FREE: Corporate eLearning Audio Script Review

Sarah Kesher, from the Grammy award winning audio production facility Sound80, is looking for audio scripts.  She is giving a session at DevLearn 2011 titled Scriptwriting for Engaging eLearning.  She'd like to review a few of your scripts and use them as examples during her session.  This is a GREAT opportunity for you to learn from an expert in audio scriptwriting.

From Sarah:

"This is an opportunity to get some new ideas on scripts you are actually working on.
If you're planning on attending Scriptwriting for Engaging eLearning and would like to have a portion of a script you're working on reviewed and used as a before and after example in the session, please send your scripts* by October 14 to sarah@sound80.com."

Also, be sure to change any business names or confidential information to something generic.

I'd also like to just comment that THIS is one of the many cool things about being part of The eLearning Guild community.  Sure it's fun to go to DevLearn and listen to great speakers, but in order to get the MOST out of your experience you must ENGAGE.  We ask this of our own learners, so why not do it ourselves?

Engage with Sarah and learn how to improve your scriptwriting.  Hearing feedback from experts is priceless and often not available.  So, I would encourage you to step outside your comfort zone and let someone else take a look at your work.  It doesn't hurt.  I promise.

CONTEXT is KING, but CONTENT is QUEEN. Long Live the Queen!

I've given presentations on this idea as it relates and impacts the future of Learning technologies and solutions that we design/develop/support.  SO, I was VERY excited to see wine geek and entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuck focusing on CONTEXT today.



CONTEXT is important today because of the proliferation of CONTENT.  In general, I don't think one is more important than the other.  Actually, if you don't have any content you don't worry too much about the context.  But since new technologies have made it so easy to create web media content, there is an over abundance of it.  And so the problem that everyone is concerned with is how do we deal with such an overwhelming amount of information that everyone is participating in creating?  And the answer is in the context.

How we organize, filter and view other people's content is increasingly more important.  This is how we learn about things we didn't know we needed to learn.  It's that serendipitous learning that is going to have a major impact on our industry...in a good way.  The more people discover what they NEED to know, the more likely they are to seek out elearning content to consume and learn more about that topic.  At least that's my theory.

How we decide to share our OWN content is another part of context that we all need to be aware of.  Gary Vaynerchuck is a perfect example of how taking control of your own creation and distribution of media content can make you very successful.  It can also grow your personal brand or your company brand.  Getting your message into a channel that allows readers (learners) to have access to it when they need it, on the device they need it on, is increasingly critical.

Its about People, Content, and Context.  That's really all you need to know about the impact of new media on learning.  You'll notice I did not ad technology as a fourth item.  Why?  Because its not about technology.  Learning has never been about technology.  It's about PEOPLE first and foremost.  Second, its about the CONTENT you create for others to consume in your absence: your writings, your podcasts, your videos, your interactive screencasts, or your full blown learning solution.  And lastly, but getting more play these days is CONTEXT.  Access to content at the right time, in the right place, on the right device is part of it.  But delivery and design is the piece that Facebook is figuring out faster than others.  Visually being aware of the content others are consuming, creating and sharing, in a usable interface is today's winning tech solution.  Apps and new technology solutions that help provide CONTEXT around all of today's content will win the day.

QR Codes are Still Alive and Useful - Thanks Wikipedia!

I've been excited about the possibility of QR codes for a couple years now.  But, for whatever reason, they've never really taken off.  I must admit that I find it a little cumbersome to fumble around my iPhone apps trying to find the right QR code reader that will get the job done.  So, in general, I've stopped thinking about them other than to impress non-geek friends as a party trick.

Then I came across QRpedia today.  The famous WIKIPEDIA has released a code creator specifically for Wikipedia pages.  Honestly, I really like this as a solution.  Wikipedia is a great source of information and QR codes are a cheap way to make connections between our physical world and information rich digital world.

Of course I tested QRpedia with the eLearning page in wikipedia.  Mostly because I'm not important enough to have my own wikipedia entry.  Maybe some day ;-)  So, the cool thing about these QR codes is that they can also detect what language your phone is set too.  This way the wikipedia article is automatically returned to the device in the language set on the device.  Sure, it's a little thing.  But its those little things that can really make a difference.

