Happy New Year!We had great response to last month's question - What Did You Learn about Learning in 2008? This was a great opportunity to look back at 2008. This month we are going to look forward.Thus, for January the question is:What are yourChallenges, Plans and Predictions for 2009?The goal here is again to be a bit reflective. What are your biggest challenges for this upcoming year?What are your major plans for the year?What predictions do you have for the year? You might want to take a look back at last month's posts and as well what people talked about in:January 2008 - Predictions for Learning in 2008?December 2006 - Past experiences. Present Challenge. Future Predictions.How to Respond:Option 1 - Simply put your thoughts in a comment below. This may be hard given the complexity of the topic.Option 2 -Step 1 - Post in your blog (please link to this post).Step 2 - Put a comment in this blog with an HTML ready link that I can simply copy and paste (an HTML anchor tag). I will only copy and past, thus, I would also recommend you include your NAME immediately before your link. So, it should look like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0or you could also include your blog name with something like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0 : eLearningTechnologyPosts so far (and read comments as well):Sarah Stewart: Sarah's Musings: http://sarah-stewart.blogspot.com/2008/12/huge-challenge-for-me-in-2009.htmlKen Allan - few and simpleGillian said: http://learningandqualifications.wordpress.com/2009/01/02/re-charged-and-de-clutteredre-charged-and-de-cluttered/John Zurovchak Long Tail Learning Goodbye 2008, Hello 2009Karyn Romeis Predicting 2009?Clark Quinn: Learnlets predictions.Adventures in Corporate Education: Gina's answer to January's Big QuestionMy predictions for 2009 at MinuteBioLee Graham's eLearning 3.0 Blog: "Your Wish List for eLearning in 2009"Leslie http://heartofsocialwork.blogspot.com/Plans, Challenges, Predictions!Design of Knowledge: 2009 is the Year that Training becomes an Evidence-Based ProfessionDan Roddy, Learning Rocks 2009 - Year of consumer e-learningKapp Notes: 2009 Predictions, Remembrance and ChallengesThirdForce - Seven technologies we're predicting will impact 2009...Geetha Krishnan: 2009 - Predictions, Challenges, PlansMark T. Burke, Virtical Education: 2009 Challenges, Plans and PredictionsKevin Thorn: LearnNuggets Challenges,Plans,Predictions for 2009Clive Shepherd: Predictions for 2009Globe Trotting Kerry - my thoughts hereAnkit Jain - A New Perspective to eLearning Prediction for 2009Tony Karrer - 12 eLearning Predictions for 2009

There were some really interesting posts last month in - Challenges Plans and Predictions for 2009. This month's topic was suggested by several people and was touched on by some of the posts last month.Thus, for February the Big Question is:What is the impact of the economy on you and your organization? What are you doing as a result?The goal here is for each of us to reflect and share what's happening to us today as well as looking at what we might need to plan for going forward.How to Respond:Option 1 - Simply put your thoughts in a comment below. This may be hard given the complexity of the topic.Option 2 -Step 1 - Post in your blog (please link to this post).Step 2 - Put a comment in this blog with an HTML ready link that I can simply copy and paste (an HTML anchor tag). I will only copy and past, thus, I would also recommend you include your NAME immediately before your link. So, it should look like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0or you could also include your blog name with something like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0 : eLearningTechnologyPosts so far (and read comments as well):Jeff Goldman - Big Question: Minutebio.comClark Quinn - Learnlets - Economic ImpactMichael Hanley - E-Learning Curve - Impact of Economic Crisis on ElearningVirginia Yonkers - AnswerKen Allan - Recent posts on the topic ( 1 ) ( 2 )Terrence Seamon - http://learningvoyager.blogspot.com/2009/02/big-question-for-february.htmlJesse Kramer my answerKapp Notes: Impact of Tough TimesKaryn Romeis - Making it up as I go alongClive Shepherd - What is the impact of the economy on your organisation? Anthony Montalvo - La Gran PreguntaAnkit Jain - Opportunity in Adversity

From Digital Immigrants and Digital Natives to Digital Wisdom - InnovateDigital wisdom is a twofold concept, referring both to wisdom arising from the use of digital technology to access cognitive power beyond our innate capacity and to wisdom in the prudent use of technology to enhance our capabilities.It Only Took HOW Long? -Duthie earningWe've ended up with 78 minutes of what could be argued is elearning content for doctors. Total production time? 11.9 hours. Run the math and it comes to 9.15 hours' development time per hour of finished 'seat time,' roughly 9:1. Compare this to high production value, interactive elearning, which generally takes 200-300 hours per hour (200:1 to 300:1).The trouble is that the doctors each spent (in my estimate) 5-10 hours apiece preparing their slides and narrations.SpyListen in on the social media conversations of any topic you're interested in. The above link will take you to the latest converstaions on eLearning. Don't like that one -- try this one.Two Strands of Connectionism - The TechniumOne strand of massive connectionism is currently called social media. The other strand of massive connectionism relies on a massive number of machines. This new territory can best be illustrated by the far-right top extreme where both sides meet in the center - the area where we have maximum machine connection and maximum human connection. This overlap or convergence space would be the emerging global superorganism.

