Sign up here to get Friday Finds in your inbox every Friday
“To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life.”
— W. Somerset Maugham
I don’t officially kick off the holiday season until the Bright Carbon PowerPoint Holiday Cards are out, and guess what? They’re here! These festive and customizable cards are the perfect way to spread some holiday cheer.
Wherever you are and whatever holidays you celebrate, I hope they are merry and bright! Thanks for reading!
🎶 What I’m Listening To
If you’re interested in holiday music that is different from the same old ones you’ve heard a million times, these are great! Merry Mixmas
👆 Last Week’s Most Clicked
📰 News & Notes
C.U.R.A.T.E.D Model for Learning
This was my most viewed post from 2023. The C.U.R.A.T.E.D. model is a culmination of many things from my work history and guides L&D professionals in picking the best learning materials from the mountain of information available. It helps you ensure the materials are important, interesting, diverse, and match what people need to learn. This way, L&D professionals can create awesome learning experiences that are just right for their audiences!
🎯 Take away: The C.U.R.A.T.E.D. model helps L&D pros turn a huge pile of info into organized learning that is perfectly designed for their audience.
Most Clicked Newsletter Edition of the Year
This was the most clicked edition of this newsletter this year. It explores various themes in learning and personal development. It highlights the importance of becoming an ‘Expert Generalist’ for versatility in a complex world, discusses the issue of ‘bare minimum learning’ in our efficiency-driven culture, and emphasizes the challenge of ‘knowingness’—a belief in already knowing the truth, which hinders further learning. Additionally, it features insights into the science of learning and tips on leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT to enhance creativity and productivity in workflows.
If you’re curious for any more here is the list of the year’s top 3 newsletter editions:
- Friday Finds — Learning Science, Expert Generalists, Our Knowingness Problem
- Friday Finds — Global L&D Survey, Design for Course Creators, Visual Design Rules
- Friday Finds — Critical Ignoring, Behavioral Design Pros, Slide Docs
🎯 Take away: Revisit the most engaged newsletter editions of 2023
Most Clicked Newsletter Item: Scott Young’s Favorite Papers on the Science of Learning and Thinking
Scott Young is a regular in this newsletter and his blog post, “Ten of My Favorite Papers on the Science of Learning and Thinking,” was the most clicked item of 2023. It highlights influential academic papers on learning. These papers delve into topics like the efficacy of direct instruction, intuitive expertise, knowledge transfer, self-efficacy in behavior change, and the benefits of one-to-one tutoring.
🎯 Take away: This selection of papers underscores the diverse and intricate facets of learning and thinking.
Visit the Neovation Learning Hub and subscribe for free eLearning resources that are useful and actionable, giving your organization L&D superpowers!
🧰 Tech Tools & Tips
If tools are your jam, check out my new Work Smarter newsletter.
Wonder Tools 🏆 Best of 2023
The most useful new sites & most shared posts. Plus tools to watch in 2024 from Jeremy Caplan’s ‘must-read” Wonder Tools newsletter
wondertools.substack.com/p/bestof23
2023 Top 10 Learning Tools
My personal 2023 Top 10 Tools for Learning
mike-taylor.org/2023/09/04/2023-top-10-learning-tools
Canva Pro is the design software that makes design simple, convenient, and reliable. Create what you need in no time! Jam-packed with time-saving tools that make anyone look like a professional designer.
🎧 Podcast
This is the conversation that caught my ear this week. Check out previous episodes in the Friday Finds podcast playlist.
Friday Finds Learning, Design & Technology playlist
All the podcasts from this newsletter plus a few extras for good measure.
🧳 Where’s Mike?
- ATD ICE, New Orleans May 19-22, 2024
If you or your event needs a speaker or workshop that is highly interactive and super practical we should talk.
sponsored
A Quick Reference Guide for Training Needs Assessment and Analysis
Identifying precise training needs is no easy task — especially if you’re doing so for the very first time. Download our template to solve this task faster and better. The template includes everything you need:
- A step-by-step plan for a deep dive into training needs analysis
- Stakeholder interview worksheet
- Employee interview worksheet
- Gap analysis template
- Needs assessment checklist
Download the template now for free and identify the type of training that will drive your organization forward.
Like this post? Share it with someone you love. Don’t like it? Share it with someone you don’t!
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 buying me a coffee.
Mike Taylor 