In a recent story on msnbc.com, Microsoft has joined the next generation of computing - cloud computing. Microsoft will offer storage space and computing power across their massive network of computers to anyone who needs access to servers but doesn't want to purchase them.
This is a big step towards the next wave of business models. I could start a business on the web without the need for all of the required servers, support, and space.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Get the Kleenex, this one's a tearjerker
You have to watch this video about little Eliot. He was born with a genetic disorder even though doctors said that he wouldn't make it. He survived for 99 days even though the odds were against him. It's an amazing story about his parent's love. Instead of dreading the inevitable, they celebrated each day they had with Eliot. In fact, they celebrated a birthday each day until the end. Through his father's letters to his son, you can follow their journey until they released 99 balloons at Eliot's funeral in honor of each day he blessed this world.
http://www.oprah.com/media/20081001_tows_99balloons
http://www.oprah.com/media/20081001_tows_99balloons
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Tell me a story
We all know that we'd rather hear a story than just a boring lecture of facts. A story is interesting and holds our attention as we invest in the characters and what's happening. On the other hand, a boring lecture just seems endless as fact after fact is droned out.
According to the following article, cognitive science tells us that our brains are wired to learn from stories. In fact there are four basic elements to a story that we can incorporate into our training to help our students become engaged and learn from some of the boring topics we have to train on.
Those four elements are:
According to the following article, cognitive science tells us that our brains are wired to learn from stories. In fact there are four basic elements to a story that we can incorporate into our training to help our students become engaged and learn from some of the boring topics we have to train on.
Those four elements are:
- Causality - there's a connection in how the story builds because the first element causes or initiates the next. For training, this element tells us how the agenda pulls everything together from beginning to end.
- Conflict - the story identifies an obstacle to overcome. For training, this element identifies the gap and the potential for failure if we don't meet the training objectives.
- Complications - the story takes us on a journey that isn't just a walk down the yellow brick road, there's elements that can throw us off that have to be addressed. For training, this element identifies the parts that we need to make note of and pay attention to.
- Character - this is the person that we're following. As the learner, I need to know if it's me or another role. The story tells me how I fit into the surroundings.
Friday, October 24, 2008
One small step for Jared
Jared took his first steps a few days ago!! He's slowly learning that his feet and legs can get him from point A to point B. It's just so amazing to watch him develop. Before we know it, he'll be running around. I just had to share this.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
A son's dream and his father's will
This is an amazing true story!
A son asked his father, 'Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?' The father who, despite having a heart condition, says 'Yes'.
They completed the marathon together. In fact, father and son went on to join other marathons, the father always saying 'Yes' to his son's request of going through the race together.
One day, the son asked his father, 'Dad, let's join the Ironman together.' To which, his father said 'Yes' too.
For those who don't know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.
Father and son completed this race together. But there's more to the story that you just have to see. View this race at: http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8cf08faca5dd9ea45513
Also - here is a link to the Team Hoyt webiste: www.teamhoyt.com
A son asked his father, 'Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?' The father who, despite having a heart condition, says 'Yes'.
They completed the marathon together. In fact, father and son went on to join other marathons, the father always saying 'Yes' to his son's request of going through the race together.
One day, the son asked his father, 'Dad, let's join the Ironman together.' To which, his father said 'Yes' too.
For those who don't know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.
Father and son completed this race together. But there's more to the story that you just have to see. View this race at: http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8cf08faca5dd9ea45513
Also - here is a link to the Team Hoyt webiste: www.teamhoyt.com
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Think Strawberries
Here's a little inspiration for the middle of the week. Check out this story about a new way of looking at training and leading people. Remember, think strawberries!
Finally an excuse for screwing off
I was surfing the web at work when I found a little justification for my lack of productivity. According to an article on Msnbc.com, surfing the web could exercise the brain similar to the way crossword puzzles do and can lower the risk of dementia. Well this is promising news for net junkies like myself. The thought of exercising my brain while checking out my favorite websites also got me thinking about brain-based learning and the science of how the brain acquires new information.
