423 - Hanukkah Greetings

In a few hours, as sundown approaches, the celebration of Hanukkah begins.

Growing up in a Jewish household, Hanukkah was a holiday filled with learning and lights. Each year, we would gather as a family and light an additional candle each night for 8 days. The children would get a very small gift each night and we'd tell and retell stories of freedom, struggle, miracles and faith. Our family would extend the Hanukkah focus to reflect on current-day struggles for freedom and reflect on the strength of faith and community, often inviting friends from other faiths and nations into our living room for enlightening conversations.

I would like to extend a warm Hanukkah greeting to all of our learning colleagues around the globe. May we all become better learners and find the strength to create new approaches to the significant challenges that face our world now and in the coming years.

Peace and Shalom,

Elliott Masie.
The MASIE Center.
The Learning ThinkTank.
http://www.masie.com/

422 - Learning Architecture, Web-Based Office, Very Early Registration for Learning 2007

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Dec 13, 2006.
#422 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
53,289 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of LMS 2007 - April 12 & 13 - Las Vegas, NV, USA.

1. The Web Based "Offices" Trend - Implications for Collaboration.
2. Learning Architecture: Focus for 2007.
3. RSS for Trends? Easy!
4. Learning 2007 Very Early Registration Open.

1. The Web-Based "Offices" Trend - Implications for Collaboration: There is a dual track race on for the next generation of your desktop office suite. Microsoft is releasing the next edition of "Office", complete with new interfaces and collaborative technology. At the same time, several on-line suites of word processing, spreadsheet and presentation programs are also coming to market. This week, the MASIE Learning Lab has been testing a new program called:

ThinkFree - On-Line Office Beta.
http://www.thinkfree.com

This free Beta (with a few Google-like ads) is a breakthrough program that provides fast, web-based office functionality. You can also easily share documents with colleagues and publish for broader distribution in a web library. There is a major rumor that Microsoft is trying to buy Asia-based ThinkFree to compete with the rapidly improving Google Documents product.

We are excited about the implications for collaboration and feature improvement in these on-line products. We may see interesting links to both LCMS and Document Management as well as mobile-based versions of Office. I used Google Spreadsheet as my shared document for the planning and tracking of Learning 2006. Check out ThinkFree and send us your early impressions to emasie@masie.com

2. Learning Architecture - Focus for 2007: We will be focusing on the concept of Learning Architecture in the next year. Learning Architecture involves the weaving together of:

* Instructional Design.
* Content Management.
* Learning Standards.
* Learning Systems (LMS, LCMS, Collaboration, Community).
* Social Networking and Informal Learning.
* Assessment, Accountability and Competencies.

In other words, how do we TIE TOGETHER and LEVERAGE the rapidly changing technologies, models and business requirements in our "flatter" world? Our Learning CONSORTIUM will be exploring Learning Architecture to look at how we get significantly higher impact from the innovations that have been occurring in our field. Stay tuned for more on Learning Architecture.

3. RSS for TRENDS? A reader asked if there was a way to get an RSS feed from Learning TRENDS? Yes! Just point your RSS Reader to http://trends.masie.com

4. Learning 2007 Very Early Registration Open: A number of our colleagues have asked for a way to register for Learning 2007 before the end of this calendar year (to use 2006 funds). The dates for Learning 2007 are October 21 to 24 in Orlando, Florida. Special Very Early Registration Rates are available at http://www.learning2007.com

Upcoming MASIE Events & Services:
* Extreme Learning LAB & Seminar: Jan 17-19, Saratoga Springs, NY.
* LMS 2007 - Learning Systems User Group: April 12-13 Las Vegas, NV.
* Learning 2007 - Oct 21-24, Orlando, FL.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM - Join 244 Global Organizations!
Information at http://www.masie.com

421 - Cell Phone Presentations? LMS 2007 and Learning Content On-Line.

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Dec 7, 2006.
#421 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
53,275 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of LMS 2007 - April 12 & 13 - Las Vegas, NV, USA.

