Another Caring story, and the POWER of Blogging

A few months ago I heard some buzz about a new association starting up called the Social Media Club.  I immediately looked to see if there was one forming in Phoenix and I found that Francine Hardaway of Stealthmode Partners has done it.  So, yes, I'm definitely getting involved but that's not what this post is about.

She has a great blog post on her hospital experience getting a hip replacement.  I love her comment on the "physical 'terrorist'", and this snippet...

"At moments like these, it's all about the nursing care, and that varies. Every eight to twelve hours, another team comes on, and in four days there was only one duplicate on the nursing roster. The most consistent caregiver was the physical "terrorist," who returned every day."

She goes on to talk about informing the staff that she is blogging everything that is happening to her...

"Once the hospital people dicovered the blog, they began making all sorts of conciliatory gestures to me, like asking if they could use it as a tea teaching tool. I immediately realized that this blogging gig could guarantee me better care, and I think I would encourage anyone going to the hospital to keep a blog."

I love it. The demoncratization of the web in action! Nice job Francine. I look forward to meeting you at the December meeting.

Oh yeah!  I blogged about this a year ago, but its worth another look Virtual Knee Surgery.  It's not the hip but it's got all the media elements of a truly interactive learning environment.  Basically, everything I would want to see prior to having the surgery if I were the patient. 

Learning2.0 TalkCast via TalkShoe

You are all invited to participate in EPISODE1 of my Collaborative podcast.  Click the talkshoe link above for more details.
Monday, Dec. 4th 11am EST
The TalkCast is titled Learning2.0: The Revolution Has Begun!  I'm looking forward to a lively discussion on the topic of Informal Learning (buy JAY CROSS' new book), Games, Simulations, and Learning and the technologies that make it all possible.

Don't be shy!  Be sure to invite your friends.

(Join the live show within 15 minutes of the start time or anytime after. Note if
you are a first-time TalkShoe user, go to www.talkshoe.com at least 15 minutes
early to Sign Up and Download the Talkshoe Live! software.)

Caring is important for Real Professionalism

I've mentioned David Maister's podcasts before as one of my favorites.  Perhaps its his wonderful speaking voice, but I think its more about his incredible content.

After posting about my experience with the Little Sisters of the Poor, I listened to Episode#2 titled Real Professionalism.  He basically boiled it all down to CARING!
I just can't emphasize enough how simple yet important that is in all that we do as learning professionals, but more importantly in understanding what we are up against.
If your learners don't care about their jobs and what they do, then we can't expect them to care much about our mandated "sheep dipping" certification courses.

In my opinion, caring is so critical that it renders the need for formalized training obsolete (to some extent).  When REAL PROFESSIONALs CARE, they do whatever it takes to get the information they need to get the job done.  If that means learning a new skill then they learn the new skill by whatever means necessary.  It could be simply sitting down with a book and working at it...trial and error...until they gain just enough understanding to be productive and get the job done.  But most certainly if they are in a hurry, and they probably are, the last place they go to is the training department.

Online Educa Berlin - Great stuff!

Many noted agents of change in the learning industry are gathering in Berlin this week for the Online Educa Berlin Conference.
It's definitely a conference I would love to attend next year.  The Open University and many other projects in learning are happening over there.
I remember back in my early days researching virtual reality for training I found most of the innovation to be occuring in different parts of Europe.  I'm also constantly reminded at how design oriented most Europeans are...at least as compared to most in the US.  Of course, that's just an observation, people.  So don't flame me.


Anyways, I would also like to mention a great little vlog app I discovered on the Educa website called FlashVlog.  Its not open to the public, but you should check it out.  I think the ease of use and the size make it a perfect platform for the user-generated content era. 

Greatest web video since the treadmill guys!!!

Music for one apartment and six drummers
Uploaded by naly

I discovered a new blog on simulation and games. This post introduced me to the awesome online video hopefully displayed above.

I love creative people...especially creative musicians! This team of drummers is awesome. The videography is beautifully done as well.

