One of the best things about having kids is getting a Spring Break with them.  I'm fortunate enough to be doing that this week.  So, rather than doing my normal posts, what I decided to do was to go back and do a couple of best of posts during the week.  Of course, I cheated and used eLearning Learning to help me come up with these. Twitter as Personal Learning and Work Tool 12 eLearning Predictions for 2009 eLearning Conferences Tool Set 2009 Remote Collaboration Better Memory Share Best Practices - Patterns Information Radar How long does it take to select an LMS? Good Writing What Goes in the LMS? Low Cost LMS Crowdsourcing in the Small Aggregation Types Corporate Training Workplace Productivity Video-Based eLearning Authoring Tools Workplace Learning Professionals Next Job - Management Consultant Twitter Conference Ideas Long Live eLearning Technology Browse eLearning Content

The 2-day Super MRT (Memory-Reading-Thinking) workshop is Insya-Allah coming to Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) on 4-5 August, 2015.WORKSHOPIn this workshop, you will explore various technology and non-technology techniques to stimulate and empower the brain and senses to be more focused, remember faster, speed read, and think more creatively. In the process, we will discuss how the brain learns, and how we can apply various focus and memorization techniques to improve our ability to remember through visualization, association and imagination. Then, we will learn how to apply the SQ3R method to enhance our reading skills, and various techniques to improve our reading speed. Finally, we will explore our creative minds by adventuring into 2-3 creative thinking tools.Throughout the workshop there will be individual and collaborative gamified learning activities, so we will Insya-Allah have a lot of relevant fun as we discover how amazing our brain is if we rewire it using a few techniques and tools.LEARNING OUTCOMESAt the end of this workshop, you will be able to:Discuss how the brain learns; Use at least 2 techniques to optimize your learning senses to improve focus; Use at least 3 techniques to improve your memory; Apply the SQ3R method to enhance your reading skills; Use at least 3 techniques to increase your reading speed with comprehension; and Apply at least 2 creative thinking tools to improve your creative output individually and in groups.SLIDESHere we go: Super MRT (Memory-Reading-Thinking) Workshop from Zaid Ali Alsagoff LEARNING ACTIVITIESGuide to solve the Cube Please introduce yourself on the Padlet Wall:eCreated with PadletPICTURESClick here to view the Flickr album of 80+ pictures taken (by mostly me) during the workshop.Al-Hamdulilla, everything went pretty well, much thanks to do very efficient and caring organisers led by Prof Karim, Prof Hanafi and Nurul Farhana. Also, the USM participants were simply awesome, which made my life as the facilitator so much easier :)

by Jennie Ruby  So you've been asked to create a snazzy, new eLearning lesson, but the raw material you receive from your subject matter expert (SME) is not ideal. Maybe you are given content that's just not ready to be used for eLearning. Perhaps your subject matter expert has provided content that's so technical that the intended audience won't be able to understand it. Maybe the audio you've been given is an exact match for the slides in the PowerPoint deck (something that's an absolute no-no).In these situations, moving forward and creating eLearning may be exactly the wrong direction to go. To create meaningful, effective eLearning, you may need to go backward and start with some basic instructional design.Every course that you create should start with this basic question: Who are you training to do what, under what circumstances, and how well?When we ask a SME, who is an expert on the subject, but not a professional trainer nor a writer, to write training objectives, we are likely to get something like this: Going forward, ABC Company has a need to enhance the development points and key measurables supporting full implementation of our widget fulfillment mode operationals. Reading this tells me just one thing: It's going to be a long afternoon.Here's an idea for getting the training objectives from the SME: have the SME write the quiz. Make sure the SME knows to include only the most important points from the lesson. Ask for something on the order of 10 questions for a 5- or 6-minute unit. (A quiz of no more than 10 questions is an ideal length for an eLearning lesson that plays for approximately 5 minutes.) Once you receive the quiz from the SME, review it with the SME to make sure it contains the most important points of the lesson, that you understand all the points, and that no major points were missed.Then shamelessly design the training to teach to the quiz. Teaching to the quiz is considered bad form in the world of K12 education. But in the workplace, it may just be the best way to get the learners from point A to point Z.As you now review that PowerPoint deck the SME provided, or chug through the 2-hour webinar, grab those slides and chunks of phrasing that address the quiz points. And put your eLearning together from there.Ironically, instead of taking the SME's materials and moving forward, we are now actually starting at the very end--the quiz--and building from there. Try this on one of your up-coming projects, and let me know how it goes! *** If you love Jennie's articles, you'll love her classes. Check out some of Jennie's mini courses.