Last month's big question got quite a great response. I'm very much looking forward to the response this month.The inspiration for this question comes straight from Gina Minks' post - I think grad school is making me crazy. She is in a graduate school program and is a great self-directed learner:I’m learning about things like instructional theories, learning theories, how to tie learning to performance, how to tie learning to business requirements, and ways to measure all these things. I’m learning that my technical skills are important as learning moves to a web 2.0 platform. I’m learning my experience as a community organizer is very transferable to building online communities. I’ve learned my background in information studies helps tie all these things together. Participating in courses like CCK08 helped accelerate my thinking on the real possibilities of change that are available now. But Gina also works inside an organization (in her case a large corporation) but I think most people will recognize her comment:The realities of being part of a large organization and my responsibilities are more clear to me now too.I feel I’m going to be stuck doing the same thing forever with all these cool ideas in my head that will never get implemented.Thus, for April 2009 Big Question is:Stuck? Getting unstuck?There's really quite a bit to this question.Do you sometimes feel stuck? Feel like you have so many more ideas about how you could help your organization or your clients, but that What Clients Want is just some training?Should you attempt to get unstuck? How hard should you push your internal or external clients to get them to see the full range of what is possible? Or should you give them what they ask for?If you are feeling some level of stuck, what should you do to get unstuck? How important is it to get unstuck? Is it okay to learn a lot about all kinds of different solutions, but to primarily work on simple training solutions?If you are stuck, should you be concerned about your future?For those of you who are not bloggers, come and at least comment on whether you feel a bit stuck!How to Respond:Option 1 - Simply put your thoughts in a comment below. This may be hard given the complexity of the topic.Option 2 -Step 1 - Post in your blog (please link to this post).Step 2 - Put a comment in this blog with an HTML ready link that I can simply copy and paste (an HTML anchor tag). I will only copy and past, thus, I would also recommend you include your NAME immediately before your link. So, it should look like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0or you could also include your blog name with something like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0 : eLearningTechnologyPosts so far (and read comments as well):Sreya Dutta - Big Question: OMG I'm Stuck!!Jeff Goldman - April's Big QuestionRupa Rajagopalan - Big Question: Stuck? Getting Unstuck?Ignatia/Inge de Waard - Get your innovative eLearning ideas out no matter what others think!Robert Kennedy - Getting Rid Of The GlueAnthony Montalvo - Help! I'm stuck!Clark Quinn's Learnlets: Getting RevolutionaryStephanie Sandifer - Getting UnstuckLisa Meece - April's Big Question on the LOL BlogAmit Garg - Upside Learning Blog - Just do itKern's Learnability Matters - Getting Stuck and Unstuck

This month's big question comes from an inquiry that I received as a result of my presentation on the Social Grid. The question is the basis of the May 2009 Big Question:How does/will the Social Grid will impact Human Capital and Organizations?In Social Learning Measurement, I discussed some different ways that we could measure social learning, but I think the question that is raised here is a question that needs to be asked prior to asking about measurement.My guess is that there are all kinds of interesting dynamics that will come about in organizations that have a strong social grid and a workforce that is highly skilled in using that social grid. For example, the recent MIT Study that showed that more highly networked individuals were more productive (see Workplace Productivity).What do you see as the impact?How to Respond:Option 1 - Put your thoughts in a comment below.Option 2 -Step 1 - Post in your blog (please link to this post).Step 2 - Put a comment in this blog with an HTML ready link that I can simply copy and paste (an HTML anchor tag). I will only copy and past, thus, I would also recommend you include your NAME immediately before your link. So, it should look like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0or you could also include your blog name with something like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0 : eLearningTechnologyResponses So Far:Clark Quinn - Learnlets on Twitter and Chaos

This month's big question comes from an inquiry I received from Robert Kennedy via my blog. The question was:What is your typical day like? How do you do all you do with elearning learning, elearning technology, techempower, work literacy and all the consulting and still remain profitable while having a LIFE? Ok, so that is more than one question, but hopefully you get the drift. What are your thoughts here? This is a great question and I'm guessing the answers will be quite interesting. After all, when I do presentations that introduce things like blogs, RSS readers, social networks, etc. I am almost always asked - "How much time do you spend on this? Where do you find the time?" And what they really mean is - I'm already too busy, how the heck can I also do all of what you are telling me about. So I really hope that we can have a great resource here that will give people a sense of what's going on in the lives of people who are adopting some of these things.Where is your time spent?I'm really hoping that we can get a broad cross section of answers. I consider myself to be somewhat of a "special case" ... but I'm guessing that's true for many of us.Beyond the basic answer I'm hoping you will chime in with thoughts around:How much time do you spend and how did you find time for all the relatively newer things like reading blogs, twitter, social networks, etc.?What are you doing less of today than you were 3-5 years ago?Do you have less of a life with all of these new things?How to Respond:Option 1 - Put your thoughts in a comment below. Likely there can be some pretty good thoughts left via a comment.Option 2 -Step 1 - Post in your blog (please link to this post).Step 2 - Put a comment in this blog with an HTML ready link that I can simply copy and paste (an HTML anchor tag). I will only copy and past, thus, I would also recommend you include your NAME immediately before your link. So, it should look like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0or you could also include your blog name with something like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0 : eLearningTechnologyResponses So Far:Jenise Cook | Ridge View Media's Blog - Time SpentRupa - Big Question June 2009 :Where is your time spent? Jennifer Beever: The Big Question June 2009: Where is Your Time Spent?Just ReflectionsArchana: Quantifying Time Spent on Web 2.0 toolsAbhijit Kadle - The Big Question: Time Spent Michele Martin: The Big QuestionHow Clive Shepherd spends his timeRobert Kennedy - Big Question - June 2009Ken Allan - 'ere 'tis.Sreya Dutta Big Question: Time SpentVirginia Yonkers: Connecting 2 the worldNorman Lamont: http://normanlamont.typepad.com/eellearning/Tony Karrer: How I Spend My TimeInge de Waard: Finding my 2.0-time schedule scrambled for personal reasons Francis - http://www.mantissa.net/blog/2009/06/15/the-big-question-how-do-you-spend-your-time/Gina from Adventures in Corporate Education: Where do I spend my time? June’s Big Question

