#I measure games by replay value and this game is worth the investment

[shyspider]

I keep seeing stuff on balders gate! Is it any good?

It is now 😍

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #333

“imaginary chain  /  the one you never break  /  seething all alone”

Do you have any fears you would rarely admit to anyone? Nah, I'm pretty open about what I'm afraid of. What website do you spend most of your time on? YouTube. What class in high school did you struggle with the most? I honestly don't remember with certainty, but it was probably math or economics. At least, I think econ was my senior year. What could you talk about for hours? Mark, meerkats, a few game franchises... maybe a couple more topics. Who is your favorite character from Harry Potter? I wouldn't know. Do you salt your popcorn? Yes. Do you have a Steam account? Yeah, but I don't have many games on there and rarely touch the ones I do. Do you like gaming? I do, but not as much as I did for most of my life. I mostly just play WoW now, and even that I'm not that into anymore. Part of it though comes from not buying any new games that I'm interested in because 1.) no money and 2.) no proper console, and you can only replay games so many times before you're just... yeah, done. Do you like reading books? Some days. Do you like religion? All things considered? No. Do you like Grand Theft Auto V? Y'know, growing up, I actually liked watching my younger neighbor play one of those games, but I don't remember which. Though he never actually "played" it... just ran around wreaking havoc, lol. I do however think GTAV was the one that Jason and Jacob started playing together when we moved into the apartment, and I thought the story was okay; I don't think they ever got far into it, though. Definitely wasn't Jason's sort of game, and I don't think it was too much up Jacob's alley, either. Can you twerk? I haven't tried and you will never see me try either, lmao. Do you have a Spotify account? Yes, but I almost never use it. If the last person you kissed tried to kiss you again, would you start kissing them back? Yes. If your best friend of the opposite sex tried to kiss you, would you start kissing them back? No. Have you ever kissed someone who has previously kissed someone you hated? Yes, because of how badly she hurt him. I don't have any negative feelings towards her now, though. We're actually friends, haha. The irony. Are you an easy lay? What weird wording. But whatever, quite the polar opposite actually. When’s the last time you said you were sorry? A few days ago. Are there any songs you listen to everyday? No. Would you like living on the coast? As someone who lives in a state hit by hurricanes usually every year and has seen the incredible damage they usually bring to the coast, no. I don't like the smell or gritty feel of salty air, either. When’s the last time you were really late to something? No idea. That's usually not a problem with me. Why did you stop liking the last person you liked? The last person I actually stopped like-liking would be Girt, and that would be because I just came to the realization I saw him too much as my brother instead of boyfriend. It just always felt awkward. Do you still talk to that person? Yeah, we're good. No hard feelings or anything between us. Are you keeping a secret from someone who needs to know the truth? No. Do you trust easily? Fuck no. I'll be cautious, at least to some degree, about new people for a while. What is the last song to make you cry? Since I've actually behaved and not listened to any trigger songs, it's been a long while, but it was probably "Another Life" by Motionless In White. Last person you hung up on? I'm sure some automated message. I barely ever answer the phone to numbers I don't recognize, though. Where was your last car ride to and from? To Wal-Mart w/ Mom to pick up our order and then back home. Next big outing? *shrug* Do you find it difficult to stay invested in online relationships? Not really, no. Considering I'm by far my most authentic self online, I actually tend to appreciate virtual friends more, if I'm being honest. I try to keep up with those people. Are you the type of person who pays close attention to the release dates of movies, music, etc., and will, for example, go see a movie or buy an album on the date it is released? If so, when is the last time you did so? Not really, no. I think I saw Warcraft the day it came into theaters, though. Do movies often make you cry? What kind of films/scenes make you tear up most? Yep. Tragic romance tends to do it the most, I think. Do you use any apps to track your health or medications? I have one to track my menstrual cycle as well as another that tracks my daily caloric intake, but I'm bad at using it because it's tedious if I actually have to measure something. Whose opinions/recommendations do you value most? Ummm if you mean like, in general, probably my mom's. But this most certainly depends on the subject I'm taking feedback on. What is something society "expects" you to do that you don't want to do and/or don't plan on doing? Shaving my legs came to mind first. Granted, I will if there is almost any chance of someone seeing them, but otherwise, I just don't care. We respect women with body hair on this account and see them as no less feminine. Are you interested in architecture? Is there any particular style that you're drawn to? I think it's cool, yeah. I should have an answer for this, given architecture was a massive focus in Art History the last time I was in school... Roman architecture comes to my head first, if that says anything. What was one of your favorite things from the nineties? BOY OH BOY, SO MUCH!! I'm probably gonna say the toys. There was some dope shit, man. Do you collect things pertaining to an animal? ANYTHING and EVERYTHING featuring a meerkat!!!!! :''') Do you wish that people were kinder to spiders? Well, yes. I hope everyone in their heart wishes this, even if they're afraid of them. They're very important to our ecosystem, and none are out there to harm us; their existence does us a favor. Where do you normally order pizza from? Domino's (my favorite) or LIttle Caesar's for the price. Did your parents keep anything of yours from when you were a baby? Oh yes, loads of stuff that's stored away somewhere. Do you own one of those "____ For Dummies" books? No, but I feel like we had one at some point? What was the last VHS tape that you watched? Yikes, who knows. Did you watch Boy Meets World back in the day? I actually didn't, no. Our old neighbor though loved it so much that she named her daughter Tapanga (deliberately spelled that way). Who is your favorite Scooby Doo character? I never really had one. Maybe Thelma. If I were to give you a coloring book, what would you want its theme to be? Animals. Have you ever won a stuffed animal at a carnival? Possibly a small one. I can tell you I did however accidentally stab the guy who ran the dart-throwing booth though, lmfao. He was obviously fine, and it wasn't a bad wound. I felt SOOOOOO bad. Are you a fan of narwhals? I'm a fan of any animal. Narwhals are definitely fascinating creatures. Grape or orange soda? Orange. Grape-flavored soda ain't my thing. Have you ever wanted to vlog? Noooo. My life is so painstakingly boring and repetitive. Did you have a favorite Disney movie as a