Written by Jessica Batz View and download the webinar slides. View the webinar recording.

"Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." -  Forrest Gump...And that certainly applies to Asia's most important Digital Education Show (event) of the year (self-proclaimed)! You never know what you're gonna get! Let's find out!FREE!Ironically, I have attended their last two events in Kuala Lumpur (FREE exhibition) without actually planning to attend due to their ________  registration fees...2014Last year (2014), I only attended the Digital Education Show for a few hours (Day 1), due to a dinner invitation by my friend Kelvin Loh (Founder of eLearningMinds), who was having a booth.While walking around the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre hall (hosting the event) exploring the various tech solutions, innovations and services, I was really surprised to discover that Lynda.com was participating.As I was about to leave the Lynda.com booth, I discovered accidentally (peripheral vision) a Lucky draw for a Mini-iPad. You just needed to share your business card and you stand a chance. I was thinking, no point wasting a card on this. But, then suddenly a spark of hope enlightened me to dump my business card into the Lucky draw bowl.I didn't attend Day 2 of the event, and when I was about to reach home from work (35-minute drive), I got a pleasant call from a Lynda.com staff, and the rest is history... Well, I had to drive all the way back to Kuala Lumpur to pick it up, but for a free Mini-iPad...Why not?Fast forward to...2015This year too, I was not planning to attend the Digital Education Show. But then I discovered that many awesome educators from the Learning Innovation Circle (LIC) was either presenting or attending. So, how could I miss it?If you are not already a LICer, time to... DIGITAL EDUCATION SHOWSo, here I was again, attending the free exhibition. But, somehow after last year's luckiness, I felt great being back. Although, I felt a bit like a poor man as I arrived; not being able to get access the richness of this event (the main conference). But, once the event started, all the free stuff was actually really good. Most of the LICers who were attending, or presenting were mostly in the 'Free Area Space', so I was quite happy. But being me, I wanted to discover more. So, I tickled my LIC cable connection gently (LOL), who's identity I cannot reveal.Seriously!Then after lunch, I got the call! Congratulations! Come and get your...WOW! Al-Hamdulilla! Luck strikes again! Unfortunately, I could only enjoy one hour of my new found learning enrichment. Yes, I had my promotional interview with IMU top management at 4 PM. What did I do next? Easy! I drove to IMU (Bukit Jalil), of course! How did that go? Beyond this post!DAY 2WOW! From being a visitor, now I was a Delegate. Al-Hamdulilla, I felt privileged to get this great opportunity to enjoy whatever the Digital Education Show had to offer. Yeah!!!! But, could the lady luck strike again? Well, it did! The event organizer had just discovered that one of the Chairmen for the three (3) tracks during Day 2, was not able to attend (Tertiary track). My LIC cable connection was asked to chair, but he insisted that I was the right man for the job.Did I say no? Of course not! Al-Hamdulilla! Cool! Not only am I attending the main event, I am now the Chairman for one of the three tracks; the one I wanted to attend. WOW! I got the opportunity to introduce seven speakers during Day 2, and of course I added my flavor of moderation, time management, humor and engagement to keep the participants alive and awake.Actually, all the speakers were great in their own way, so it was really easy to get through the day without much trouble. Interestingly, I even video recorded most of the presenters, empowering live video streaming to the world using Periscope (via my iPad). Here are two (2) examples (with permission):Prof Emory Craig imagining education with wearable technology  Prof Tae-Rim Lee WOWed us on how to use mobile learning effectively for distance learningProf Karim 'Periscoping'...Also, I was scheduled to attend a 'Farewell and Welcome' lunch with my IMU team (and Chief Library Officer) in KLCC, but sadly had to miss that due to my new Chairman role.In comparison, I had to eat a quite delicious Tandoori from this...We can't have everything in life! In perspective, I started Day 1 as a Visitor, and within 24 hours, I had become a Delegate, Chairman, Periscoper, and even a co-facilitator (informally) during the round-the-table discussion (Prof Emory Graig) at the end of Day 2.WOW and Al-Hamdulilla! It was a blessed and enriching learning experience.PICTURESClick here to discover the 50+ pictures, I took during this event.So, what about the Digital Education Show itself, what did I learn from it? The only way you can find that out, is to join our Learning Innovation Circle (LIC). Not only will you learn what I learned here, you will discover what other passionate educators learned from this event, and so much more. Join us!NEXT YEARSo, will lady luck strike a fourth time?Insya-Allah, why not? My LIC Cable connection insisted to the event organizer (in front of me) that I should be a Keynote next year, and they seemed quite impressed with my engaging and innovate style in chairing a track. So, the odds are good next year, but you never know?Insya-Allah :)@zaidlearn @emorycraig What a story! I love it! Thanks for your flavor of Humour and Engagement - every conference needs that— Emory Craig (@emorycraig) June 17, 2015