1. Presentations from Your Cell Phone?
2. LMS 2007 Launched: Annual Learning Systems User Group.
3. Learning Content On-Line - 30 Free Hours of Content Posted!

1. Project from Your Cell Phone - Presentations Go Mobile: I just received word of a new technology that will allow you to project Presentations, Videos and other Images from hand-held devices. Microvision will unveil a new technology that turns a cell phone into a projector. Imagine a sales person using this to do an on-the-fly "pitch" or a colleague using this to enable a just-in-time demonstration, right on the shop floor.
Thanks to TRENDS reader Donald Harrison for the tip. Check it out at:
http://www.technologyreview.com/BizTech/17860/

2. LMS 2007 Launched - Annual Learning Systems User Group: Join Malcolm Gladwell (author of Tipping Point and Blink), Cushing Anderson (IDC), CEOs of the major LMS companies and 600 of your colleagues at our annual Learning Systems User Group:

LMS 2007: Learning Systems User Group
April 12 & 13 - Las Vegas

This is the only non-vendor event totally focused on LMS/LCMS and Learning Systems. Once you have deployed your LMS, what are the best practices for creating high value learning for the workforce? We sold out last year and encourage you to register early. The event is held at the new Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas. Reserve a space: http://www.lms2007.com

3. Learning 2006 Content On-Line - 30 Free Hours of Content Posted: I am pleased to announce that we have posted over 30 hours of video and audio content from Thought Leaders and Keynote Sessions from Learning 2006:
Video "Objects" from Ken Blanchard, interviews with Stephen M.R. Covey, Jim Louderback, sessions on NextGen, LMS Futures and much more. We have also included transcripts of most of these session. All are FREE at http://www.learningwiki.com/library

Upcoming MASIE Center Events and Services:
* Extreme Learning LAB & Seminar: At The MASIE Center - Saratoga Springs - January 17-19.
* LMS 2007: Learning Systems User Group: Las Vegas - April 12 & 13.
* Save the Dates: Learning 2007 - Orlando - October 21-24.
* Membership in our Learning CONSORTIUM.
Information at http://www.masie.com

420 - Extreme Learning; Zune Player From Microsoft

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Nov 17, 2006.
#420 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
53,216 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host of LMS 2007 - April 12 & 13 - Las Vegas, NV, USA.

1. Zune Player and Learning?
2. Extreme Learning Lab & Seminar Opens!

1. Zune Player and Learning? I just started testing the new Zune Media Player from Microsoft. A next generation iPod Device, the Zune MAY have some transformational implications for content and Learning.

The Zune can store and display high resolution video, music, animation and other content. One intriguing feature is wireless, which will allow one Zune owner to locate and share content/communication with another Zune owner in the same room/area. Once the Digital Rights Management issues are resolved, this could have a fascinating impact on sharing learning objects. Imagine being able to find other objects on the devices of workers/customers in the area.

While Microsoft is not targeting Zune as a corporate device, The MASIE Center's Learning LAB will be doing a series of tests and experiments to see how podcasts and other modules can be targeted at this new generation of devices. It is a very cool device and I am excited to explore the implications for learning. Zune info is at http://www.zune.net

2. Extreme Learning Lab & Seminar Opens! We are proud to announce the opening of the next section in our popular learning experience:

Extreme Learning LAB & Seminar.
Taught by Elliott Masie.
January 17 - 19, 2007.
Saratoga Springs, NY at the MASIE Center Learning Lab.

This is a hands-on experience focused on extreme and changing formats for learning, including PodCasts, Social Networks, Games, Wikis, Simulations, Rapid Learning and more. You will get very "hands on" with current and future technology and learning methods. I teach this program for a small group of colleagues three times each year. Space is extremely limited.
Information and registration at www.masie.com

Save These Dates for 2007 MASIE Events:
* LMS 2007 - Learning Systems User Group - Las Vegas - April 12 & 13.
* Learning 2007 - Orlando - October 21 - 24.
* Extreme Learning LAB & Seminar - Saratoga Springs - January 17 - 19.
* Membership in our Learning CONSORTIUM.
Information at http://www.masie.com

419 - Thanks for Learning 2006

TO: Learning and Training Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie

Just a short note to say thanks to all of you for supporting Learning 2006.