I know many of my readers are fellow musicians and will appreciate this piece of work.

Big Toe is so old school!

Just in case you were wondering, this is a picture of my daughter's THUMB toe (and 3 of the other lesser toes).  Its not her BIG toe, as we might call it, but her Thumb toe. 
Having kids under 10 is probably the best way to truly understand learning.  AND to see just how complicated adults can make the world. 
Next time you have bring your kids to work day.  Don't just show them around and give them stupid little art projects to work on.  Get them in the board room and have them work on the companies biggest problems.  I'll bet you will gain some AMAZING insight into how to solve those problems currently stumping your team of adults.

Key Learnings from the Little Sisters of the Poor

This is my wife's aunt Mary Ellen on the left.  Sister Caroline is on the right.  Mary Ellen is 95 and just lost her 88 year old little sister Cecilia.  I am honored and blessed to have MaryEllen as a part of my family.  I only tell you this to set up the story.
3 weeks ago we recieved news from St. Anne's Home that Cecilia was nearing her last days.  My wife (Linda) and oldest daughter flew Mary Ellen to SanFran to be with her sister.  Linda and Emma returned home after a few days leaving MaryEllen in the caring hands of the Sisters in the Home.  It was also MaryEllen's birthday that week and we had plans to take her to SanDiego for the following weekend.  We changed our plans and flew the whole family to SanFran to be with MaryEllen who requested we be there and skip the beach.  This began our amazing experience with St. Anne's Home and the Little Sisters of the Poor.
My wife works with Hospice of the Valley as an Occupational Therapist and also contracts with many, many care facilities in the state of Arizona.  She is passionate about her work, but often comes home in tears telling me stories of abuse, neglect, and incompetence at state run, and private facilities.  She refers to them as the "pits of hell".  She raves about the service of Hospice of the Valley (they help people die with dignity and comfort in their own home), but I can't recall any facility she has spoken highly of, which made me VERY curious when she gushed about the amazing work that the sisters have done with St. Anne's Home.  (Hang in there, I have learning stuff to talk about with this story ;-)  In the past Linda has shared stories of patients lying in their own feces, patients moaning and screaming, "head nurses" running down halls yelling, "does anyone know CPR?"  She stands up for patients and their needs on a regular basis often putting her job on the line.  I love my wife and marvel at her will, and determination, and caring for seniors. 

We had 4 days with Aunt Cecilia and the Sisters before Cecilia passed.  It was 4 of the most intense amazing days I've had in quite some time.  My wife and Mary Ellen were bed side when Cecilia took her last breaths and one by one the sisters who had been caring for Cecilia, for many years, entered the room.  Each one had a special moment with Cecilia and then joined the others in singing hymns in Latin.  A beautiful moment that words don't do justice.

I had a chance to talk business with Sister Caroline because I was intensely curious how they could perform at such a high level with nearly ZERO resources.  The facility is filled with the same types of seniors that Linda sees on a daily basis in Arizona.  However, St. Anne's Home actually smells NICE!  It is quiet, and peaceful.  The residents actually smile at you as they roll by.  The workers, residents, and Sisters all greet each other by name.  Its simply a beautiful sight to behold.  You cannot help but feel the presence of God.  I asked Sister Caroline how they do it.  You can read about how they are supported on their website, but I don't think that it mentions that the Sisters weekly go out on the street and beg for money...BEG!  They have taken a vow of poverty and are supported on donations.   Did I mention that they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, to all residents and their guest in a FORMAL dining room with amazing service.  They supported my families every need so that we could focus on supporting MaryEllen in her time of need.

My question:  Why can't people see that more money doesn't make every senior care facility like St. Anne's Home?  The government will NEVER create its equal NOR will any for-profit company?  Sister Caroline summed it up nicely with this story...
Before becoming a sister she worked in government, and private facilities.  She chose to bathe the residents consistently and often, and the other employees LAUGHED at her.  Yes, that's right they laughed at her.  It makes me sick to my stomach to even repeat that part of the story.  Not just at one facility, but several.  She knew that she could do something about making a difference.  In short, her answer was that she cared.  That's all.  The sisters simply care about what they do.  They care about and for the people in their care.  It is their life to serve those at the end of their life journey.