child? It was and still is The Lion King. Do you or have you ever owned a portable gaming console? Yeah, a GameBoy Advance and Nintendo DS. Is shyness cute? It definitely can be. Have you ever had alcohol poisoning before? No. Do you like to gossip, or do you prefer to keep your mouth shut? I'm not a gossip fan. Have you ever vandalized someone else’s property before? Most definitely not. Are your parents divorced? Yes. Have you ever been under suicide watch for 72 hours in a psychiatric ward? Yes; at least here, that's protocol when you're admitted for suicidal thoughts/tendencies. Have you ever gone through your significant other’s phone or social media accounts, or do you respect their privacy? Absolutely not. That shit pisses me off so badly. Do you wear any sort of clothing for religious reasons? No. What's something you worked extremely hard to get? My sanity back. Sounds so dramatic, but I'm literally not kidding. Have you ever been labeled negatively or otherwise been called something extremely derogatory? Not that I remember. How many kids do you want to have? I don't want kids, but to entertain the question, when I did, I wanted three. It's fuckin wild to imagine for even a second that I once wanted that. Do you believe that being gay is a sin? *eye roll* Are you any good at photography? If so, what’s your specialty? I mean it with modesty, but I think I'm pretty good. My favorite thing to photograph are animals, but I generally take most pictures of people by request or pay. Judging by my deviantART account, my nature pics definitely get the most attention. Have you ever been a member of a gang before? Fuckin yikes, no. An infamous gang tried breaking into my childhood home once, so you can probably gather that I would never take part in their "big bad guys" bullshit. Have you ever felt like you were neither male nor female? No, I'm comfortable as a cisgender female. Do you like oatmeal raisin cookies? NO. Anything with raisins = NO. Do you think you’re attractive? No. Has a teacher ever caught and read a note you were passing in class? No, not that I really passed notes to begin with. I'd be mortified, regardless of what it was about. Would you rather live in a tropical or arctic climate? Arctic. Do you have an older brother? Yes. He's technically my half-brother, but I don't see "half"s. Have either of your parents ever been to jail? No. Are your collarbones prominent? Bitch I wish so I could get the damn dermal piercings I've wanted for years. Have you ever in your life worn overalls? As a kid, yeah. So ugly. Do you love yourself? It's... weird. Therapy is making me realize that a part of me, maybe even the bigger one, doesn't, but at the exact same time, I know I have worth just like every other human. I just don't treat myself like I do. What TV shows do you keep up with? None, until Meerkat Manor returns this summer. :') When’s the last time it snowed where you live? A couple months ago we got a little bit of it. Is your belly button pierced? No, but it would be if I was actually skinny. Just in my personal opinion, I don't at all think that that piercing would look nice on someone as overweight as me. Even if my damn dreams come true and I lose all the weight I want, my stomach will never look "normal," even after I get the excess skin removal surgery that will be very high on my priority list for my own self-image that's been nothing but loathsome since 2016. What is your favourite dinosaur? Spinosaurus is the obvious answer. What do you remember the most about your childhood? Lots of imagination. Parents arguing. Playing with my little sister. What age did you get your first hair cut? I have no idea. Do you have a favourite toy from childhood still? No. I wish I hadn't gotten rid of it. Have you ever made bread? No. Would you ever consider shaving your head? Nah. Would you like to live in a realm where the zombie apocalypse is possible? Who says we don't now? Zombifying parasites already exist among insects and such, so like... it's not unimaginable to one day see one developed enough to infect humans. I sure as fuck hope not, but. What do you use to dry your clothes? (Tumble dryer, radiator, etc) We have a dryer. Do you ever play the built-in games on your computer? Which ones? Nah. What was the last spontaneous thing you did? I did this many, many months ago, but I guess watch an episode of The Witcher by my own volition. I don't really do spontaneous things with how routine I am, but I had a random urge to check it out one morning. How loud can you whistle? Not very loud at all. Does anything on your body hurt or itch right now? My knees really hurt. They're getting worse. When was the last time you built a sandcastle? There's noooo telling, it's been many years. Have you ever ridden a mechanical bull? No. Well, not a *real* one, anyway. Just the little ones for kids. If you had to appear on a game show, which one would you choose? Family Feud. What is your favorite hot beverage? Hot chocolate. Do you have an alter ego? Describe them: No. Food: Are you adventurous or do you stick to what you know? I absolutely stick to what I know. I am SO picky. Is there anything (out of the obvious) that makes you feel really ill? I'm not immediately sure, but there's probably something. Do you bump into things often? Yes. I've always had this weird habit of like... drifting when I walk, so I do this easily. I just kinda wander to the sides a bit without realizing it. What design is on your calendar this year? I don't have a current one. Did you enjoy playing Hop Scotch when you were younger? I did. Do you feel uncomfortable going to the movies by yourself? Nah, not really. I did that with Warcraft and it was actually pretty chill. When thinking about your dream home, what do you think would be your favorite thing to shop for? The ~g o t h i c~ decor. Do you ever listen to those lo-fi hip hop/study music playlists on YouTube/Spotify? No. Are you likelier to work harder if you’re being paid? If not, what drives you to give your best effort? I mean, yeah. I'd assume that's pretty normal. Does the fashion sense of a potential partner matter to you? No. Is there anything that you prefer to write down rather than type? I'm unsure. If you download/torrent things, do you remember the first thing you ever torrented? Oh, the Limewire days of music pirating... but no, I don't remember. What was the last thing you posted on Instagram? Something photography-related, but I don't feel like checking. What do you wish your hair looked like? I wish I could pull off pastel pink hair rn. It also desperately needs a trim. Do you still feel anything for the first person you fell in love with? I'm sure I always will, at least a little. Do you get any magazines in the mail? No. Have you ever paid for any kind of online membership? Uhhhhh have I? I don't think so. Who’d you last see in a tux? Probably the groom of the last wedding I shot. Do you record any TV shows and watch them later? No, but I used to do that big time because I loved "rewatching" stuff when I was on the computer. Out of everyone you know, who was the most heart? My mother, big time. Who’s the bravest person you know? Also my mother. Or Sara. What profession do you admire the most? Teachers might just win. The patience that must take, among so many other things. Have you ever made a fake profile, for any reason? No.

