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Are Games the Same? Update the Blueprint of Your E-learning Process to Leverage Game Development

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:30:00 GMT

Are Games the Same? Update the Blueprint of Your E-learning Process to Leverage Game Development
Start Date: 12-Mar-10 11:30 AM
End Time: 12-Mar-10 1:00 PM
Location: St. David's Episcopal Church Campus, Austin, TX 78701
Speaker: Julia Preston

Event Details:

E-learning professionals such as you have figured out that games are useful tools for training people on a wide variety of topics. The problem is that many development teams are trying to use the same development process for new e-learning games as they used to create courseware with a linear experience. How many project timelines have fallen through? How many game projects have gone over budget? Sometimes, the final product doesn’t even meet the original need. E-learning development teams need to customize their processes to address the specific needs of creating games. In our session, we will explore the problems and pitfalls of applying normal e-learning processes to game development through an interactive discussion. After discussing the best practices of the game industry and how these should be applied to learning games, we will facilitate a process design game. This game will allow participants to develop their skills by applying the development process to a case study game project.

Attendees should come prepared to participate – and to have fun!

Objectives

What the problems and pitfalls are to applying normal e-learning processes to game
development.
The best practices of the game industry and how these should be applied to learning games.
How planning metrics for ROI and performance success can bolster the success of a game project.
How to create a development process from learning objectives to final delivery by an interactive group example game.

Practical Take-away

Attendees will receive a game project checklist with important considerations for developing a learning
game.

St. David's Episcopal Church Campus

301 East 8th ST

Austin, TX US 78701

March CPLP Study SIG: Managing the Learning Function & Managing Organizational Knowledge

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:00:00 GMT

March CPLP Study SIG: Managing the Learning Function & Managing Organizational Knowledge
Start Date: 20-Mar-10 9:00 AM
End Time: 20-Mar-10 12:00 PM
Location: Time Warner Cable, Austin, TX 78759
Speaker: Star Fisher

Event Details:

This is a CPLP Exam Preparation Study session. Interactions are based on Modules 6 (Managing the Learning Function) and 8 (Managing Organizational Knowledge) of the ASTD Learning System. Participants are encouraged to read the materials in advance.

Managing the Learning Function

The Workplace Learning Professional (WLP) needs a deep level of knowledge on how the learning function affects all areas of an organization, as well as the core competencies involved with managing learning within an organization. An important element is knowledge of the business drivers of an organization that the learning function can best support. Knowledge of the various learning technologies available and their use in the learning function is critical for any program success. WLP professionals should be aware of how HR systems integrate into the success of the training function, as well as how external systems and laws or regulations shape the culture of an organization and affect business. Fundamentals include legal and ethical requirements, models and concepts of adult learning, administration of programs, project management, strategic planning, budgeting and financial acumen, learning management systems, and knowledge of marketplace resources to assist in the management of learning.

Managing Organizational Knowledge

Understanding and comprehension of the foundational elements of knowledge management (KM) for the WLP professional is the focus of this module. KM involves the effective capture, use, and reuse of organizational knowledge to benefit the organization and individuals; it is especially through technology that the use of new and shared knowledge enables improvement. Awareness of the historical perspectives and best practices of KM; primary business processes, drivers, and analysis; information architecture and database management; systems analysis and design; after action review methodology; and how these elements help the WLP practitioner prepare learning goals and plans is required. In addition, acquaintance with the various KM tools and technologies that are available, including knowledge mapping, need to be considered.

Study participants may join the program at any module (1 - 9 are covered from September - May). Please see the wiki for more information about the overall program.

http://austin-astd-cplp-study-group.pbworks.com/

Time Warner Cable

11921 N. Mopac Expwy, Suite 100B

Austin, TX USA 78759

March ID/eLearning SIG: Accessibility

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 23:30:00 GMT

March ID/eLearning SIG: Accessibility
Start Date: 25-Mar-10 6:30 PM
End Time: 25-Mar-10 8:15 PM
Location: Enspire Learning, Austin, Texas 78701
Speaker: Buddy Allison

Event Details:

Do you know what laws require training to be accessible for people with disabilities?

Join us for an enlightening session on creating eLearning that is accessible for people with sensory and/or cognitive disabilities. Whether or not your training is legally required to be accessible, you'll learn about accommodating learners with special needs. Some adaptations may be easier than you think and may result in better training for all of your learners.

Topics will include:

What is a 'disability' and what is 'accessibility'?
What laws require accessibility?
What services and products are affected by these laws?
To what extent are state purchases required to be accessible?
What opportunities exist for state contractors/vendors?
Is accessibility training available for me?

Enspire Learning

1708 Guadalupe Street

Austin, Texas 78701

April Cliff Notes Club

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 23:45:00 GMT

April Cliff Notes Club
Start Date: 14-Apr-10 6:45 PM
End Time: 14-Apr-10 8:15 PM
Location: The Learning Pad, Austin, TX 78758
Speaker: Star Fisher

Event Details:

Book: Primal Leadership: Realizing the Power of Emotional Intelligence

Authors: Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, and Annie McKee

In this meeting we will listen to an audio transcript summarizing the popular business book. It is not necessary to read the book before attending this session.

A little bit about the book ...

What’s the secret to effective leadership? It isn’t to be smarter than those you lead; if it were, only business school professors could become CEOs. The truth is that the most effective leaders are not intellectual geniuses, but rather masters of emotions.

