I don’t know where curiosity comes from, but if you could bottle it, I’d buy it. It is so valuable, when things are changing so quickly, to have people on your team who are trying every day to better understand the world around them. — Dan Shapero

I have discovered that I need something to look forward to and be excited about. I find myself struggling to climb out of a rut when there isn’t anything like that on the horizon. Often that happens naturally when our family is looking ahead to a travel adventure or when I’m preparing a new workshop, etc. Do you ever feel that way? Sometimes I run out of things. What do you do when you’re trying to come up with things to be excited about? Do you have any “go to” techniques?

I’d love to hear your ideas. In the meantime here are the best things I’ve found this week from the world of learning, design, and technology.

Thanks for reading!

What I’m Listening to: Today I’m feeling like something calm. This Afternoon Acoustic is also good for mornings or any other time of day.

Last week’s most clicked item:
The Complete Guide to Memory

Major Research Review on Learning Transfer

Will Thalheimer (@WillWorkLearn) has been working hard on compiling and analyzing the research on learning transfer as it relates to workplace learning and development. This week he released his finding and you’ll definitely want to head on over to his site and learn about what he found.

https://www.worklearning.com/2020/01/06/major-research-review-on-learning-transfer/

“Show, don’t tell” – How do you do it?

More great stuff from Cathy Moore (@CatMoore) here as she shows a technique to make your scenario scenes seem real and how to apply it to scenario-based training along with a scenario writing toolkit you’ll want to get a copy of.

“Show, don’t tell” — How do you do it?

The Science of Attention and Engagement

Catch Julie Dirksen (@usablelearning) in this free ElearningGuild webinar reprising one of the best-rated, most popular sessions from the Learning Solutions Conference earlier this year: “The Science of Attention and Engagement”. Learn more and register for free here:

https://www.elearningguild.com/webinars/forms/?sid=48

Want to Become a Dynamic Learner? Here’s How to Do It

Lots of good stuff in this conversation with Bradley Staats about his new book “Never Stop Learning” One of my favorites was his four steps to becoming a dynamic learner: Focus, Fast, Frequent & Flexible

Want to Become a Dynamic Learner? Here’s How to Do It

100 More Tools for Learning

Last week I shared my top three. This week you’ll find the rest – 100 in all that I’ve shared over the course of the past year here in my weekly roundup. Lots of categories and something for everyone. Check it out!

https://mike-taylor.org/2019/12/31/three-top-tools-from-2019-you-need-to-know/

Learning, Design & Technology Miscellany

A few other things just because I can.

Tools & Resources

• [app] Stoop – Like a podcast app – but for newsletters. Get all your newsletters out of your inbox and into Stoop.
• [podcast] Train Like You Listen – a new L&D podcast from Brian Washburn
• [website] SanerJobs – Flexible and remote jobs ranked by a work-life balance score
• [webinar] Best Practices for Launching a Community by the folks at the Community Roundtable
• [tool] UXPRESSIA – Create customer/learner journey maps
• [powerpoint addin] Free TalkTime add-in for PowerPoint to help you plan the timing of your delivery
• [design] calcolor.co – A slick way to manage digital colors with a dedicated page for every color code. to find matching color variants, learn more about color properties or convert color values

Conferences & Learning Events

• Today is the last day to submit your speaking proposals for the Canadian Elearning Conference
• Upcoming conference schedule
• L&D webinars and professional development events calendar by Kari Knisely (@KariKnisely)

Interested in the things that didn’t make the cut here? Follow me on Twitter

I love talking about learning, design, and technology. If you’re looking for a speaker, workshop or consultation let’s talk! Speaking and Workshop Information Sheet.

Looking for a previous edition? Check out the archives