When you look at the numbers associated with workplace learning and development, the investment in leader performance jumps out. Bersin Associates, now a unit within Deloitte, wrote this in 2012: U.S. companies have increased leadership development spending 14 percent over 2011 levels to an estimated $13.6 billion in 2012. The Bersin group notes that this spending is extending beyond senior leaders and to mid-level and even first-level managers. Talent Edge 2020, a longitudinal study of the matters weighing on executives’ minds, identified leadership as their most pressing talent concern. Can we rely on training and development for … [Read more...]
Moving beyond the classroom — talk that leads to action
March 27, 2013 by
The learning organization of the last century focused on the classroom. That was challenge enough. Today, the canvas of the learning organization expands to include the classroom and the world of work. With humility about the influence of scheduled training events, learning leaders now are asked to deliver experiences, resources and relationships on demand, where and when needed. While this shift is good in many ways, it is no slam dunk. Let's look in on a conversation between Erun, a global learning leader and a workplace learning professional, Meg. Meg has been asked by the VP of Sales to “develop a dynamic, digital training … [Read more...]
Why We Need Instructional Design More Than Ever
February 22, 2013 by
In spite of gripes about relevance, congruence with new technology, and sluggishness, I remain an instructional design fan. Why? ID is not perfect, but it is what we have, and it does tame the chaos that surrounds us-- to some extent. I'm one of those people who appreciates the good old days of ID. Then we were devoted to clear and articulated outcomes, matching strategies to them, and provision of worked examples with lots of practice and feedback. Now, there are new ID frameworks, welcome additions, in my view. I know that choice, guided choice, is motivating, and that this new world is characterized by self-direction, … [Read more...]
Worried about software? Consider performance support
February 19, 2013 by
I can't get enough of performance support. That passion began early, when I encountered the limitations of my own memory. It continues to this day as I discover even more flaws in my memory. Of course, I rely heavily on technology to help me travel, pack, commune, invest, eat and maximize the software residing on my computer. That's all good for me. But what of the enterprise? Performance support is a great idea that is finally working its way into learning and talent enterprises. This movement is driven by impatient executives, managers, and employees. They will not wait for a class to be scheduled. They recognize limitations in … [Read more...]
The Pulse of Mobile Learning
December 6, 2012 by
A faint pulse today Most of what is said and written about mobile learning and support touts potential and points to the future. Current studies confirm a faint pulse for mobile in enterprise learning today. I first noticed this enthusiasm-action gap when colleague Jim Marshall and I surveyed workplace learning professionals about their learning technology practices. To our surprise, even in this professionally active sample, only 4% said they were using mobile to deliver learning and support in their organizations. So low was that number that I confirmed it with several large audiences, including one at a conference devoted to mobile … [Read more...]
Technology sinner
November 9, 2012 by
That technology sinner is me. I sinned this morning. I awoke at 5:30 AM to address an elearning conference in Europe via Adobe Connect. By 5:50 AM, with colorful earrings in my ears, and virtually suitable clothing on top, I was ready for the webinar. This isn't about technology failure. Connect worked like a charm. Or I think it did. And therein lies the problem. I presented for 45 minutes, with PowerPoint, to the assembled group. I used lively examples, provocative questions, and a few self-effacing personal stories. I prompted for reflection and urged application, and I pointed to relevant, accessible resources. I smiled and … [Read more...]
Want to go mobile for learning and support?
October 19, 2012 by
John Park is my guest blogger. I invited him to write this when I recognized my lack of clarity about the options for mobile development and delivery. I think you will enjoy his tour of our choices. We want to use mobile devices, but which mobile? There is great excitement about the potential of mobile devices for learning and support. It is hard to ignore the benefits of learning and information on demand, in close proximity to work. At the same time, there are all those devices out there, available, ripe for use by sellers, repairers, analysts and auditors. It makes sense to look to them. Workplace learning professionals now find … [Read more...]
Reflections on Two Decades and Three Degrees
October 7, 2012 by
Jolie Kennedy is my guest blogger. I think you will enjoy her take on her learning experiences. Jolie writes: Summer 1989: Queens College, City University of New York. Madonna’s Like a Prayer blares on my headphones. It’s my first semester and I’m low man on the totem pole. I get classes no one wants… statistics and ethics. Ugh. College sucks! Stats class is a bust. I struggle with those pesky word problems. I don’t get them and the teacher doesn’t care. I fail stats. I am more interested in learning about Hasidic Jewish culture from my classmate. I work and pay my own bills. Soon I will get my first credit card. I will graduate with a … [Read more...]
Performance support “hearts” training and vice versa
September 19, 2012 by
In September I attended the eLearning Guild’s new conference, Performance Support Symposium. Ontuitive’s Bob Mosher kicked it off with a mighty bang, offering the jaw-dropping suggestion that we cast off training in favor of performance support. Like Bob, I am hooked on performance support. In the 80s, I wrote a book about job aids. More recently, I wrote another, this one called Handbook for Job Aids and Performance Support. This thing I have with performance support (PS) is a long-term relationship. My bond with training and development is just as deep. It began with a few years as a high school English teacher, then several decades … [Read more...]
On the brink with mobile– what learning executives say
September 8, 2012 by
Words without actions Words without actions. That's how I described the status of mobile learning in an article in eLearn magazine ten months ago. My point then was that mobile offers immense potential for learning and support but that it is not yet making much of a difference in the enterprise. When San Diego State University (SDSU) colleague Jim Marshall and I surveyed more than a thousand educators in companies, agencies and universities about their eLearning practices, they reported reliance on traditional eLearning approaches, like scenarios, virtual classrooms, and online assessments. Performance support and mobile devices only rarely … [Read more...]
