Learning Light
Second Floor, Gladstone Building,
1 St James Row, Sheffield, S1 2EU
Tel +44 (0)114 223 2442; Web www.learninglight.com
17th December 2009
Learning Light spot key learning and development trends at Learning
2009
Learning Light identifies key learning technology trends in the USA,
from attending Elliot Masie's Learning 2009 conference, held in Florida
in November.
At Learning 2009, the principal issue seemed to be the key role that
learning and development can play in the present difficult economic
circumstances, according to Learning Light, a company limited by
guarantee organisation which focuses on promoting the use of e-learning
and learning technologies. A team of UK learning technology
specialists, including Learning Light's David Patterson, along with
UKTI's Nigel Goddard, Assessment 21's Gerard Lennox and Sean Gilligan
of Webanywhere joined the 1,300 or so delegates at Learning 2009 -
which was subtitled 'Learning in uncertain times'.
Historically, hard times prompt reductions in training budgets, so a
key theme for delegates was the need to maintain the value and currency
of learning and development in the eyes of corporate decision makers.
This meant that conference sessions focused on return on investment (ROI);
'virtual (world) learning'; achieving value from existing learning
management systems (LMSs); the need to develop effective partnerships
to deliver cost effective solutions, and how social networking can
influence learning.
Elliot Masie, the event's organiser and world renowned learning
technology 'guru' advocated dropping the 'e' from e-learning, given the
all-pervasive role in corporate learning that e-learning now plays.
Masie argued that e-learning had evolved, and its future highlights
will be around the use of video in learning and the concept of 'falling
forward' - in that e-learning needs to become more challenging.
Masie also pleaded for both greater research into the pedagogy of
learning to address learning styles and a realisation that social
networking will play a growing role in learning - including the use of
ratings, peer teaching, project based learning and structured
competition/collaborative learning.
The conference explored 'what learning would look like in 2019' but
there was also a general fascination among the delegates with what
Google is doing - or might do - with e-learning.
"The use of video as a medium to put across learning messages was
prevalent in a number of sessions," said Lennox "It could be seen in a
variety of ways - such as using commercial DVDs such as 'Twelve Angry
Men' for negotiation training at Google, YouTube style homemade video
clips for updating the workforce in one of the USA's largest chains of
pawnbrokers, or for creating immersive, TV soap style situational
training at KFC."
Patterson believes that this illustrates a trend towards more social,
informal learning where knowledge is gained by 'sharing stories' as
much as by formal learning practices.
Issues that were 'played down' at Learning 2009 included standards -
with only one session in over 230 at the event on the role of SCORM and
its future iterations. Also under-represented were learning design,
gaming and immersive learning scenarios along with e-books,
e-assessment and e-portfolios.
"In addition, human capital management - a hot term at the 2006 event -
seemed to have been forgotten as a key metric framework for people
management although talent management seemed to retain currency as a
term," Patterson added.
Patterson's full report on Learning 2009 is available for free download
at Learning Light's e-Learning Centre website:
www.learninglight.com
End
Notes for Editors
About Learning Light Ltd
Learning Light is a non-profit organisation that builds relationships
between learning technology researchers, suppliers, buyers and learners
providing learner-centric information to encourage the growth of
learning technologies. By sharing comprehensive research, highlighting
successes and failures, Learning Light helps to promote the learning
technologies community.
Learning Light provides bespoke and individual services to help both
buyers and suppliers of learning technologies (e-Learning). Its current
services include:
Research Services
Providing access to expert insights, advice and guidance built on
indepth research. Helping organisations to effectively implement
learning technologies (e-Learning) and integrate them within their
workflow processes.
Membership Services
Partnering with leading thinkers in the industry and providing a
network for all interested in the field to share information,
knowledge, insight, experience and expertise, through utilising online
community tools, networking events, conferences and guru seminars.
Professional Services
Our highly experienced team offers organisations access to range of
competitively priced consultancy services supporting buyers with the
effective implementation of their learning technology (e-Learning)
requirements. And, for suppliers, helping to provide a range of
services to assist market awareness and generate growth.
In addition, Learning Light provides a comprehensive Professional
Development programme to help Learning & Development professionals
understand the significance of learning technologies in the workplace
today and how to effectively implement them within the workflow
processes of their organisation.
Sheffield-based Learning Light is supported by Yorkshire Forward, the
regional development agency for Yorkshire, and the Humber and Objective
1 South Yorkshire.
Further information from:
Mark
Pittaway/ Kay Simpson, Learning Light, 0114 201 5703
Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR, 01727 860405
www.learninglight.com