DEMOFEST - Feedback From Your Trusted Colleagues in eLearning

DEMOFEST is the BEST place for you to get peer feedback by showcasing your work at DevLearn.

You are not going to get this kind of feedback anywhere else.

You might be afraid because you think you're work is not cutting-edge.  But I think you will be surprised at how ahead of the curve you probably already are.  Did you know that some organizations are still ONLY using classroom-based instructor led training?  It's true.  Don't get me wrong.  I still believe there is a place for instructor led training, but if you're doing eLearning development then you are already ahead of the curve.

Honestly, DemoFest is one of my favorite parts of DevLearn.  This is where you get to see REAL eLearning in action.  It's not about a thought leader just TELLING you how eLearning should be done.  And its also not about a vendor promising you the greatest eLearning ever.  No.  This is real world eLearning done by your peers.

And for managers, you will want to see this as well.  Would you be willing to display the work of your team?  I think this is an honest question you should be asking yourself and your team.  Benchmarking yourself, or your team, against the industry is valuable knowledge, and you need to know where you stand.

And it's just a heck of a lot of fun!!!

Announcing Blogger App for iOS

This is certainly not breaking news, but I wanted to let my readers know that Blogger now has an iOS app.  Download from iTunes App store.
I've been posting to elearndev.blogspot.com via my mobile device for many years now via email and other forwarding apps.  But now that Blogger has an official app, I'm more convinced that I will most likely keep my blog here for a while.
As mentioned in the Blogger Buzz blog post...

"Pictures are worth a thousand words, and the Blogger app makes it easy to add photos either by choosing from the gallery or taking a new photo right within the app. You can also add labels and location to provide more details about the post."

You can also save drafts, and edit drafts that were started from your desktop. This is important to me as I have a hard time staying focused. So, I tend to start several different blog posts at the same time and then add images and links over time. So, having the ability to start, edit, or finish a blog post from any of my computing devices is very efficient for me.
How does this impact eLearning? Well, if you're not into Blearning yet, then you might not understand. But if you have experienced the fun and effective use of reflective writing, and sharing via a blog, then you know what I mean.  I once heard someone say, "teaching is learning twice".  And I just recently saw a tweet equating their blogging to teaching.  I can relate to both statements.  I hope you learn something new from this blog every now and then.
Cheers!

Posterous Spaces - eLearning Platform ...maybe

Posterous Spaces was announced today.  Here's the story from MASHABLE.

I've used Posterous in the past and, quite honestly, really like it.  It made posting to multiple web channels very quick and easy.  So now that they've added more "social networking" features, I'm wondering how close it gets to becoming a Learning Platform?
Take a look and let me know what you think.  I'll be getting back into it this week and try to post a followup report on my experience.


What's new and what's different about Posterous Spaces from Posterous on Vimeo.

Is Learning More Like the Decentralized Starfish?

I'm obviously VERY late to this party. The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations was published in 2006. I'm just now reading about it from a blog post at The Hacker Chick Blog - The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations.

Check out these videos of the authors talking about the big idea within The Starfish and the Spider. Ori Brafman - Starfish and Spider Keynote at TRADOC Rob Beckstrom - The Starfish and the Spider

While I was watching the videos and checking out the book's web site I couldn't help but wonder about education. I'm actually always wondering about training and education, and so that shouldn't surprise you. But how does the idea of decentralized networks play out in higher ed for example? I don't think its surprising to anyone that there is a massive bubble swelling in higher ed. So, what happens when smart people begin to see that getting the knowledge they need to succeed in life does NOT require a degree? Kind of the same way that musicians are discovering that they don't really need a record company to make, record, publish, and sell their music.But there is also concern in corporate training departments. With social media enhancing human networks and flattening the org chart, some wonder if there will still be a need for a formalized training department that too often mirrored the structure and logistical requirements of academic institutions. So, if the academic bubble bursts what happens to the corporate university or the training department? Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, do any Fortune 500s still even have a corporate university?

