I have spent the last few weeks test driving several similar technologies that I would call DASHBOARDS.
Google Desktop is a great little dashboard that doesn't take up much room and stays visible on your screen by reducing the amount of full desktop space available to other applications.
Konfabulator is basically Widgets for WinXP.
Widgets are little gizmos that sit on your screen and offer up data and info from the time and temp. to google searches, to image dispaly, to local gas prices, and on, and on.
These are great little tools that will start gaining momentum as people begin to discover the usefulness of their enhabiting our desktop space. So how long will it be before we can create a Learning Widget, or Knowledge Widget.
Wouldn't it be great if individuals documented their thoughts, activities, or ideas in a blog, or wiki that was published via RSS and imediately distributed and displayed in a Knowledge Widget on everyone's computer, pda, or cell phone?
Remember folks, these technologies are here NOW...it doesn't take a bloated enterprise application to make this happen. Let me know if you want to learn how.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Monday, September 12, 2005
Scarcity to Abundance...from Elliot Masie
Great short read on how our learners today are accessing and being subjected to learning.
My additional comments: I think there are many companies out there that read something like this and they say to themselves "right on, let's go create a system that does all of this." I say...WHY? The tools for supporting the "new learner" are already out there. After all, how do you think they become this way? And don't think for a minute that buying that million dollar LMS is going to save your bacon. New Learners did NOT become the way they are because they spent their days in high school and college finding information in the latest LMS.
Our largest roadblocks implementing new technologies in the corporate realm are: 1) going up against old school subject matter experts that insist on instructing a day long BORING class, 2) EXTREMELY outdated document management systems that have overstayed their welcome, 3) Those administators/gatekeepers that maintain the system/bureaucracy for the sake of the bureaucracy. 4) data security, 5) data certification.
Good luck!
Saturday, September 10, 2005
ISD, Elearning Developer = Creative Professional
If you create any type of corporate training collateral you ARE a creative professional. Graphic Designers, Motion Graphic designers, video producers, traditional artists, etc. all deal with customers regarding creative, design focused projects. We have a lot to learn from those that specialize in the areas in which we dabble and never truly master.
I would encourage you to listen to the Media Artist Secrets podcast for some excellent commentary, tips and tricks, on being a creative professional. You should also be familiar with Creativecow.net as a source of inspiration and education. They have fabulous tutorials for all creative apps.
Creative Cow
Media Artist Secrets
Improve your skills and talents at all costs. Presenting your learning content through outstanding graphic design visuals will put your work over the top. Always remember: you may be making a simple page-turner to meet your clients immediate need, but that doesn't mean it should suck. If you must make a page-turner, make it ROCK!
I would encourage you to listen to the Media Artist Secrets podcast for some excellent commentary, tips and tricks, on being a creative professional. You should also be familiar with Creativecow.net as a source of inspiration and education. They have fabulous tutorials for all creative apps.
Creative Cow
Media Artist Secrets
Improve your skills and talents at all costs. Presenting your learning content through outstanding graphic design visuals will put your work over the top. Always remember: you may be making a simple page-turner to meet your clients immediate need, but that doesn't mean it should suck. If you must make a page-turner, make it ROCK!
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Smelling and learning
I am increasingly more convinced that the marketing profession has much to teach us in the learning profession. After all aren't they "teaching" people? In 30 seconds or less as well...and/or with few or no words at all. Basically both professions are saying "hey, REMEMBER what I'm telling you, showing you, etc.".
I have much to ponder on this topic but for now I want you to consider the little details of training. Specifically those of us that still teach in a classroom for one reason or another. Our presentation is perfect, materials are beautiful, the instructional design is flawless, and the room is ready...or is it. You've done all that you can to influence your students maximun learning power...or have you. Ever thought about how your room (or you for that matter) SMELLS?
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/14/smell.html
Smells like Brand Spirit article
Scent as a part of branding is more understood as a powerful gateway to our brains, and enhancing our ability to recall information. And marketers are taking advantage of it...So should we. I believe its another tool in providing the memorable EXPERIENCE for our learners. I imagine the training room that we are responsible for being beautiful, well decorated, the perfect temperature, comfortable chairs, and a pleasing scent. I want my customer base to LOVE the environment so much that going to training is something to look forward too. Not just a vacation from the daily grind, but an actual experience conducive to producing the FLOW effect and enhancing recall of training objectives.
Sure the training needs to be GOOD too. But, don't we all assume that our training is great! :)
I have much to ponder on this topic but for now I want you to consider the little details of training. Specifically those of us that still teach in a classroom for one reason or another. Our presentation is perfect, materials are beautiful, the instructional design is flawless, and the room is ready...or is it. You've done all that you can to influence your students maximun learning power...or have you. Ever thought about how your room (or you for that matter) SMELLS?