We hosted 1,800 of your colleagues from around the globe at this exciting and different event in Orlando.

The content from the event will be making its way online next week and I will send you links to key media and text-based content, context and resources from the 1,800 participants and speakers.

My wife and I are now taking a few days in the sun in Antigua to relax and reflect about our learnings from this event and process. The design work for Learning 2007 has already begun. Pencil in the dates:

Learning 2007.
October 21 to 24 - Orlando, Florida.

Talk to you all soon and once again thanks!

Elliott Masie
Host, Learning 2006 and The Learning CONSORTIUM

418 - Learning

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Nov 2, 2006.
#418 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
53,217 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8 - Orlando - www.learning2006.com.
Over 1,735 Global Learning Leaders Registered.

(Orlando, Florida)

Dear TRENDS Colleagues,

Well, I made it to Orlando after a wonderful and learning-filled ride on AMTRAK from New York City. Over 90 TRENDS readers sent me notes to the train and I had a chance to call about 3 dozen folks as we rode through their towns. One very funny note came from a retired trainer who lives along the AMTRAK track route and he wanted to chat as the train passed. We had a wonderful conversation about the soothing nature of train noises in the middle of the night (it was about 3:00 am when we talked).

I appreciate all of your support and tolerance as we ramped up to Learning 2006. From Podcasts to Crossword Puzzles to Surveys of TRENDS, you are a big inspiration and source of support as we build our event. Even if you can't attend, we will put hundreds of pages of content and media on LearningWiki for your use at http://www.learningwiki.com

Finally, here are some of the key issues and themes that I will be talking about at Learning 2006, starting on Sunday:

* Fingertip Knowledge - the challenge for learning and training professionals as search capabilities expand and evolve.
* Read/Write Documents - collaborative writing and document creation.
* Competencies, Compliance and Content!
* The Education Flow - connections from elementary/secondary school to college to the workplace. We MUST start to work and evolve together.
* Research on Learning Needed!
* HumanCap Technology: Watch for this phrase as we roll out our new event in April in Las Vegas, expanding the LMS User Group conference.
* Beyond ROI and Assessment to Impact Evaluation.
* Trust as a Competency.
* Rethinking Orientation and On-Boarding.
* Learning Careers.
* New Media for Learning: PodCasts, Gaming and Mobile.
* Re-Energize the Classroom!
* Digital Coaching.
* Self-Service Learning.

I will send you a TRENDS once Learning 2006 is completed. Follow the action at http://www.learning2006.com or http://www.learningwiki.com There are still a few spaces for last-minute registrations. See you soon!

Yours in learning,

Elliott

417 - Train Thoughts -- On to Florida by Train

Special AMTRAK to Orlando Issue.
Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Oct 31, 2006.
#417 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
53,204 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8 - Orlando - www.learning2006.com.
Over 1,714 Global Learning Leaders Registered.

1. Elliott on AMTRAK to Florida - Rails and Backyards and Technology.
2. Google Buys Wiki - JotSpot.

Dear TRENDS Readers,

This is my first TRENDS written from an overnight train. I am sitting in room 5 in Car 9711 on the Silver Meteor that goes from New York City to Orlando, Florida. In a small bedroom, with WAN access and a GPS on my phone, it is a mixture of new and old.

Riding the rails to Learning 2006 is a fun adventure for me. I am playing "City of New Orleans" on my iPod and looking out at the backyards of America. It is a perfect way for me to get my head ready for Learning
2006 and hosting 1,800 colleagues.

My computer and phone have a GPS function and I am checking out the history of each community as we roll by. The train is filled with a collection of retirees, international students with Rail Passes, folks not flying at 9/11 and a high tech learning guy in Room 5.