This month's big question comes out of a discussion that I've been having in various forms over the past few years. In a Learning 2.0 world, where learning and performance solutions take on a wider variety of forms and where churn happens at a much more rapid pace, what new skills and knowledge are required for learning professionals?New Skills and Knowledge for Learning Professionals?I know that there's already quite a bit out there on this topic, so please point us to existing information on the topic.How to Respond:Option 1 - Put your thoughts in a comment below. Likely there can be some pretty good thoughts left via a comment.Option 2 -Step 1 - Post in your blog (please link to this post).Step 2 - Put a comment in this blog with an HTML ready link that I can simply copy and paste (an HTML anchor tag). I will only copy and past, thus, I would also recommend you include your NAME immediately before your link. So, it should look like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0or you could also include your blog name with something like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0 : eLearningTechnologyResponses So Far:Mohamed Amine Chatti - New Skills for Learning ProfessionalsHarold Jarche - 2008 article on Skills 2.0Clive ShepherdJay Cross - Informal Learning blog.E-Learning Curve Blog: Learning Professionals’ Skills 2.0 Natalie - What Should Learning Professionals Know Today? Gina - Adventures in Corporate EducationJane Bozarth - New Skills for Learning ProfessionalsBlogger in Middle-earth: New Strategies, New Skills? A Big QuestionNancy White - 4 Meta Skills for Learning ProfessionalsNancy White - Skills for Learning Professionals Part 2Nancy White -Skills for Learning Professionals Part 3Michael Chalk -Psst.. knowledge-worker? You have mad skills?Harold Jarche -Skills for learning professionalsClark Quinn: Web 2.0 Learning SkillsJD - eLearning DudeTom Gram: New Skills for the Learning Pro?Karyn Romeis - Do your job!Victoria Macarthur: A Propositional Structure: New Skills and Knowledge for Learning Professionals? (Adaptation, Personalization, and Community) Peter's Blog: New Skills for Learning ProfessionalsNancy White: Deeper Skills for Learning Professionals…Part 4Michele Martin - Information Literacy and Habits of MindLearning Practice Blog by Vasan: Skills for Learning Professional David Mallon: The Disciplines of Modern Enterprise LearningTony Karrer - eLearning Technology: Network SkillsID ReflectionsGabi Witthaus, Beyond Distance at Leicester: New skills for learning professionals - highlights from the discussion so farLeonardo Coelho - Conhecimento XXI/ Learning in the 21st CenturyAnthony Montalvo: Nuevas competencias y conocimientosJenise Cook - My Thoughts on New Skills for Learning ProfessionalsRay Jimenez - Collaborative Learning Anthropologist and Specialist (CLA): Enterprise 2.0, Web 2.0 and Learning Career or Job OpportunitiesLarry Irons -- eLearning 2.0, Social Media, and Co-Creation of Learning ContentVidyut Kale - New Skills and Knowledge for Learning Professionals

We are coming up on three years since the first Big Question - Should all Learning Professionals Blog? That's still a great topic and the content you can find there is pretty interesting. I still personally believe that blogging is a great self-directed learning tool. Ah, but I digress.I normally don't do a Big Question in August. This year, I'm just going to do something a little bit different.The goals of the Big Question are:Get different perspectives on topics that are of interest to workplace learning professionalsProvide input to Learning Circuits, T&D and other parts of ASTD on topical issuesProvide a way for bloggers and others to find relevant blogsSupport the network of bloggersI'd like to get feedback on the Big Question:What works?What do you think should change?Are there other models that you've seen that might be interesting to consider?What aspects of online community management might apply hereAnd here is a list of past topics that might be worth looking through for thoughts and ideas:New Skills for Learning ProfessionalsTime SpentSocial Grid ValueApril 2009 - Getting UnstuckWorkplace Learning in 10 YearsEconomic ImpactChallenges Plans and Predictions for 2009Learn about Learning - 2008Network FeedbackFirst eLearningTo-Learn ListsLead the Charge?Learning Design Differences for Digital Natives?Do BetterScope of Learning ResponsibilityInstructional Design - If - When - How MuchPredictions for Learning in 2008December Big Question - What did you learn about learn about learning?Choosing Tools - Big Question for JulyBig Question for June - Where are the ExamplesBig Question - PowerPointApril Big Question - ILT and Off-the-Shelf VendorsMarch Big Question: Supporting New Managers?Quality vs. SpeedPast Experiences. Present Challenges. Future PredictionsNovember's The Big QuestionAre our models outdated?September Big Question - Where to Work?Should all Learning Professionals Blog?How to Respond:Option 1 - Put your thoughts in a comment below. Likely there can be some pretty good thoughts left via a comment.Option 2 -Step 1 - Post in your blog (please link to this post).Step 2 - Put a comment in this blog with an HTML ready link that I can simply copy and paste (an HTML anchor tag). I will only copy and past, thus, I would also recommend you include your NAME immediately before your link. So, it should look like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0or you could also include your blog name with something like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0 : eLearningTechnologyResponses So Far:Jeff - August Big Question - Feedback

I want to thank Jeff Goldman - Minute Bio for his great response last month. He suggested that we focus the Big Question on specific issues and then suggested four questions.So, let's start with his first suggestion:Working effectively with subject matter expertsThere's a lot to this topic, and certainly it's an on-going challenge. Some specific questions that are raised in this area:What should all IDs know about working with a SME?What can you and can't you expect a SME to do?Does it work to have SMEs create rapid eLearning?How does social and informal learning impact how you engage with SMEs?What's your favorite instructive story of working with a SME?I've seen a few good posts in the recent past on this topic. Feel free to include prior posts or resources you know about in your response.How to Respond:Option 1 - Put your thoughts in a comment below. Likely there can be some pretty good thoughts left via a comment.Option 2 -Step 1 - Post in your blog (please link to this post).Step 2 - Put a comment in this blog with an HTML ready link that I can simply copy and paste (an HTML anchor tag). I will only copy and past, thus, I would also recommend you include your NAME immediately before your link. So, it should look like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0or you could also include your blog name with something like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0 : eLearningTechnologyResponses So Far: Tips on Handling Subject Matter Experts (SME)MinuteBio's Response to September's Big QuestionThe Role of IDs Vs SMEsChallenges and solutions to technical software product training: Gathering InformationHow Important is the SME?Guy W. Wallace - Pursuing Performance Stepping onto the eLearning PathFrom Adventures in Corporate EducationVirginia Yonkers - different perspectiveBen Hamilton LDPI - September Big Questionhttp://usablelearning.wordpress.com/2009/09/10/id-webcomic-1-working-with-smes-on-content/Taruna - Catch the post here.Vic Uzumeri - Macro SMEconomics 101Claudia Escribano: Working with SMEsTony Karrer - Presentation Backchannel Multitasking