I did some searching for a few websites that I've ran across before about the topic and I found one that I really like. Brain-based learning by Funderstanding lists the 12 core principles for how the brain learns. It has some interesting stuff that I feel is legitimate.
So, I continued my search for more sites and ran across an opinionated blog that had a link to a YouTube video that tries to debunk parts of the theory on brain-based learning. While the video doesn't attack any of the core principles, he does have an interesting point about the inferences we make in trying to make connections. One thing I found interesting is how he compared a child's activity to a group of children. One cannot predict the other. It made me think of how we try to predict a person's activities back on the job based upon how a person does in training. The problem is that we can't factor in the work environment during the training. We can't know how the person's boss or co-workers will affect them.
This takes me to another point as thoughts rattle around in my head. Here's a great article about the transfer of training and who really has an impact.
Well my brain is tired and that's enough exercise for one day. Enjoy.
I did some searching for a few websites that I've ran across before about the topic and I found one that I really like. Brain-based learning by Funderstanding lists the 12 core principles for how the brain learns. It has some interesting stuff that I feel is legitimate.
So, I continued my search for more sites and ran across an opinionated blog that had a link to a YouTube video that tries to debunk parts of the theory on brain-based learning. While the video doesn't attack any of the core principles, he does have an interesting point about the inferences we make in trying to make connections. One thing I found interesting is how he compared a child's activity to a group of children. One cannot predict the other. It made me think of how we try to predict a person's activities back on the job based upon how a person does in training. The problem is that we can't factor in the work environment during the training. We can't know how the person's boss or co-workers will affect them.
This takes me to another point as thoughts rattle around in my head. Here's a great article about the transfer of training and who really has an impact.
Well my brain is tired and that's enough exercise for one day. Enjoy.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Is training the answer?
I was intrigued by one of Roger's recent posts about corporate training and it's ineffectiveness. He claims to have been one of those guys that tried to cram too much information onto a PowerPoint slide show and made people suffer through the "training." I can relate because I've been that guy too.
Roger's call to action is for a better approach to training. I'd like to add to Roger's call with a few of my own questions people should ask.
1. Is training the solution to my problem?
Check out Gilbert's Behavior Engineering Model to learn more about the 6 factors of influence that affect a person's performance. We've learned in other classes that training is only the solution for one of the factors: Skills & Knowledge. The other influences need to be addressed by other solutions such as better resources or leader accountability.
2. How should I offer training?
According to the following article there are 3 levels of skills & knowledge that we can expect from learners following training. Depending on the level you want, determines the appropriate method of delivery for training. According to the referenced Dopler Decision Matrix there's a range of acceptability for the proper combination of level and method. A mismatch and the training is either ineffective or inefficient.
3. How do I make the training stick?
Finally, here are some websites to check out about enabling the transfer of training.
Roger's call to action is for a better approach to training. I'd like to add to Roger's call with a few of my own questions people should ask.
1. Is training the solution to my problem?
Check out Gilbert's Behavior Engineering Model to learn more about the 6 factors of influence that affect a person's performance. We've learned in other classes that training is only the solution for one of the factors: Skills & Knowledge. The other influences need to be addressed by other solutions such as better resources or leader accountability.
2. How should I offer training?
According to the following article there are 3 levels of skills & knowledge that we can expect from learners following training. Depending on the level you want, determines the appropriate method of delivery for training. According to the referenced Dopler Decision Matrix there's a range of acceptability for the proper combination of level and method. A mismatch and the training is either ineffective or inefficient.
3. How do I make the training stick?
Finally, here are some websites to check out about enabling the transfer of training.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
There's just so much out there to read
I've been following a blog by Tony Karrer about eLearning. He's got some amazing stuff on his site.
Here's just a few of the posts that I found really interesting:
Here's just a few of the posts that I found really interesting:
The world keeps getting smaller
Principal opened an office in Pune, India a few years ago to outsource some of the basic claims processing and IT application work that needs to happen in our business. The office is growing and the collaboration between our home office and Pune is becoming more important to our success. Pune's success is so important that it justified sending a person from Des Moines over to India for 3-months to help teach them the basics of the retirement industry so that they could better understand what they were processing and working on.
