“
“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.”
— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
This week we’ve had a few warmer-than-normal days that have let me get out to run on the winding trails through the woods that are just a stone’s throw from my front door. Beyond the physical benefits of exercise, these ‘ forest bathing’ sessions are always a welcome mental break and a highlight of my day. What are the simple pleasures that you most enjoy?
As always, thanks for reading.
What I’m Listening To:
80s cover songs have a special place in my heart, like the cassette tapes I used to play in my boom box back then.
Last Week’s Most Clicked:
How to create an AI-generated video
📰 News & Notes
L&D Global Sentiment Survey
Donald Taylor’s annual L&D Global Sentiment Survey 2023 asks a single, crucial question: “What will be the most in-demand trends in workplace L&D in 2023?” This year’s results are here, and boy, what a difference a year makes! Last year, the focus was on social learning, but this year, the spotlight is shining bright on AI and analytics. With responses from 100 countries, it’s important to note that geographical variations still exist and the results table displays a collection of sometimes vastly differing opinions.
Seductive Details & Retrieval Practice: A Memory Boosting Duo
Are you looking for an effective way to improve the memory retention of your learners? A recent study has revealed the secret – combining “seductive details” with “retrieval practice.” This pairing has been found to create a cognitive utopia for memory retention. By incorporating interesting and captivating information with repetitive recall exercises, you can ensure your learners will retain the information you present to them.
Graphic Design for Course Creators
“Graphic Design for Course Creators” is an ebook by Dawn DiPeri to help course creators design visually appealing and digitally accessible courses and curricular materials. She contends (and I agree) that applying graphic design principles can minimize barriers, decrease cognitive load, and enhance the learning experience. To help with this, she’s created the Graphic Design E-Learning Checklist, which provides a roadmap for improving the aesthetics of courses while prioritizing inclusivity.
Visual design rules you can safely follow every time
This is for designers out there (and we’re all designers!). This is a collection of visual design rules that you can confidently follow every time. Now, don’t get too caught up in the details – if you have a solid reason for breaking any of these guidelines, then go for it! But for those times when you’re looking for a bit of guidance, these rules are a trusty companion that you can always count on.
How Talking Less Will
Get You More
Why are some people compulsive talkers? And how can we fix it? Dan Lyons, a self-proclaimed talkaholic, set out to understand why it’s so hard to keep quiet. This article suggests that talking less can actually get you more, as keeping quiet can increase your charisma and leave a lasting impression. So, the next time you’re in a conversation, try being a great listener instead of a talker and watch the magic unfold. Who knew that silence could be so golden?
Get smarter in 5 minutes with Morning Brew (it’s free)
There’s a reason over 4 million people start their day with Morning Brew – the daily email that delivers the latest news from Wall Street to Silicon Valley. Business news doesn’t have to be boring…make your mornings more enjoyable, for free.
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Tech news is confusing – so we changed that.
Join over 450K people reading Tech Brew – the 3-times-a-week free newsletter covering all updates from the intersection of technology and business. We provide free tech knowledge that’ll help you make more informed decisions.
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Science for people who give a shit!
The critically-acclaimed and “refreshingly snarky” newsletter and podcast help you think deeply and act decisively about the world’s make or break science news, from climate to COVID, heat to hunger, and agriculture to AI ethics.
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🎧 Podcasts
Bringing Dry Content
to Life
In this episode, Beth Couglar Blom shares several recommendations about how to work with course content that you might, at first, consider dry or boring and make it come alive for your learners. It’s not the content of our sessions that is naturally “dry” – it’s how we approach it when we’re designing the learning experience!
Graphic Design for Instructional Designers
Listen in on this chat with Dr. Dawn DiPeri as she talks with Betty about graphic design for people who design courses.
The Coddling of the American Mind
Jonathan Haidt is a social psychologist and author who studies morality, culture, and politics. He’s also researching the impact of social media on teen mental health and writing two books on these topics.
🧰 Tech, Tools & Tips
If tools are your jam, check out my new WorkSmarter newsletter
Email Course Template
This automation template is perfect for anyone who wants to create an online course and deliver it through email.
YouTube Summarize
Summarize YouTube videos using your OpenAI key
.
InVideo
InVideo simplifies video creation with ready-made templates
that you can quickly customize.
Butter.us
Butter’s integrated tools let you run super-engaging workshops, trainings, and meetings—without juggling a million tools.
🧳 Where’s Mike?
- Mid-New Jersey ATD, February 21
- Cognota Webinar, February 28
- iDTX 2023, March 8
- New Zealand ATD Conference, March 15-16
Freelance Instructional Design:
All You Need to Succeed
A Collection of ID Resources for Freelancers
The field of freelance instructional design is relatively new and unexplored, but don’t let this prevent you from going solo. With this free collection of resources for freelance instructional designers, you can break into the field successfully.
What’s inside:
- Tom McDowall’s guide to collaboration with SMEs;
- Legal issues and taxes;
- ID theories and models;
- Freelance ID statistics;
- A contract template created by a lawyer;
- A template of Certificate of Acceptance and Delivery and more.
Friday Finds is an independent publication that I produce in my free-time. You can support my work by sharing it with the world, booking an advertising spot, or by buying me a coffee.
Mike Taylor 