Dan Goleman is well known for his work on emotional intelligence. In this book, he turns those concepts toward effective leadership. If you think this is only for people in management, remember everyone, no matter what their title, can be a leader.

Please join us for a look into being leaders and masters of emotions.

Food and drink are allowed. Bring note taking supplies. Transcripts will be available but collected back to preserve copyright. http://store.audiotech.com/search.cfm You may order your own copy of the transcript or audio of the book summary from Audiotech Book Summary.

This event is free, but registration is required so we can ensure there enough transcripts for everyone.

The Learning Pad

10435 Burnet Road

Austin, TX 78758

Learning Measurement and Evaluation: A Best Practice Case Study

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:30:00 GMT

Learning Measurement and Evaluation: A Best Practice Case Study
Start Date: 16-Apr-10 11:30 AM
End Time: 16-Apr-10 1:00 PM
Speaker: Ron McCune and Beth O'Connor

Event Details:

Problem solving is a necessary part of the engineer’s professional life. With a large engineering organization and when dealing with complex technology, it becomes necessary to use a consistent methodology, “one language” to communicate effectively and efficiently throughout the duration of a technical problem. Tokyo Electron, therefore, chose to implement a standard problem-solving program.

After several years implementing this program, there was little evidence of any improvement in problem solving. This resulted in a senior manager inquiring as to the ROI of this program. Several conversations resulted in revising the program strategy of just simply offering classes to building the problem-solving methodology into the procedures of the organization. The strategic change also included assessing the program and the results the problem solving credited to the program.

Fast forward to today, the program is now thoroughly assessed, documenting a significant impact on several strategic goals: parts costs have reduced 23%, troubleshooting time has reduced 60%, and there are numerous stories of increased customer satisfaction due to implementation of this problem solving methodology.

Objectives

The participants will understand how our organization chose to measure the effectiveness of a training and development program.
Participants will understand the various issues we encountered and how to make
their own evaluations (ROI or other) successful.

Practical Take-away

Presentation materials and resource list.

April CPLP Study SIG: Coaching and Career Planning & Talent Management

Sat, 17 Apr 2010 14:00:00 GMT

April CPLP Study SIG: Coaching and Career Planning & Talent Management
Start Date: 17-Apr-10 9:00 AM
End Time: 17-Apr-10 12:00 PM
Location: Time Warner Cable, Austin, TX 78759
Speaker: Star Fisher

Event Details:

This is a CPLP Exam Preparation Study session. Interactions are based on Modules 7 (Coaching) and 9 (Career Planning & Talent Management) of the ASTD Learning System. Participants are encouraged to read the materials in advance.

Coaching

This module covers the core elements required in the field of coaching to improve performance for use by the Workplace Learning Professional (WLP). Coaching involves using an interactive process to help individuals and organizations develop and produce results. Knowledge of coaching competencies and standards are required. Factors, such as the organizational culture and structure, available resources, and how organizational business objectives affect coaching programs, need to be understood.

Career Planning & Talent Management

This module covers information for the WLP professional relative to individual career planning and organizational talent management. The WLP professional should be aware of the workforce planning process, its implementation, and its outcomes at each step, ensuring that employees have the right skills to meet the strategic challenges of the organization. From a testing perspective, knowledge of related HR functions, such as diversity, employee relations, succession planning, job analysis, effective evaluation methods, and the related supervisory skillsis required. WLP professionals must have familiarity with interviewing skills, counseling, producing or interpreting reports based on various psychological instruments, and assisting individuals in developing realistic career plans.

Study participants may join the program at any module (1 - 9 are covered from September - May). Please see the wiki for more information about the overall program.

http://austin-astd-cplp-study-group.pbworks.com/

Time Warner Cable

11921 N. Mopac Expwy, Suite 100B

Austin, TX USA 78759

May Cliff Notes Club

Wed, 12 May 2010 23:45:00 GMT

May Cliff Notes Club
Start Date: 12-May-10 6:45 PM
End Time: 12-May-10 8:15 PM
Location: The Learning Pad, Austin, TX 78758
Speaker: Star Fisher

Event Details:

Book: Unnatural Leadership: Going Against Intuition and Experience to Develop Ten New Leadership Instincts

Authors: David L. Dotlich and Peter C. Cairo

In this meeting we will listen to an audio transcript summarizing the popular business book. It is not necessary to read the book before attending this session.

A little bit about the book ...

Much of the current thinking on leadership in business focuses on the concept of the “heroic leader.” In this model, a leader like General Electric’s former CEO, Jack Welch, drives a company’s success through his personal charisma and brilliance.

This model doesn’t work…Instead the 21st century business challenges call for unnatural leadership, which includes the ability to look a subordinate in the eye and say, “I don’t know.”

In April, we focused on emotional intelligence as it applies to leadership. This month we are looking at another perspective for modern leadership, breaking the old molds and being more transparent in how leaders communicate with their workers.

Please join us for this comparison view on leadership.

Food and drink are allowed. Bring notetaking supplies. Transcripts will be available but collected back to preserve copyright. You may order your own copy of the transcript or audio of the book summary from Audiotech Book Summary http://store.audiotech.com/search.cfm

This event is free, but registration is required so we can ensure there enough transcripts for everyone.