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/14/smell.html
Smells like Brand Spirit article
Scent as a part of branding is more understood as a powerful gateway to our brains, and enhancing our ability to recall information. And marketers are taking advantage of it...So should we. I believe its another tool in providing the memorable EXPERIENCE for our learners. I imagine the training room that we are responsible for being beautiful, well decorated, the perfect temperature, comfortable chairs, and a pleasing scent. I want my customer base to LOVE the environment so much that going to training is something to look forward too. Not just a vacation from the daily grind, but an actual experience conducive to producing the FLOW effect and enhancing recall of training objectives.
Sure the training needs to be GOOD too. But, don't we all assume that our training is great! :)
Learning with the Flow
If you aren't familiar with FLOW as defined by "American psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (Mee-high CHICK-sent-me-high-ee)." You should look into his books. As a primer read this article in Fast Company.
As learning professionals we (at least I do) work under the idea that motivation is absolutely critical for learning to be effective. So as a learning community we should be very interested in how we can develop learning experiences that not only engage but put learners into a state of FLOW.
As learning professionals we (at least I do) work under the idea that motivation is absolutely critical for learning to be effective. So as a learning community we should be very interested in how we can develop learning experiences that not only engage but put learners into a state of FLOW.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Thomson Netg Corporate Training PodCasts
Podcasts are still so new, I think we are all trying new ways to figure out how to use them to our advantage.
CEO and other corporate leaders are beginning to use them to deliver messages across the corporation.
But does it make sense to use them on a more mico-level within our Orgs? If you have any case studies, please let me know.
Check out the PodCasts from Thomson Netg.
CEO and other corporate leaders are beginning to use them to deliver messages across the corporation.
But does it make sense to use them on a more mico-level within our Orgs? If you have any case studies, please let me know.
Check out the PodCasts from Thomson Netg.
DIY eLearning Video
So you've done all of your proper ISD and after your quick media selection analysis using the Hannafin and Peck guide you decide that a video would be the appropriate selection, or maybe just a part of the mulimedia package.
Your dilema: You either don't have an internal video production facility, or using them requires too many signatures, request docs, and scheduling time 6 months in advance.
Video production is getting cheaper all the time and the quality is outstanding...especially if its simply a quick training video. A cheap videocam, DV Cable, and iMovie, (or MS MovieMaker) and you're on your way.
You can find out more about eLearning video from this Learning Circuits article.
This article talks about using video in eLearning but also speaks of needing professional video production teams. I do not agree that professionals are required to create video that supports your learning objectives. In many instances its the content of the image...NOT the quaility...that allows for improved learning embedding in longterm memory.
Check out the following sites to improve your production skills:
DV Magazine online
DV Creators
Your dilema: You either don't have an internal video production facility, or using them requires too many signatures, request docs, and scheduling time 6 months in advance.
Video production is getting cheaper all the time and the quality is outstanding...especially if its simply a quick training video. A cheap videocam, DV Cable, and iMovie, (or MS MovieMaker) and you're on your way.
You can find out more about eLearning video from this Learning Circuits article.
This article talks about using video in eLearning but also speaks of needing professional video production teams. I do not agree that professionals are required to create video that supports your learning objectives. In many instances its the content of the image...NOT the quaility...that allows for improved learning embedding in longterm memory.
Check out the following sites to improve your production skills:
DV Magazine online
DV Creators
eLearning Magazine
eLearning Magazine
It's been a while since I've checked out eLearning Magazine online. It looks great, and the content is pretty good. Check it out.
It's been a while since I've checked out eLearning Magazine online. It looks great, and the content is pretty good. Check it out.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
I'll have the eLearning with a side of Wabi Sabi
What the heck is WABI SABI? I just figured out WIKIWIKI and now I'm thinkin' WabiSabi...it's got all the makings of a good ol' fashioned karate movie.
"Wabi Sabi nurtures all that is authentic by acknowledging three simple realities: nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect." Wikiwiki is very WabiSabi!!! How 'bout your last eLearning project? That sounds just like my reality in eLearning development over the last 10 years.
In reference to an earlier post...I believe IKEA is very Wabi Sabi :)
www.wabisabisimple.com
Understanding Wabi Sabi and learning to accept it is your first step to eLearning Development Enlightenment.
"Wabi Sabi nurtures all that is authentic by acknowledging three simple realities: nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect." Wikiwiki is very WabiSabi!!! How 'bout your last eLearning project? That sounds just like my reality in eLearning development over the last 10 years.
In reference to an earlier post...I believe IKEA is very Wabi Sabi :)
www.wabisabisimple.com
Understanding Wabi Sabi and learning to accept it is your first step to eLearning Development Enlightenment.
Great read...
Sharing Knowledge PDF
This is a great read. It is packed with awesome ideas, case studies, and observations that will get you thinking about the many technologies and learning methods that we have before us.
We live in fantastic, changing times. Enjoy!
This is a great read. It is packed with awesome ideas, case studies, and observations that will get you thinking about the many technologies and learning methods that we have before us.
We live in fantastic, changing times. Enjoy!
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