Employee Learning Week - Day 3: Leaving ADDIE for SAM (Instructional Design)

Employee Learning Week - Celebrating Day 3!

It was one year ago this week that I had the great pleasure of meeting Richard Sites, Vice President - Training and Marketing, Allen Interactions and co-author of "Leaving ADDIE for SAM." 

We had the good fortune of each presenting at last year's Memphis ASTD Employee Learning Week Conference and had the rare treat of participating as audience members in each others' sessions.

Afterwards, Richard and I started dishin' (okay, ranting) on all things learning (in cahoots with the FABULOUS Project Management Queen, Lou Russell, who was also a Memphis ASTD conference presenter) and we've kept the conversation going in a series of discussions across the globe ever since.

It was happy happy, joy joy from the moment Leonard Cochran made the introduction.

You see, I've been kind of an Allen Interactions nerd and Michael Allen fan since the mid 1990s. 

Yep. I roll geek like that - back then, I was the Production Manager for the only Macromedia Authorized Training Center in the USA Midwest - and an avid Authorware user. (Michael Allen created Authorware in 1987.)

I designed, storyboarded, and authored my first CBT and e-learning projects 20 years ago. I cut my tech training teeth on Authorware.

I've seen a lot of technology and tools change; I've experienced first hand how much the workplace has evolved. 

Unfortunately, in 20 years, despite technology and dramatic workplace shifts, I haven't seen much in the way of change or evolution in how we, as a profession, design and develop learning - especially when leveraging learning technologies.

Seems we're still designing, developing, and delivering using the same old approaches from decades ago, and continuing to get the same under performing, lackluster, boring page turners as a result.

Richard calls them "tell and tests." 

I laughed out loud when I first heard him say it!

Rebel-rouser! 

You know that moment when you discover you're in the presence of a kindred spirit?

Yeah. THAT.

Richard and I both agree that it's imperative for us - as a profession, and as professionals - to change our ways.

Time to evolve, to up our game - to transform!

So we've been staging a series of interventions and Calls to Action.

It started with Michael and Richard's book, "Leaving ADDIE for SAM"...

Everywhere I go, working with learning pros around the world, that's the #1 question I'm asked - "Have you read Leaving ADDIE for SAM?"

Followed closely by, "What do you think...?" 

Which has fueled a lot of discussions and inspired a blog post (and a firestorm of Twitter tweets!)...

CLICK HERE to read the What Got Us Here Won't Get Us There blog and post your comments!

Which led to a radio show...

Richard Sites and I were invited by TrainingPros to be interviewed by Business RadioX co-hosts Lee Kantor and Stone Payton LIVE! on the floor of the EXPO Hall at the 2013 ASTD International Conference and Exposition at the Dallas Convention Center.

Topic of choice? The CRITICAL need for a shift in Instructional Design models from content-centric to learner-centric and performance focused.

CLICK HERE to listen to Richard and I share our thoughts on the high cost of under performance and the call for change to Instructional Design in the 21st century.

All in efforts to inspire dialogue and energy within the global learning community to move toward transformation - transforming ourselves and the profession we are passionate about!


So mark this week as a milestone of disruption and quiet mayhem. 

The "Leaving ADDIE for SAM" fieldbook is out and the "Leaving ADDIE for SAM" workshop launches its inaugural program right here in Chicago next week (December 16-17, 2013).

The Cracken is about to be unleashed! 

DOOM! DOOM! To soulless, empty e-learning! DOOM! DOOM! To strictly "sage on stage" instructor-led!

There's no going back - only forward!

Richard and I are on a mission -  as is the case with many of our peers - to create a world that works better!

It's the absolute BEST way to CELEBRATE Employee Learning Week - by keeping the employees - the LEARNERS - in mind and in full focus as we design, develop, and deliver meaningful, memorable, motivational learning experiences to help them improve their performance!

Join us! :-)

To your success!

~ trish

ELW Day 2: Performance Conversations for Trainers & Other Learning Professionals

Celebrating ASTD Employee Learning Week - Day 2!

Long-time friend, colleague, and fellow CPLP Alwyn Klein recently facilitated an OUTSTANDING Webinar on the need for training professionals to develop and implement a performance mindset within the organizations they serve.

What does Alwyn know about making the shift from training & development to learning & performance?

Plenty.