If people don't truly care about what they are doing they will NEVER be world class at it.  And if it doesn't have meaning how can anyone care?  And I'm sorry, but that can't be trained.  No leader/CEO with an MBA could walk into one of these "pits of hell" and convince people to care as much as the Sisters do.  You cannot pay people enough money to clean open bed sores, soiled clothing and bedding and still make a profit.  No business model works in caring for our aging population.  No government sponsored program will ever work because administrators that do ZERO of the caring get the bulk of the $$$.  Think about the under-educated aid getting minimum wage to wipe your butt when you can't, and bathe you when you've deficated all over yourself.  I don't mean to be gross, and inappropriate, but this is REAL, and is happening right now, and one day we will all be faced with it.  If more money is going to be our "solution" as an American culture then we should pay the highest to those doing the actual work.  You and I both know THAT will never happen.  It's like asking school administrators to pay teachers more than they pay themselves.  If you are weathy enough your best bet is to pay top dollar for a personal caregiver, but how many Americans can do that?  So, we need facilities and care givers that actually CARE, not just money.

It's important that we train care givers on how to transfer patients safely, and how to get from the bed to the toilet safely, etc. but we can't train CARING!  And yet, I believe THAT to be the MOST important skill a person can have. 

I would encourage donating to St. Anne's Home

AUXILIARY of LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR

300 LAKE STREET SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118

(415) 751-6510 www.lspauxsf.org

Happy Thanksgiving!

 Don't miss the History Channel's Thanksgiving slideshow.

Check out Plimoth Plantation:  Living Breathing History for some great info and consider checking it out next time you are in the area.  I hope to get my kids there soon.

I am honestly thankful for all of the wonderful people I've met across the globe via the bloggosphere...REALLY!  If you enjoy the blog and haven't reached out to say hi, then today is the day that I encourage you to comment, or send me an email.  I truly love what I do and enjoy meeting and talking with others who enjoy Learning Technologies as much as I do.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

SecondLife gets HUDs

I just found this post at 3pointD.com. 

One of the many questions/concerns that I get when delivering presentations on Secondlife and learning is the ease of use question.  Well, these nifty little improved Heads Up Displays are a great start in the right direction as far as making it easier to get around.

I can envision these being similar to the current "left nav bar" of our current click2death learning  offerings.  Guiding the user is a great thing for those that need to be guided.  These are very cool!  Just another step closer to the complete interactive3D version of online learning.

PDFs via RSS, and Comic Life for User Guides, instruction manuals

I found this to be interesting at first and then the Duh!? moment hit.  Let me explain...
I have subscribed to the MAKE magazine feed in iTunes...mostly for the video stuff.  (While I have a secret desire to hack apart old electronics, and create DIY marshmallow guns out of PVC, alas it is hard to find the time. )   But I've noticed recently that they are feeding PDF files...hmmm.  Okay, never thought of that. 

So, that's only part one of this post (PDFs via RSS).  The first PDF fed my way via RSS led me to the next part.

Part two is cool.  Check out the PDF of this guide:  Locking picking instruction manual using Comic book format.  They used the cool Mac app called Comic life. 

Wouldn't it be cool if your company's New Employee manual was a comic book?  Or perhaps if the boring HR Legal guidelines came in this format?  I know I would be more likely to read it.

Check out Howtoons.org for more clever instructional guides done with Comic Life.

I'm thinking about doing a version of my resume in Comic Life.  I'll post it if it materializes.

Dell enters SecondLife

Dell Gets a New Lease on a 'Second Life'

"We want to be where people are gathering and they are gathering on the Web in record numbers,"

Another former Intel colleague enters the Learning blogosphere

Sometimes I feel like people go kicking and screaming, but sooner or later they give in to the goodness of all things Web2.0.

