Consumers and Mobile Apps in the U.S.: All About Android and Apple iOS
Thirty-six percent of U.S. mobile consumers now have smartphones
Consumers with Apple iOS (iPhone) and Google Android OS mobile phones represent the majority of the smartphone market in the U.S. and 74 percent of mobile app downloaders
If your view of the evolution of mobile devices is strictly focused on your friends and US media outlets, then you don't have a clue about the impact of mobile devices.
Africa is taking advantage of mobility more profoundly than any other continent. There are many reasons why, but this slideshare is a great place to start. Its a fabulous collection of trends spotted by those who live there and follow technology stories.
If you're in education/learning/training related fields there is a lot to be learned here. Don't forget about mLearnCon as well coming up in June.
mLearnCon is not that far away. June will be here faster than you think. At least that's what the calendars on my iPad and iPhone are telling me. Its going to be an intense 3 days highly focused on mobile learning. If you don't think you're ready for mobile, I would suggest you think again. You don't need to be implementing a mobile learning solution RIGHT NOW to need this conference. Whether you like it or not your learners (the orgs employees) all have mobile devices with them...in their pockets...RIGHT NOW! This is a great opportunity for you and your training department to take advantage of this technology. Find out how at mLearnCon.
The way you manage and deliver learning is dramatically changing because of new mobile technologies. Come discover new strategies, identify the skill sets needed, learn best practices, and explore new technologies for designing, delivering, and managing your mobile learning at The eLearning Guild’s mLearnCon 2011, June 21-23 in San Jose, CA.
* Explore cutting-edge thinking with keynote speakers Jeremiah Owyang on mLearning Strategy, Amber MacArthur on Power Learning, and the new mLearning Insights Panel, featuring eight mLearning gurus who will address the most challenging mLearning issues facing learning professionals today.
* Choose from more than 125 learning activities, including 80 concurrent sessions across ten learning tracks spanning mobile learning management, design, case studies, content, tablet technology, and more.
* Stay on top of the newest trends in mLearning and discover the latest tools and technologies on three exciting learning stages, including the mLearning Future Zone, MOSHPit (Mobile Operating Systems Help) and Master Classes stages.
Whether you are just starting to develop your mobile learning strategy or are already leveraging mobile technologies for your learning efforts, you will find the answers you need at mLearnCon 2011.
Thanks to @janehart for pointing this out. Follow the link below and read how Yammer is being used in disaster preparedness training. If you aren't familiar with Yammer you can get more info at Yammer.com.
What I'd specifically like to point out is how innovative this training solution is. And no I don't mean that Yammer is an innovative tool. It's not about the tool. It's about the people. In this type of situation it may not be Yammer that is being used as the mode of communication. What the trainees are learning how to do is communicate effectively via technology when talking is not possible.
It's one of those moments when it seems so obvious after someone else has already done. Many kudos to the training team.
Imagine the warm autumn sun rising against the craggy outlines of Mount Vesuvius. You’re at a quaint sidewalk cucina, about to tuck into a plate of fresh-baked bombolini when suddenly, the ground begins to vibrate and your cappuccino starts to roil. You look up and the once dormant volcano appears to be gasping plumes of smoke. As others run away, you leap into action: for you are one of Derek France’s Natural Hazard Management students. Over the next 45 minutes, you and your fellow Hazard Analyst Officers must grapple with a major disaster. Looming not too far away, the mighty volcano threatens to erupt for the first time in 60 years. All around this natural landform, millions of lives are at risk. You immediately grab your laptop and get onto your Yammer network to respond and coordinate with your team.
Steve Cooper has been nominated as Best eLearning Executive in theMaestro eLearning Awards,dubbed the OSCARS of the eLearning industry. What follows is an interview between Steve and the award’s organizers,Maestro eLearning.
