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The 5 Magic Words of Modern Learning

In General L&D by JD Dillon

Microlearning. Mobile. Content. Social. SCORM. Blended. Training. Facilitator. eLearning. Adaptive. xAPI. Motivation. Assessment. Personalized. Augmented. Learning. We throw A LOT of words around as workplace learning professionals nowadays! There’s nothing wrong with having plenty of fun words to describe what we do. However, these are OUR words. They don’t translate …

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Is Ego Limiting the Potential of Your Learning Ecosystem?

In General L&D by JD Dillon

“How will they know we did it?” This question was asked of me by a former peer as I pitched a solution for an ongoing performance problem. Rather than build content and put employees through training, I suggested we curate a collection of best practices that frontline staff could share …

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Considering a career in L&D? 3 questions

In General L&D by JD Dillon

Odds are that most people reading this post already decided to go into L&D. After all, that is my target audience. So, if you know someone who is thinking about entering our field, forward this along. But, if you stumbled across this post as part of your career planning, I hope this proves …

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We should stop using the term “learner” because …

In General L&D by JD Dillon

This is one of those standard L&D practices that just never felt right – even when I first got started working as a facilitator and instructional designer. Over the past few years, I’ve come to believe that our use of the term “learner” to describe anyone who engages with L&D stuff actually …

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Do they know what L&D does?

In General L&D by JD Dillon

Do you know what the L&D team does here? I mentioned the idea of “lack of L&D role awareness” as a symptom of an unhealthy learning and performance ecosystem during my vSession with the ATD Forum earlier today. Coincidentally, Jane Hart asked a related question this morning on Twitter … What would …

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Twitter: You may be 10 but to me you’re 6

In General L&D, Social Media by JD Dillon

Twitter turned 10 last week. While analysts and investors continue to question the viability of an online world limited to 140 characters, I still believe Twitter to be an INVALUABLE communication tool – for the entire Internet-enabled universe. The celebratory highlight reel Twitter shared last Monday (below) provides a quick glimpse into moments …

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RANT: Stop vilifying presentation!

In General L&D by JD Dillon

Kill the sage on the stage! All hail the guide on the side! Don’t just talk at them! Engage them in conversation! Facilitate – don’t present! I’ve been hearing stuff like this for the past several years when discussing L&D delivery strategy. Most of my peers have been unabashed in their distaste for presentation, anointing facilitation as …

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My Top 10 Tools for Learning (2015)

In General L&D, Technology by JD Dillon

It’s once again time to vote for your favorite toys as part of Jane Hart‘s annual Top 100 Tools for Learning survey. To compile last year’s list,  Jane received input from 1,038 learning professionals from 61 countries. You can submit your top 10 list as part of the 2015 survey here until noon GMT …

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L&D and Our Coyote Complex

In General L&D by JD Dillon

I introduced the L&D/Coyote comparison as part of my Transforming Users into Contributors session on user-generated content at DevLearn 2014. Thanks to Sarah Gilbert for the accidental inspiration during her DevLearn morning buzz session. I’ve used the comparison several times since to support my position, and it seems to resonate. Here’s …

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QUESTION: What will learning look like in 2024? (#LRN2024)

In General L&D by JD Dillon

ANSWER: The same … Well, it’s not quite that simple. As a precursor to their #GuildChat series, the eLearning Guild hosted a Twitter chat about the (possible) future of learning last Friday (09/05/2014). David Kelly (programming/curation guru from the Guild) also challenged L&D folks to share their thoughts via other media …

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My Top 10 Tools for Learning (2014)

In General L&D, Technology by JD Dillon

As far as I’m concerned, Jane Hart = GOOD STUFF in the world and learning and performance. Beyond her insightful, thought-leader posts and other development offerings (which I have not experienced but hear only good things), she also drives the annual Top 100 Tools for Learning survey. This is a cool opportunity for …