Another former Intel employee and colleague jumps into Learning2.0 with a blog and a Secondlife presence.  Armed with a new laptop Paul Fender created the Paul Speaks blog after Learning2006.  And after seeing the coolness of SecondLife, he's in there too. 
So far, I'm diggin' the blog.  I'm really looking forward to reading about how his issue connecting to Secondlife is resolved.  I don't think he is the only one that experiences difficulty.

Nice job, Paul!  Welcome to the Learning Blogosphere!

Web access makes kids smarter, duh! Perhaps employees too?

Well, the first research is in and its official.  Simply having internet access (and using it) increases standardized test scores.  Go figure.  I found the info at Donald Clark's blog.  Always a great read!

Michigan State University and the HomeNetToo Project released data on their findings of a group of 10-16 year olds in low-income homes given internet access.

I wonder if we could surmise from this that workers would be smarter and more productive if they were given access to more, less regulated, easy to access, information?  As many people are quick to point out, the internet is "full of crap" yet kids are getting smarter.  Hmmm...Perhaps its the act of searching, reading/consuming, producing, and publishing (rip, mix, and feed) that is making kids smarter and that it has nothing to do with the actual content.  Maybe when your kid is playing World of Warcraft there is a lot more going on in his brain than simply "playing a game".
Ya think?!

Instructional Design in the Collective World of YouTubers

This article by A.D. Detrick via Training Day is an interesting read.  I'm not sure I understand the bashing of YouTube and the training pundits that

"came out of the woodwork to benchmark YouTube's impressive statistics." 

Because at the end he beautifully states that

"the collective nature at the heart of our industry's future will not merely dictate that everyone pitch in and create a section of the training, but rather everyone pitch in and create as much of the training as possible"

A YouTube-style video upload service behind the corporate firewall is simply the natural video extension of the corporate blogs.   Obvisously the statistics will be much different.  But giving all the employees the ability to take quick video shots of important events that are poorly articulated in a textual format is a fantastic oportunity.
Manufacturing Example:  What if each "area" had access to a video camera and upload computer station.  Explaining complex technical procedures using video makes more sense than writing every little step down...even though that may need to happen as well, later.  Visuals are much more compelling and also help jump the language hurdles.

(Then again, maybe I'm just tired...the stomach flu hit the kids last night, so not much sleep)

Learning2006 brain overload...must dump random thoughts

Wow!  Lots of input.  Now its time to process this stuff out of my head.
The LearningWiki is going to be fuel for the blogosphere for quite some time.

I had this thought today while waiting in line to pick up my kids from school...
(actually triggered while reflecting about my learning2.0 presentation...some liked it, others pined for more structure.)

A question was asked that really got me excited during the presentation.  Mostly because someone could finally see the possibility, and what COULD be.  The question was, "do you ever see courses being completely user-generated and edited/updated over time?"

Do me a favor and go to the last click2death course you created.  Now tell me if there is anything there OTHER than text, images, audio, video on those "pages".  Nope?  Okay.  Work with me here.  What if all it took to start a course was for someone - ANYONE - to simply create it in the system...perhaps loading it with a single sentence.
1)  User searches for information
2)  Information does not exist, so the system asks if you would like to "create it now"
3)  You click YES
4)  You enter a title and a generic category
DONE...sort of.

The rest is created over time by the social network most interested in, and willing to support, that course's content maturity.  If nothing ever happens and the course remains empty, unused, and/or stagnent, it is purged from the system.  If it continues to grow, the learning team notification is triggered and the development of experiencial simulations are created along with assessments for certification.  If someone would like to consume enough of the material to be considered an expert then the certification would be for them...perhaps, even at different levels.  But not everyone would need to use either of those aspects of the course content.

What if your courses, even in their current format, could be commented on, edited, tagged, even rated?

Think about it...

The company C-levels identify competencies for the entire company, then the ORG levels down the ladder create their competencies that are specific to their org focus...and on down the ladder until we hit the bottom.  In large companies that already means chaos with hundreds of duplicated efforts, and courses with redundent content.