Hearing the story of this person's adventure and time over in India was really amazing. She talked about their culture and how blended it was with the old ways of India and the modernization the West is bringing to the cities.
After her talk, I found this article on msnbc.com about the impact of today's credit crisis on the call centers in India. They've had to adapt their training and approach to dealing with people in America who are at the end of their last penny. I really found a lot of things about this article interesting. The people in India assume more American style names and change their accents to sound more American so that it puts people at ease. They've also updated their training to enlighten those people on the phones about all of the events that have happened recently from the stock crash to the natural disasters. The intention is to help them bond with the person on the other side of the phone.
Simply amazing how the world is connected.
Hearing the story of this person's adventure and time over in India was really amazing. She talked about their culture and how blended it was with the old ways of India and the modernization the West is bringing to the cities.
After her talk, I found this article on msnbc.com about the impact of today's credit crisis on the call centers in India. They've had to adapt their training and approach to dealing with people in America who are at the end of their last penny. I really found a lot of things about this article interesting. The people in India assume more American style names and change their accents to sound more American so that it puts people at ease. They've also updated their training to enlighten those people on the phones about all of the events that have happened recently from the stock crash to the natural disasters. The intention is to help them bond with the person on the other side of the phone.
Simply amazing how the world is connected.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Podcasts Library on the Evolution of Training
Xyleme Voices features some really cool podcasts about new learning trends. Delivered by some well known experts in the field, these podcasts discuss key issues affecting the evolution of training.
I really liked the one by Dr. Ruth Clark about the use of visuals in eLearning. I create a lot of CBTs (computer based training) for my company and we're trying hard to step away from glorified PowerPoints to real elearning using the proper mix of text, visuals and audio.
I really liked the one by Dr. Ruth Clark about the use of visuals in eLearning. I create a lot of CBTs (computer based training) for my company and we're trying hard to step away from glorified PowerPoints to real elearning using the proper mix of text, visuals and audio.
MapQuest and public toilets - a mashup
Okay, I just had to post this. Diaroogle is a mashup like the authors talked about in the book where somebody created a peer network for people to locate and evaluate public toilets in New York City. How funny is that?! The site says that the next time you're walking around NYC, you can use your web-enabled phone to locate the best public toilet in your vicinity.
When you're done, you can rate your experience.
When you're done, you can rate your experience.
Do Schools Kill Creativity?
Robin has mentioned in other classes about a website where you can watch some really amazing videos. It's http://www.ted.com/.
In the video below, Ken Robinson talks about how schools are killing creativity and that we need to change how we educate children because the world we're trying to prepare them for doesn't exist yet. Okay, I know the future doesn't exist yet but what he's talking about is that we have no idea what technology or innovation is going to change the world next.
I've talked a lot about this in my blog. Check out the Shift Happens post. I want my son to be prepared to take on any kind of world with a fresh perspective and a creative mind. Listening to Ken is inspiring and frightening because it's all so true. Have a look and tell me what you think.
In the video below, Ken Robinson talks about how schools are killing creativity and that we need to change how we educate children because the world we're trying to prepare them for doesn't exist yet. Okay, I know the future doesn't exist yet but what he's talking about is that we have no idea what technology or innovation is going to change the world next.
I've talked a lot about this in my blog. Check out the Shift Happens post. I want my son to be prepared to take on any kind of world with a fresh perspective and a creative mind. Listening to Ken is inspiring and frightening because it's all so true. Have a look and tell me what you think.
Keeping in touch with the kids
Yesterday at lunch some co-workers and I were talking about how quickly the year was passing by and that Thanksgiving and Christmas were both just around the corner. I asked if anyone could remember a time when life didn't move this fast. One person said that life as a kid seemed to be slower, or at least it seemed that way because he was always waiting for his parents to pick him up. He explained his statement with a story of his daughter calling him from her cell phone for a ride and then minutes later calling to check on his status cause she was waiting "forever" in her terms.
We all could relate to the times of past when none of us had cell phones and we could never just call our parents anytime. Life was different back then. One didn't have instant access to the world like they do today.
