In this issue:
1. Are you smart enough? An E-interview with Rich Karlgaard, Publisher, Forbes Magazine
2. Frolicking and Frivolity in WBT?
3. Who Wants to be a Millionaire Trainer?
4. Strut your Stuff -- Call for Proposals for CTW
5. A reader asks...
6. Upcoming Events
1. Are you smart enough? An E-interview with Rich Karlgaard, publisher, Forbes Magazine
Rich Karlgaard is the publisher of Forbes Magazine, http://www.forbes.com He has been the editor of Forbes ASAP, a magazine that covers the major trends and implications of the Digital Age and was the co-founder of Upside Magazine, which covers the computer industry and high-tech investment. In 1997, Karlgaard co-founded, with Guy Kawasaki and Craig Johnson, garage.com; http://www.garage.com the leading Web-based, start-up capital firm in the world. Karlgaard is also a regular guest on CNN/FN's "Digital Jam."
TRENDS: You have stated that there needs to be an investment in corporate IQ and energy. What do you mean?
KARLGAARD: How far you get in business is the sum of IQ and energy. This is true of individuals and companies alike. Corporate IQ is having a smart workforce that shares goals as well as the information needed to get tasks done well and quickly. Corporate IQ is as much teamwork as it is the sum of individual IQs.
TRENDS: How will just-in-time training play a crucial role in attracting, retaining, motivating, and nurturing employee IQ and energy?
KARLGAARD: It will play a huge role. Just-in-time training will make employees smarter, which, in turn, will attract smart employees.
TRENDS: Why will IT become the core for accelerating the business revolution and how will IT support and service facilitate it?
KARLGAARD: IT won't become; it already has become.
TRENDS: Please give us some examples of the kind of business, technology, and human capital issues which confront us.
KARLGAARD: 1. U.S. needs to raise immigration quotas to fill IT talent needs. 2. Education systems, particularly in math and sciences, need to be improved by BOTH greater public investment and real competition (vouchers, etc.).
Mr. Karlgaard will present the keynote address titled, "Only the Smart Will Survive!" at the WBT Executive Summit, April 26-27, San Diego, CA. For additional information visit: http://www.influent.com/wbtes2000
Registration to the WBT Executive Summit also gives you access to the complete WBT Producer Conference as well as the ACE conference. You will have access to over 120 learning sessions, the Expo, hands-on labs, receptions, and parties.
Summit attendees will be able to attend invitation-only special Q&A sessions conducted by Mr. Karlgaard and Alan Webber, publisher of Fast Company Magazine and the opening general session and co-keynote presenter at the Executive Summit.
Space is limited -- Register today!
2. Frolicking and Frivolity in WBT?
One key challenge facing WBT developers is letting go and getting creative; getting past the old ways of doing things. Bill Horton of Horton Consulting says "accepting computer games as legitimate learning tools" was one of the hardest things he had to get past. He felt they were "frivolous and often violent" yet, when he began working with computer games, with an eye to incorporating them into WBT, they proved to be very effective. The students discovered and learned things on their own.
In his new book: "Designing Web Based Training," see http://www.horton.com Horton provides a collection of best practices (and examples!) in Web-based training (WBT). He says "It's too early to have a lot of scientific research but there are a lot of people who have tried things." Horton has spent a lot of time talking with those people and he condenses those experiences to advise and inform us on creating WBT.
Catch Bill Horton live and in person at The WBT Producer Conference, April 26-28, 2000, San Diego, CA, http://www.influent.com/WBT2000 for his "Beyond Horseless Carriage Thinking: Inventing the Future of Training Supersession" and his Best Practice session #506, "Simple Things That Work: The Emperor's New Fashion Consultant."
3. Who Wants to be a Millionaire Trainer? -- By Heidi Fisk
A few months ago I shared my observations on how technology training is like Pokemon. Well, I almost hate to admit it, but I had another "pop culture revelation" when I spent the other night with my new favorite man, Regis Philbin, and his "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Show." So, what are the parallels we should keep in mind as we conduct training? (and this applies to classroom and technology-delivered training for any topic)
-- Like the show, give your students options; not just an "A" way to learn but a "B" and a "C" etc... but don't let your students "over think" the problem.
