My Journey to Apple Products

This post was influenced by Aaron Silvers and his post Influence.

I didn't join the computer revolution until college. And even then I did not have my own. I had to wait in long lines at the school's computer lab just to "type up" my report from the handwritten rough draft. At the time I didn't think to much about the difference between a Mac or PC. But I DO remember that I preferred the Mac lab.

When I married my wife, I had just started working for Intel and so we decided to sell her Macintosh. Because, at the time, it seemed like it was going to become a Windows world. And since Intel was not yet making chips for the Mac we needed to support the new job. So the next few years of my life with computers involved the IBM thinkpad and endless hours of frustration with Windows. I was able to create some really great eLearning with Windows but it was NOT fun.

It wasn't until Apple made the switch to OSX in 2002 that I decided it was time for the family to return to the Macintosh. It was an eMac. I wanted to move in slowly and just see what all the fuss was about. The eMac was a base model Mac that was supposed to be just a web appliance...I think. However, even as a "low end" Mac, it was a DREAM to use. I was instantly in love with OSX and the Mac. I used the eMac to produce a complete video DVD for my wife's business at the time. I don't think it was meant for that, but I did it anyways. Creating and doing work became FUN!

FLASHBACK

I think it was 1993 when I left my career in broadcasting to pursue a Masters Degree in Ed Tech. I very distinctly remember my first graduate class being a design/production class. The Ph.D. that was teaching the course was clueless about technology. Actually, he was clueless about a lot more than just technology. He would purchase cassettes from conferences that he attended and just play them as the lecture portion of the class. He taught me nothing, but I learned a LOT that year.

We were given a choice of "paths" to follow. We could learn Hypercard or we could learn Toolbook. I had chosen the corporate track so I selected Toolbook. Since the professor did not know either, they recruited a couple of the students in the class that already knew the tools to instruct the rest of us. Again, a huge let down. But luckily the other student that knew toolbook knew it REALLY well and I learned a lot. As I went through the program I later learned Authorware and Director...but all on the PC.

TODAY

It wasn't until after I left Intel in 2006 that I decided to never go back to a Windows world. Say what you will about Mac vs. PC, but I've NEVER met a person unhappy about switching to a Mac. I still have the old eMac. But now our home runs on Macs. We're wireless with the Airport Extreme. The AppleTV sits behind the bigscreen. I'm on a MacBook Pro, my wife and oldest daughter have MacBooks, and the iMac is the family computer. We have 3 iPhones, an iPad(gen1), and iPods of all shapes and sizes. Everything just works, and each device is beautiful and a joy to interact with. I can't say that about ANY other brand of product...well except for maybe my guitars. Wow, if only Apple made a guitar, I'd be in heaven.

As Steve Jobs leaves Apple as the CEO, I can't help but wonder how many INSANELY GREAT ideas and products have been created because of the beauty and brilliance of Macintosh. Thank you Steve Jobs! You have truly put a crack in the universe and made better the lives of millions.

Career Advice from an Award-Worthy eLearning Developer

Guest Post

Andy Chan has been nominated as Best eLearning Designer in the Maestro eLearning Awards [http://www.maestroelearning.com/blog/entry/announcing-the-winners-of-the-maestro-elearning-awards], dubbed the OSCARS of the eLearning industry. What follows is an interview between Andy and the award’s organizers, Maestro eLearning [http://www.maestroelearning.com].

Q. Congratulations for being nominated! How'd you end up at where you are today?

How did I end up where I am today?  Let's see...

To start off, I am currently a Senior Instructional Designer/eLearning Developer at Symantec Corporation.  My path to Instructional Design, specifically eLearning, began about six or seven years ago.  At that time, I was a training specialist doing classroom training as an stand-up instructor.  I was teaching prior to that too but felt no longer challenged.  Incidentally, I saw the potential of eLearning when the company I was with at that time contracted work with outside vendors to create a series of online courses using Adobe Captivate.  It was then I saw the future of training in web and computer-based platforms.