[sizzites]

Detroit: Become Human REVIEW

Alright, everyone! I hope you all got some rest over the holiday weekend. For those of you who didn’t, bless you for putting up with all the holiday hooligans at your jobs! I wanted to do something new this week. As you know, if you’ve been keeping up with my page, I have been waiting impatiently for Detroit: Become Human to be released… and oh my gosh, it was worth the wait! So today, I’m going to go through and talk a bit about this game. I will not be spoiling any major plot points, so I hope you’ll do the same if you feel like commenting! I did finish the game, so if you’re interested in talking more in depth about some spoilers, send me a private message and I’ll be happy to chat with you!

Let’s begin with an obviously spectacular piece of this game… the graphics. Even though I had been really impressed with the demo that was a released a month or so ago, I was still blown away by just how gorgeous this game was at all times. Technically speaking, it is one of the best-looking games I have ever seen and easily measures up to the likes of Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice. Maybe it’s something about games with a colon in the title? Who knows! Beyond just the technical prowess of this game, however, there is the aesthetic. Now, I currently live in central Ohio, but I used to live much farther north and spent a lot of time in Detroit during my college years. I’m very familiar with the city itself and the surrounding areas. I think this game did a phenomenal job of translating what Detroit is today (ranging from wealthier business-rich areas out to extremely poor neighborhoods) into a futuristic setting. There are parts of the game that take place “in the city”, where gleaming sky scrapers reach towards the sky and everything is clean, sleek, and a visual representation of perfection. At other times, you’ll find yourself in neighborhoods that border on being shanty towns. These neighborhoods look extremely realistic compared to the sketchier parts of Detroit and the surrounding cities. I really appreciated the juxtaposition of the two seemingly separate worlds as it almost had a poetic beauty to it.

Another piece about this game that was somewhat unexpected was how the story really pulls you in and never lets go. There are three main characters in the game that you’re able to control in the story. Kara, Conner, and Markus are all androids with separate goals, motivations, and personalities. Now these three separate story lines often crisscross and intermingle throughout the overarching story of the game, but it is done so seamlessly that it never once feels out of place. On occasion, you’ll even control the actions of two characters within a single scene. It can sort of feel like you’re fighting yourself in those moments, since each character has different goals and morals based on how you play. If you’re anything like me, you built a character profile in your mind and try to make decisions based on how you think that particular character would actually react if this were a real story. I, personally, think that makes this game even more successful and exciting. Similar to Heavy Rain and Beyond Two Souls, interactive story games also developed by Quantic Dream, some of the sequences can feel a bit like an extended QTE (quick time event), but the saving grace here is that the choices and actions you’re influencing actually seem to have an impact based on the branching tree system that the game uses for its storytelling. I’m intending to go back and make alterative choices throughout the story to see how much impact the choices actually have on the game... but for now, it seems like there was a lot of variety in the different courses each android’s story could take based on your play style.

Now, nothing is perfect, so I do want to talk about one aspect of this game that I wasn’t terribly fond of. This game is divided up into chapters. This wouldn’t be a big deal except that at the end of each “chapter”, you are presented with a flow chart showing all your actions and choices laid out. This was also present at the end of the demo and is an interesting way to show what other options existed in that chapter as well as how other players around the world are choosing to play. However, when this occurs after every single chapter in the approximately 10-hourlong game, it starts to feel very stop and go. The storylines feel chopped up and disjointed in some areas. Until Dawn had a similar problem with its never-ending series of recap videos between each piece of the game. Luckily, Detroit: Become Human is such an amazing and captivating story that you start to get used to these breaks and don’t notice them as much as you continue through the game. They’re also easily skippable and have only a few seconds of animation before you have the option to continue. All in all, it is a very small detail to nag about in an otherwise excellent game.

As someone who, generally, refuses to pay full price for games, I do not regret pre-ordering this at all. It has a lot of replay value and PlayStation has been running a special lately where you get Heavy Rain for free if you buy the Deluxe Edition from their digital store. It’s a great deal, especially if you still haven’t played through Heavy Rain, like me. (Disclosure: I did pre-order the game so that I could also get Heavy Rain, but have not received anything from PlayStation or Sony to talk about this offer.) If you’re a player who values story and character development, I 100% recommend that you pick this game up as soon as possible! It’s an instant classic and has absolutely earned a place amongst my favorite games for the PS4. As a PlayStation exclusive, I think it should also be a factor in deciding whether or not to invest in a new PlayStation console, if you’re not already on that bandwagon. As always, if you enjoyed this review, please remember to like, share, and subscribe to keep up with everything going on here at the blog!

[cecillewhite]

Content Marketing: What Every Learning Practitioner Needs to Know

Where Does Content Marketing End and Instructional Marketing Begin?

On the surface, marketing and learning may seem like separate disciplines. But if you look closer, you’ll see that these worlds are deeply intertwined. And the overlap continues to spread, as digital content channels, strategies and tools weave themselves more deeply into the fabric of modern educational experiences.