I've taken a database of friends and colleagues who live along this route and I'll be calling them as the train passes through their zip code. If you live near the route, send me a note to emasie@masie.com and we might talk :)

Learning sometimes means getting off the normal track (pun intended) to change scenes and take a fresh mental approach. What better place to think about Learning TRENDS and write my keynote and presentations for the upcoming event? I'll be interviewing folks in the observation and dining car, and learning and the changing world.

One idea I've had for a while is to produce a Training Train about the United States. Imagine 10 cars filled with learning "stuff" and programs that would wind its way around the country over several months. And, our colleagues could join for a 1 or 2 day stint.

Well, talk to you later... All Board...

2. Google Buys Wiki Company - JotSpot: Google has just bought JotSpot, an emerging Wiki company. JotSpot had one of the most application-rich wikis on the market, targeted to organizations that wanted collective documents with more user access controls and embedded applications. The wiki is clearly evolving from the simple shared writing platform to a richer set of tools and systems. And, Google is deep into this process. Check it out at http://www.jotspot.com

Places still available for last minute registration at Learning 2006 - November 5 to 8, Orlando. http://www.learning2006.com (And you can take a plane instead of the train :)

416 - Learning Dreams and Hopes; LearningLinks and LearningWiki

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Oct 30, 2006.
#416 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
53,117 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8 - Orlando - www.learning2006.com.
Over 1,704 Global Learning Leaders Registered

1. Learning Dreams and Hopes.
2. LearningLinks & LearningWiki: Peer Added and Rated Resources.
3. Last Minute Registrations for Learning 2006.

1. Learning Dreams: We recently surveyed thousands of learning colleagues about their hopes for the field. Here is a quick summary of the some of the most frequently reported Learning Hopes:

- CEOs and Boards will begin or continue to understand the value of meaningful development for themselves and their teams.
- Learning professionals would be more honest with ourselves.
- That we stop looking for "the answer". There is no one silver bullet.
- Learning Research needs to be more effective and discussed.
- After we "build" it, they really do "come". Learning is accessed by those that need it.
- We can truly measure the ROI or Impact of learning. Or, create a better way of talking about the effectiveness of our work.
- We understand the difference between training and learning.
- The "cool" learning technology actually works and is valued by the entire workforce.
- LMS systems that are engines for performance and profitability rather than tracking systems.
- Every learner is self-directed, understanding that they have to develop constantly if they are to keep up; understanding that learning is *their* responsibility, not their manager's or the HR department's, or anyone else's. And the flipside of that dream, of course, is that we are providing them with engaging, on-demand content as and when and how they need it.

We will be compiling a full report of these learning hopes/dreams and the things that "keep us up at night" in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

2. LearningLinks - Peer Added and Rated Resources: Thanks to the hundreds of Learning TRENDS readers who submitted links and URLs to LearningLinks.
You can add your own links and rate/review the links that are posted. We are getting thousands of visitors every day to the community based, non-commercical site: http://www.learningfutures.com/

3. Last Minute Registrations for Learning 2006 - Save on Advance
Registration: Our phones are ringing at The MASIE Center and the web server is humming as the last week of registrations are flowing in for Learning 2006, which starts on Sunday, November 5th. Save $100 by registering online before Sunday. There are over 1,704 of your colleagues already coming to Orlando and we have room for you. We have added more hotels with free bus shuttles and there are over 400 Learning Choices.
Check out the Orientation Video that is now online at http://www.learning2006.com/orientation/

Also, we have launched LearningWiki at http://www.learningwiki.com with interactive content for all of the sessions at our event. Pay it a visit and get ready for the dialogues.

Upcoming MASIE Center Services and Events:
* Membership in Learning CONSORTIUM.
* Learning 2006 - Nov 5 to 8 - Orlando, Florida.
* Extreme Learning LAB and Performance Support LAB - To be announced.
http://www.masie.com

415 - SkillSoft Buys NETg, Map of Learning Futures, Graphic Learning Gallery

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Oct 25, 2006.
#415 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
53,078 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8 - Orlando - www.learning2006.com.
Over 1,647 Global Learning Leaders Registered

1. SkillSoft Buys NETg from Thomson.
2. Map of Future Forces Affecting Education.
3. Graphic Learning Gallery Opens!

1. SkillSoft Buys NETg from Thomson: Yesterday, SkillSoft announced an agreement to purchase NETg from Thomson for $285 Million. This is another major step in the consolidation of the learning services and systems industry. Catch the complete release at:

http://www.skillsoft.com/about/press_room/press_releases/Oct_25_06_release.asp


Watch for 2 more major announcements about mergers in our field, including an LMS provider, in the coming weeks.

