My Learning Blog

Sumtotal acquires Docent, Click2learn, Pathlore Saba acquires Thinq, Centra Adobe acquires Macromedia Oracle acquires Peoplesoft KnowledgePlanet acquires KnowledgeImpact Blackboard and WebCT merge Convergys acquires DigitalThink Image sourced from: www.lonelydriver.com

Conduct one-on-one, small group discussion, field test Employ informal talk, short test, discussion, survey form (any/few) Evaluate training needs, objectives and methods Determine the improvements that can be made on the training program Determine if supplemental information can cater for the additional training topics identified Implement suggestions that make sense

A team member called me on my cell phone last morning, "Aradhana, I am not coming to office." me: "You're taking leave?" tm: "No, I am not coming. The questions that I forgot to include in the script...." me (interrupting): "Are you saying you are not coming back to office? Are you leaving the company?" tm: "Yes" (!!!) In the afternoon, her colleague/friend comes to me, "Aradhana, its not that she's got another job. She was just scared to face up to you after the mistake she made." me: "Which mistake?" colleague: "The questions she forgot to add to the script she worked on. We made her understand and now she wants to come back." (!!!) Decision to leave a job based on a mistake as basic as this, communicating leaving a job by a simple phone call and then conveying intention to return...it was a strange incident.

Of late, I'm hearing that e-learning is on the decline. That our world is changing--e-learning would soon get replaced by say, mobile learning (learn anywhere, even while riding back from work). That the tools are getting smarter--allowing organizations and corporate to cater for their training needs internally without having to go to the training companies. The way I see it, these developments are great! We might then have within reach a breadth of media--ILT, online basic (say, e-briefings), online advanced (e-learning), WBT, mobile and a blend of all these. Most likely one media would not win over another. Just as radios, television, films, theatre and television have a definite place in the entertainment world. If organizations cater for their training needs through inhouse teams (with tools getting simpler and more powerful), our expertise would demanded for times when the training does not need to be just rapid but both effective and extensive. Whether e-learning/training sho...

Today I complete three years in my current organization (Convergys Learning Solutions, formerly DigitalThink). Its been an enriching journey!

Instructional design principles remain the same irrespective of the content. its analyze content not as a subject, but at a higher level--what is the key problem the training intervention is trying to address? Based on the content provided, what objectives contribute towards the solving the problem? How do these objectives tie with the interactions so that the course is within the the scope? What would be the evaluation criteria? Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) might consider some concepts as a given while providing content, without considering the audience profile. The language used for the online media is direct and straightforward. ID-SME collaboration helps to break complex concepts into simpler, easily understandable content. Audiences tend to think within their departmental/team silos. Even within the team, people have different levels of subject knowledge. IDs use their skill with content to preempt questions for all levels of learners.

At the onset, set and communicate well-defined team principles. Share this information with the entire team. Clearly communicate your expectations from the team. Listen their expectations from the work experience. Exchange this information with the entire team or during one-on-one sessions with each team member. Reinforce the team priniciples and values continually and encourage team members who personify those values. Share this information with the entire team. Lead by example. Encourage three important values--share learning, help each other and be polite. Perform this activity with the entire team. Expect team to handle conflicts with other team members one-on-one. Explain techniques on how this can be done. Share this information with the entire team.