Our Lead Analyst, John Leh, says that today’s learning practitioners are more accurately described as “instructional marketers.” I couldn’t agree more. And I would add that, in this brave new world of instructional marketing, the common denominator is content. Here’s why…

For both disciplines, creating high-quality educational content is essential. But content alone is not enough. You also need to draw the right kind of people to this content, encourage them to engage with it and then lead them to a logical next step.

In other words, an instructional marketer’s mission sounds a lot like the definition of content marketing.

What Does Content Marketing Mean To You?

The Content Marketing Institute (CMI) says content marketing is:

“A strategic approach to creating and distributing valuable, relevant and consistent content to attract and acquire a clearly defined audience – with the objective of driving profitable action.”

RSVP FOR THE LIVE NOVEMBER WEBINAR!

Content marketing is so powerful because it’s about sharing educational experiences with your constituents anytime – even before they’ve established a formal relationship with your organization.

Also, because content marketing emphasizes ongoing interaction, you can strengthen and expand relationships over time.

But why take my word for it, when you can learn from the masters? Below are 16 excellent blog posts about various aspects of content marketing:

Strategies for Success

Managing Content Marketing Programs

Measuring and Improving Results

All are written by industry experts who’ve been leading the pack for years. I hand-picked this collection of posts because I think they’re particularly useful for anyone involved in offering educational content to customers, business partners, suppliers, association members or even employees.

I hope this advice helps you push new marketing boundaries!

  Content Marketing Advice That Will Raise Your Instructional Marketing Game

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

The Key to Content Marketing: Be Less Self-Centered By Shane Snow, Co-Founder, Contently (via FastCompany) In this classic thought piece, one of the most brilliant minds in the content world explains why it pays to put customer interests ahead of your own.

17 Essential Content Marketing Templates and Checklists By Michelle Linn, Co-Founder, Mantis Research (via Content Marketing Institute) Want great tools to make your efforts more efficient and effective? Try any of the free, proven resources featured in this collection.

5 Questions to Ask Customers When Creating Word-of-Mouth Strategy By Jay Baer, Founder Convince & Convert Your organization has a story to tell. But how can you make that story truly buzz-worthy? Take your cue from conversations with customers and prospects.

WATCH THE ON-DEMAND WEBINAR NOW!

How to Win at Generation Z Content Marketing By Francisco Serrano, CEO, 121Corp (via MarketingProfs) Just when you thought you had cracked the code for marketing to Millennials, along comes the next generation! Is your content ready for Gen Z primetime?

How to Use Events in Your Content Marketing Strategy By Michael Brenner, CEO Marketing Insider Group Do you think of events as a separate aspect of marketing? Think again. Here’s how you can benefit from a strategy that leverages live and online events of any size.

  MANAGING CONTENT MARKETING PROGRAMS

How to Create Personas and Map Content to the Buyer Journey By Giuseppe Caltabiano, Head of Content Strategy, Contently (via NewsCred) A helpful introduction to the fundamentals – audience personas, the buyer’s journey and how they inform content development choices.

Why And How to Map Out Your Customer’s Journey By Marcia Riefer Johnston, Senior Technical Writer, Amazon (via Content Marketing Institute) Precisely what content would be worthwhile for your organization to create and share? This step-by-step guide helps you clarify and prioritize.

5 Keys to Developing a Strong Tone of Voice in Your Content Marketing By Ann Handley, Chief Content Officer MarketingProfs Too often, brands overlook brand “voice” as a differentiator. But one of the world’s best-known content experts explains why a consistent, definitive tone can make all the difference.

7 Triggers That Make People Want to Share Your Content By Jonathan Gorham, Founder, Engine Scout Digital Marketing (via Content Marketing Institute) People may read and enjoy your content. But there’s no guarantee that they’ll share it with others. Here are some smart ways to give them the “nudge” they may need to pass it on.

REPLAY THE WEBINAR NOW!

How to Create the Right Amount of the Right Kind of Content By Sharon Shapiro, Sr. Content Marketing Manager, BlueCore (via MarketingProfs) How much content is enough? In a world where time and budgets aren’t endless (much less audience attention) this is an important question for every organization to address.

How to Use Supplemental Content to Get More Mileage From Big Content By Miranda Miller, Consultant, Miranda-Miller.com (via Search Engine Journal) Long-form content is gaining traction in marketing circles, for a variety of excellent reasons. But are you fully leveraging these important narratives? Here’s how embedded content and other complementary elements add even more value.

  MEASURING AND IMPROVING RESULTS

Content Marketing Measurement: 37 Most (and Least) Useful Metrics By Andy Crestodina, Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer Orbit Media Studios What’s the best way to measure the performance of your efforts? This post is packed with ideas you can use (and some you should definitely avoid)!

Why Do Content Marketing Campaigns Fail? By Shelley Walsh, Founder, ShellShock (via SiteVisibility) Your initiatives can miss the mark for multiple reasons. This helpful podcast interview explores six of the most common issues, within the context of SEO practices and today’s rapidly changing marketing environment.

REPLAY THIS WEBINAR NOW!

How to Score Your Content for Long-Term Success By Lindy Roux, VP & Managing Director, Tendo Communications (via Content Marketing Institute) Do you know if your approach is working? How can you combine qualitative and quantitative measures to analyze performance, isolate issues and track overall progress? Try this “scorecard” methodology.

Are Your Personas Outdated? Know When to Revise By Kim Flaherty, User Experience Specialist Nielsen Norman Group Like the people they represent, personas are always evolving. But how often should you review personas? And how can you tell when a refresh is due? Check this guidance from a digital design expert.