The Learning Pad

10435 Burnet Road

Austin, TX 78758

May CPLP Study SIG: Special Pre-Exam Window Review

Sat, 15 May 2010 14:00:00 GMT

May CPLP Study SIG: Special Pre-Exam Window Review
Start Date: 15-May-10 9:00 AM
End Time: 15-May-10 12:00 PM
Location: Time Warner Cable, Austin, TX 78759
Speaker: Star Fisher

Event Details:

This session is a review in preparation for the CPLP written exam. If you are not a regular member of this study group, please contact the facilitator, Star Fisher, if you would like to attend.

Time Warner Cable

11921 N. Mopac Expwy, Suite 100B

Austin, TX USA 78759

Using Onscreen Cues to Impact Short Term Memory

Fri, 21 May 2010 16:30:00 GMT

Using Onscreen Cues to Impact Short Term Memory
Start Date: 21-May-10 11:30 AM
End Time: 21-May-10 1:00 PM
Location: St. David's Episcopal Church Campus, Austin, TX 78701
Speaker: Jim (Dr. Mo) Moshinskie, PhD, CPT

Event Details:

Ever wondered how you could better design training programs 'that stick'? This program will focus on giving you the knowledge and skills to help you do just that. Dr. Mo will discuss the importance of sequencing learning events, and then show and describe on-screen cueing events that facilitate knowledge enhancement. This presentation and its exercises will focus on the design of eLearning modules; however, the learning objectives can also be applied to the design of PowerPoint slides.

Objectives

Describe the differences between paper-based and technology-delivered training
Sequence instruction in a simple, logical cognitive manner that helps content make sense
Discuss the role of cueing devices in directing learning retention
Describe the various types of cueing devices and their unique contributions to technology-based training
Select good and bad examples of cueing devices used in actual learning experiences

Practical Take-away

White paper
Links to examples

St. David's Episcopal Church Campus

301 East 8th ST

Austin, TX US 78701

Intellectual Property Law - What You Don''t Know Can Hurt You

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:30:00 GMT

Intellectual Property Law - What You Don't Know Can Hurt You
Start Date: 18-Jun-10 11:30 AM
End Time: 18-Jun-10 1:00 PM
Speaker: Joshua Jones

Event Details:

Do you own your work? Are you inadvertently giving away your intellectual property for pennies on the dollar? When does seemingly harmless and commonplace cutting and pasting from the internet become a major liability for you? All these questions and more will be answered in ASTD’s June program on intellectual property law. Whether you are a full-time employee or a self-employed entrepreneur, you can’t afford to miss this program.

This presentation will cover:

· The foundation and evolution of intellectual property law

· Basic steps for protecting your intellectual property

· Copyrighting, trademarking and registering your intellectual property

· Avoiding the pitfalls when making use of others' works

· Tips for when an attorney’s advice will be needed

The presentation will offer many practical examples of different forms of intellectual property with an emphasis on the digital realm.

Objectives

Understand the importance of intellectual property law
Define the different types of intellectual property law
Understand how to protect intellectual property law of self and others

Practical Take-aways

Copy of presentation

Did you know that parking is FREE at our programs?

Tracie Combs — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:00:00 GMT

Free parking? There is free parking at the monthly programs?

The answer is YES! Austin ASTD wants our members to have a monthly program that is engaging, entertaining and doesn't cause downtown parking anxiety. If you park in St. David's garage, and present your garage parking ticket to the folks at the registration table, you will receive a validated parking ticket in return.

So once again, we boldly and proudly say, Free Parking for our meetings.

26-Feb-10 5:00 PM

Designing E-learning Outside the Box

Melissa Reaves — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Designing E-learning Outside the Box

By Michael W. Allen

In many ways, designing successful e-learning is a nearly impossible task. The complexity can be overwhelming, with challenges coming from voluminous content that somehow manages to be incomplete, unsympathetic technology, anxious and inattentive learners,

inadequate budgets, subject matter experts who are asked to be designers, and restrictive deadlines.

Many current e-learning solutions are so compromised in the design and development process that, in retrospect, e-learning probably wasn’t the best delivery medium.

Simpler media present fewer design and development challenges, expose fewer design weaknesses, and cost less to develop. Unfortunately, they typically have limited potential. They also can become the most expensive solutions because they waste the learner’s time, fail to develop their skills, and do not improve performance. Any ineffective solution

is expensive, but poorly designed elearning ups the ante in wastefulness.

When organizational leaders sit down to analyze what a prospective performance improvement solution is worth, the resulting numbers often exceed, by dramatic amounts, budgets normally expected for the design, development, and delivery of e-learning solutions. However, the expected return-on-investment can be much more than the necessary cost for a highly successful e-learning solution.

In contrast, when managers develop budgets based on traditional training costs or reasonable investments, funds customarily fall far below what’s actually required to fulfill demands.

So what can workplace learning professionals do differently? Let’s review a few unsuccessful traditions in e-learning design, and propose a plan for e-learning’s future success.

Unsuccessful traditions

We often think too narrowly of our role as instructional designers, confining our work to defining objectives, organizing content, selecting media, determining learning events, and developing performance measures (tests). These tasks become the boxes used to define and structure the components of a learning solution.

But our role as instructional designers isn’t simply to apply design principles and hope for the best; it’s to enable people to perform at higher levels of competency. If learners fail in performance, we have failed them, even if they scored flawlessly on our posttest. We tell ourselves that learners would perform better if only they would complete all of our e-learning modules, if only they did their homework, if only they’d practice more, if only they’d take a chance and apply the new things we’ve taught them. But these are just excuses.

The bottom line is we’ve failed to reach the goal. Designing inside the boxes of an e-learning application, an instructor-led course, or even a blended learning solution is a traditional but narrow view of the design responsibility.

