Category Archives: Training & Technology

Mar 18

Social Media and Customer Service section to be added to Perfect Phrases For Customer Service. WANT YOUR INPUT

Posted on by

McGraw-Hill will be releasing the 2nd edition of Perfect Phrases for Customer Service and I’ll be adding sections on social media and one for managers/owners.

I would really like input from those delivering customer service via social media, and customers using it. Please comment to this (below). ANYTHING of relevance is appreciated, and if I find what you write informative YOU will (if you like) receive credit in the acknowledgment section of the book. If you want that credit leave your name and affiliation in comment.

Mar 02

Why I Cannot Abide Social Learning “Experts” And Why You Should Beware

Posted on by

Not a single day goes by without some fool of a social media/social learning “expert” blogging, tweeting or otherwise writing to promote the use of social media tools in classrooms. Every day I see articles (actually, blogs mostly since they require no editorial review) telling us how Twitter is a great tool for creating engagement in the classroom, or that corporate trainers MUST (must, mind you) incorporate Twitter and other social media in their work (thanks Mr. Bingham, Head of ASTD).

Now don’t get me wrong. I love technology. Have done for 20 years going back to the Apple ][ introduction and use as a learning platform (and of course, main frames). I’m active on Twitter. I’m active on Facebook. But here is the problem.

Continue reading →

Feb 04

Viral Promoting Or Confidence Game: BS @ Social Media

Posted on by

My faith in the credibility of almost everything I read on the Internet is at an all time low, and I plan on addressing that in future in various posts. The inaccurate information and huge, fast spread of faulty interpretations is scary because of its potential impact on two things (among others): Our democracy, and how money is spent. But that’s a big ball of string. Too big for right now.

So…

Continue reading →

Jan 29

Learning “In The Gaps” and On The Go – Using Dead Time

Posted on by

We live in a waiting society. Wait at the doctor. Wait in line at the supermarket. Always waiting in a fast paced demanding world. Technology is giving us a leg up on using that dead time to learn something, and we’re jumping aboard the mobile learning train.

With the advent of smartphones, PDA’S and other reading devices that range from the size of a small ipod to the larger Kindles from Amazon, you can now order, download and read learning material to use WHILE you wait for some other task. It’s pretty amazing when you think about how you can harness the power of waiting to learn what you want to learn when you want it.

Continue reading →

Oct 14

#lrnchat – Meeting of Dunces or Rich Learning Resource? Or Both? Oct. 8th Report

Posted on by

lrnchat is a twitter based system to chatting which has been trumpeted by at least some of its users and hosts, as being a prime example of how Twitter, and social network platforms can be rich in learning.

Periodically we’ll check in and take a look at the chat, and highlight some of the features, so you can decide on its value. Feel free to surf the transcript for the Oct. 8 version here.

Continue reading →

Sep 21

Training/Learning Related Whitepapers for Trainers/HR Professionals

Posted on by

I came across these three white papers for those in the training industry about online learning and training. I haven’t seen them since they are available only to those in the USA, so interested in comments about quality, accuracy, etc. I shrunk the links so they would work in email.

How to Market Training: Four Principles of Effective Online Learning

Continue reading →

Sep 18

How to Promote the Value of Online Training Within Your Organization

Posted on by

Short Description: Discover how to promote the value of online training in your organization.

Long Description: This new white paper explores the benefits and ROI of online training and takes an in-depth look at how two innovative companies successfully implemented Web-based training.

Continue reading →

Sep 09

Definitional Problems Damage the E-Learning/Social Learning Field

Posted on by

If you are at all involved in the delivery of training via the use of technologies, you have probably seen, heard, or used the terms e-learning or social learning*. They have become common currency in the discussion of training and learning undertaken in non face-to-face training and education contexts.

Unlike the term “distance learning” which is an older term with a very clear and precise definition, both the terms e-learning and social learning lack clarity of definition to the extent that many practitioners who use the words don’t have clear ideas about what they themselves mean;  what is included and what the terms exclude. This is not an abstract issue of linguistics but a practical issue that has profound impact on both research and practice.

Continue reading →

Sep 04

The real enemies of Social Networking And Social Learning Are…

Posted on by

…the people who oversell the value of social networking and social learning through exaggerations, deliberate or ignorant interpretation of research (which is usually poorly done anyway), and general religious zeal.

In short, many of the “gurus” in these fields, who are a) converts and true believers while b) making lucrative incomes, or hoping to make lucrative incomes by becoming the keeps of the wisdom (a tactic used in the old days of mainframes, in case you are wondering.

Continue reading →