En este episodio compartimos las noticias destacadas de la semana y también, brindamos algunos consejos a tener en cuenta cuando diseñamos aprendizaje móvil: 1- Artículo: Power Mockup: Designing for #eLearning and #mLearning [Review] 2- Artículo: 10 mLearning Lessons I Learned from Reading Mobile First by Luke Wroblewski [Book Review] 3- Mejores prácticas para diseñar aprendizaje móvil 4- Nuestra Newsletter: This week in mLearning. Puedes suscribirte aqui:http://rjacquez.com/subscribe-to-our-elearning-mlearning-newsletter-for-a-chance-to-win-a-copy-of-camtasia-studio-8/ 5- Nexus 7: la mini tableta de Google 6- Rumores acerca del iPad Mini 2012 7- ¿La era "PC-Plus" de Microsoft o la era "Post-PC" de Apple? 8- Aplicaciones de la semana: Paper y Google+   Your browser does not support the audio element. Podcast Powered By Podbean

by Tony Self     Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the Moon, was born just twenty-eight years after Charles Lindbergh, who was the first person to fly non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean. In just one human generation, technology had progressed from fabric covered craft (with a speed of 130 mph and a range of 4,000 miles) to a liquid oxygen powered rocket ship that traveled at speeds of up to 25,000 mph (on a trip that covered 500,000 miles). Technological change is not new, but the pace of change in some fields is breathtaking. Battery technology is one example, and photo-voltaics is another. And of course, technology associated with reading is experiencing a dramatic rate of change. How do people cope with rapid change in their fields? Neil Armstrong learned to fly in 1945... a time when the sound barrier was considered to be an impenetrable barrier. By the time of Armstrong's first posting as a US Navy pilot in 1950, the sound barrier had been broken, and the first jet fighter squadrons had been formed. In 1957, Armstrong flew a rocket-powered aircraft for the first time. By 1960 he had flown at close to 4,000 mph (six times the speed of sound) to heights of 120,000 feet. Armstrong managed this transition as a pilot by continually learning. Over 10 years, he progressed from subsonic jets, to transonic jets, to supersonic jets, to rocket aircraft. Each step was relatively small, but overall it was a giant leap (to quote a phrase Armstrong later used when he stepped from Apollo 11). How does Neil Armstrong's journey into space relate to technical communication? Consider that it only took 10 years for us to move from typewriters (1980) to laser printers (1990), from text-only Web browsers (1993) to websites with embedded movies (2003). The Apollo 11 story can provide another lesson for technical communicators. As the name implies, Armstrong's Apollo 11 mission was the eleventh in a program of 20 missions. The program objective was landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth. Each mission was part of a broad strategy... part of a far-sighted plan. Big projects only reach their goals if they come with a comprehensive plan. Like many projects, there can be hurdles and disasters. The Apollo 1 spacecraft exploded on the launch pad, killing the three astronauts. The next three missions were unmanned flights to test systems. Each mission validated a different system. The unmanned Apollo 5 orbited the earth. Apollo 6 tested the Saturn V propulsion. Apollo 7 was a manned orbit. Apollo 8 circumnavigated the moon. Apollo 9 tested the lunar module, and 10 was a dress rehearsal. In documentation, this might be called iterative development. Unit testing is another IT term that might apply. For large documentation or training projects, an Apollo approach is a good model. Here are some small steps to success: Meticulously plan Set achievable budgets and deadlines Clearly state business goals Develop a content strategy Create prototypes and proof-of-concepts Test and choose the right tools Keep learning Encourage your team Continually check progress against the plan and... most important... Think big Looking back, you'll see how those small steps became a giant leap.