Inside these boxes, designers regularly give little attention to the practicality of learners actually performing on the job what they learned, as well as the level of practice that is necessary to sustain proficiency when performance opportunities might not occur for some time. In addition, designers often fail to address the fact that co-workers might

misunderstand or even disapprove of the new practices being taught. Instead, designers create a string of learning modules; each dependent on the preceding one, each presenting more difficult concepts and tasks to perform, each designed to raise performance to a higher level.

There’s an assumption that the learner is totally inside each box with the designer, committed to and focused on each module and approaching it with energy and enthusiasm.

E-learning designers need to get out more—out of these boxes, that is. There are many variables not typically seen as within the purview of instructional design that can sabotage instructional efforts or enrich them.

Success requires designers to think expansively about the real lives and influences on learners, including what they care about, what they are trying to do, and how they might perceive the learning solution. Then they can design both inside and outside the confines of the typical learning product.

Successful design

Before revamping the list of design responsibilities, we must first define what we mean by successful design.

I do not think e-learning or any other educational program is successful if it results only in high posttest scores. I do not think success is reached if the targeted audience comes only to know things it didn’t before. No one succeeds just by knowing things. Success comes from doing the right thing at the right time.

Success, therefore, is realized only if learners develop and apply appropriate behaviors. Success means learners can recognize real world situations for which they have applicable knowledge or skills and respond effectively.

Successful designs not only impart knowledge, but also the propensity to act. They build the confidence necessary to perform well as well as the skill to perform at an effective pace. But what must practitioners do for e-learning to succeed?

Three learning phases

Inside traditional boxes, instructional design has generally ignored not only what is happening in the lives of learners while they are trying to learn (conflicting role expectations, sick loved ones, fear of standing out or looking foolish, and so on), but also critical conditions and events that occur both prior to learning and subsequently. Designers need to look at the entire process before people can learn.

Pre-instruction phase. Learners are not a blank slate. They may not know much about the content and skills they are trying to learn, but learners approach learning with various levels of confidence, expectations, readiness, habits, and preferences. They have a general disposition in each of these factors, as well as more specific dispositions with respect to the content (or whatever they know of it) and what they may know of e-learning and other instructional techniques involved.

The period preceding instruction is an important time for setting expectations, energizing learners, and preparing them to learn. Helping learners see that the prospective learning is about behavioral change is a good place to start. Don’t assume that learners understand this. Help them look at learning in a different and more useful way. It isn’t about getting a good grade and then going back to business as usual. It’s about changing what they do and when they do it. Learning has a purpose for both them and their organization. It can change things for the better for everyone.

Change is a simple word. It sounds like progress and improvement to organizational leaders who think, “If we’re not improving (which means changing), we’re falling backward.” But change strikes fear in the hearts and minds of many employees who have found a familiar if not effective routine of dealing with performance expectations and don’t want to be

rooted out of their comfort zone.

Neurologists have actually discovered that the brain is wired to avoid change. It senses a sort of pain even when change is being contemplated. To get learners in the mode of

thinking about change use exercises such as asking them to think about how things could be better and then describe how such improvements could occur. This is a first step. Then present specific problems and ask learners to evaluate possible solutions to help them move forward to understand the need for changes.

Eventually, pre-instruction phase activities should require that learners commit to changes they will make. Only then will learners be ready for skill-building exercises. When learners are psychologically unprepared for change, they’re also unprepared for the types of e-learning usually offered.

With unprepared learners, e-learning fails. Designers need to change before they can expect learners to change, and this means dealing seriously with pre-learning preparation.

Instruction phase. Instructional designers need to make changes as well. In this phase, we need to focus on having learners actually perform work-related tasks, not just acquire knowledge and recognize correct answers.

While there is general consensus that learning by doing is better than passive learning, it makes a great difference on what learners are doing during the learning experience.

For example, learners often are taught performance skills, but not the ability to recognize situations that determine which performance skills should be used. Learners need to think about the consequences of alternative behaviors. They need to analyze situations to determine what they should do, then practice both the analysis skills and the performance

until these skills become solid and learners develop needed confidence and eagerness to perform.

Informal learning is always at work among workers. Employees are continually gathering information and forming perspectives that may be helpful or detrimental to their performance—whether it is talking with peers about the behavior of others, experimenting on their own to see what actions yield the greatest accolades or require the least effort, or searching the Internet for alternative ways of working.

To take advantage of informal learning activities and help connect learning to work, programs should challenge learners to use varied avenues of exploration to solve hypothetical problems and develop useful skills and habits for solving problems.

Performance phase. Designers often act like parental turtles, walking off the job when their eggs hatch and leaving their young to fend for themselves. But embryonic skills face a high fatality rate when support terminates at the end of formalized instruction. Just as only one in 100 hatchling turtles survive to maturity, designers leave much to chance if they view what happens to learners after instruction as something that is completely outside their realm of influence.

During the performance phase, designers need to keep in mind that training programs should provide learning experiences for at least two audiences: one set for the target learners and another for their managers. Untrained supervisors, even if they are generally supportive of change, often unwittingly hamper changes because they have not developed mentoring skills, are unfamiliar with new processes being introduced through training, or do not recognize the challenges of change.

In addition, fledgling behaviors can be strengthened when learners have others at the same point in behavior development to compare notes. Facilitating ways learners can talk with each other as they transition learning to actual performance can help.