-- Allow your students to work through the problems by talking out loud. For many learners, it helps to verbally walk through the problem and it can be turned into a good exercise for the class -- others may learn by listening to someone else being coached through their confusion.
-- Give your students "life lines" -- encourage them to ask a friend for help, poll others (show them Web sites or other resources), or give them some hints (50/50). Would any of us not appreciate half of the wrong answers in our life eliminated from the equation?
-- Give students time to think about their answers. This may be one of the great sins of classroom trainers...asking the question "Do you understand" and then saying; "fine...let's go on" almost immediately. Next time you are in a class -- or teaching a class; count how long the silence is between the time the question is asked and either the instructor or a student responds. I learned a long time ago, that it can take students up to 20 seconds to formulate a response...yet most trainers average 5 seconds!
-- Take students through the process in stages... Like the hierarchy in the show, start with low risk activities ($100) and build toward the big payoff...($1M).
-- Ask for understanding -- "Is that your final answer?" this gives the contestants a chance to reflect on if they really have thought through the problem and the answer. What a good model for us, whether online or in the classroom we should be checking for clarity and understanding.
-- Offer them an "out" but let them still walk away a winner... We can't all win a million dollars, nor can every student master every task or skill in a class. You can still reward them (sure, they blew the $500,000 question but they walked away with $32K). Build ways into the courses to ensure your students feel really good about what they are learning, and build their confidence each step of the process.
-- Ask them what they are going to do with their "winnings." Do you tie their learning outcomes to tangible rewards? Do they know what they are playing for? and why?
Well, thanks again to the "Master Trainer" Regis...
Next up... well... you help determine my TV watching habits... should the next article be:
Cooking up great classes with Martha Stewart in the kitchen
Determining ROI with the Antique Road Show
The WWW (World Wide Wrestling)
4. Strut your Stuff -- Call for Proposals for Computer Training World (CTW) 2000
It is not too late. Proposals are still being accepted for the Computer Training World Conferences & Expo. For more information on how to submit, Visit; http://www.influent.com/ctw2000
5. A reader asks...
Long time Trends reader, Ah Mei asks, "I am looking for a list of asynchronous and synchronous e-Learning/WBT tools -- one that compares features and ease of use. Is there a definitive list anywhere?"
Do you have a question to pose to the Influential Trends community, or would you like to respond to a reader's question appearing here?
Send an email to mailto:rsmith@influent.com
Remember to use the Influential Trends Archives as a one-stop resource for your technology training questions at http://www.influent.com
6. Upcoming Events
Here are some upcoming events for your professional development:
WBT Producer Conference & Expo
WBT Executive Summit
ACE User Conference
April 26-28, 2000
San Diego, California, USA
WBT Producer is targeted towards those who develop, design, or create online learning and Web-based training (WBT). The WBT Executive Summit is for Training Directors, managers, and other executives who are responsible for the strategic implementation of online learning/Web-based training.
ACE is the Allen Communication user conference.
You can find out more about these events by visiting http://www.influent.com/wbt2000
NOTE: This just in from the Conference Registration Desk:
The good news: This event is projected to have twice as many Attendees compared to the 1999 event. This, of course, means more colleagues for you to network with and learn from! The bad news: The conference hotel, the San Diego Marriott Hotel, is now SOLD OUT! The Good news: Additional discounted rates are available at the Hyatt hotel next door. Don't delay! Register today! Visit http://www.influent.com/wbt2000
Help Online 2000 Symposium
July 11-13, 2000 (Preconference workshops July 10)
Chicago, IL
You asked for it! We are uniting the best faculty with Help writers, designers, developers, and managers in a unique Symposium format to facilitate inquiry and dialogue between faculty and participants. General sessions will be led by industry leaders. There will be no commercial element to this event! The focus is on learning, networking, sharing, and in-depth discussion within the framework of three tracks: Management Strategies, Tools & Techniques, and Trends and Issues.
Proposals are now being accepted for this event. Contact Heidi Fisk at 651.686.7003 or mailto:hfisk@influent.com