During that time, I felt the only way to advance my career was to enhance my academic credentials.  I took the dive into graduate school.  The enrollment process at the University of Massachusetts in Boston involved a compilation of essays, applications, and stomach nerves.  In September 2005, my first graduate class in Instructional Design began.  While at Umass, my regimen included core ID courses, along with multimedia and technology classes.

In the midst of grad school, I started a new job that utilized my eLearning skills.  Gradually, the Instructional Design knowledge and technical skills gained in graduate school were applied on the job.  Projects for different constituents demanded different skill sets and I pushed myself to be at the forefront of educating an adult workforce, asynchronously.

Throughout the past several years, my technical skills expanded and have, along the way, acquired more and more challenging projects.  I also freelance part time on Instructional Design gigs to expand my knowledge and professional network.

That's the gist of my journey in the past six years

Q. Could you unpack your decision to attend graduate school? Some stumble into instructional design in a sort of DIY way—they informally pick up the craft via various books and lots of Googling. What were the benefits of getting a formal education in the field?

The primary reason I decided to go to grad school was to advance my career.  Having done classroom training prior to that, I felt I was in the "middle of the pack", nothing to distinguish myself among the many other training specialists.  Furthermore, I found that many folks that are training specialists stumble into this role simply because they are subject matter experts (SME) without formal training in course development and the like.

By having a formal degree in Instructional Degree, I felt the benefits were credentials that proved I went through the rigors of systematic methods of course development, adult learning theories, instructional technologies, to name a few.  Additionally, it demonstrated to my employers (past/present/future) that I could develop any subject, using the most appropriate technologies, and be in any industry.

Q. If you were to go about developing your career again, would you do anything differently?

If I were to develop my career again, I doubt I would do anything differently than the path taken.  Since graduating from graduate school four years ago, I have pondered whether I should have enrolled sooner, say, five years earlier.  But things happen for a reason and am happy at the current circumstances.

I believe this is a great time for being in eLearning and for asynchronously learning in general.  The technology for computer/web-based training has come of age.  Computers are faster, bandwidth greater, allowing online courses, many with robust animations, to be delivered anywhere, anytime.  I feel fortunate to be involved in an ever-changing industry.

A colleague once asked me, "How come you're not a web designer?"  His question was in the context of why I build Flash-based eLearning content instead of straight-up web design.  My answer was that, at heart, I'm an educator.  The technical tools are only that—tools.  They help me to train and educate a workforce and can make the content more engaging but teaching is at the core of my passion.

Q. So if you were to look at your career journey and distill some lessons from it, what kind of advice would you give to someone who's thinking of entering the eLearning industry?

There are a few tidbits of advice I'd give to anyone considering to enter the eLearning industry.  The first is to maintain an online portfolio.  This showcases your work to potential employers and clients.  Naturally, the online portfolio should be updated with the most recent works and moreover, with the most contemporary graphics and styling.  An online portfolio demonstrates professional commitment.  If you're a beginner, say a recent grad, and lack professional experience, create 'mini projects' in your spare time to include in the portfolio.  

On the technology front, I'd suggest to keep abreast with the latest technologies and more importantly, to be aware of what employers are looking for.  A good method is to routinely scan job postings to identify what skills and tools companies are looking for.  Even if one is not actively looking for new opportunities, this will keep you abreast of trends in the industry.  For instance, if the latest eLearning software is in its 5th version but most companies are still using version 3, you may not need to upgrade to 5 yet.

Lastly, since eLearning is constantly evolving and companies are looking more and more to asynchronous learning, it behooves the person to keep his/her skills up to date by taking courses or tutorials.  This could range from quick, online tutorials that last under 20 minutes, to one day workshops, to full fledged enrollment in a college/university either for one semester or an advanced degree that can last couple of years.  The key is to constantly be learning and being aware of our ever changing industry.

Augmented Reality - Using Junaio in the British Museum

The Junaio blog posted this today... Learning with Junaio, Samsung and British Museum.

The first thing that struck me was that Museums seem to be perfect for this technology. The next thing that hit me was why this hasn't been created for the Freedom Trail in Boston. Can someone PLEASE get that project done. Its BEGGING for augmented reality with Junaio.

Okay, so I got that off my chest...