E-learning applications can help learners find each other online and team up with each other in the preinstruction phase. These teams can continue to bolster performance improvement through learning and long afterward.

Finally, e-learning programs can provide continual opportunities to practice and review new skills. Through increasing intervals, learners can use refresher exercises to keep their skills honed in a way that is rarely possible when traditional learning applications conclude.

Again, because e-learning works in the e-environment, alerting learners to the need for practice and providing various reminders and performance aids at optimally spaced intervals is easy, effective, and inexpensive.

25-Feb-10 6:00 AM

Be Social

Tracie Combs — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:00:00 GMT

Are you a fan of our Facebook Page?
Are you a member of our LinkedIn Group?

If so, we encourage all ASTD network members to share, participate, debate and be active on our forums. Only by hearing from you can we grow to serve the needs of the Austin Workplace Learning Community.

Join Our Facebook Page Here

Join Our LinkedIn Group Here

22-Feb-10 11:00 AM

From Trainer to Workplace Learning and Performance Professional: A Review

Melissa Reaves — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:00:00 GMT

Last Friday, January 15^th, marked the beginning of the A New Year, A New You and A New Austin ASTD initiative with the first lunch program of 2010. Eighty attendees joined our speaker, John Gillis, as he set the stage for our profession’s future where we evolve from being trainers into workplace learning and performance (WLP) professionals. John began the program with a review of our profession, where we’ve been and where we’re going. His analysis of our many roles, multiple responsibilities, and the ever-changing lingo of our profession was eye-opening.

This analysis led to a discussion regarding contemporary understanding of our field, specifically the competencies of a WLP professional as identified by the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD). John provided context for the competency study and the associated framework (for more information please visit http://www.astd.org/content/research/competency/), and he spent most of the presentation covering the framework’s areas of expertise, which are:

· Designing Learning

· Delivering Training

· Measuring and Evaluation

· Human Performance Improvement

· Facilitating Organizational Change

· Managing the Learning Function

· Coaching

· Career Planning and Talent Management

· Managing Organizational Knowledge

Attendees were given an opportunity to think about their own professional development needs related to these areas of expertise, and attendees were encouraged to set their professional development goals for the year. To assist them in reaching these goals, John outlined how the areas of expertise are directly linked to all of the 2010 monthly programs such as next month’s program, Project Management for Learning and Performance Professionals.

The program was a success and many attendees stayed afterwards to chat and connect with each other. There were others who took the opportunity to visit the committee fair to find out more about the programs and services offered by Austin ASTD. Many chose to get further involved in the WLP community by signing up to volunteer for various committees.

For those members unable to make it to our first event, be on the lookout for a copy of the presentation to be posted to the website. Don’t forget to clear your schedule now for an exciting year of programs as we assist you in keeping your 2010 professional resolutions.

Melissa Reaves

VP of Programs

19-Jan-10 3:00 PM

Project Management and You

Melissa Reaves — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:00:00 GMT

See if you can identify which of the following statements is true.

a. Project management is really people management (“I’m really good with people so I don’t need to learn about project management.”)

b. Since learning and performance initiatives are, by definition, unique, it makes no sense to try to use common processes.

c. Only project leaders need to learn about project management.

If you’re thinking that this may have been a trick question, you’re right. None of these statements is true. In fact, all three of these statements reflect the many myths about project management that often lead learning and performance professionals to just ‘wing it’. After all, we know are craft; we don’t need a process that better enables us to plan, organize, and control our projects.

However, learning and performance initiatives do not take place in a vacuum. They often involve multiple stakeholders (customers), competing timelines, conflicting priorities about resources, and did I forget to mention, the people who have to make it all come together…you. At no time is this more critical as organizations are looking to strategically align business objectives with learning and performance as well as utilize emerging technologies. These changes make it even more important that learning and performance professionals learn a thing or two about project management.

Our February program, Project Management for Learning and Performance Professionals, is designed to assist you in better planning, organizing, and managing your projects, also known as project management. Our speaker, Ken Jones, a certified Project Management Professional will speak to two of the most common project management issues: unrealistic schedules and unreasonable stakeholders (customers). Ken has spent 25 years in the semiconductor industry managing projects in new product development, manufacturing, and marketing, and he is excited to share with us what he and his team have learned about these two issues.

Ken is an engaging and interactive speaker, and his experiences include teaching in the Project Management Professional training course offered by St. Edwards as well as the Austin Project Management Institute where he serves as lead instructor.

Follow this link to learn more and register for this event.

Melissa Reaves, CPLP

2010 VP of Programs

14-Jan-10 11:00 AM

University of Texas Instructional Design Project

Linda Warren — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:00:00 GMT

University of Texas Graduate Instructional Design Project

The UT Advanced Instructional Design class has an exciting opportunity for
Austin organizations and businesses to work with students during the spring
semester.

Dr. Paul Resta of the Instructional Technology program at UT Austin will be
teaching the Advanced Instructional Systems Design (AISD) class this spring.
Debby Kalk is working with him to line up projects. They are looking for
projects for student teams that will give them hands-on instructional design
experience and the opportunity to work with a real client on a real project. All
students are in graduate school and have completed an introductory ISD class. In
this advanced course, they will be learning about project management including
learning to work with a client, SMEs, and a team.

For this project, the students will produce all design documents, such as needs
analysis, task analysis, design doc, and evaluation plan. Depending on the
project, they will produce other components, such as storyboards for an online
course, or an instructor's guide and student materials for an instructor-led
course. In previous semesters, some student teams have done more production
work, such as developing a prototype website. It's also possible that in a
subsequent course, such as the Multimedia course taught by Dr. Min Liu, that
students would produce these storyboards into a final product. However, the
critical requirement is that students do instructional design work.