The Future of Content Marketing: It’s Not What You Think By Neil Patel, Co-Founder Neil Patel Digital Any digital marketing professional can tell you that change is the only constant. But when an industry authority like Neil Patel talks about what’s ahead, it’s worth taking time to listen. In this post, Neil looks at how to achieve more with every new post you publish.

  Closing Notes

Obviously, this list only scratches the surface. There’s a wealth of freely available content marketing advice. Do you have a favorite resource that isn’t included here? Who would you add to this list?

Tell me about marketing advice that has been most helpful for you as a learning professional! I look forward to hearing from you, so I can write a follow-up post focused on lessons you’ve learned and ideas you’d like to share. Thanks!

  WANT TO LEARN MORE? JOIN OUR NOVEMBER WEBINAR

Inside the Customer Learning Lifecycle

RSVP FOR OUR NOVEMBER WEBINAR!

With countless ways to promote and package instructional content, what’s the best investment of your time and budget?

Join our Lead Analyst John Leh and Tiffany Mack, Senior Marketing Manager of Careers & Education at Community Brands, as they explore solutions. You’ll find practical ideas and real-world examples, including:

Must-have elements of a marketing-led learning strategy

Motivational techniques to engage new and existing participants

Methods for improving content quality and relevance

Tools to scale your audience reach and involvement

How to measure marketing’s impact on program performance

REGISTER NOW!

Need Proven LMS Selection Guidance?

Looking for a learning platform that truly fits your organization’s needs?  We’re here to help!  Submit the form below to schedule a free preliminary consultation at your convenience.

First Name*

Last Name*

Email Address*

Company

CAPTCHA

Phone

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

if(typeof gf_global == 'undefined') var gf_global = {"gf_currency_config":{"name":"U.S. Dollar","symbol_left":"$","symbol_right":"","symbol_padding":"","thousand_separator":",","decimal_separator":".","decimals":2},"base_url":"https:\/\/talentedlearning.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/gravityforms","number_formats":[],"spinnerUrl":"https:\/\/talentedlearning.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/gravityforms\/images\/spinner.gif"};jQuery(document).bind('gform_post_render', function(event, formId, currentPage){if(formId == 18) {} } );jQuery(document).bind('gform_post_conditional_logic', function(event, formId, fields, isInit){} ); jQuery(document).ready(function(){jQuery(document).trigger('gform_post_render', [18, 1]) } );

The post Content Marketing: What Every Learning Practitioner Needs to Know appeared first on Talented Learning.

Content Marketing: What Every Learning Practitioner Needs to Know original post at Talented Learning

[laraedahms33-blog]

Understanding The basics Of Blockchain Technology

Tether as a forex has been relatively unremarkable till it began having some banking problems and despite that its market cap has increased to almost 1.5B USD on the time of writing. The Effectively token will enable an on-demand system that solves the present issues of cross-border payments, information accessibility, and cost danger, permitting areas with the highest high quality of healthcare to serve your entire world. Synthetic intelligence will emerge as a strong means to safe financial companies and transactions, the place the deployment of machine learning will simplify the analysis of patterns and implement highly effective safety measures to neutralize potential safety threats. Between automation, machine learning, the unfold of autonomous vehicles, and with the appearance of blockchain-based purposes in a number of various industries, we are trying on the potential for a seismic shift in the economy. The president of the Worldwide Bitcoin Real Property Affiliation, Ragnar Lifthrasir say there's nice potential of Blockchain technology for improvement in the true estate business.

We not only use blockchain as a expertise, but in addition as a method. We believe that we’re on the daybreak of a brand new revolution the place the applicability of blockchain technology will develop from currency trading to business-changing applications and video games," Tapinator CEO Ilya Nikolayev said in the press launch about the new subsidiary. Ought to the block measurement be increased, sidechains could become more viable and lead to the development of even more applications of Bitcoin. Professional builders at ConsenSys has constructed numerous client-centric purposes on Ethereum including music enabling and monetary auditing. Maybe you might be part of a community that wants to start out its personal forex - maybe based on time, nationality, implementing common basic income or the like. Another great a part of this approach is that it doesn't must be an external system. We are experiencing a social revolution as much a technological one - and we want to have the ability to play our half. So if I just go by what the BCD persons are saying then we should not worry because replay safety is there.

Also, there are a whole lot of tales from people who have lost their Bitcoin wallet handle (by means of hacking, telephones being stolen, virus-contaminated computer systems, etc.) and so they've utterly lost their coins. Bitcoin is money that is produced by individuals, to be used by the folks and it originates from agreements between the same folks. Bitcoin is Money 2.Zero also as a result of it’s censorship-resistant. But if enough miners mine bigger blocks, and others signal that they’re prepared to course of them, Limitless will automatically begin building on these larger blocks, successfully creating a new model of the bitcoin top blockchain companies to invest in with no block measurement limits. IBM, Wal-Mart Stores (WMT), Nestle and others are partnering to review how blockchain could make food provide chains extra traceable. Prices aren't pushed by intrinsic worth, but by speculators' perception that a "higher idiot" will later be keen to pay extra for their shares. The thought is that, like gold, bitcoin will retain value if it maintains a managed supply.

That stated, in response to their web site BitPesa covers over eighty five international locations around the world and has processed over 17,000 bitcoin transactions thus far. Cryptocurrencies are totally different from traditional fiat currencies as a result of they don't seem to be created or managed by nations. Can cryptocurrencies be regulated? It can be utilized to many different domains. And so we will turn into a better financial institution. IBM is working on building options that can overcome the possibility of those single point failures from happening. Validating the existence or the possession of signed documents is an incredibly relevant ingredient of legal options. When it isn't. It is a tool like many different tools in your trendy software program suite. Is Bitnation the fashionable resolution? The explanation behind such an intensive proportion of holdings is primarily due to the diverse and accessible capital markets of the United States. Anyway, due to the free market forces being in play, wild swings occur to the prices of cryptocurrency (Learn this blog publish here).