After more than 15 years at his organization, Alwyn is currently Senior Manager for Learning & Performance at a large African mobile phone company based in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

Alwyn has a Master's Degree in Psychology,  and is one of only a very few people in the world to hold both the ISPI Certified Performance Technologist (CPT) and ASTD Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP) professional certifications. 

He has been instrumental in the support and development of his team - now boasting the largest population of ISPI CPTs outside of North America - and leading the very first cohort of delegates to take the CPLP Knowledge Exam on the continent of Africa.
Alwyn and his team deal with performance issues on a daily basis that, not only impact business results and "the bottom line," but also provide a lifeline of support to some of the poorest and most rural people on the planet.

The learning team's work environment is such that their ability to equip and empower others to performance is visibly vital to entire South African communities; where they can see - every day - that what they do as learning professionals matters.

But I'm jumping ahead! You'll just have to see for yourself in Alwyn's Webinar presentation entitled Finding our Personality: Getting to the ROOT of Workplace Learning AND Performance, featured below.  

From the Webinar organizer - Central Florida ASTD Chapter Web site:

"You will gain some ideas (should you embark upon the journey to Performance thinking) to spark critical thinking; enhance engagement in your organization and with customers;
and some effective planning, too.

You will also get a sense of how one training manager is far down the line in converting his training team to a learning and performance team.
We will explore the potential barriers and traps, the quick wins and benefits.

Most of all, you will get a view of some of the challenges facing the emerging markets and how Performance Improvement has assisted us to improve how we develop people.

At best - a roadmap towards Performance thinking; at worst - a fascinating glimpse into learning and performance in Africa.

WARNING! You cannot 'un-hear' the Performance Messages, so this session may change the way you see performance gaps forever."

Note: Adobe Flash Player is required to view the recording.


 
CLICK HERE to launch the Webinar recording Full Screen in a separate window.

SHOUT OUT to Nick Elkins at Artisan E-Learning for providing the Adobe Connect platform and to the Central Florida and Suncoast ASTD chapters for partnering to host the event! 

YOU ROCK! :-D

Don't you wish you could learn more from Alwyn about how he and his learning pro team made the transition from "order taker" to strategic partner?

You can! Just leave your questions & feedback below! 

I'll be sure to bring them to Alwyn's attention and post his replies.

Perhaps we can even persuade him to write a guest blog post... ;-)

To your success!

~ trish

ELW Day 1: Celebrating ASTD Employee Learning Week!

Celebrating ASTD Employee Learning Week - Day 1!

What is Employee Learning Week (ELW)?

Established by the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), and celebrated annually during the first week of December, Employee Learning Week aims to raise awareness about the direct correlation between learning and organizations achieving their strategic goals. 

As Tony Bingham, ASTD President and CEO, observed, “Increasingly business leaders realize that the most important asset in our knowledge economy is talent, and a skilled workforce is key to realizing results. We encourage all organizations to demonstrate their commitment to learning by recognizing Employee Learning Week.”

State of Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel have taken this message to heart and officially proclaimed December 2-6, 2013 Employee Learning Week!

ASTD Employee Learning Week - Proclamation from Governor Quinn, State of Illinois

SHOUT OUT to Sarah Jeffcoat and the team at Heart of Illinois ASTD (HOI ASTD) for securing Governor Quinn's proclamation for the State of Illinois and to Katelind Hays and the team at the Chicagoland Chapter ASTD (CCASTD) for securing Mayor Emanuel's proclamation in Chicago!

ASTD Employee Learning Week- Proclamation from Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel

LOTS of FABULOUS events taking place this week around the US and around the world as ASTD local chapters and global networks CELEBRATE!

Join the fun at the CCASTD Holiday Party scheduled for Thursday, December 5th at the Hyatt Lodge on campus at McDonald's Corporate Headquarters in Oak Brook where CCASTD will announce the 2013 winner of the Dr. Deborah Colky Workplace Learning & Performance Student Award (including a $1,000.00 scholarship!) and present its 2013 Volunteer of the Year Award!

Jump in on CREATIVITY at the Heart of Illinois ASTD (HOI ASTD) Employee Learning Conference "Think Differently" Friday, December 6th at the Professional Development Institute in Peoria, IL.

Here at Owl's Ledge we'll also CELEBRATE Employee Learning Week and all things learning by listing additional resources and opportunities for you to attend to your own professional development and focus on improving your performance!

Stay tuned for more - all week long!

To your success!

~ trish