Using eLearning Learning, I thought it would be interesting to go look what it thinks are some of the top items of all time. Learning 2.0 - The Things How we read online. - By Michael Agger - Slate Magazine Bloom's Taxonomy Blooms Digitally The present and future of Personal Learning Environments (PLE) 100 eLearning Articles and White Papers How to Embed Almost Anything in your Website Top Ten Reasons To Blog and Top Ten Not to Blog Choose the Best Search for Your Information Need Why Doing Things Half Right Gives You the Best Results Creating Passionate Users: Crash course in learning theory 100 Helpful Web Tools for Every Kind of Learner (Fiona King) LMS Satisfaction Features and Barriers Take Any College Class for Free: 236 Open Courseware Collections, Podcasts, and Videos | OEDb e-learning 2.0 - how Web technologies are shaping education Personal and Group Learning Using Web 2.0 Tools Collaborative Learning Using Web 2.0 Tools - A Summary PR 2.0: Introducing The Conversation Prism eLearning Trends 2007 and 2008 TechCrunch White Label Social Networking Platforms Chart How to Insert YouTube Videos in PowerPoint Presentations LinkedIn Tips and Tweaks: Do More with your LinkedIn Account Introduction to Wikis, Blogs, Social Bookmarking, Social Networking and RSS Corporate Policies on Web 2.0 Social software: E-learning beyond learning management systems Stock Photo Image and Other Media Sources Learning for the 21st Century Flash Quiz Tools Rubric for Online Instruction Michael Wesch and the Future of Education How to Download YouTube Videos Emerging Perspectives on Learning, Teaching and Technology eLearning Examples The Art of Building Virtual Communities (Techlearning blog) ROI and Metrics in eLearning My Top 10 Mobile Tools for Learning Training Method Trends No Significant Difference Phenomenon Website What is eLearning 2.0? Mathemagenic " PhD conclusions in a thousand words: blogging practices of knowledge workers Web 2.0 Applications in Learning Rethinking Learning Styles Understanding E-Learning 2.0 Second Life is not a teaching tool Tool Set 2009 New Design for My Smile Sheet The art of changing the brain Writing Less Objectionable Learning Objectives How to Convert Your PowerPoint Presentation into an Elearning Course Social Media makes this course stand out Should All Learning Professionals Be Blogging? Try Before You Buy Tools Used Better Conferences - Response Needed Roles in CoP's The science of learning Learning 2.0 Strategy Online Education - Introducing the Microlecture Format — Open Education Informal Learning - Let's Get Real Top 100 Tools for Learning 2008 Technotheory.com - Getting Started with Social Media - A Guide and Resource List Online Polls: Find the best Web Polling Software for your needs Building a Studio for Instructional Videos on a Tight Budget 50 Practical Tips & Tricks to Build Better E-Learning Alternatives to Kirkpatrick Open Source life, LMSs beyond Moodle Social vs. Not - Pictorally Social Networking in Education Informal learning - what is it? My Top 25 blogs for 2008 Blogging as Reflective Practice The Elearning Apprentice Part 2: A four-level framework for evaluating social network ROI. LMS RFP The Nature of Online Collaboration Connectivism and the modern learner Nursing Simulation in Second Life eLearning Course or Online Demo - which is better? Deeper Instructional Design Creating a Learning Ecosystem - Why Blended Learning is Now Inadequate E-induction Twitter for Learning eLearning Authoring Tools Paul's E-Learning Resources PWLE Not PLE - Knowledge Work Not Separate from Learning Definition: Massively Multi-learner Online Learning Environment (MMOLE) The ladder of participation in social media Course Authoring and Rapid eLearning Tool Satisfaction E-Learning Queen: The Best Way to Learn in an Online Course Learning 2.0 How To Find The Best Free Image/Photo/Graphics Downloads For Your Blog Posts | Smackdown! Communities of Practice Facebook as a Learning Platform We Need a Degree in Instructional Design Learning styles don't exist 90-9-1 Rule aka 1% Rule in Collaborative Environments How long does it take to create learning? | Bryan Chapman Tips for facilitators in Ning The ‘Least Assistance’ Principle No more excuses for poor e-learning content eLearning Defined eLearning Technology Browse eLearning Content