[cecillewhite]

Innovative LMS Features: Real or Hype?

One thing you can count on from learning systems – there’s never a lack of new LMS features to grab your attention.

Have you checked out any trade show demos or marketing materials lately? Artificial intelligence, machine learning, content curation, interactive learning experiences, analytics dashboards, mobile-first design, digital badges, credentialing, virtual reality, augmented reality, in-app guidance –gulp- the list of mind-blowing capabilities seems endless.

Feeling LMS Feature FOMO?

With so many cool new advances, you may wonder if your organization lags others on the adoption curve. I call it Feature FOMO (fear of missing out). It’s actually a false comparison. But it’s easy to fall into this trap, especially if you’re improving a basic online learning presence one step at a time.

For example, one organization I know recently launched on-demand access to recorded live event video and another converted a popular, live-class certification program into an online format. For both, this was a huge advancement and a big step forward. Could they gain even more from implementing all this other cool stuff?  How would they know?  Should the have done it already?  Done what?

As I’ve said before, innovation for innovation’s sake doesn’t add value. Every organization has its own unique requirements. The important thing is to evaluate new functionality through the lens of your specific business priorities and your ability to measure the payback on your investment.

So, with that in mind, let’s define some of the most buzzworthy new features available in extended enterprise learning systems. Then let’s look at how those features are being applied in the real world, and whether they are worth it.

LMS Features: Hype Factor Reality Check

1) Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

Hype Factor: High Mainstream Usage: Medium

These companion terms are clearly stealing most of the LMS innovation thunder these days. Many vendors tell me their system already incorporates artificial intelligence and machine learning. Many others say it is under development.

In a nutshell, AI and ML work together to create smart software that uses data and program parameters to make decisions or drive workflow automatically in a learning or collaboration environment.

Currently, the AI/ML combination typically manifests itself in two ways:

Automatically delivering content recommendations and content streams to learners and

Driving backend analytics for surveys, test items, content usage and advanced learning/business data analysis.

It’s important to keep in mind that AI and ML are hard to demonstrate and easy to exaggerate.  In any case, just by having an LMS and keeping it updated, AI will come your way sooner or later first in the learner UI and then in analytics as a new feature commonly covered by your license cost.

2) Virtual Reality (VR)

Hype Factor: High Mainstream Usage: Low

Virtual reality technology makes it possible to create an immersive digital environment that simulates the real world. To interact with VR training, participants often wear special visual and audio gear.

Designing and developing this type of training isn’t cheap or easy. Because it requires so much time and expertise, VR is primarily used in training for situations with significant safety implications like medical procedures, aircraft navigation, military and police maneuvers and high-risk equipment repairs.

Training data from simulations is often tracked using xAPI, and is stored in an LRS that is self-contained or integrated with an LMS. Although VR is making inroads, it’s still on the bleeding edge. So until development costs decline and delivery mechanisms are widely available, most organizations are keeping it on the backburner as a future possibility.  If you are thinking of VR for sales or leadership training, save your money for now.

3) Mobile Responsive Design

Hype Factor: High Mainstream Usage: High

In today’s on-the-go world of work, mobile responsive LMS design is essential for learners, instructors and administrators, alike. With a mobile responsive system and content, learners can use a smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop or any modern web browser to access learning content that works in that environment. No zooming, pinching or panning is necessary because navigation menus and content blocks typically are restacked and resized on the fly.

Many extended enterprise and association learning platforms also include authoring tools that produce fully mobile responsive content. Vendors with systems that aren’t mobile responsive may tell you they have a mobile app that accommodates mobile responsive design. However, that kind of solution delivers a subpar learning experience. For that reason, I would avoid any system that isn’t fully mobile responsive.

4) Mobile Apps

Hype Factor: High Mainstream Usage: Low

When smartphone and tablet use exploded earlier in this decade, many LMS vendors were caught flat-footed. It’s impossible to reverse-engineer an existing system for mobile responsiveness, so it was necessary to rebuild platforms from the ground up.

Many vendors still haven’t completed this process. As a temporary workaround, LMS vendors developed basic first-generation mobile apps that replicated a small subset of features for learners and sometimes managers and instructors.

Second-generation mobile apps are much more useful and effective. They’re typically available from fully mobile-responsive platform vendors who want to provide incremental capabilities that aren’t supported by mobile web browsers. For example, specialized mobile apps can support activity notifications, content downloads and online/offline consumption, video and photo uploads, QR codes for live event registration and geolocation for participant tracking.

Mobile apps are worth the investment when used for strategic audiences and measurable purposes, otherwise, it’s just an incremental cost and maintenance headache.

5) Microlearning

Hype Factor: High Mainstream Usage: Low

In its purest form, microlearning is exactly what it says – small chunks of learning. And because most learning platforms accept and manage content of any length, size is not an issue.

However, to be effective as a learning strategy, microlearning must deliver precisely the right content chunk at the moment it’s needed. (Think of the precision and power Google and YouTube require to deliver highly relevant real-time search results.) This means systems that support microlearning must make it possible to create, curate, tag, catalog and maintain content chunks so learners can quickly find them individually or in related clusters.

The taxonomy creation and chunking process can be time consuming and expensive. As a result, many organizations limit their microlearning scope to the classification of discrete digital assets, such as video clips, Microsoft Office documents and PDF files.

If your organization wants to initiate a microlearning strategy, don’t start by looking for a new LMS. That’s putting the cart before the horse. Instead, begin with a content audit and needs analysis. This can guide your technology decisions.

6) Learning Paths

Hype Factor: High Mainstream Usage: High

Learning paths (or pathways) have been around a long time. But in the past, they were known by another name – curriculums. The concept is simple. It involves a series of activities that individuals complete as they progressively develop specific knowledge, skills and competencies.