2. Map of Future Forces Affecting Education: The Learning CONSORTIUM is proud to be working with KnowledgeWorks Foundation on their "2006-2016 Map of Future Forces Affecting Education". This Map lays out trends that may impact learning and education (in both K-12 and workplace learning) in the decade from 2006 to 2016. Here are just a few of the "Key Shifts" that the map highlights:

* FROM Stable Professions TO Dynamic, Entrepreneurial Professions.
* FROM One Size Fits All TO Custom Fit.
* FROM Computer Labs TO Pervasive, Media-Rich Learning.
* FROM Individual Computing TO Participatory Media.

We will align these and other shifts to explore how Learning and Education may evolve, including:

* Fragmenting Preferences.
* Visible Community Learning.
* Unbundled Education.
* Serious Games.
* Personal Digital Media.
* Technologies of Cooperation.

At Learning 2006, Chad Wick, the President of Knowledgeworks, and Elliott Masie will explore this unique map, which every participant will receive as a planning tool.

3. Graphic Learning Gallery Opens! We are pleased to announce a new feature of Learning 2006 - The Graphic Learning Gallery. We are lining the walls of our Exploratorium with huge graphics that are awesome examples of graphic learning. Here is a description of the Graphic Learning Gallery by coordinator Jay Cross:

"The Gallery walls are lined with argumentation maps, Xplanations, Mindscapes, Storymaps, idea maps, visualizations, instructional cartoons, learning cards, and visual journalism. Join the curators to hear and share stories about the power of visual learning.

Visual literacy accelerates learning because the richness of the whole picture can be taken in at a glance. Visual metaphors unleash new ideas and spark innovation. Having a sharper eye increases the depth of one's perception and enjoyment of life.

We humans are sight-mammals. We learn twice as well from images and words as from words alone. Visuals engage both hemispheres of the brain.
Pictures translate across cultures, education levels, and age groups. Yet the majority of the content of corporate learning is text. Schools spend years on verbal literacy and but hours on visual literacy. It's high time for us to open our eyes to the possibilities.

At Learning 2006, the Graphic Learning Gallery pays homage to the Picassos and C�zannes of learning graphics. We want you to experience the power of visual learning with your eyes open." Explore some examples at http://www.learning2006.com/gallery/

Last Minute Registrations Accepted:
Learning 2006.
November 5 to 8, 2006.
Orlando, Florida, USA.
http://www.learning2006.com

414 - Last Minute Learning 2006 Registrations

There are now 1,647 Learning Colleagues registered for Learning 2006!

And, we have room for a few more. Last minute registrations are now being accepted for Learning 2006 - to be held in Orlando, from November 5 to 8th. http://www.learning2006.com

Our theme: Learning in a "Flatter" World: Faster, Global & Dynamic!

We have added two additional hotels with free shuttle bus service to accommodate last minute arrivals.

I understand the nature of planning for travel and many of our colleagues have to wait until this or even next week before finalizing their plans.
That is why we have always done our Learning events in Orlando, as there are easy and affordable flights and lots of hotel options.

We are even adding more content at this late date:

* Great Debate: Is Instructional Design Dead?
* Studio: Developing a Podcast for Learning!
* Mash-Up: Managing a Bad Boss!?!
* Mini-Sessions: 66 and counting
* Lunch with 12 CLOs from: CIA, Xerox, Target, JetBlue, BBC and more

Plus, we invite you to be part of a NASCAR Pit-crew team and learn to rapidly and cooperatively change tires on a real racing car! Or, partake of conversations and hands-on experiences with the about to be released Vista from Microsoft (and the training/learning issues we will all face).