Could you lock down the mandated, legally reviewed content, but still
allow for the democratization of the content that TRULY means something
to the users?

What if one could see that hierarchical relationship of needs, requirements, and competencies in a more visual way(map)?  What if the course could be updated by users to add org, and team, specific content right into the live "course"? 

Why do we lock up the content for 6-12 months while "others" (training departments) create and release the course?

I see you rolling your eyes at me.  Your thinking, "We just can't take the chance of having misinformation or incorrect information floating around out there and created by just anyone!"   Well...I hope this doesn't come as a shock to you, but ITS ALREADY OUT THERE!!! 

Lee Kraus live blogged my Learning2.0 session at Learning2006...cool

Thanks Lee!  I met tons of great people at L6 this year.  One of them was Lee Kraus.  We've connected via the blogosphere but meeting in person was great.  He probably told me that he blogged my session, but I forgot about it until I was scanning bloglines and found his post on the session. 
Learning2.0:  The Revolution Has Begun! is on the LearningWiki. 
Lee is correct that the conversation never got TOO deep.  But I think we covered a lot of territory across the board.  I hope others had as much fun as I did ;-)

Secondlife session Learning2006

Secondlife session Learning2006
Originally uploaded by Brent Schlenker.

David Anderson from Countrywiide provided a great introduction to the attendees at Learning2006.
What many people don't know is that both he AND his wife are awesome content creators within Secondlife. The amazing piece in the picture was created, and recreated only in a couple weeks. AWESOME!
Much of what he created didn't get into the 1hour session. So I would encourage you to get into LearnLand and check it out.

Blogging Issues...Blogger is making me want WordPress

Since I'm doing my first conference without a laptop, I've been trying to blog w/images via my Treo650 and Flickr. For some reason blogger is not getting the posts and its driving me nuts.

So, I'm jumping on a hallway computer as often as I can to post my thoughts. I will gather key learnings towards the end of the show.

My sessions went great today. At least they felt good too me ;-) If you are reading this, attended, and think otherwise, please let me know. Or if you enjoyed it I would love to hear that as well.

Now...i wonder if elearndev is available on wordpress?

Learning2006 NASCAR

Learning2006 NASCAR
Originally uploaded by Brent Schlenker.

PIT Training and Instruction is here with a very cool NASCAR. Teams are competing for the fastest pit time to win a free conference pass for next year. The competition is fierce.
What a great idea! I love the use of alternative experiences that add value to performance.
Is there a business model for running an alternative experience in a virtual space? If working groups can learn teamwork and six sigma concepts via a pitcrew exercise, what can we teach teams inside of World of Warcraft? It definitely makes me think...

Learning2006 starts in 21mins!

Day 1:  Flight was uneventful.  I caught up on the new show HEROES on
my ipod.  Cool show.  And very cool experience.  I haven't watched any
TV via the ipod until now.  I will definitely be doing it more often.
The small screen didn't bother me a bit.  Again, learning
possibilities are endless.

I'm registered and ready for a great conference.  Good stuff!

School still sucks!

I haven't been blogging much because of a big project I'm trying to get out the door.  But I had to pass this along...
The dining room has turned into a DVD production line and my daughter (9) was learning the process and helping me out.  I inquired why she was consistently doing so poorly in social studies (Bs, but she can do better ;-)  Her answer was that it was boring.  I was a bit confused because traditionaly math was boring because it didn't apply or have context and meaning in her life, but social studies?  Why social studies?  She gave a few examples and my response was, "honey, at least that's all real stuff that's happening in the world around us."  Her answer was classic and is why I devote my life to doing what I do...

"But Dad, It's SOOO boring to look at pictures and reads words next to the pictures in a book about this stuff.  Why can't we GO there, and SEE it"

So, that's exactly what we are going to do.  Not sure what the next topic is, but whatever it is we're going there and checking it out...even its a virtual "check out".