Effective learning paths focus on well-defined audience personas and are structured to include relevant goals and rewards. They also tend to mix multiple content resources, for example self-paced online courses, videos, digital documents, assessments, surveys, polls, articles, games and social interactions. Of course, these learning path components can also be deployed as standalone microlearning elements that learners can find and use as needed.

Learning paths are used extensively by associations and other continuing education providers. For example, when professionals complete certification training paths, they often receive digital designations that they can display on LinkedIn profiles, email signatures and job applications.  Learning paths with intent is a smart, low-cost, high-impact activity.

7) Learning Experience

Hype Factor: High Mainstream Usage: High

This one is a bit tricky. I’m a fan of learning experience. But I see it as a strategy that builds on innovative feature sets, rather than a point solution.

REPLAY THE WEBINAR NOW!

For example, in extended enterprise settings where learning is a voluntary act, it’s essential to attract and engage learners so they keep coming back for more. This is where a learning experience recommendation engine can be a powerful LMS enhancement made possible by AI and ML.

Learning systems have always been able to assign or suggest content based on profile criteria like job title, role, organization and perhaps custom fields. But with AI-driven learning experience personalization, this concept goes much further.

Now many more criteria can be combined to shape content recommendations. For example, systems can consider learner profile data, membership or customer relationship history, search keywords and behaviors, time on site, content viewed, download behavior, media format preferences, content purchase history, course registrations, courses started and completed, percent of completions, time to complete, and tags or channels that learners choose.

Systems can also factor-in social behaviors such as topics and frequency of learner posts, likes, comments or shares. In addition, they can consider the nature of content posts, likes, comments or shares by peers or relevant subject matter experts. The options seem limitless.

Every vendor that says AI and ML are built into its system also says that content recommendations are supported at some level. But although this functionality is useful and innovative, it doesn’t guarantee a fully personalized learning experience. Proceed with cautious optimism. And be prepared to trust but verify.

Conclusion

Advances in learning technology always bring both good and bad news along for the ride.

In this case, the bad news is that LMS feature FOMO is real. It’s easy to be convinced that you’re missing out on the latest hot tools of the training trade. But before FOMO leads you in a new direction, we encourage you to revisit your existing learning systems strategy.

Now, here’s the good news: You have plenty of time and choices. The seven highly hyped features outlined here are already built into most systems designed for continuing education or corporate extended enterprise learning. And vendors that don’t yet offer these features are giving them top priority on their product roadmap.

But it’s important to remember that every vendor approaches innovative features differently. That’s why we recommend that before you move forward, conduct a thoughtful audience analysis, audit your learning content and specify your use case requirements. This process will help you focus your investment in new functionality where it will make the biggest impact.

Thanks for reading!

  WANT TO LEARN MORE? JOIN OUR LIVE WEBINAR!

Technology vs. Innovation: Association Learning Strategies in Practice

RSVP FOR OUR FEBRUARY WEBINAR

AI. AR. VR. Digital breakthroughs like these are capturing headlines every day. Clearly, these innovations are promising. But many associations are focused on making the most of learning technologies that are already in place.

So how are these resourceful organizations actually transforming member learning experiences?

Join John Leh, CEO and Lead Analyst at Talented Learning, and Linda Bowers, CTO at WBT Systems, as they explore real-world examples and discuss innovation strategies that will help you create lasting value. You’ll discover:

The push/pull relationship between technology and change

How to develop an innovation roadmap that works for your organization

Tips for creating a business case your board will support

How to avoid missteps when expanding your learning technology stack

Guidelines for measuring results

REGISTER NOW!

  Need Proven LMS Selection Guidance?

Looking for a learning platform that truly fits your organization’s needs?  We’re here to help!  Submit the form below to schedule a free preliminary consultation at your convenience.

First Name*

Last Name*

Email Address*

Company

jQuery(document).bind('gform_post_render', function(event, formId, currentPage){if(formId == 18) {} } );jQuery(document).bind('gform_post_conditional_logic', function(event, formId, fields, isInit){} ); jQuery(document).ready(function(){jQuery(document).trigger('gform_post_render', [18, 1]) } );

The post Innovative LMS Features: Real or Hype? appeared first on Talented Learning.

Innovative LMS Features: Real or Hype? original post at Talented Learning

[cecillewhite]

Social Learning Experiences: Making Better Connections

It’s no secret – recently social media has had a rough ride. So why should we celebrate technologies that enable social learning experiences? Maybe the answer lies in the beauty of a simple human truth:

“Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t.” -Bill Nye

Think about that for a moment.

After a decade of affordable high-speed internet access, smartphones, mobile apps and social networks, it’s easy to take our digital connections for granted. Yet there’s no denying that technology introduces us to countless people we would otherwise never meet. And each of those people has the potential to teach us something new.

In a sense, we’re all part of a grand social learning experiment. Sure, we’re bound to hit some speed bumps along the way. But clearly, this is powerful stuff.

Are We Socializing Responsibly?

Of course, the true value of social learning experiences depends on whether we keep our minds open to new ideas. Each of us has the responsibility to show up. And each of us must choose when, where and how we’ll engage.

Which leads me to another question:  When was the last time you checked social media? What did you see the moment you logged in?

Were you bombarded by a wave of heated political rhetoric? That energy seems impossible to avoid these days. But it wasn’t always that way. Remember?

Not long ago, the hottest “free range” debates I encountered involved L&D professionals arguing about the merits of learning systems in networked business environments. Even now, those debates roll on. It may take more effort to find them below the politically charged surface of your favorite social channel. But they’re still alive and kicking.

RSVP FOR OUR NOVEMBER WEBINAR NOW!