Go to http://www.learning2006.com/guide/

Download the complete 84-page program guide and start interacting with over 1,600 new colleagues on our event social networking system.

Hope to see you in Orlando!

Elliott Masie,
Host, Learning 2006

413 - Please Add a Learning Link

TO: Learning & Training Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, Learning CONSORTIUM

I have a small favor to ask. We are about to launch our LearningLinks site, which will have rated links for the learning field.

As readers of TRENDS, I would like to ask you to please add a few links that you find helpful as learning professionals:

Just go to:

http://www.learningfutures.com

LearningLinks will be a peer-rated, free, non-commercial site that will allow any learning professional around the globe to add, use, rate and review learning links. Our goal is to have thousands of links submitted by our colleagues.

If you have any questions or comments, send me a note to emasie@masie.com

Thanks,

Elliott Masie
Host, Learning 2006
Nov 5 to 8 - Orlando, Florida
www.masie.com

412 - Real Time Write/Edit; Robots, Students and Learning

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Oct 20, 2006.
#412 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
53,058 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8 - Orlando - www.learning2006.com.
Over 1,607 Global Learning Leaders Registered

1. Real Time Editing - Writing On-Line!
2. Robots & Students Teach Us About Learning.
3. What Keeps You Up at Night? - 2007 Instant Survey.

1. Real Time Editing - Writing On-Line! I had a most unusual writing experience yesterday: writing and editing an article in real time with an editor 3,000 miles away using online Google Documents. Here are the details of this interesting experiment:

* I was writing a short article for a colleague located in England.
* He had to fit the article into a tight space (700 words) and wanted to look over my shoulder as I wrote it.
* Sitting in my morning coffee shop stop, I fired up Google Documents, which has a new web-based word processor and collaborator.
* I created a document and gave my colleague sharing and editing rights.
* He logged in from London and the process began.
* As I typed, he could chat with me in the box to the right. A few times he added or edited some words as I typed, with changes appearing on both of our screens.
* It was a wild ride: different and a bit strange. Yet, the document got developed in under 30 minutes with both of our full satisfaction.

Check it out: http://docs.google.com

2. Robots & Students Teach Us About Learning: Several teams of high school students, coached by engineers, will put their robots into competition with each other as our colleagues arrive at Learning 2006 in three weeks.
We are honored to announce that First Robotics, founded by Dean Kamen, will be on site at Learning 2006 with high school students, teachers and several robots in deep competition.

As learning and training professionals, it will be interesting to watch how these teams dive deep into learning and cooperative processes to build their robots. And, then as teams are eliminated in the contest, their knowledge and inventions are integrated to improve the next round of competition. My colleague John Abele, the chair of FIRST, will be on hand to explore the learning process and how it relates to the "Wisdom of the Crowds". The robots are in action on Sunday, Nov 5th. Check out the FIRST site at: http://www.usfirst.org

3. What Keeps You Up at Night? - 2007 Instant Survey: Can you take a few minutes to help with my annual "What Keeps You Up at Night?" survey of learning and training colleagues? This will take just 3 minutes and it will be featured at Learning 2006 with a summary published in TRENDS. Go to http://www.learning2006.com/upatnight/

MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM.
* Learning 2006 - Nov 5 to 8 - Orlando, Florida.
Information at: http://www.masie.com

411 - Sleep and Learning; Ken Blanchard on Leadership Podcast

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Oct 13, 2006.
#411 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
53,044 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8 - Orlando - www.learning2006.com.
Over 1,504 Global Learning Leaders Registered

1. Ken Blanchard on Leadership: Podcast & Transcript.
2. Sleep: Impacts on Learning & Performance?

1. Ken Blanchard on Leadership: Earlier this week, I interviewed Ken Blanchard, one of the leading experts on Leadership. For ten minutes we chatted about evolving models of leadership, the need for "no-spin"
leaders and how to make your learners "raving fans". You can listen to, download or read this interview at:
http://www.learning2006.com/university/

2. Sleep - Impacts on Learning & Performance: There is an incredible article in this month's Harvard Business Review, focusing on the threat of sleep deprivation on organizational performance. Here is an abstract:

"Companies today glorify the executive who logs 100-hour workweeks, the road warrior who lives out of a suitcase in multiple time zones, and the negotiator who takes a red-eye to make an 8 a.m. meeting. But to Dr.
Charles A. Czeisler, the Baldino Professor of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, this kind of corporate behavior is the antithesis of high performance. In fact, he says, it endangers employees and puts their companies at risk."