The co-worker who started the story went on to say that he's happy his kids have their cell phones now because he can reach them throughout the day. He can text his son about football practice or his daughter's volleyball game and they can text him back during breaks or study hall.
This all made me wonder what life would be like for Jared once he enters school. What technologies will be a part of his life that aren't around now. This thought made me think about a blog from the TechChallenged in our class. She blogged about a seminar where Marc Prensky talked of open phone tests for students as a new way test our students. Basically he proposed letting students use their cell phones to access help during tests.
All of this just makes me wonder, what's next?
We all could relate to the times of past when none of us had cell phones and we could never just call our parents anytime. Life was different back then. One didn't have instant access to the world like they do today.
The co-worker who started the story went on to say that he's happy his kids have their cell phones now because he can reach them throughout the day. He can text his son about football practice or his daughter's volleyball game and they can text him back during breaks or study hall.
This all made me wonder what life would be like for Jared once he enters school. What technologies will be a part of his life that aren't around now. This thought made me think about a blog from the TechChallenged in our class. She blogged about a seminar where Marc Prensky talked of open phone tests for students as a new way test our students. Basically he proposed letting students use their cell phones to access help during tests.
All of this just makes me wonder, what's next?
Monday, October 6, 2008
Chuck Norris Facts
Need a little time waster? Check out these little known facts about the great Chuck Norris. My favorite is that Chuck Norris sleeps with a pillow under his gun. Or that there is no chin behind Chuck Norris' beard - just another fist.
Training Trends
Check out Tony Karrer's blog about training method trends. He has some interesting statistics from the eLearning Guild about the current trends in the methods for training in the corporate world and government.
What's interesting is the popularity of classroom. It's still king despite all of the other resources available. It is nice to see a rise in other technologies such as blogs and wikis.
What's interesting is the popularity of classroom. It's still king despite all of the other resources available. It is nice to see a rise in other technologies such as blogs and wikis.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Shift Happens
Watch the following video from YouTube about the changes affecting our world today and shaping tomorrow's future. As you watch it, think about the new learners we'll face in the next decade. They will be receiving training on jobs that don't exist yet using technology that's still getting discussed in R&D today.
Did this page help?
If you search for support on the Microsoft website, each response is concluded with a question: Did this article help solve your problem? Microsoft wants to know if the information on the page helped based upon your search criteria. They want the feedback from their customers so that they can refine their support database to be more helpful to the next person.
While the people who use Microsoft support can't update the content, they can at least help guide the information by providing their feedback. I can remember years ago when I worked in tech support and you were left with no discourse when a page was useless. Now I can let them know whether or not if my problem was solved. Plus now, they can help guide me to additional information in case my search criteria was wrong.
I want to add this question to the bottom of some of the online information we have at Principal. We have so much information online for people to reference, but so often we hear from people that the pages weren't referenced for one reason or another. I want to find out if the people don't like the page or if they don't find the page useful. It may be tough to get the question added, but my plan is to start with one page. I've recently updated a page in lieu of offering any formalized training. The project leader is going to send out an email to the audience that the page was updated. Now I need to know if they found the page useful and if the information provided them the answers they were seeking.
Wish me luck. It will be tough because we've never done this before. I'll keep you posted.
While the people who use Microsoft support can't update the content, they can at least help guide the information by providing their feedback. I can remember years ago when I worked in tech support and you were left with no discourse when a page was useless. Now I can let them know whether or not if my problem was solved. Plus now, they can help guide me to additional information in case my search criteria was wrong.
I want to add this question to the bottom of some of the online information we have at Principal. We have so much information online for people to reference, but so often we hear from people that the pages weren't referenced for one reason or another. I want to find out if the people don't like the page or if they don't find the page useful. It may be tough to get the question added, but my plan is to start with one page. I've recently updated a page in lieu of offering any formalized training. The project leader is going to send out an email to the audience that the page was updated. Now I need to know if they found the page useful and if the information provided them the answers they were seeking.
Wish me luck. It will be tough because we've never done this before. I'll keep you posted.
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