"You see a lot of bad videos. But you know what? Content is king. People sometimes don't care, they just want to get the content and they want to hear about how people talk about it rather than reading something. So, it really it doesn't have to be perfect."

Peg Maddocks, Director Learning Strategy & Development, Cisco Systems

Meeting Announcement

October 2005: “Leveraging Informal Learning for Better Business Results” [Note: Changes for remote participants below]

A U.S. Department of Labor Department Study estimated that fully 70% of all adult learning is informal.  Others commonly estimate the split is 80% informal to 20% formal for workplace learning, and estimates go as high as 95% informal for knowledge workers in highly creative roles.  Yet, we spend the lion’s share of our focus and resources on tools, systems, content, and effort directed at formal learning.  Since the vast majority of workplace learning by knowledge workers occurs informally, can we really afford to leave it to chance?  The simple answer is that learning professionals and the organizations we serve can no longer afford to ignore informal learning and need to strategies to leverage it for better business results.

This meeting brings together two thought leaders on informal learning to share their wisdom and experience and engage participants in a highly interactive, engaging meeting to explore this uncharted territory.  The goals for the meeting include:

  • gauging the importance and business value of informal learning
  • understanding the roles of formal and informal learning and where they both fit
  • brainstorming the many informal learning processes and approaches
  • gaining insight how we can facilitate more effective informal learning in our organizations.

Speakers

Bob Mosher is the Director of Learning and Strategic Evangelism for Microsoft Learning, a global business at Microsoft Corporation featuring innovative learning products that help individuals and organizations learn more and go further using Microsoft technologies. Bob helps guide and communicate the direction of Microsoft Learning’s products both externally to their customers, and internally throughout Microsoft.  Bob joined Microsoft with over 20 years of experience in the IT training industry as a computer trainer, instructor development specialist, and instructional consultant. Most recently, Bob was the Executive Director of Education for Element K where he helped direct and influence their learning model and product. He has acted as an influential voice in the IT training industry by speaking at conferences and by being an active participant within industry associations such as CompTIA and ASTD. He is the co-author of the book entitled “Training for Results” and wrote a recent article on Informal Learning for CLO Magaizine. Bob spent five years as a teacher in New York 's public schools, and has a master's degree in computer education from Nazareth University in Rochester, NY .  Email: bmosher@microsoft.com.

Jay Cross is CEO of Internet Time Group and founder of the Workflow Institute. A thought leader in learning technology, informal learning, performance improvement, and organizational culture, Jay coined the terms "eLearning" and "workflow learning." He is the author of Implementing eLearning, writes the "Effectiveness" column for Chief Learning Officer magazine, and is currently writing a book on Informal Learning for Jossey-Bass. Cisco, IBM, Defense Acquisition University, Chase Bank, Capitalcorp, Scottish Enterprise, Avaltus, Hyperwave, and Bank of America are among Jay's clients. Thousands of people read his Internet Time Blog every day. Jay was born in Hope, Arkansas (in the same room as Bill Clinton!) and is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Business School. And Jay served the learning community for several years as the CEO of the eLearning Forum. Email: jaycross@internettime.com.

Ted Cocheu, who will serve as the meeting moderator,  is an eLF Board member, CEO of Altus Learning Systems, and author of the popular Rapid eLearning News blog. Altus manages and hosts the eLF website (www.elearningforum.com) and records and hosts the eLF meeting archives (http://elearningforum.vportal.net).  Email: ted@altuscorp.com

Agenda

8:30     Registration and coffee 
9:00     Introductions and Flat World Learning--Ted Cocheu (click here)
9:30     The Power of Informal Learning--Bob Mosher (click here)
10:00   Break 
10:15   Free Range Learners--Jay Cross  (click here)
10:45   Small Group Discussions--Ted Cocheu (click here)
11:45   Debriefing and Summary--Jay Cross, Ted Cocheu
12:00   Lunch and networking 

When
Friday, October 21, 8:30 to noon.

Where
Microsoft Northern California District: Silicon Valley Campus, 1065 La Avenida St., Mountain View, CA 94043, (650) 693-1001. Click here for directions.

Registration and Cost
Registration must be done online in advance because Microsoft security needs a master list to admit participants into the building.  Click here to register.  Cost is $20, including lunch.

Remote Participation *Updated Oct. 17*
Those who cannot attend the meeting in person can participate remotely using Microsoft LiveMeeting. Click here or use the following meeting URL: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/microsoft/join 
Log on to the meeting using the following:
  Meeting ID: JRXRM4
  Meeting Key: 26BW&H@,r 
  Role: Attendee
Notes:
1) First-time users click here to install the Windows-based (5MB)Meeting Console before your meeting.  Give yourself at least 15 minutes prior to the meeting. 
2) Domestic U.S. participants: This session will use a conference call for audio.  You will be able to listen and ask questions on the phone, but will need to mute your computer audio.  Call info:
- Toll-Free (US & Canada): 866-500-6738
- Participant Pass code: 421286
3) International participants: You will receive audio through the computer using VOIP.  You will be able to listen but not talk (one-way audio).

Further Information
Eilif Trondsen,
Founder and CEO, eLearning Forum
etrondsen@sric-bi.com 
650-859-2665



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