The point is that while the L&D group can be providing some of the support, in terms of courses and fixed resources, at other times the solution is going to require ‘the network’ That is, folks are going to play a part in meeting the increasing needs for working. I’ve been revisiting performance support in preparation for the Guild’s Performance Support Symposium  next month, and I’m seeing a connection between two models that really excite me. It’s abut how social and performance support are a natural connection. Here, the support we need differs. MORE >>

Otherwise, you have two options; you provide sufficient practice, as they do with airline plots and heart surgeons. If lives aren’t on the line and failure isn’t as expensive as training, you should focus on providing model-based instruction where you develop the performer’s understanding of what’s underlying the decisions of how to respond. Of late, I’ve been both reviewing eLearning, and designing processes & templates. As I’ve said before , the nuances between well-designed and well produced eLearning are subtle, but important. Er, no. MORE >>

see mobile learning as providing a way to extend the formal learning in time and space, and while the time one is important, again I think the space one will be come important. As part of an initiative for ASTD’s upcoming International Conference and Exposition , I was filmed as I responded to 10 questions around mobile (if you’re there, hope to hear how it goes) from Tony Bingham (he came in via conference call). Here is what I wrote up as thoughts before the filming (and then answered spontaneously, but mindful of what I’d written). How do you define mobile learning? MORE >>

By using tools like blogs for recording and sharing personal learning and information updates, wikis to collaborate, discussion forums to converse, and blogs and microblogs to track what others think are important, we provide ways to naturally learn together. Yesterday I talked about the seeding, feeding, and weeding necessary to develop a self-sustaining network. referred to supporting the activities that we find in natural learning, for both formal and informal learning.  The goal is to align our organized support with our learners to optimize the outcome.  MORE >>

More emphasis can and should be on providing performance resources and facilitating useful interactions rather than creating courses. Tools that make turning Powerpoint presentations into page-turning content aren’t going to fix this, nor are tools that provide prettified drill-and-kill, nor ones that let you host and track courses. Of late, I’ve seen a disturbing trend. And I do  not understand this, because it’s demonstrably wrong. We  know what leads to effective learning outcomes. However, that’s no where near what we’re seeing. So lead the way. MORE >>