I don't have an answer to any of these questions. Stumbling across The Starfish and the Spider has simply got me thinking of centralized vs. decentralized organizations again. I've seen the pendulum swing from one side to the other several times during my corporate life. I still remember thinking how crazy it was that leadership just couldn't make up their minds and stick with one or the other.What do you think? What have you experienced in the past 10-20 years? How is corporate eLearning changing?

[INFOGRAPHIC] How Video Games are Changing Education

Special thanks to Cammy Bean's Learning Visions for pointing this out to me.


Via: Online Colleges Guide

Learn eLearning Audio Production from an Expert

Are you an eLearning developer struggling with audio? Okay maybe you're not struggling. You're getting stuff done, but you wish your audio was better. Like most things technical, once you know the little tricks and gain a better understanding of the technology it becomes an easy leap from amateur audio to "wow, that's sounds great" audio.
I know many of you just farm out the dirty work of audio scripting, producing, recording, publishing. But I ALSO know many of you are a Learning Department of One. You are the lone developer with little to no budget. If the eLearning is going get any better in your company its totally and completely up to you. So, lets make that happen.
Audio is a big part of developing eLearning. I'd even go so far as too say that MOST learners expect some level of audio in the multimedia mix. And if you are doing anything with video you will most likely will be dealing with audio as well...unless you've designed the script as a Charlie Chaplin, silent movie, experience.
The bottom line is that every developer should have a basic understanding of digital audio technology. And while understanding is good, getting your hands into the tools and making audio files is even better.

DevLearn pre-conference workshops are a great way to ramp up new skills. This year we are very happy to have Chris Hansen leading Audio File Production and Management for Learning as part of the eLearning Guild Academy.
Besides producing audio tracks for musicians and voice over talent in his studio, he is also the Instructional Design Manager for Guitar Center. Chris is truly a rare find in our little world of eLearning colleagues. Of course I know many instructional designers, and outside of eLearning I know a few talented media producers. But Chris is the first audio specialist I've met that not has both skill sets but also takes on the role of managing the development process for the largest music retailer in the country.
DevLearn is at The ARIA hotel in Las Vegas this year. Its the newest hotel in Vegas with the most high tech conference facility. I would highly encourage anyone interested in stepping up their development skills to register for this workshop and spend the day with Chris learning about the finer points of audio production.

4 Great Resources to Help eLearning Presenters Prepare for DevLearn

With DevLearn 2011 only a few weeks away there are over 100 speakers preparing to tell their stories to their eLearning colleagues. While many of the presenters are seasoned professionals, some are not. I think that's a good thing. I believe everyone has something to say. Everyone has a story to tell. Everyone has an eLearning tip to share that someone will benefit from hearing. And DevLearn is the best place for those opportunities to come alive.

UPDATE: Buy Enchanted and get PresentationZen for FREE Click Here...
Beginner and experienced speakers alike can benefit from these 4 great resources.
Guy Kawasaki - Guy is a fabulous presenter. He doesn't always talk about being a great presenter...in fact he does very little. But I REALLY like his 10/20/30 Rule. And while he created it for entrepreneurs presenting to venture capitalists, I truly believe the lessons apply.
Presentation Zen - Garr Reynold's has mastered the art of the slide. His philosophical approach to design is beautiful and I'm always inspired by his simplistic, elegant, slides that make very strong points.
http://www.duarte.com/ - I can't say enough nice things about Nancy Duarte. She presented at Learning Solutions 2011 and she wow'd the audience. Slide:ology and Resonate are both on my desk and available for instant refreshers when I need to get into the presentation mood. After seeing her presentation and understanding the pattern of a good speech, its fun to practice and work at getting better.
Communication nation - Dave Gray is a design thinker. He has a great post on how to present like Steve Jobs. The link will take you there. Your presentation should be like a work of art. It should be designed, not tossed together with the default template in PowerPoint. Improving your design thinking will help you in many ways.
Enjoy these links! And enjoy preparing your next presentation master piece! It should be a labor of love.