If you are interested, Debby can advise you on developing a prospectus about the
project. On the first day of class, January 25, the students will review each
prospectus so that they can pick their project preferences and form teams. There
will probably be 3-4 students per team and the teams may include some students
outside of Austin since they are co-delivering this course both at UT Austin and
through the online UT TeleCampus.

If you would like to pursue this terrific opportunity, please get in touch with Debby Kalk at debby@debbykalk.com

A sample prospectus can be found at : http://www.austinastd.org/partner-events/

22-Dec-09 8:00 AM

Free Webinar: Bridging the Skills Gap - New Factors Compound the Growing Skills Shortage

Nickie Hyde — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:00:00 GMT

When was the last time you assessed the skills of your workforce? From basic skills to more technical, professional, management, and leadership skills, does your workforce possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to move your organization to the next stage of success? In an updated white paper about the impact of the skills shortage, ASTD examines what business leaders and learning professionals can do to assess the severity of the skills gap, and how to close those gaps to contribute to the growth and success of their organizations. The paper includes eight case studies from public and private sector organizations.

January 20 at 1 pm CST
Free to all ASTD members
For login information, see http://skillsgap.eventbrite.com/

14-Dec-09 12:00 PM

ASTD Press Holiday Sale 12/7 through 12/20

Tracie Combs — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:00:00 GMT

The ASTD Press Annual Holiday Sale is here! You can save 10-70% from December 7-20, 2009. Here are some examples of the discounts available:

- Books
- Infolines
- Research
- ASTD Learning System Resources
- ASTD Logo Merchandise

Don't forget to enter the Austin ASTD ChIP code if you make purchases: CH7059.

This is the web link for the full details: http://www.astd.org/ASTD/HolidaySale/

9-Dec-09 7:00 AM

A Word From Our President: Nickie H. Carstarphen

Nickie Carstarphen — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:00:00 GMT

I am honored to be president of Austin ASTD for 2010. As a member for several years and a board member for the last two years, I know this organization can be a vital resource for the workplace learning community. The 2010 Board of Directors is committed to do everything we can to ensure that happens. As you will read in the article by Melissa Reaves, our Programs VP, we've outlined the programs and speakers for the entire year focusing on the ASTD Competency Model to ensure that all of us remain relevant and successful in our chosen profession. Thanks to Tracie Combs, CSHO, our new VP of Technology, our website conversion was almost seamless and has already proven successful in increasing membership and our web presence. In the coming months, we will unveil other projects to increase ASTD's profile in the Austin WLP community and enable all of us to increase our sense of community and the vitality that WLP professionals bring to our workplaces, organizations, and community.

Our goal for 2010 is to create a broader, more plugged-in community, and a chapter that includes a more inclusive membership of WLP professionals. Join us on January 15 to re-energize and take the first step for A New Year, A New You, and a New Austin ASTD!

Nickie Hyde Carstarphen, PHR
2010 President

9-Dec-09 7:00 AM

2010: A New Year, A New You & A New Austin ASTD

Melissa Reaves — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:00:00 GMT

As 2010 approaches, workplace learning and performance (WLP) professionals are faced with the challenge of reinventing ourselves. We are no longer trainers; we are workplace learning and performance professionals. The opportunity to become strategic business partners with a valued place at the table is within reach, and the Austin chapter of the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) is focused on helping you make the most out of this crucial time in our profession.

In 2004, ASTD published their findings from a comprehensive study of our profession as well as a new competency model for WLP professionals. The intent of both was to understand and articulate present and future competencies needed by those who are involved in workplace learning and performance.

Since the publication of the study and associated competency model, our business world has dramatically changed. Organizations are being challenged to not only stay current but competitive in tough economic times. Training departments are trying to make the most with scarce resources while justifying their role within the organization. ASTD’s competency model has even more relevance as it illustrates how learning and performance can and does affect the bottom line. Austin ASTD is meeting these challenges of the following year by providing:

· New programs based on the ASTD Competency Model

· A new, easier to use website with added features

· Certified Professional in Learning and Performance preparation study group

· Increased opportunities for networking and involvement in the Austin Learning
and Performance Community

We look forward to seeing all of you at our first program of the New Year, Setting Your 2010 Resolution – From Trainer to Workplace Learning and Performance Professional. Our presenter, John Gillis Jr., will both show you how and motivate you to make the most out of this New Year, New You, and New Austin ASTD.

Melissa Reaves, CPLP

2010 VP of Programs

8-Dec-09 1:00 PM

Mix & Mingle Coaching Session

noemail@austinastd.org — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:45:00 GMT

The Ginac Group is hosting a happy hour at McCormick and Schmick’s on March 9, 2010. We will be offering free seven-minute coaching sessions with our Professional Career Managers to all who attend. The event begins at 5 pm with a Mix and Mingle. Coaching sessions start at 5:30 pm and last until 8 pm, with a short break at 6:30.

This is a great opportunity for those who need advice on career change, promotions, networking skills, or the job search process. To schedule a time to speak with one of our coaches, contact Carolyn Dockery at 512-672-6100 or by email at carolyn.dockery@hotmail.com.

Certificate Programs Coming To Austin

noemail@austinastd.org — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:00:00 GMT

ASTD National has just announced that the following certificate programs will be coming to Austin.

