So I hear it at a larger level: “why should we make learning more scenario-based&# , or “what is the empirical evidence about social learning in the organization&#.  What’s done instead, when sufficient cases arise, are meta-studies (as the recent one that said online learning was somewhat better than face to face), that tend to look across research, but you need a sufficient quantity of comparable studies (and someone capable and motivated).  The point I’m trying to make here is that, particularly in the learning sciences (e.g. MORE >>

There seems to be a revival of interest about informal learning. No matter how the information is presented, gathered or used it appears the single best notion is that it was unintentional and/or secondary to the main thrust of what is or was to be learned. Let me suggest we might think of informal learning as ‘Ad Hoc.’ If learning is as brain scientists tell us, empowered by the relationships of ideas, the gymnastics of making connections provides meaning and quite often enrichment; then hurrah for informal learning. Is this informal learning? MORE >>

If we ran a contest for the favorite esoteric word of Instructional Designers, the term “chunking&# might win. It’s one of those terms you never hear until you enter the world of online learning or writing for the Internet. so the brain can more easily digest new information. The reason the brain needs this assistance is because working memory, which is the equivalent of being mentally online, holds a limited amount of information at one time. That’s a big challenge for a course designer. 10 Relevant Facts About The Brain. MORE >>

When designing for novices, we need to accommodate their mental structures in order to bring them to a level of competency as gracefully as possible. Here are some design tips for creating online courses for novices. Five Strategies for Novice Course Design. When designing for beginners, avoid overwhelming them. Some people dread learning something new—they may find it overwhelming, they may be biased against the subject or perhaps they’re not thrilled with online learning. Related Articles: The Novice Brain. Focus on Actions. MORE >>

It’s a wonderful thing when you stumble across an article that says exactly what you’ve been trying to find the words to express… That’s what happened when I started reading Rick Wilson’s article, “Learning Content is Not Your Job Any More: The Effect of Convergence&# from  e-Learning Guild’s Learning Solutions e-magazine (June 21, 2011 issue). He starts with two new rules about learning leaders’ responsibilities: “Rule One: You are no longer in the business of learning content development and delivery.&#. MORE >>