In response to my recent post Narrowing Gap between Face-to-Face and Online Presentations, the comments were really fantastic, but got the discussion going in a different direction - and it is clear that a comment box is way too small for this discussion.Both your face-to-face and your online audience is likely multitasking. They might be participating in chat / backchannel. They might be blogging. They might be taking notes. They might be checking and responding to email. They might be figuring out where to go to dinner.Clive Shepherd captured the problem as Multitasking is now every presenter’s problem.The comments suggest that there are things that presenters and learners should do to to address this. Hence, this month's big question is:New Presenter and Learner Methods & Skills?Related questions:What should we do as presenters in this multitasking world?Should presenters coach (or ban) people away from multitasking?As a presenter, how do you deal with the backchannel effectively? (I personally can't present and work with the backchannel at the same time.)How does the backchannel fit with effective note taking?What could a presenter do in 2 minutes at the start of a presentation to get this all to work out well?What should we do as learners?What if the presenter is not making effective use of our time?What have you seen that worked really well?What didn't work well? What would you do to change it?Any tools that make this better?I'm hoping to learn a lot out of this discussion which is certainly far bigger than my original post.How to Respond:Option 1 - Put your thoughts in a comment below.Option 2 -Step 1 - Post in your blog (please link to this post).Step 2 - Put a comment in this blog with an HTML ready link that I can simply copy and paste (an HTML anchor tag). I will only copy and past, thus, I would also recommend you include your NAME immediately before your link. So, it should look like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0or you could also include your blog name with something like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0 : eLearningTechnologyResponses So Far (also see Comments):Kristine Howard October Big QuestionTony Karrer - MultitaskingMultitasking learners? Opportunity, not threatMax Bezzina: What presenters could do when the audience multi-tasksRani Gill: Social norms, expectations, attention, a game?Ken Allan - Binge ThinkingClaudia Escribano: Presentations Re-ImaginedClive Shepherd - How should presenters address multitasking?Clark Quinn's Learnlets: Presenting in a networked age

I've received various forms of the same question from different people over the past few years. The basic question is:How do I communicate the value of social media as a learning tool to my organization?Which provides us this month's big question:Presenting the Value of Social Media for Learning?Let me provide some flavor for this question straight from someone who asked me about this:My coworkers are Baby Boomers and Traditionals. When I mention blogs or any social networking they "poo-poo" me and say our workers should not use those tools because it will make them inefficient and not do their jobs. When I have presented the idea of how we can use discussion threads on our environment to discuss topics and make comments outside the classroom, many of my co-workers said it can't be done. They either haven't opened their mind to the idea or really care. In essence, if it is not classroom, they are really not interested in it.My question is how do I get my coworkers to even consider the capabilities of these tools when it really does not interest them. So some of the questions this raises in my mind:How do you communicate about the potential here to other learning professionals? to knowledge workers? to management?How do you communicate the value to an audience who doesn't have experience with social media?How to Respond:Option 1 - Put your thoughts in a comment below.Option 2 -Step 1 - Post in your blog (please link to this post).Step 2 - Put a comment in this blog with an HTML ready link that I can simply copy and paste (an HTML anchor tag). I will only copy and past, thus, I would also recommend you include your NAME immediately before your link. So, it should look like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0or you could also include your blog name with something like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0 : eLearningTechnologyResponses So Far (also see Comments):GoodPractice Blog: Making the case for social mediaJeff Goldman - My Response to the Big QuestionUK Centre for Legal Education: Digital DirectionsPaul Angileri - How To Make The Case For Social Media?Kapp Notes: Selling Social Media for Learning: ASTD Big QuestionHow to show value? Show value.Geetha Krishnan: The Value of Social Media for LearningInternet Time BlogJane Hart - here's a list of 100+ ways to use social media for learning - http://c4lpt.co.uk/handbook/examples.htmlRK Prasad - Custom Training and eLearning BlogArunima Majumdar - Learning Through Social NetworksClive ShepherdKen Allan - Lead By Examplewander@will blog: Social Media AcceptanceClark Quinn's Learnlets - Promoting Social MediaGina Minks: Adventures in Corporate EducationKaryn Romeis - What has been the impact of the use of social media on my professional practice as a corporate learning professional?Claudia Escribano: You Never Know Until You TryTony Karrer - Selling Learning Communities