E-Learning Instructional Design March 16-18

Training Certificate March 16-18

To learn more, including the location, please visit the following link to the ASTD Certificate Programs on the National ASTD website.

Parking at St. David's

noemail@austinastd.org — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:00:00 GMT

As a reminder, parking in the St. David's parking garage is included in the cost of the registration for the monthly luncheon programs. Simply, bring your ticket with you to the program registration table so that it can be validated.

The entrance to the parking garage is located on Trinity Street between 7th and 8th streets.

Analytics Symposium 50% Discount

noemail@austinastd.org — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:00:00 GMT

As a local ASTD chapter contact I wanted to provide you with information to give to your members. This information includes a 50% discount code specific to ASTD local chapter members. Because learning measurement and manager support for L&D are top priorities of L&D practitioners, the Analytics Symposium taking place March 3-5 in Washington DC will bring experts, practitioners and solutions providers together for networking and formalized content around learning measurement, manager engagement and informal learning measurement. In today’s uncertain economy, the need for accountability with credible yet practical metrics has never been higher. This Symposium is designed to directly address those needs so L&D organizations can immediately implement resource effective yet meaningful metrics to make timely, data-driven decisions. As an ASTD Chapter we are extending a special 50% discount for registration. If you can provide your members with the following URL...

Career Connects: Networking Opportunity

noemail@austinastd.org — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 03:00:00 GMT

Novotus and St. Edward’s University’s Career Planning Office and their Professional Education Center are co-hosting and co-sponsoring the first annual Career Connects summit, a unique networking opportunity for career minded Austinites. This all-day networking event combines social media & technology, along with passionate employment experts and diverse local employers to create a truly empowering conference for career seekers. Attendees will be provided lunch, as well as learning sessions, panel discussions, and a unique opportunity to network with other professionals. In addition, the first 250 registrants will receive a Poken (a social business card) which will allow attendees to share contact information digitally. A happy hour is being held in the onsite Network Lounge, directly after the event. We have several strategic learning sessions going on throughout the day, covering multiple topics, including “Networking in Real Life,” “Career...

Austin ASTD Debutes Redesigned Website

noemail@austinastd.org — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:00:00 GMT

Austin Workplace Learning and Performance Community

If you haven't stopped by the Austin ASTD website recently, it is time to give it another look. Austin ASTD had redesigned the look of the website; as well as partnered with a new event management software Tendenci & new web manager Schipul.

Austin ASTD has worked to put together a new website that will become a resource for workplace learning and performance professionals in Central Texas. Please feel free to explore and comment on the website. Your comments help us to weed out any potential bugs, and to refine the site to better serve our community.

Members:

We uploaded our previous database in to the new platform. Your user ID should be the same as it was on our old website. However, you will need to reset your password. Please use this link to reset your password: RESET PASSWORD.

If you find that the site does not recognize you, don't panic! We can easily add you back in to the database. Just contact our VP of Technology so that we can get your information inputted.

Thank you in advance for any feedback you provide that helps Austin ASTD better serve the workplace learning & performance community.

2010 Board Elected

noemail@austinastd.org — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:32:28 GMT

On Friday October 16th, we held our annual board member elections at our monthly program.

Our 2010 board members will be:

President: Nickie Hyde
Past-President: Paul Spock
Pres-Elect & Technology: Tracie Combs
Programs & PDD: Melissa Reaves
Finance: Trish Muniz
Membership: Jennifer Donner
PR & Communication: Susan Reed
SIGS: Linda Warren
Volunteers: Linda Gilmore
Records: Ken Kiff

Please help us in welcoming our 2010 board members, and keep checking in for the fantastic events we have planned.

Benefit of Joint Membership

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:24:15 GMT

National Membership

Research, news, principles, templates and best practices from leaders in workplace learning and performance.

Chapter Membership

Share and apply your knowledge toward workplace solutions that will directly impact your organization, community and career.

Professionals who join national ASTD and their local chapter are knowledge leaders in their industry and change makers in their own backyard.

Value of Membership

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:22:28 GMT

Our Mission Our chapter mission is to be a resource for the workplace learning and human resource development needs of our diverse membership and the local community by supporting the sharing and creation of best practices amongst learning professionals, national ASTD affiliation, high quality products and services, educational opportunities, and other professional activities. Benefits of Membership We select a wide range of programs to meet the varying needs of the community of workplace learning. Below are some of the benefits that individuals or corporations may gain from being a member. Get Connected Network with local leaders over lunch in a relaxed professional setting. Access our job bank of training and development opportunities. Accelerate your time to proficiency within ASTD by learning from others. Connect with members using our online forums. Develop Your Career Enhance your employability by developing skills that are useful to your...

Corporate Membership

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:21:38 GMT

Austin ASTD looks forward to working with companies and organizations in the Central Texas area to promote workplace learning.

All corporate memberships must have at least three employees joining Austin ASTD in order to get the discounted rate. The rate will be $50.00 per member when the minimum membership number of three is met.

Please download the PDF file on this page, fill out the required information, and then email it back to our VP of Membership at membership@austinastd.org.

Austin ASTD Board of Directors

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:20:44 GMT

2010 Board of Directors Past President Paul Spock past_president@austinastd.org President 2010 Nickie Hyde Carstarphen president@austinastd.org President-Elect 2010 Tracie Marie Combs president_elect@austinastd.org Records Trish Muniz records@austinastd.org Membership Jessica Young membership@austinastd.org Volunteers Linda Gilmore volunteers@austinastd.org Programs Melissa Reaves programs@austinastd.org Special Interest Groups (SIGs) Linda Warren sig@austinastd.org Communications Susan Reed communications@austinastd.org Public...