In all seriousness, I'm a fan of augmented reality and I see the possibilities. BUT it also still feels like the shiny new gadget syndrome is fresh with this app. Unless the experience is something more spectacular than words, and pictures in a layer on the image of what the camera is displaying, I don't give it much hope of surviving.

I want to see video layered on top of whatever it is that I'm pointing the camera at. Let's say I'm looking at a history building. I want to be taken back in time and see a video of a reenactment of that scene. Even if its just a few people walking by the building in historical garments or what have you. Its all about creating a new sense of context for the viewer. If its just "additional information", I'm certain a mobile web app would work just fine. Or, for that matter, a old school paper-based brochure would be lovely.

But even beyond the augmenting of reality I'm anxious to see learning design incorporated into the technology. I'm not sure that just adding more information using this technology qualifies as something more than performance support. And that's okay. But I'm anxious to see instruction tied into it.

eLearning Podcasts: Undercast - Overcast - Toolbar

Podcasting has been around for many years now. I toyed with the idea of a podcast as part of this blog a few years ago. I think I did 2 or 3 before quitting. It was mostly an experiment in learning to understand what it takes to create a podcast. So, I can tell you from personal experience that it is NOT easy. Those choosing to undertake the creation/production/publication of a podcast have my respect.

Brian Dusablon looks to be creating the Emergent Radio network as a channel for eLearning movers and shakers. Aaron Silvers co-hosts the Overcast podcast and the accompanying Undercast podcast. I'm actually listening to Undercast #1 while I write this.

Aaron explains Undercast as supporting discussions and conversations from the ground up. While Overcast is about the questions of eLearning that need to be addressed from the Top down. You might also look at it as a podcast for the "doers"(undercast) and a podcast for eLearning managers(overcast).

Aaron's NUGGET: Narrative! Learn it! Know it! Love it! Do it! Be a great story teller!

And of course I can't leave out The Toolbar episode #5. Of which I'm now listening. Judy and Brian are so fun to listen too. I just want to hang out with them.

I LOVE the conversation! The sound quality and production are great. And I will most certainly be anxiously awaiting the next episode.

Nice job guys...and gal!!!

Interactive 3D Content Creation for eLearning

It seems like a lifetime ago that I created the my first interactive 3D training simulation. It was such an amazing training solution combining software interactions with physical processes into one learning experience. I know I wasn't the only one doing it, but in 1995 there just wasn't anyone that could do it cost effectively. I posted about it in 2006.
After a few wonderful conversations with eLearning colleagues recently, I started thinking about the solution again. I mostly wanted to find out what happened to Superscape, Inc. But I also wanted to find out if there was newer, better, cheaper, software that could do the job.

I remember how cool it was to learn and use Superscape. It had everything you needed to create a fully interactive 3D environment for only $5,000. That was pretty darn cheap in the mid '90s considering other options required multiple software and hardware solutions for any results. Superscape simply required a PC, and that was it. I loved it. But apparently it didn't get enough love and the company mothballed the software and tried moving toward interactive mobile content. Apparently today, they are GLU.com: "The Leader in 3D Social Mobile Gaming".


I posted a quick shout out on my social networks to see if anyone was still using or testing Second Life and ...<cue crickets>...nothing. I still think the major hurdle is in the navigation, but why hasn't that been fixed yet? Its pretty obvious that's the just about the only hang up people have with the tool. I mean, as an entrepreneur, wouldn't your FIRST priority be to eliminate the roadblocks that keep consumers from using/buying your product? I just don't get it.

I heard rumors back when people were paying attention, that they were going to release an enterprise version, but that seems to have fizzled out. I know SecondLife still exists, and I think they are actually even doing well. Alas, the shiny object syndrome has faded. But check out Second LIfe Education again and maybe you will be re-inspired.



In my search for answers I ran across an interesting solution from EON Reality. And as it just so happens they just released version 4.0 of EON Creator. I can't find anyone in my network that has used it, but it looks interesting. I'm scared to ask how much a developer license costs. EON Creator is also Windows only, so that takes me out of the "check it out" mode right there. It does however, LOOK promising. If you have any feedback please let me know what you think of it. If its any good, I think the eLearning community should know about it.