Today's guest blog post is written by BizLibrary Learning Consultant Nathan Dampf. As a member of the Missouri Air National Guard, Nathan understands the importance of teamwork, collaboration, and breaking down communication barriers. When looking up the term silo in the dictionary, one may find a reference to the noun "a tower or pit" or "an underground chamber for a missile." However, also included is the verb, "to isolate." Many business leaders within the United States are commonly using the term silo to describe departments that operate within the organization. They are "pits" of knowledge, not letting that knowledge out. Some leaders comment that other departments are housing "missiles" to bring down other departments. In business, the term silo is used to describe the "isolation" of different departments within an organization that should be working toward a common goal.   The business impact of silos can be disastrous. But, if leaders and trainers can drive teams, collaborate on projects and empower employees, organizations will reap great dividends. They will experience increased knowledge and camaraderie among the business entities.   "As an executive or manager, if you micromanage and focus only on your specific tasks, your team will reflect and replicate that type of work environment, which can easily bore people," said Brad Smith, executive vice-president of business management firm Sage North America. "Keep people from falling into their own silos."   To avoid such silos, Smith recommends holding regular meetings to keep teams up-to-date on activities and broad company goals. He also discusses the need for fun, engagement and empowering employees. He provides an example from his son’s work experience at Home Depot.   "After cashiers worked at the store a certain period of time, managers gave them a $250 customer credit per shift to use at the cashier’s discretion," said Smith. "In empowering cashiers to make their own decisions about how to allocate the refunds to customers - to right wrongs or simply further delight a happy customer - Home Depot demonstrates their trust in their employees."   Smith also discusses the importance of leaders who stress goals and the relevance of those business goals to the employee’s role in the organization. Other consultants agree.   "A well-defined strategic plan outlining the purpose, values, goals and objectives of the team becomes the glue that binds the group together and helps transform them into a team," said Jim Sisson, principal of a management consulting firm. "Without purpose and goals, you cannot build a team. The purpose must be worthwhile and create a sense of doing something important together."   Sisson states there is a big difference between leading groups (silos) and teams.   "A group is a collection of individuals who coordinate their individual efforts," said Sisson. "On the other hand, a team is a group of people who share a common team purpose and a number of challenging goals. Members of the team are mutually committed to the goals and to each other."   The communication of these goals is a vital component in establishing SMART goals. If a goal is relevant (R of SMART) to the mission of the organization and that relevance is explained to the employees, those employees will feel a sense of purpose that will result in more work getting done, says Smith.   In addition to empowering employees and explaining relevance, businesses should also encourage collaboration among teams.   Social collaboration technology revenues have increased 12 percent since 2013, writes Adrian Bridgwater, columnist for ComputerWeekly.com.   "A few years ago firms were riding the social enterprise wave, says Huddle CEO, Alastair Mithcell. Standalone social tools promised to connect workers, enabling them to collaborate, unlock silos of knowledge, and by doing so, boost productivity and efficiency," Bridgwater writes. "By bringing together social interactions and business content, real work gets done faster."   BizLibrary has a resource that encourages such behavior and collaboration. Community was never intended as a product, but as the leadership within BizLibrary witnessed collaboration and efficiencies internally, the product was enhanced and made available for clients.   Such a tool can be helpful to any BizLibrary client working to "breakdown the silos" within their organization by encouraging communication, fun and effectiveness. In the end, the breaking down of silos can be done by implementing the "Three E Strategy:" Encourage Collaboration Explain the Purpose Empower Employees with Trust   If you are experiencing these issues within your organization and would like to implement a strategy to "breakdown" your company’s silos, please click the link HERE and we can discuss a plan together. Recommended Resources

by Jennie Ruby    Answers to my interruptions challenge are brought to you by me. I found that there was no consensus on number 2, that many people wanted to put parentheses in number 3, that many people just wanted to rewrite number 5, but that everyone agreed that on number 6, (see Appendix B) belonged inside parentheses.   My answers follow the Gregg Reference Manual, but unless you put any punctuation in number 4, I can't bring myself to call any of the other answers out and out wrong, given that so many writers use parentheses more widely than grammar calls for, and that whether something deserves emphasis or de-emphasis is a matter of opinion. Thank you to the winners: Anna Todd, Karyn Highet, Lisa Stumpf, Susan Czubiak, Bobbi J. Stonskas, and Geri Moran.  It is very tedious, in my opinion, to type on a flat screen. [independent comment-commas] The blog--even after the extensive upgrade we purchased last quarter-- was still slow to load on mobile devices. [emphatic, dramatic, long, and on a slightly different topic-em dashes] The most widely accessible option, according to the magazine, is still the print version.[independent comment-commas] The company that provides the fastest downloads is still XYZ.[relative clause essential to the meaning-no punctuation] Norman, who arrived at the classroom before the computers were turned on, noticed the change in temperature right away.[relative clause nonessential to the meaning-commas] A more extended listing (see Appendix B) has been compiled by XYZ Press.[reference material-parentheses] Confusing Words for 100   The words affect and effect are commonly used incorrectly. See if you can avoid the confusion and select the correct usage. When ready, send your answers directly to me. What will the effect/affect of the new restrictions be? The new director will effect/affect some changes in the current policy. The revisions to the software will effect/affect how we use it. How will the new functions effect/affect our template? What effect/affect will the new interface have on our compliance initiative? The change is to/too difficult to explain over the phone. I want to upgrade the operating system, to/too. The file is to/too large to fit on my flash drive. The goal is to/too enhance functionality without increasing costs. To/too encourage use, we will offer to/too/two new incentives. *** If you love Jennie's grammar articles, you'll love her classes. Check out some of Jennie's mini courses.