TEDx Caltech Insights Jan. 14, 2011

Highlights from  my day at TEDxCaltech.com. Follow  #TEDXCALTECH in Twitter.com

It was a wow, belly blowing, mind-bending, brain cell twitching, eye-popping and heartfelt joy and amazing insight.

Must see - This is a must see and listen event. The imagery presented at TEDxCaltech brings to life the archaic, distant, elitist, and abstract work of scientists closer to day to day understanding. This is important because it makes the knowledge accessible to inspire others and show the possibilities of dreams. In a couple of weeks visit www.TEDXCaltech.com to preview the videos.

As a learning professional, these are thoughts I found very meaningful.

Visualization of data - Science is moving forward beyond just data gathering, research to dissemination, distribution and using data help to solve real life problems. With the aid of computers along with the desire to manipulate and enhance the use of data, scientists are discovering even greater contributions of science. Data should be empowering. It should be accessible. The data should be configurable to add value. It should enable easy learning. Pamela Björkman, Eric Heller, Alexander Szalay and Curtis Wong shared software and research approaches that magnified the imagery of their work.

Many speakers touched on the value of stories and how science is full of opportunities to connect data with stories and creating new meanings. Whether it is in their presentation style or in organizing research, I found it exhilarating that speakers required stories and metaphors to relate to their body of knowledge. Christopher Sykes shared his experience working with Richard Feynman on producing a documentary. Feynman's video tells lots of stories. They are producing an "eLearning" type of tool featuring all of Richard Feynman's lectures.

Closing the gap between digital haves and have nots. I am so used to technologies that I often forget the impacts on new opportunities to share brilliant ideas to hungry minds. I sat down over lunch with a professor. She was telling me about how TED.com and similar efforts have inversely affected the supply and consumption of smart ideas. With TEDxCaltech.com, it is now possible to share with science-minded students, teachers, professionals and everyone who are science inclined but will never have the chance to see the great minds in sciences, face-to-face.

Practical use of TED.com - Another person I spoke with in the event, tells me that she includes TED.com and other video providers as part of her class. The videos become references and sources to inspire possibilities. 

Christopher Sykes - Single biggest thrill is meeting Christopher Sykes. He introduced me to Web of Stories. Another fantastic video production!

Ray Jimenez, PhD 3Minute Worlds - Learning Community Social Learning, Work and Performance 3Minute eLearning Games "Helping Learners Learn Their Way"

Microlearning Design Las Vegas ASTDTECH

I presented at ASTD TechKnowledge Conference in Las Vegas, January 28, 2010.

The topic I spoke of: Using Micro-eLearning Design for Learning 2.0 and Traditional eLearning.

Gist:

5 Step Process

• Be succinct
• Relate
• Interpret
• Apply
• Micro-Applications

Microlearning instructional design is based on storytelling.

Use Microlearning in operational areas where managers don't want to waste time in lengthy training.

You may download handouts at www.3minuteworlds.com.

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Questions from the audience:

Attendee: How long should a Microlearning be?
Ray: Depends on what your audience, content and tool and other considerations.
If for doctors, micro-might mean 5 minutes for each topic in video observation of a surgical procedure. For technician using a PDA or phone to check newest part, it may be only 30 seconds because he is on the job trouble-shooting an equipment. For an orientation training, micro might be 3 minutes.

Attendee: What is micro-instructional design?
Ray: Story-based Design

Attendee: How to implement Microlearning in enterprises?
Ray: The micro-ways. Find operational areas that can save time, reduce costs, increase profits with Microlearning. Usually line management understand this language. No one wants to waste time in operations.

If you have questions, reply here or email me at rayvft@gmail.com

Ray Jimenez, PhD
Join us at 3MinuteWorlds Microlearning Community http://3minuteworld.trainingpayback.com
http://www.vignettestraining.com/
http://www.simplifyelearning.com/

"Helping Learners Learn Their Way"

Back to the Basics - Discussion Format and Inquiry-based Learning

I am reminded of an old colleague much senior my age whom I consider a guru and look up to me for advise.

He said, 25 years ago, there are two methods of learning that are fundamentals: Discussion based and Inquiry-based.

>> Discussion-based allows learner to have conversations sharing their thoughts on the subject. This is important so learners can apply ideas in their own context.

>> Inquiry-based allows learners to ask questions. It allows learners to follow what engage them.

Today, discussion and inquiry is what we hope Wikis, Blogs, discussions, social learning, e-learning 2.0 allow learners to do.

But like 25 years ago, we still have the same problems: we stop learners to have discussions and pursue inquiry.

Apparently, technology can only do so much.

Ray Jimenez, PhD
http://www.vignettestraining.com/
http://www.trainingpayback.com/

"Helping Learners Learn Their Way" "Helping Learners Apply Learning"

e-Learning and Training - Soon, Hopefully. No More Mice with Microsoft Surface

This will be in restaurants soon. Surely, there is a training use - maybe a game, a workflow activity.

Ray Jimenez, PhD
http://www.vignettestraining.com/
http://www.trainingpayback.com/

"Helping Learners Learn Their Way" "Helping Learners Apply Learning"

"Beyond Blogs - It Will Be Here After the Bubble Bursts"

Stephen Baker of Business Week says in a video, "We will be using blogs and other tools, even after the blog bubble bursts, if there is one."

I remember the upside of the last .COM bust. A lot of the creations of the .COMs ended up in the hands of enterprises who really took advantage of the capabilities of the Internet, while, sadly, many of our stock options went up in flames.

Baker also talks about his use of the Widget called "Twitter." I tested Twitter and knew there's some value to small, nano-size messages, and I call it sharing your rumblings with others.

The thousands of social networking tools and widgets will enrich our experience.

I am like a kid, a lot of stuff to play around with -- hoping one or two would really make a difference in performance at work. Yup, I am still concerned about performance.


Related comments:
Micro-Worlds, Micro-life Learning: The Big Phenomenon, (But Small) Social Networking
From Social Networking to Performance Widgets


Ray Jimenez, PhD www.vignettestraining.com
"Helping Learners Learn Their Way"

Widgets Conference 2008

Stay tuned for the Widget Summit http://widgetsummit.com/

Check some of the sessions and speakers. Although this may seem too geeky for the average trainer and learning officer, this illustrates how organizations continue to make our lives better with improved widgets in social networking, mobile learning, etc.

Ray Jimenez, PhD www.vignettestraining.com
"Helping Learners Learn Their Way"