We are going to continue a tradition in the Big Question ...The Big Question for December is:What did you learn about learning in 2009?If you are a blogger, I would highly recommend taking this as an opportunity to go back through your blog posts over the year and looking for any "aha moments" or highlight the posts that you think were the best/most interesting.If you happen to be a blogger who is part of eLearning Learning, there are some tricks you can use to help you find your best stuff for the year - see Using Special Parameters to Create Year End Post for details on producing a post like 2009 Top Posts and Topics.You might want to look back at some discussions going on during the last two yearly recaps: 2008 - Learn about Learning?2007 - What Did You Learn about Learning?2006 - Past experiences. Present Challenge. Future Predictions.January's Topic:Predictions for learning in 2010How to Respond:Option 1 - Simply put your thoughts in a comment below.Option 2 -Step 1 - Post in your blog (please link to this post).Step 2 - Put a comment in this blog with an HTML ready link that I can simply copy and paste (an HTML anchor tag). I will only copy and past, thus, I would also recommend you include your NAME immediately before your link. So, it should look like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0or you could also include your blog name with something like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0 : eLearningTechnologyPosts so far (and read comments as well):MinuteBio - My Response to December's Big QuestionKapp Notes: 2009 Top Posts and Topics: Kapp NotesMel Aclaro - BusinessCasualBlog.com "Top 5 aha moments about Learning in 2009."Jenise Cook - Jenise: RidgeViewMedia.com The Big Question | December 2009RK Prasad - Custom Training and eLearning BlogRupa Rajagopalan -2009 Top Posts - The Writers Gateway Geetha Krishnan: My Learning 2009What I Learnt About Learning 2009Tony Karrer - Learned about Learning in 2009E-Learning Curve Blog: Top 20 E-Learning Blogs 2009 + Reflections on the YearLearning in 2009: My StoryApril Hayman: 2009 in Review.You have build my learning in 2009, so thank you - Ignatia/Inge de WaardAbhijit Kadle - What I Learned About Learning in 2009 Taruna Goel - What I learned about learning in 2009Gina Minks - Here's mine, sneaking it in at the last minute!

Happy New Year!We had great response to last month's question - Learning 2009. It was a great opportunity to look back at 2008. This month we are going to look forward.Thus, for January the question is:What are yourPredictions and Plans for 2010?The goal here is to here what people see happening for them this year. What are your biggest challenges for this upcoming year?What are your major plans for the year?What predictions do you have for the year? You might want to take a look back at last month's posts and as well what people talked about in:Challenges Plans and Predictions for 2009Predictions for Learning in 2008?How to Respond:Option 1 - Simply put your thoughts in a comment below. This may be hard given the complexity of the topic.Option 2 -Step 1 - Post in your blog (please link to this post).Step 2 - Put a comment in this blog with an HTML ready link that I can simply copy and paste (an HTML anchor tag). I will only copy and past, thus, I would also recommend you include your NAME immediately before your link. So, it should look like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0or you could also include your blog name with something like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0 : eLearningTechnologyPosts so far (and read comments as well):Jay Cross - 2010Clark Quinn's Learnlets: Plans for 2010 and Predictions for 2010Ignatia looks in her crystal ball: 8 learning predictions for 2010. eLearn Magazine - Predictions for 2010Dan Pontefract hopes for Learnerprise in 2010Jana's Plans for 2010 Tech Crunch Ten Technologies That Will Rock 2010the eLearning coach - 2009 Technology Trends That Impact Online LearningForrester Insight and research - Key Learning Trends for 2010: Are You Onboard?Jeanne Meister New Learning Playbook - Five Words To Describe Corporate Learning in 2010Learning Solutions Magazine by Bill Brandon - 2010 PredictionsE-Learning Queen - 12 PredictionsmLearning Trends - My mLearning Predictions for 2010.Predictions for 2009 reviewed and then revised for 2010Learning Predictions - 2010Jeff Goldman - Predictions for 2010Rani Gill - 2010 - Design thinking, Analytics, new metaphors + moreTony Karrer - Top 10 eLearning Predictions for 2010Ken Allan - posted on 31 December 2009.Manish Gupta - Predictions for 2010Claudia Escribano: My 2010 Challenges, Plans, and Predictions

There's a trend that seems to be ongoing, but I'm noticing it even more recently. People seem to be spending less time going through information in depth and less willing to spend time on information. We seem to be snacking on information, not consuming it in big chunks.And it's been something I've been really wondering about on all kinds of levels. I've mentioned before Stop Reading - Skim Dive Skim and that seems to be how people consume blog posts much more these days. I've also noticed a trend towards more twitter mentions of blog posts, but less deep commenting behavior much less thoughtful blog responses.Inside corporations, there certainly seems to be a continual theme of spending less time on learning activities. In some cases, there's almost an anger about providing additional information to employees.Thus, for February the question is:Instruction in an Information Snacking Culture?There are a lot of aspects to this question:Has there really been a shift? Are people changing their information consumption? Are they really snacking more?Do we need to think about instruction differently? Is it a matter of better design so that people are engaged beyond a snack?Is this a problem? I feel like it's harder to get a deep conversation going, especially in a twitter world. But maybe that's me. How can we effectively work and learn in an information snacking world?I'm hoping this will actually be a case where we will get beyond snacks to a good exchange because this is something that I'm really wondering about and would like to discuss.How to Respond:Option 1 - Simply put your thoughts in a comment below. This may be hard given the complexity of the topic.Option 2 -Step 1 - Post in your blog (please link to this post).Step 2 - Put a comment in this blog with an HTML ready link that I can simply copy and paste (an HTML anchor tag). I will only copy and past, thus, I would also recommend you include your NAME immediately before your link. So, it should look like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0or you could also include your blog name with something like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0 : eLearningTechnologyPosts so far (and read comments as well):The Big Question - Snacking CultureHolly MacDonald: My First Foray Into the Big QuestionMy take on the big questionTerry Eberhart - Digin4ed: "On Instruction in an Information Snacking Culture"Janet - Just enough? Or not enough?RK Prasad - Information Snacking CultureSuzanne posted at her blogClaudia Escribano - Learning a Little at a Time