Open Source Options

People keep asking me about Alice and others. Well, Alice.org is part of Carnegie Mellon University. And the last time they posted any updates on their blog was in 2010. So, that should tell you something. This tool is currently, mostly, being used as a tool to teach programming skills to students. Any real commercial use of the tool is a long way from being a reality.

I keep hoping Google will do something interactive with SketchUp but so far I've only seen it being used to create models to overlay Google maps. It has so many more interactive possibilities. Maybe Google could just create a "world editor" where the objects created in SketchUp could be imported and coded with interactivity. That shouldn't be too hard for the mighty engineers of Google...right?

Okay, now would be a good time for you to send me your hate mail explaining the virtues of all the other tools I've missed. Please keep in mind that this post is just my rambling thoughts that I wanted to capture before I lost them. I'd actually be very happy to hear about all the apps that are not foremost in my mind and not popping up in my Google search results.

37% of Executives will Focus MOST Social Strategies on Corporate Training in 2011

Wow! I did NOT see this coming. According to this research found at psfk but done by GetSatisfaction, CEOs really are thinking about social media strategies for education and training.

Well, at least 37.3% are. But hey, that's a start right? Did any of you think it would have been higher?

Na, me either.

The image in this post is pulled from a much larger INFOGRAPHIC that can be found at FUTURELAB titled Let's Get Down to Social Business.

Oops. Just stumbled onto a link to the original post as well. Guess I better spread the link love, right?

Its interesting to me that only about HALF of the 900 executives in the study "believe that they have to adopt social business or will fall behind".

THE BIG DATA POINT

To everyone in corporate eLearning, I want you to pay VERY close attention to the FROM THE INSIDE OUT section of the infographic. Take a look at the first column representing the results to the question...

"What internal social strategies will you focus most on in 2011?"

You'll notice that "Internal education and training is #2 at 37%. Oooh, yea for us! But I want you to take a closer look at what is in the #1 spot. Go ahead. I'll sit here a minute and give you a chance to check it out.

<cue Jeopardy game show music>

Wow, look at that! CEOs are MORE interested in "Creating ROI Measurements"... almost 50% in fact.

Wouldn't it be REALLY cool if you...the little ol' training department person... could go to the CEO and say,

"Hey, I know exactly how to integrate social media into our training programs AND I can show you how we intend to measure employee performance improvements over time."

Or something like that. Anyways, the big message here is to NOT forget that measurements are important to CEOs. They don't care about your Bloom's taxonomy, and your Hannifin and Peck Media Selection guide, and your ADDIE model, and your bla, bla, bla, new shiny rapid development tool. CEOs want results. And they want to know HOW you're going to give it too them and what indicators important to THEM you are going to move forward.

So get busy! You've got work to do. Well...at least 37% of you do.

Story about Technology in Schools Misses the Point

Why does the conversation always end up of being either/or when it comes to technology in the classroom? I see "news" stories about schools with technology and schools without technology all the time. If this is still an important story to viewers then I wish news stations would get the story right.

I mean seriously! Is this story STILL about BOOKS vs. LAPTOPS? Are you kidding me? The recent story that drove me to this post came from the same local news channel that runs stories titled "Schools Using Cell Phones to Educate", and "Edu-Technology Increases Participation". And now I'm watching them pit 2 schools against each other; the one purchasing technology, and the one purchasing old school books. And not one word mentioned about pedagogy. Obviously our work is not done.

Let's start with this. Good Education vs Bad education is NOT about technology! If you don't ASK your students to engage with the works of Shakespeare they will not learn about Shakespeare. I don't care if you have technology, or if you don't. Neither the book, nor the laptop is responsible for learning. Oh and by the way, books are in deed a form of technology. In which case, shouldn't the story be about which technology your school chooses instead of having tech or not having tech?

Just because you make kids buy BOOKS on Shakespeare doesn't make your school any better than the school that offers the entire library of Shakespeare (including every movie ever made based on Shakespeare's works) on an iPad, Laptop, or other new gadget. What's important is that YOU, the school administration, have CHOSEN to ask your students to engage in the works of the gifted, and creative, men and women from the past. These were the content creators of their day and worthy of study.

