For those of us trying to stay on top of trends in the learning space, consider this: How can you re-purpose the tried, tested and true?

It’s easy for us to get caught up in the really big “2.0 what-a-do” of large scale project implementations, systems integrations and markup languages, but what happens to our brains when we see headway being made by a whiteboard?!

I know that in my head, the light goes on and the words tumble right out… “BUT OF COURSE!”

That was my reaction the first time I watched the Common Craft Show. This dynamic duo (husband and wife) were teaching me about some of the newest tools and trends in web 2.0 by using cut-outs, erasable markers and a whiteboard. Granted, the scripting was perfected and they knew of what they spoke… but seriously, paper cut-outs!?! It’s almost too perfect.

Believe it or not, the CC team didn’t arrive at this magic mix on the first try. Nope. They experimented and experimented some more… falling short a few times here and there. Until finally they decided that laying a whiteboard on the floor would work. And work it did. Now they do custom instructional videos for the likes of Google and Salesforce as well as other big name companies who’ve jumped on the bandwagon. But they haven’t forgotten the secret of the web and still provide a Common Craft branded version of their “101″ videos free to YouTube viewers.

And if you’re ever trying to explain social media to your own customers and want to license a video of theirs, you can. It’s cheap to do and you get the white labeled version.

So the next time you’re wondering about what instructional designs of the future might look like - consider remixing what’s right in front of you first. In many ways, this is the mashup mentality you’ll need to get good at in order to survive the social web revolution.

Excellent take-a-ways from the Elliot Masie Learning 2008 conference in Orlando. We were not in a “vendor” role (although once a vendor always a vendor). I was a learner. I have some great insight into the momentum in virtual world learning, social media and mobile learning. Here is a brief summary of interesting “facts” (personal opinion I admit) from a buffet of sessions:

• 59% said that less than 20% of workers have “from home” option - this is going to change fast
• 50% said that gaming is their learning future
• 49% do not use social networks in the workplace
• 20% of crowd had an Avatar in Second Life
• Mobile Learning Sessions @ Capacity
• Virtual World Sessions @ Capacity
• Social Responsibility and Green topics – in every timeslot
• Building “e modules” faster is a must
• Smaller companies are doing more with less employees

As intrigued as I was about the new use of innovative Web 2.0 and mobile technologies en route to the pursuit of accelerated learning, the more broadly applicable messages seemed to stick. Specifically, the messages from a handful of thought leaders. Dr. Stephen Covey led a discussion around the Speed of TRUST. It was thought-provoking. It was also a validation to our commitment of “Inspiring Success and Innovation throught Trust and Partnership.”

It strikes me that most of us don’t consider trust a competency. And, how do we truly find people who are trustworthy and how do we execute on trust. Transparency builds trust. Arch Lustberg (a Leading CEO and Political coach) emphasized how trust is built with an “open face”, eye contact and the sincerity of your body language. I have believed in this for some time - you can’t fake being trustworthy. At least, not over time. You either hold the virtue near and dear to your heart or you don’t. Now, there is hope.

Dr. Covey, contrary to popular belief, feels that trust can be taught and learned. Not easy, but it can be done. Your character dictates if you have a “character of good intent.” Then, do you behave in ways to build trust? Like the progress bar in our eLearning courses, it would be great if we had a “trust bar” above everyone’s head, indicating their trustworthiness. Trustworthy people talk straight, speak with sincerity, can shut up and listen, and constantly “right their wrongs.”

One final thought…

Schooling has confused us into thinking that learning was equivalent to pouring content into people’s heads. It’s more practical to think of learning as optimizing our networks.” (Jay Cross)

LMS’ organize by topic, the internet organizes by tasks. Organizations are going to have absolutely no choice but to organize their learning differently. Any resistance is futile, and any barriers must be overcome. At minimum, Generation Y will demand the change. But, it is not just a Gen Y phenomenon. Once other generations achieve learning in this fashion, they don’t go back. Microsoft’s new internal learning function Academy Mobile has a mantra - “Do You Dare to Share”. They believe, that no one person has the only version of the “truth”.

Rick

1,800 courses online in 11 months. All in a days work.

In February 2007, MIT went on the record and said that 1,800 courses at the university would be online by 2008. This was a truly remarkable statement considering the amount of knowledge and clout inherent in MIT’s curriculum.

While the push began in 2001, as an Open CourseWare Programme, the premise was that this information was best served free (with obvious provisions against commercial re-use).

Now, in April 2008, more than 1,800 courses are online and available for download - the entire MIT course database. Everything from student work to lecture notes.

Welcome to a time when learning should, and will be, democratized.