"Czeisler describes four neurobiological functions that affect sleep duration and quality as well as individual performance. When these functions fall out of alignment because of sleep deprivation, people operate at a far lower level of performance than they would if they were well rested. Czeisler goes on to observe that corporations have all kinds of policies designed to protect employees--rules against smoking, sexual harassment, and so on--but they push people to the brink of self-destruction by expecting them to work too hard, too long, and with too little sleep."

"The negative effects on cognitive performance, Czeisler says, can be similar to those that occur after drinking too much alcohol: "We now know that 24 hours without sleep or a week of sleeping four or five hours a night induces an impairment equivalent to a blood alcohol level of .1%. We would never say, 'This person is a great worker! He's drunk all the time!'
yet we continue to celebrate people who sacrifice sleep for work."
Czeisler recommends that companies institute corporate sleep policies that discourage scheduled work beyond 16 consecutive hours as well as working or driving immediately after late-night or overnight flights."

At Learning 2006, we will host an open discussion about the impacts of Sleep patterns on learning and performance. For several years, I suffered from sleep apnea and am quite concerned about the relationship between sleep and learning. It will be one of the first sessions in our field on this key issue. I'd love to hear your comments and stories. Send me a note to emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Events & Services:
* Learning 2006 - Nov 5 to 8 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in our Learning CONSORTIUM.
Information at http://www.masie.com

410 - User-Developed Content; Don't Spin and Forgiveness

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Oct 9, 2006.
#410 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
52,956 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8 - Orlando - www.learning2006.com.
Over 1,426 Global Learning Leaders Registered

1. User-Developed Content - Web 3.0 Example.
2. Education Map of the Decade - Podcast & Map.
3. Don't Spin & Forgiveness - Leadership Thoughts.
4. How We Authored Rapid Learning Module.

1. User-Developed Content - Web 3.0 Example: This morning, I found a great example of "Web 3.0" user-developed content: http://wifi.earthcode.com is a site that locates and rates free WiFi locations using a combination of Google Maps and User Input/Ratings. I just added Uncommon Grounds in Saratoga Springs, NY, where I often am typing Learning TRENDS early in the morning (with several coffee pals at my table). Notice the ease of use of this application, truly tapping the collective "Wisdom of the Crowds".

2. Education Map of the Decade - Podcast & Map: Knowledgeworks Foundation has built an amazing Education Map of the Decade, defining a range of key trends and challenges that educators of all levels may face in the next 10 years. I had the honor of being part of one of design sessions held this summer at SkyWalker Ranch. We will be sharing the Map with all participants at Learning 2006. Here is a free podcast with Chad Wick, the President and CEO of the non-profit group, detailing the Education Map of the Decade and some of the key issues we will face. Listen to, download or read it at http://www.learning2006.com/university/

3. "Don't Spin" - Leadership Thoughts: Last Thursday, I spent the morning with a great colleague and thinker, Ken Blanchard. We pondered together about the current tendency of corporate and government leaders to use "Spin" in their communications with employees, shareholders and citizens.
Yet, the highest levels of trust and understanding come from straight, unprocessed talk by leaders. What if we added "Don't Spin" to our leadership training programs?

The other issue that struck us both were the two stories from recent school shootings. It was amazing to watch the families of the girls killed in U.S. incidents in Amish country and Colorado openly express forgiveness towards the killers and their families. Once again, what a powerful lesson for leaders to consider the role of forgiveness as part of their approach to conflict and problems.

