Future Technologies

Talking Ain’t Teaching

admin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:48:53 +0000

The objective of training is not to tell anyone anything. It is for them to do something. Those of us who have children know too well that telling people to do something doesn’t guarantee that they will do it.

Ten Ways to Ensure Failure in Working with Outside Resources

admin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:47:31 +0000

Outside resources can increase the scope and flexibility of internal training departments. They can provide knowledge of a particular subject matter (e.g.,Leadership and Management Development) or additional horsepower during a “crunch” period. However, using outside content development resources is not without its share of problems. Here are the five most common ways training departments fail in working with outside content development resources. I sincerely hope that none of you make these mistakes, but if you do, be assured that you stand in good company.

Where Did we Lose it?

admin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:36:36 +0000

School is out and many of us are seeing a lot more of our children. Hopefully, we will take this opportunity to notice how they have grown in magical ways.

Saying it Doesn’t Do Diddly

admin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:34:18 +0000

Those of us who have children know that saying it doesn’t do diddly and saying it twice doesn’t do a heck of a lot more. People need simple rules and a few good examples.

Injecting Excitement into Web-Based and Blended Training

admin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:31:57 +0000

Many organizations have embraced web-based and blended training. The cost of paying instructors, renting training rooms, and the travel costs associated with getting 30 people in the same room is just too much to handle in today’s downsized environment.

Practice Makes Perfect

admin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:24:00 +0000

That was what my father always told me and he was right. Learning by doing is not a revolutionary notion. It first promoted by the educational philosopher John Dewey in the 1920s. Learning by doing takes time and who has time to spare these days? This blog is for those of you who want to develop content right the first time.

Ten Techniques for Increasing Interactivity

admin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:21:21 +0000

Everyone wants to increase the interactivity of their training. Here are 10 ideas to start with.

Structured on the Job Training

admin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:05:04 +0000

Most training is accomplished on the job; in department stores, banks, and other non-retail establishments. Jane, a more senior employee, shows John how to perform a task, shares a few words of wisdom, and later watches John do it himself. It makes perfect sense, but there are several pitfalls with OJT.

Who Cares about Content Development?

admin — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 19:03:41 +0000

All to often organizations believe that having a technical writer jot down a few notes or asking a product manager to create a PowerPoint presentations is what content development is all about.

I see content development as a far larger piece of the pie. It is analyzing a business problem, determining the behavior an organization wishes to change and how they wish to change it. Content development is arranging time with the right people and ferreting out information from business partners and subject matter experts. And of course, content development includes designing impactful instructional experiences, crafting tools to guide those experiences, and measuring the results.  

Do you agree? I would enjoy hearing from you.