One of my Top 10 eLearning Predictions for 2010 was around Open Content for Workplace Learning:I’m not sure why this already hasn’t had a bigger impact, but workplace learning is going to start to catch up on the value of OCW and OER. Just visit the OER Commons and Open Courseware Consortium. Do a search on something like "instructional design". Drill down a bit and there are some incredible resources.To me it's a bit surprising that there isn't more going on around this.Thus, the March question is:How do we leverage Open Content in Workplace Learning?There are quite a few different aspects to this question and I would love to get some different perspectives to weigh in around these different aspects:There were earlier attempts at consortia aimed at creating common content, but these have had different results. Can someone weigh in with what's happened around that? Particularly, what are some of the challenges there?Where does existing open content fit into workplace learning needs?What are some of the bigger challenges?What are the issues around rights with the materials and using it in different situations?Basically, is there opportunity here. If so, where and how.How to Respond:Option 1 - Simply put your thoughts in a comment below. This may be hard given the complexity of the topic.Option 2 -Step 1 - Post in your blog (please link to this post).Step 2 - Put a comment in this blog with an HTML ready link that I can simply copy and paste (an HTML anchor tag). I will only copy and past, thus, I would also recommend you include your NAME immediately before your link. So, it should look like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0or you could also include your blog name with something like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0 : eLearningTechnologyPosts so far (and read comments as well):Jeff - My Response to March's Big QuestionOpen Content and the WorkplaceH0w Can Open Education Resources Deliver ValueOpen Content in Workplace LearningKapp Notes: Why Open Content is Not Yet Adopted in the WorkplaceClive on Learning: how can we leverage open content in workplace learning?Tony Karrer - Creative Commons Use in For-Profit Company eLearning

Because of my fairly continuous speaking and writing about new tools and technologies, I received a great suggestion for this month's big question:Isn't this an ever-expanding universe of tech goodies? Will we be forced to chase hot tools and social platforms to stay competitive? How the heck are we supposed to stay up to speed on all the latest stuff and be successful using it personally and professionally?Thus, the March question is:How do we keep up?How to Respond:Option 1 - Simply put your thoughts in a comment below.Option 2 -Step 1 - Post in your blog (please link to this post).Step 2 - Put a comment in this blog with an HTML ready link that I can simply copy and paste (an HTML anchor tag). I will only copy and past, thus, I would also recommend you include your NAME immediately before your link. So, it should look like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0or you could also include your blog name with something like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0 : eLearningTechnologyPosts so far (and read comments as well):Jeff Goldman - My answer to April's Big QuestionHolly Macdonald - How to Keep Up - Follow What Sparks Your InterestKapp Notes: Answering the Question: How Do We Keep UpAmit Garg (Upside Learning) - How Are We Keeping Up?Ignatia/Inge de Waard her 5 strategies to keep up with innovationThoughts on keeping up from Clive Shepherd.Keep up with TechnologyPKM in a Nutshell

I was struggling this month to feel inspired about a Big Question. I probably need some help soon to keep the questions going and interesting. Volunteers?Luckily Stephen Downes came to my rescue by pointing me to a fantastic piece Technology to Enhance Learning in 2015? In it, Derek Morrison talks about his answers to the question:So what can, should, or will, we offer the digital generation by 2015? In the world of workplace eLearning, the question is only slightly different and leads us to ask for five year out predictions. So the May Question is:What will workplace learning technology look like in 2015? or more correctly, how will things have changed from today. What are your predictions.And if you are smart, you will do what Derek did and keep it in a medium where you can enhance it so that if you look back in five years you can fudge your answers.I'm looking forward to seeing some interesting responses to this. I hope a few of the old timers like Brent, Mark, Jay - heck - you know who you are - will jump in on this.How to Respond:Option 1 - Simply put your thoughts in a comment below.Option 2 -Step 1 - Post in your blog (please link to this post).Step 2 - Put a comment in this blog with an HTML ready link that I can simply copy and paste (an HTML anchor tag). I will only copy and past, thus, I would also recommend you include your NAME immediately before your link. So, it should look like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0or you could also include your blog name with something like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0 : eLearningTechnologyPosts so far (and read comments as well):Kimberly Worthy - Stepping onto the eLearning Path: Learning Technology for 2015Tony Karrer - Performance Support 2015Clark Quinn - Learning Technology 2015Jeff's Response to the Big QuestionTony Karrer - Beginning of Long Slow Death of FlashAmit Garg (Upside Learning) - Future of learning technology - 2015Is the Matrix the future? Ignatia 2015 - augmented learning in a ubiquitous environment. Tony Karrer - Future of Virtual 3D Environments for LearningLearning Moments Logos Learn -Workplace Learning Technology in 2015: Implications for Instructional DesignClive Shepherd's predictionsLynn Wernham's thoughtsRani Gill - 2015 - Signal vs. NoiseSreya - Future of organizational learning.The BIG Answer - Maybe!

I did an interview last week for the Frank Peters Show around my experience working as a Startup CTO. It was a lot of fun because I regularly list to Frank's podcast. Frank asked me about the disconnect (especially in Los Angeles Web Development) between the fact that it's hard to find really good developers and the fact that there seems to be a lack of opportunity for students to learn about programming. Most high schools don't teach programming. For me, that's when I was exposed. There was a great teacher, Mr. Thigpen, who taught me BASIC and then we worked together via independent studies for me to learn Pascal. It's what got me into computer science. Frank is determined to set up some kind of program for boy scouts locally so they can be exposed. I think that's a great idea. But it also got me to thinking ...Last month - there was a wonderful set of posts looking at all kinds of things that might come to be Learning Technology 2015. A fair number of these posts suggest that to be a well rounded eLearning professional, you are going to need to know quite a bit about different kinds of tools. And, of course, there are issues like the possible Beginning of Long Slow Death of Flash that might have a big impact on what you should learn.So the June Question is:What tools should we learn? Initially I was thinking - what tools should we be teaching? And I was thinking about the context of things like master's programs. But, it's also what tools should we be teaching to professionals at industry events or training programs?And really, the reality is that you shouldn't rely on your educational institution, employer, association, etc. to decide what tools you should learn? The question is really about the specific tools that would make sense to learn today in order to be a valuable eLearning professional in 2015? There's also a question of the depth you need to know these tools.If you really want to be helpful, you might point us to resources that someone could use to learn the tool at the level you are suggesting.How to Respond:Option 1 - Simply put your thoughts in a comment below.Option 2 -Step 1 - Post in your blog (please link to this post).Step 2 - Put a comment in this blog with an HTML ready link that I can simply copy and paste (an HTML anchor tag). I will only copy and past, thus, I would also recommend you include your NAME immediately before your link. So, it should look like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0or you could also include your blog name with something like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0 : eLearningTechnologyPosts so far (and read comments as well):Harold Jarche What Tools Should we Learn?Piotr - read more Holly MacDonaldJeff Goldman - Development Tools I Would Learn If I Were You - Jeff's response to June’s Big QuestionA view from Clive ShepherdTony Karrer - Learning FlashJeff Goldman - What I Would Like to Say About HTML5 and Flash

