroom can be. And, many of our learners still have to do a day's work at the end of the day of class. I usually make an earlier end time a sort of deal with the class. "Let's focus hard on this and perhaps take a shorter break and we'll end 45 minutes early!" It has an energizing impact on both learners and this particular trainer!

3. Memorial Day Ponderings: Learning Challenges for New Veterans: Clearly, the conflict and war in Iraq is a controversial and important issue for many readers around the world. But, as we start Memorial Day Weekend, let me send a personal thought to our U.S. readers:

"No matter what your position on the the fighting in Iraq, there is a group of folks that we need to consider from a learning perspective in the years ahead. Hundreds of thousands of women and men will have served in Iraq and return to the U.S. with challenges - from physical to vocational.
It is so important to not confuse the conversations about policy with our concern about the future lives of these veterans who did what their country asked them to do.

Learning professionals have a unique role to advocate for the learning, vocational and career needs and resources to support returning soldiers as they reintegrate. I urge local ASTD and other learning groups to get involved in this issue. Societies are measured by future generations in how they welcome home those that serve."

Email to Elliott Masie at emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
* Learning 2007: Oct 21 to 24 - Orlando, Florida.
* Learning Leaders Academy: July 22 to 25 - Saratoga Springs.
* Performance Support LAB: Sept 12 to 14 - Saratoga Springs.
* Membership in our Learning CONSORTIUM.
Information at http://www.masie.com

447 - World Without Oil; Data Mining an LMS; Hint: End Class Early

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - May 23, 2007.
#447 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
53,535 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of Learning 2007 - Oct 21-24 - Orlando, Florida, USA

1. World Without Oil - Alternate Reality.
2. Data Mining with LMS and LCMS.
3. Tom Brokaw on the Real World.
4. Meet in Israel for a Drink.

1. World Without Oil - Alternate Reality: One of our Learning 2007 keynoters, Jane McGonigal, is on the design team for a provactive experience that is live on the web until June 1st. World Without Oil is what is known as an Alternate Reality. In this instance, it engages you (and many other on-line users) in an on-going simulation/game focused on the scenario of an "Oil Shock" - with peaked prices and shortages. Check it out as a glimpse into the future:

http://worldwithoutoil.org

Jane will be one of my keynoters at Learning 2007 and will also present at our Gaming4Learning component of the event. This genre of Alternate Reality has potential uses in organizations for change management training, strategy work and learning. We'll explore the implications in Orlando.

2. Data Mining with LMS and LCMS: Yesterday, we met with 90 members of our Learning CONSORTIUM in Chicago. One of the interesting elements was a conversation about Data Mining and LMS/LCMS.

Data Mining is way more than just a series of reports. Imagine if the CEO asked you to "mine" the data in the LMS/LCMS, linked to both HR and Business Performance data, to yield indicators about "speed to competency factors" or to feed a dashboard with on-going compliance readiness.

To get to a Data Mining capacity, we are going to need to open up the LMS/LCMS for more active and real-time data access by authorized users and to re-conceptualize which types of reports or active indicators really move the business forward.

3. Tom Brokaw on the Real World: Saturday, I had an opportunity to meet and talk with Tom Brokaw, former anchor of NBC News, who was at Skidmore College for the graduation. He had some interesting things to say to the students who were about to get their degrees. This was one of the things that stuck in my brain:

"The real world is not high school. The real world is not college. The real world is more like junior high. You will encounter the same adolescent behavior. That is your burden. We all share it with you."

4. Meet in Israel for a Drink: I will be going to Israel in 12 days to deliver the keynote at a training/learning conference for companies in the region. If you are a learning professional based in Israel and would like to meet for a drink and conversation, send me a note to emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
* Learning 2007: Oct 21 to 24 - Orlando, Florida.
* Learning Leaders Academy: July 22 to 25 - Saratoga Springs.
* Membership in our Learning CONSORTIUM.
Information at http://www.masie.com Email to Elliott at emasie@masie.com