4. How We Did Rapid Learning Trends: Last week, I published a module on Changing Technology, Changing Learning - http://www.masie.com/futures/ We have had thousands of viewings of this module. I have received many questions about how we designed this so rapidly (in about an hour). I used the just-released tool Engage from Articulate. While we never endorse products, I was impressed with the ease of use and speed of authoring.
They have a demo you can download at http://www.articulate.com I believe that we will see more of these rapid tools, which can use templates for style and can be given to subject matter experts and line workers for distributed content development.

* Update on Learning 2006:
- Please make your hotel reservations soon! We are running out of rooms at our primary hotel. There will be additional hotel options nearby, but if you are planning on attending, it would be wise to make your reservations and register as soon as possible.
- Yes, you will have an opportunity to experience the NASCAR racing car pit crew exercise at Learning 2006. We have a racing car and complete training crew coming to the event. In fact, this Friday, I am heading to a race with the crew to learn more about their leadership training process and to get some video for the Award presentation.
- Yes, you can still be part of the teaching process at the event. If you have registered and would like to tell a mini-Learning Story, Success, Failure or Rant, send us a suggestion at http://www.masie.com/mini/
- Yes, you will have great options to interact with key suppliers in our trade-show free setting. Each of our 50+ sponsors will be on site with a cellphone, so that you can call or text message to set up a meeting. They will also have a sponsor sign with a quick summary of their resources.
- Yes, you will have access to our LearningNet social networking system as soon as you register for the event. This graphical system provides great visualization of the new colleagues you will meet at Learning 2006.
- Register soon. There are currently 1,426 of your colleagues registered.
Space is limited.

Go to http://www.learning2006.com for complete information and registration.

409 - Lies about Learning, Reusable Code Search, 66 Mini Seminars

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Oct 5, 2006.
#409 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
52,937 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Learning 2006 - Nov 5-8 - Orlando - www.learning2006.com.
Over 1,344 Global Learning Leaders Registered Already!

1. Reusable Code - Google Launches New Search.
2. Wisdom of Crowds: 66+ Mini Sessions.
3. Tip for Trainers: Stories vs. Slides.
4. Podcast: Lies About Learning.

1. Reusable Code - Google Launches New Search: Google added a very cool resource to the process of using "open" or reusable code, by programmers and developers. Check out: http://www.google.com/codesearch

You can type in a desired type or format of "open" code and the search engine will find samples and usable elements by your specifications. It increases the ease of community developed code/technology.

2. Wisdom of Crowds - 66+ Mini Sessions: I wanted to really reach into the stories of fellow learning professionals for a slice of the content for Learning 2006. Last week, we asked our attendees to volunteer to share 20 minute learning success or failure stories in an open format. We have already booked over 66 of these including:

- We've Implemented Our LMS...Now What?
- Formal vs. Informal Learning: Is the Course Dead?
- Talking to the CFO about Learning!
- Addressing Culture when Porting Content Globally!
- Murphy's Law for e-Learning Rollouts!
- The Value of Interactivity: Fact or Fiction?
- Learning in Virtual Worlds :)
- Designing Self-Directed Learning.
- Aligning with the Business Strategy for Training Success!
- Let's Get Tough on Instructional Design!

To see a complete set of these mini-sessions, or to volunteer to lead one yourself, go to http://www.learning2006.com/minis/

3. Tip for Trainers - Stories vs. Slides: A simple piece of advice for classroom trainers. Think of stories rather than slides! Your learners will remember a key and relevant story long after they forget your stack of slides.

4. Podcast: Lies about Learning! A new book is about to be published by Larry Israelite, a key thought leader in our field. We have a podcast interview with Larry, focused on Lies about e-Learning, Lies about Instructional Design and Lies about Learning Vendors. Listen to or read the transcript at http://www.learning2006.com/university/

Upcoming MASIE Center Events and Services:
- Learning 2006 - Nov 5 to 8 - Orlando.
- Membership in our Learning CONSORTIUM.
Information at http://www.masie.com