David Grebow suggested this month's Big Question (thanks David).There's been a lot of discussion around cognitive theory and "how the brain learns." I've been to a lot of conference sessions around this and I've captured a bunch of really great resources below.But even with all of that discussion there's a question of whether people are really making changes to the design of their online learning.So the July Question is:Does the discussion of "how the brain learns" impact your eLearning design?How to Respond:Option 1 - Simply put your thoughts in a comment below.Option 2 -Step 1 - Post in your blog (please link to this post).Step 2 - Put a comment in this blog with an HTML ready link that I can simply copy and paste (an HTML anchor tag). I will only copy and past, thus, I would also recommend you include your NAME immediately before your link. So, it should look like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0or you could also include your blog name with something like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0 : eLearningTechnologyVideo Link and Posts so far (and read comments as well):Jason McDonald - Maybe You Should Read the ManualThoughts from Clive Shepherd at Clive on Learning.YouTube Video - Brain based education: Fad or breakthrough--high qualityClark Quinn's Learnlets - Brain science in design?Paul Angileri - If What You Mean Is the Opposite of the Thing, then Yes...Rakesh Poddar - Instructional Design is about Adapting Instruction to Brain’s WaysTop 32 Posts on Brain, Learning, eLearning DesignI used eLearning Learning to do some quick research to find top resources related to Cognitive Theory, Brain in combination with terms like Instructional Design, Online Learning, Learning Theory, Pedagogy such as: Cognitive Learning Theory, Brain Learning Theory, Instructional Design and Cognitive Theory, Brain and Learning Styles, Brain and Instructional Design, Brain Online Learning Design, Online Learning Pedagogy - this found 32 really great resources on this topic that I've listed below:The Science Behind Learning: Cognitive Tips and How Tos for Corporate Training, February 28, 2010 Expanding On The Nine Events Of Instruction- The eLearning Coach, April 19, 2010 Transfer of Learning - Theories and Implications- Designed for Learning, October 31, 2009 Why are people so dumb? (Cognitive Biases), November 1, 2009 Cognitive Load vs. Load Time, October 9, 2009 Aging. Can We Enhance People's Cognitive Outcomes?, June 4, 2009 Rob Barton: Reducing Extraneous Cognitive Load by Accounting for Individual Differences, January 12, 2009 Push Your Brain! Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, January 26, 2009 Discovering Instructional Design, Part 1- The E-Learning Curve, May 19, 2009 Taxonomy of Learning Theories- E-learning in the Corporate Sector, January 12, 2010 Game-based meta-cognitive coaching- Learnlets, October 15, 2009 20 Facts You Must Know About Working Memory- The eLearning Coach, June 2, 2010 Start and End eLearning Courses with Methods That Facilitate Learning- Integrated Learnings, January 26, 2010 Cognitive Psychology Anyone?- The eLearning Coach, January 25, 2010 Inaccurate claims of brain training benefits- Lars is Learning, January 8, 2008 Definition: Cognitivism- Kapp Notes, December 28, 2006 Theory-informed design tips- E-learning in the Corporate Sector, February 9, 2010 The science of learning- Clive on Learning, February 21, 2007 Deeper Instructional Design- In the Middle of the Curve, November 13, 2008 Brain Based Learning- eLearning Blender, September 28, 2008 Understanding Learning Styles Research- Experiencing eLearning, September 1, 2008 4 ways to enlist the learners’ unconscious mind- Thinking Cloud, December 20, 2009 Daniel Pink and Framing the Task, September 22, 2009 Brain rules - where does that leave us?- Clive on Learning, June 22, 2009 Brain Rules & learning- Informal Learning, June 13, 2010 Brain changing technology- Learning Technology Learning, March 15, 2010 The art of changing the brain- Clive on Learning, May 13, 2008 Tools and our brain, July 10, 2009 Be Skeptical of Brain-Based Learning, July 21, 2008 Are you being fooled by claims of brain-based learning?, June 2, 2010 That brain of ours, July 9, 2009 12 Brain Rules continue to stir interest with Instructional Designers, April 10, 2009

