A new day...a new pile of learning topics and resources!
Here's a quick recap of the sessions I attended today...
...our morning's general session was headlined by author Dan Coyle. Mr. Coyle lead us on a journey to discover how great performers (sports, music, etc) become great--the 'simple' answer was over 10,000 hours of INTENSIVELY learning their craft! Wow. There are 3 habits that we should attempt to cultivate to encourage great performance. 1. Maximize reachfulness: ruthlessly eliminate passive learning, push to provide training where learners get it right about 60-80% of the time. 2. Fill the windshield: promote 'staring', or watching others doing the right things, and encourage learners to strive to 'steal' the talent/habits of great performers. 3. Communicate like a coach: connect with the learner first; don't make speeches--instead, send vivid, concise information to them; praise for EFFORT, not ability. "Talent is NOT something you possess alone, but something we build together".
...the 'How to Communicate to the Visual Cortex' session by Kevin Thorn briefly discussed 'how' we see and really helped us understand why images get the message across much better than words alone. We need to recognize what learners already know (click the red 'x' to close; click the 'next' button to continue = duh!) and give them a little trust that they will figure it out on their own if we design around what they already know. Great session!
...in 'From Bullet Points to Instructional Animation', Diane Elkins of Artisan Learning demonstrated and explained how they took an all text course and made it visual and interactive. She gave 7 awesome tips to think differently and transform our courses: point out stuff (don't just talk about it), use only key words, turn words into diagrams where possible, reveal information in layers, integrate words & visuals, put content within context, and use bullets only when they are the best choice. Another super session!
...Rustici Software staff provided a session on 'Designing Beyond SCORM--What is the Tin Can API'. A quick and dirty session explaining what Tin Can is and how it can affect the design of learning. Tin Can API has several advantages over SCORM, making the following easily do-able: mobile learning, simulations, educational games, performance support, tracking real world activities, tracking offline & long-running content, and providing higher security and authentication abilities. It works on the premise that 'everything' can be learning and that the 'data' gathered during the learning should be easily reportable and portable. Unlike with SCORM, the content (course, learning, etc) does NOT have be the thing reporting the learning. Tin Can provides that 'plumbing'.
The day ended with a fantastic 'Solution Fest'...over 40 designer/developers provided quick demos on a course that provided a solution for their learners. There were lots of really awesome solutions--I'm not even gonna try to guess on who will win!
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