Q. Being the CEO of Chandler University, what’s constantly on your mind? As the CEO, I have three primary responsibilities:
To provide the greatest return possible to our shareholders
To be responsible for everything our company does, or fails to do
To provide the long-term strategic vision (to democratize education), then coach the coaches (our executives) who are responsible for executing these goals while ensuring that they are communicating with each other.
Q. With such responsibilities, how do you approach each day? Each morning starts with a one minute stand-up huddle and no meetings, except a weekly agenda-less get-together where the team discusses 3-4 pressing things (check outDeath by Meeting). Then I go where the action is, wherever that may be. I need to look at the team in their eyes to truly know if they have things under control. No one in our office is allowed to e-mail me unless it’s a document I need to see—this forces people to actually get out of their office, walk down the hall, and communicate face-to-face. It’s an awesome thing! Q. Sounds like you've learned some "hacks" for supercharging team productivity. Any other useful hacks worth sharing?
Sure: micro-manage, micro-manage, and micro-manage—the reality is that as a leader you have to ensure your vision is executed exactly as you intend, and if you look at most disasters within any organization, it’s because the bosses stopped looking under the hood, kicking the tires, and checking the smallest of details. Instead, they were off at events that rarely ensured quality assurance. Leaders who stay focused on the team getting it right for the customer tend to produce the best results.
Q. In some circles, micro-managing is something to be avoided. How do you go about micro-managing in a positive way?
People usually resent micro-management when leaders don’t lead by example (has an attitude of “do as I say, not as I do”). Nothing inspires employees more than seeing their bosses roll up their sleeves and get dirty with them whenever needed.
It takes time to build a culture that embraces this, and often they don’t realize the value of micro-management until successful results are achieved. And it sometimes takes even longer. When they look back and reflect on why things went well, they realize that I was with them every step of the way.
I don’t have all the answers, but am very proud that most of the employees and executives that have parted ways with me because of an acquisition have repeatedly asked to return and work with me. It’s an awesome responsibility that I don’t take for granted and it’s very humbling.
Q. Thanks for sharing what you’ve learned. For those who want to follow in your footsteps, what resources would you recommend?
Two things. First and foremost: “A violently executed plan TODAY is far better than a perfect plan TOMORROW” - General Patton
Second, a must-read for all managers wanting to move into C-level positions isQBQ: Question Behind the Question. It’s about accepting personal responsibility for everything and how to stop blaming others for shortcomings.
When I was talking with Amber about keynoting mLearnCon she mentioned that App Central was in the works but I was not allowed to say anything. Now that the show is airing (in Canada) it's safe for me to talk.
The bad news is that it's only available to Canadians. The good news is that you can watch segments on the BNN web site . The show is fast-paced fun and VERY educational. Those of you that know me, know of my early video broadcasting/production career. That curse makes me highly sensitive to production value. I'm happy to report that the production value is fabulous! They are serious about Apps and have created an outstanding viewing experience.
Amber Mac, as she's known to many, is not only doing App Central she also hosts Work Smart for FastCompany.com.
If you don't know her already, you will soon. She understands tech and more importantly can wade through the geekiness and help the rest of us truly understand the future of mobile technologies and how they apply to our world of work, performance, training, and learning. You will not want to miss your opportunity to hear her speak this June at mLearnCon. The power of mobile technologies for learning will blow your mind.
Seems like everything is getting a game mechanic these days: Thumbs up. Thumbs down. Yeah! I'm the Mayor! Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Google has announced the +1 button. I've watched the video but have not yet found the elusive +1 button in my Google.
YouTube.com uses game mechanics. Betcha didn't know that! Check out this Google presentation given by Amy Jo Kim (@amyjokim).
She talks about 5 basic game mechanics: Collecting, Points(Game Points, Social Points, Redeemable Points), Feedback, Exchanges, Customization.There are others but this is a good set to start thinking about. While you're watching the video be thinking about how you might incorporate them into your next corporate learning initiative. Leave your thoughts in the comments. Let me know how you plan to +1 your eLearning!