American Society of Training & Development

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:18:54 GMT

Join Us in March For: Are Games the Same? Update the Blueprint of Your E-learning Process to Leverage Game Development. E-learning professionals such as you have figured out that games are useful tools for training people on a wide variety of topics. The problem is that many development teams are trying to use the same development process for new e-learning games as they used to create courseware with a linear experience. How many project timelines have fallen through? How many game projects have gone over budget? Read more here… Did you know parking is FREE at our programs? Free parking? There is free parking at the monthly programs? The answer is YES! Austin ASTD wants our members to have a monthly program that is engaging, entertaining and doesn't cause downtown parking anxiety. If you park in St. David's garage, and present your garage parking ticket to the folks at the registration table, you will receive a validated parking ticket in return. So once again, we...

Austin Chapter

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:31:42 GMT

Our Mission

Our chapter mission is to be a resource for the workplace learning and human resource development needs of our diverse membership and the local community by supporting the sharing and creation of best practices amongst learning professionals, national ASTD affiliation, high quality products and services, educational opportunities, and other professional activities.

Board Meetings

Next scheduled board meeting: March 1st 2010 at MicroAssist 6:30pm

Program Evaluations

January Program Evaluations
February Program Evaluations

Annual Report

To be released in the 2nd QTR 2010

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Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:40:48 GMT

Connect with Austin ASTD:

Help Your Chapter:

Use Your Chapter Code
When Buying ASTD Materials

Our Sponsors & Community Supporters of ASTD

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:09:26 GMT

We would like to thank the following organizations for their support of Austin ASTD and the workplace learning community. Print Logics Time Warner Cable Enspire Learning Korey Howell Photography Do you wish to sponsor or advertise with Austin ASTD? Please proceed here for pricing.

Networking and Austin ASTD Meetings

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:02:04 GMT

Networking, networking, networking…might as well be blah, blah, blah given how many times we hear about it on any given day of our professional lives. Some people make a living with it and others claim to make a living by it, but what does it really mean.

As a professional, we are all given the opportunity to answer that question for ourselves, but the answer ultimately lies in how you make the most out of your opportunities to develop relationships with other professionals. The monthly meeting and other Austin ASTD events, provide such an opportunity. Whether it’s connecting with the person sitting next to you, getting to know someone a bit better while standing in the registration line, or sparking a new interest and reading a new book recommended by the speaker, these are all opportunities. Opportunities for you to connect with people you know, people you don’t, and ultimately, the knowledge and ideas that shape our profession.

Healthcare SIG

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:19:36 GMT

The Healthcare Education SIG is a group of Austin ASTD members and their guests who are interested in training related to the healthcare sector. Find out more information from our Yahoo group where members share information, post job announcements and professional opportunities, ask questions, and share tips and resources. The group is not used for commercial purposes. Join at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AustinHealthSIG/. Meeting information: Location: Seton Clinical Education Center Room C 1.203Parking: Covered, connected and FREE!Dates: First Thursday of odd months from 4:00 to 6:00 pm March 4 May 6 July 1 September 2 November 4

Lorem ipsum survey

noemail@austinastd.org — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:44:00 GMT

Objectives:

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Ut wisis enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci

Release Date: 14-Sep-09 4:44 PM
Expiration Date: 14-Dec-09 4:44 PM

Ut wisis enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci

Lorem ipsum

2009-09-14T21:44:00Z

Instructor: Instructor

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ASTD Austin RSS Feed

Are Games the Same? Update the Blueprint of Your E-learning Process to Leverage Game Development

March CPLP Study SIG: Managing the Learning Function & Managing Organizational Knowledge

March ID/eLearning SIG: Accessibility

April Cliff Notes Club

Learning Measurement and Evaluation: A Best Practice Case Study

April CPLP Study SIG: Coaching and Career Planning & Talent Management

May Cliff Notes Club

May CPLP Study SIG: Special Pre-Exam Window Review

Using Onscreen Cues to Impact Short Term Memory

Intellectual Property Law - What You Don''t Know Can Hurt You

Did you know that parking is FREE at our programs?

Designing E-learning Outside the Box

Be Social

From Trainer to Workplace Learning and Performance Professional: A Review

Project Management and You

University of Texas Instructional Design Project

University of Texas Graduate Instructional Design Project

Free Webinar: Bridging the Skills Gap - New Factors Compound the Growing Skills Shortage

ASTD Press Holiday Sale 12/7 through 12/20

A Word From Our President: Nickie H. Carstarphen

2010: A New Year, A New You & A New Austin ASTD

Mix & Mingle Coaching Session

Certificate Programs Coming To Austin

Parking at St. David's

Analytics Symposium 50% Discount

Career Connects: Networking Opportunity

Austin ASTD Debutes Redesigned Website

Austin Workplace Learning and Performance Community

Members:

2010 Board Elected

Benefit of Joint Membership

Value of Membership

Corporate Membership

Austin ASTD Board of Directors

American Society of Training & Development

Austin Chapter

Our Mission

Board Meetings

Program Evaluations

Annual Report

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Our Sponsors & Community Supporters of ASTD

Networking and Austin ASTD Meetings

Healthcare SIG

Lorem ipsum survey

Lorem ipsum

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