Actually, while your selection is important it is only the first step. You've made this choice. Now what? How do you intend to engage your students in Shakespeare? Is it one chapter each night at home and then a worksheet to be completed with a #2 pencil? Oops, Johnny used an ink pen...FAIL!

--------------------------

mom: Johnny! Why did you FAIL your Shakespeare homework?

Johnny: well...um...

mom: Don't well... um... me, MISTER! You read the entire thing AND we watched that chapter from the movie 10 times and you had the entire scene memorized! And your acting was brilliant I might add...

Johnny: ...but...

mom: ...and we skyped in that Harvard Professor of Shakespearean Literature who offered you that summer internship and full ride scholarship in 13 years...

Johnny: but MOM!!!

mom: ...OH WHY!!! How on earth could you FAIL after knowing more than Shakespeare himself??? Please tell me how!

Johnny: I used the pen with blue ink instead of the #2 pencil.

----------------------------

Or, are you going to have your students truly ENGAGE with the works of Shakespeare? Read the stories, watch the movie, act out the parts, etc. Discuss the story with students in the class. Discuss the story with... oh let's say... STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD! If you are not familiar with technology, its important for you to know that this is possible. And SO much more!

The point most news stories miss, because most schools miss it, is that new technologies turn the entire connected world into your child's classroom. New technologies turn your child and everyone else into instant content creators and publishers. New technologies facilitate collaboration.

The question shouldn't be if new technology is better than old technology. The question is how are you going to USE the technology you have to engage your students in the content you want them too learn.

A Jobless Future - A New New Deal - Why Isn't eLearning Part of this Conversation?

Last week +Jeff Jarvis posted this in Google plus and it sparked some interesting conversation. Since there aren't really titles in a G+ post you can learn a lot from the first line.

"We're not going to have a jobless recovery. We're going to have a jobless future."

I was lurking around the conversation without offering my thoughts and then I saw this blog post from Jason Calacanis titled "A New New Deal: Adult Technical Education (or "The Jarvis Deal")". I would HIGHLY recommend reading BOTH items. The comments from the Jarvis post got off track pretty quickly and turned into taxes, politics, and bla, bla, bla. Jason's post refocused the conversation and was the driver for this post.

So, who are these guys?

Jeff Jarvis is a Journalist, Professor, and Show Host. He is also the creator of the popular blog BuzzMachine. Check out his wikipedia page here.

Jason Calacanis is listed on his wikipedia page as an Internet entrepreneur and blogger. He is a highly outspoken personality in the world of new media and tech and hosts his own network called Thisweekin.com. My personal favorite is This Week in Startups.

Okay, so NOW you're caught up. You know who these guys are and you've read their posts. Now tell me... don't you think WE have a role in this conversation? Don't you think its about time we stopped hiding in our little insulated training corner of the corporate world and stepped up? In the powerful rhetoric of my friend and colleague Aaron Silvers (The Beard), "HELLS YEAH"!

So, here's your chance. We all have a unique perspective on this topic. Our industry is filled with the smartest Educational Technologists, and Instructional Designers, in the world. I want you to get in on the conversation with Jeff and Jason. Offer your $.02 because honestly, I don't even think they know you/we exist. Personally, most people I know didn't even know our career/profession existed before they met me.  

Here's what I think and know from personal experience.

Automation
Anything and EVERYTHING that is repetitive, currently uses human physical power, is currently paper-based, or in other ways INEFFICIENT will, at some point, be done by automated machines. I believe Jeff is right. Many jobs will never come back. Other jobs are evolving because of technology and those insisting on "the old ways" will become displaced workers. Because even if YOU are damn good at "doing it your way", at some point someone will begin doing it better, faster, cheaper through the use of technology.