Over the past couple of months, Dr. Joel Harband has been teaching me all about Using Text-to-Speech in eLearning. This has been a great way for me to learn about the topic.However, there was a comment on one of my posts that made me realize that the discussion of the use of voice-over in eLearning was far beyond the conversation that Joel and I were having. The comment was:Even the best Text-to-Speech can only do one thing - receive text and spit it back out. There is no substitute for a professional voice talent, who can interpret the meaning and message of your e-learning scripts. A good voice talent knows how and when to change up the tone or feel of a read when things are getting overly technical or have gone on a while. The most sophisticated text-to-speech cannot approach a real voice person for e-learning. Why do text-to-speech when the cost of a good voice talent will more than pay for itself with satisfied clients and learners?If you step back, there's a set of broader questions that I've often struggled with:When does it make sense to use voice-over in your eLearning course?Given the range of solutions for voice-over from text-to-speech, home-grown human voice-over, professional voice-over: how do you decide what's right for your course?How do you justify the budget and how does that factor into your choice of solution?Are there places where text-to-speech makes sense?Given relatively low-cost recording and editing solutions, does anyone use a studio anymore? When/why?And, last but not least, I've read a lot of conflicting information about the right way to use voice-over in a course. How do you do it right? Can you have the same text on the screen? Can you have text on the screen or diagrams/animations only?The September Question is:Effective voice-over in eLearning?This is one of the bigger big questions. I'm hoping that we can use this to collect up some pretty good information to help eLearning professionals to make smart choices about voice-over in eLearning.How to Respond:Option 1 - Simply put your thoughts in a comment below.Option 2 -Step 1 - Post in your blog (please link to this post).Step 2 - Put a comment in this blog with an HTML ready link that I can simply copy and paste (an HTML anchor tag). I will only copy and past, thus, I would also recommend you include your NAME immediately before your link. So, it should look like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0or you could also include your blog name with something like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0 : eLearningTechnologyPosts so far (and read comments as well):Jason McDonald - Narration in eLearningIgnatia / Inge de Waard's thoughts on when to use TTS or the human voice in eLearning. Cathy Moore -Do we really need narration? and Addicted to Audio? and Should We Narrate On-Screen Text?Jeff's Response - Narration in e-Learning, SometimesShaun - Perception of valueKarl Kapp - Kapp Notes: Audio in E-LearningTony Karrer - Text-to-Speech vs Human Narration for eLearningNibha Verma - Effective Voice-Over In ELearning!

Whoops, October completely snuck up on me. I'm a couple days late posting this. And I have a bit different question this month.One of the things that has always bugged me is that its very hard to find good case studies. A few years ago, we asked a big question Where are the Examples of eLearning? It resulted in finding some good examples such as: Elearning samples and eLearning Examples. There are a few more to be found via eLearning Case Studies on the eLearning Learning site.But most of the time, these examples and case studies tend to focus on different styles of interaction in online courses.I wanted to do something a bit different here. For most of us, we've worked on a few projects that use technology and have had a Big Impact on performance and the business. It wasn't just a check-the-box kind of training exercise. It was big and meaningful. I want to hear about those projects.The October Big Question is:Examples of Big Impact from Technology?Brag a little, it's okay. If you can't name the company, just say "Big Box Retailer" or something like that. I want to know what projects you are most proud of in your life. But it does need to have technology as part of the solution.How to Respond:Option 1 - Simply put your thoughts in a comment below.Option 2 -Step 1 - Post in your blog (please link to this post).Step 2 - Put a comment in this blog with an HTML ready link that I can simply copy and paste (an HTML anchor tag). I will only copy and past, thus, I would also recommend you include your NAME immediately before your link. So, it should look like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0or you could also include your blog name with something like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0 : eLearningTechnologyPosts so far (and read comments as well):Jason McDonald - Maybe You Should Read the ManualTony Karrer - Goals Accountability and Social Support for Big ImpactIgnatia Inge de Waard lists her success factors for big impact eLearning

I just saw a great post by George Siemens - Questions I’m no Longer Asking where he lays out the questions that he no longer finds interesting or relevant. This is incredible stuff because it really points to what's changed over the past few years.George is asking this more for educators, but I'd like to piggy back and ask about this for learning professionals (educators, trainers, eLearning designers/creators, etc.).The November Big Question is:What questions are you no longer asking? What are your new questions?If you aren't sure what I'm asking, look at the post by George. It lays it out pretty well.How to Respond:Option 1 - Simply put your thoughts in a comment below.Option 2 -Step 1 - Post in your blog (please link to this post).Step 2 - Put a comment in this blog with an HTML ready link that I can simply copy and paste (an HTML anchor tag). I will only copy and past, thus, I would also recommend you include your NAME immediately before your link. So, it should look like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0or you could also include your blog name with something like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0 : eLearningTechnologyPosts so far (and read comments as well):Jason McDonald - Maybe You Should Read the ManualClive Shepherd Clive on LearningQuestions I No Longer Ask - Jeff's ResponsePaul Angileri - There Is No ChalkHolly MacDonald - Spark Your Interest! - Questions I'm No Longer AnswseringRK Prasad - Custom Training and eLearning Blog

We are going to continue a tradition in the Big Question ...The Big Question for December is:What did you learn about learning in 2010?If you are a blogger, I would highly recommend taking this as an opportunity to go back through your blog posts over the year and looking for any "aha moments" or highlight the posts that you think were the best/most interesting.If you are not a blogger, please go read Should All Learning Professionals Blog? andTop Ten Reasons To Blog and Top Ten Not to Blog and consider if this might not be the perfect moment to start.If I still (after 3 years) can't convince you, then you should still take this as an opportunity to reflect on the year and come up with what you've learned. I can promise it's well worth the time.You might want to look back at some discussions going on during the last few yearly recaps:2009 - Learning 20092008 - Learn about Learning?2007 - What Did You Learn about Learning?2006 - Past experiences. Present Challenge. Future Predictions.How to Respond:Option 1 - Simply put your thoughts in a comment below.Option 2 -Step 1 - Post in your blog (please link to this post).Step 2 - Put a comment in this blog with an HTML ready link that I can simply copy and paste (an HTML anchor tag). I will only copy and past, thus, I would also recommend you include your NAME immediately before your link. So, it should look like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0or you could also include your blog name with something like:Tony Karrer - e-Learning 2.0 : eLearningTechnologyPosts so far (and read comments as well):Jason McDonald - Maybe You Should Read the ManualRyan Tracey - Online courses must die!Tony Karrer - Seven Things I Learned This YearKelly Meeker/OpenSesame - 10 Useful Things I Learned This YearPaul Angileri - The Fluidity of Learning in Today's OrganizationsJeff Goldman - Reflecting on My 2010 Blog Posts and Happy New Year