The case study I'm currently living is in the health care industry. Home health care to be more specific. I've watched my wife sit in our bed covered with paperwork completing form after form after form to meet government regulations. Home health care agencies were mostly small businesses that hired contractors to provide the care and then the business would push the paperwork and billing so everyone would get paid. A NIGHTMARE! (Oh btw, NONE of the regulations are actually based on providing quality care...but that's a different rant)

Well, one newer company in town has invested in a fully automated system, with tablets and cell phones for the care givers and NO PAPERWORK. New employees that refused to learn the technology have already been let go. And companies unable to convert from paper to digital processes have already shut their doors.

And that's only ONE example! I see it in many many more places on a daily basis. The bottom line is you better start getting comfortable with technology in whatever field you are in, or you will be left behind.

Adult Technology Education
So, that leads us to Jason's post. And let me just say, that I have a lot of respect for Jason. I don't know him, but its obvious he's a real smart, ambitious guy. So, if you read his post you'll understand my next comments. I LOVE hearing entrepreneurs work through problems...as they should...LIKE ENTREPRENEURS. But when entrepreneurs apply their entrepreneurial thinking, data, and solutions and attempt to apply them to government entities, I'm left scratching my head. I was hanging with him right up until I read this line...

"Let’s add 20% to that number for management and overhead of the program..."

As another esteemed colleague might say, "bless his heart". Seriously, I don't have time to review any current school system finances, and so I'd love to be corrected on this, but I think THE biggest problem with our schools today is that management and overhead is WAY above 20%. And what about the unions? I won't go there.

Like I said, I LOVE that American entrepreneurs are putting their brilliant minds to the task of education. But entrepreneurial ventures are completely different beasts compared to government run agencies. I'm sorry to say it, but I just don't think our government is up the task of being entrepreneurial. American entrepreneurs gave us the "for profit" university model of which the government is battling because they are taking money away from public universities. (here's one of many articles).

So, as part of a conversation and in theory I think some of Jason's number are a good starting point. However, in the end something this good will never come from the government. It will need to be a free market venture. And so with that, I have a question for Jason. If someone brought your Adult Technical Education business plan to Launch, would you put up $$$ and invest?


What can we, the eLearning community do?
I hate writing long form blog post but I feel like I need to add this last section. I've been in the eLearning business for a long time and I've every technology-based training solution that exists. We have virtual worlds, simulations for software, interactive 3D simulations, synchronous online classroom training, social learning, serious games, mobile learning, collaborative learning, and on and on. There is no reason to spend money on a physical space for teaching/learning any more. I know, I know, we all still believe in the power of face-to-face collaboration. But what I'm saying is that collaborative gathering spaces already exist. There is no need to build any more physical spaces for adult education.

I'd also like to add that from what I've heard, the types of jobs that most technology companies are looking for require a certain set of skills mostly not being taught in our current educational systems. So, a better solution might be encouraging companies to create their own Adult education training programs in partnership with other companies and share the responsibility for growing a more educated workforce.

There is a lot that CAN be done. I guess the question ends up being how can someone make this profitable, or else its never going to happen.

Maybe this is a conversation we should have at DevLearn this year. Jason, I'll have an open invitation waiting for you if you'd like to join us.

The EDGE - Adobe's HTML5 Authoring Tool - eLearning possibilities?

Not to be mistaken with U2's The Edge, Adobe's Edge may answer Bono's dilemma that he still hasn't found what he's looking for. If he was an eLearning developer instead of a rockstar icon this could very well be what he's been looking for...what we've all been waiting for.

Or not...

It's about 1:30am AZ time and I can't sleep so I pick up the iPad, open ZITE, and the first article is this one from READWRITEWEB. Wow! I totally did not see that coming. Maybe because I sort of stopped paying attention. But seriously, this is a big deal.

According to the article it's even going to have the ability to create simple games. For me that translates into "interactions". And for eLearning that's a BIG deal.

An even BIGGER deal for me is that it's available for the Mac, and is currently a FREE download.

The big question i need answered is will the output end up being a LOT of bloated HTML5 coding and scripting? I've heard concerns about this with tools like HYPE for the Mac. I'll wait a few days and learn more from the developers I know running tests.

Of course if you want to talk, and learn more about Adobe's Edge, there is no better place than DevLearn this November. I'm hoping to see some working prototypes displayed at DemoFest. It's going to be an exciting year for developers!