Occasionally, an LMS hater recommends abandoning these platforms in favor of learning record stores or other alternatives. (Although with 700+ learning systems on our watch list, we don’t see that happening anytime soon.)

Others obsess over semantics. Which label is technically correct – learning experience platform or learning engagement platform? And while we’re on the subject, which acronym is best – LXP or LEP? The hair-splitting name game possibilities are endless. And I can’t help wondering how many eyes are rolling in response. Nevertheless, these are signs of an engaged professional community.

We All Learn, Even If We Don’t Agree

Although these conversations sometimes lack direction or consensus, they are genuine and unfiltered. Plus, they connect real people who share common interests. At best, they provide market education. But at the very least, they offer food for thought.

This is the same kind of appeal that drives social learning in the workplace. As digital learning platforms have evolved, smart organizations are transforming one-dimensional online learning silos into multi-dimensional social learning experiences. And they’re seeing strong results.

In fact, according to the Association for Talent Development, the ROI of social learning compared with web-based training is as high as 75:1! So, what are the fundamentals that support this kind of transition? Here’s a four-pronged strategic framework to consider:

4 Pillars of Social Learning Experiences

1) Connections

Do you believe more minds are better than one? If not, tell me this – if you could invest in only one learning experience this year, which would you pick?

a) Two days with 10,000 industry colleagues at a live conference featuring a who’s who of expert speakers, or b) Two days of private, uninterrupted access to a library of popular industry books, courses and related information.

Each has its own merits, but evidence shows that exposure to diverse people with similar interests will lead to a far more enriching learning experience. Why? Because interacting with others, exchanging ideas and processing feedback help us build stronger connections between topics as we learn.

Here’s another way to think about it. If people simultaneously complete the same online training in isolation, most will remember only basic information. But if you give them communication tools to share related questions and ideas while they’re interacting with training content, you’ve created a social experience that reinforces learning through interconnectedness. You can expect much better recall.

2) Content

We’ve all heard the adage, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” But learning organizations can’t afford to leave content to chance. The more relevant, dynamic and useful your core content is, the more effective your social learning experiences and outcomes will be.

REPLAY THIS WEBINAR NOW!

Obviously, you need a sufficient quantity of compelling baseline content. On the other hand, too many options can paralyze participants with information overload. Seek balance. Get to know your audience in advance, then provide off-the-shelf and custom content that maps to their specific interests, goals and behavioral patterns.

But above all, be sure to leverage a central advantage of social learning – the opportunity to cultivate user-generated content. For example, you could encourage participants to create “work out loud” journal entries, checklists or other related resources. Or you could challenge them to enhance their learning by teaching others through “how to” videos or blog posts.

3) Channels

To understand how to motivate and educate someone, it’s important to speak their language. Start by studying learners in their natural habitat. Where do they spend their time online? What social environments do they already visit each day? What communication channels and tools fit into their flow of work?

Consider how you can leverage these existing channels with pathways to and from a social learning hub. The answer is likely to vary from one organizational culture and initiative to another. Also, your approach is likely to need adjustments over time, as social tools and preferences shift.

If your existing learning system doesn’t support APIs or microservices that help you easily integrate third-party social apps and tools, you may want to look closer at what’s possible from today’s most innovative learning platforms. For a sustainable infrastructure, you’ll need a system with the flexibility to change along with dynamic social business requirements.

4) Context

It’s one thing to understand the big-picture reasons for your organization to invest in social learning strategies. But there’s no guarantee your participants will share your vision.

Why should they show up regularly? Why should they share questions or ideas? Why should they develop user-generated content? How will they benefit in the long-run?

The most effective social learning experiences are built on a foundation of community – a sense of belonging and commitment to a common purpose. Does this make sense for your initiative?

Think about how you can set expectations from the start and offer feedback and guideposts along the journey. What kind of communication and processes can help remind individuals that their ideas and contributions matter in the broader scheme of things?

In Summary: Social Learning is an Adventure

Social learning experiences may seem more complex to manage than standard online courses. They may stretch your existing knowledge and toolset, but they can be well worth the effort, as many successful programs are already demonstrating.

Sure, you’ll find uncertainty and risk when you give learners more control over their learning process. You can’t predict how engaged they will be, how much content they will generate or whether the quality of their contributions will meet your expectations. And that’s okay.

What you lose in control may be far outweighed by the benefits to your participants and your organization. Think of delivering social learning as an iterative learning process, itself. Focus on creating the right conditions, and then stand back and see what unfolds. Chances are, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the results.

Social learning is an adventure. Fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the ride!

  WANT MORE LMS INSIGHTS? JOIN OUR FREE NOVEMBER WEBINAR

Putting the Pieces Together: How to Deliver Effective Integrated Learning Experiences

RSVP FOR THE NOVEMBER WEBINAR NOW!

What does it take to develop work skills in today’s fluid, fast-paced business environment? Even the most extensive course library isn’t enough to meet learners on their terms.

That’s why many organizations are turning to integrated learning experiences. But with so many innovative content formats, methodologies, tools and platforms to choose from, how can you achieve the best results?

Join experts John Leh, CEO and Lead Analyst at Talented Learning, and Paul Morton, Regional Director, Continental Europe and Americas at CrossKnowledge, for a closer look at best practices and real-world examples. You’ll discover:

What to expect from integrated learning experiences

Why these solutions are so effective

Essential elements for an integrated approach

Common pitfalls to avoid when developing an integrated strategy

How to measure, analyze and interpret results

If you want a more effective way to support workplace skills development, be sure to join us for this session!

RSVP NOW!

NOTE: Live webinar attendees qualify for 1 CAE credit. ALSO: If you can’t attend the live online event, we’ll send you a link to the recording.

Need Proven LMS Selection Guidance?

Looking for a learning platform that truly fits your organization’s needs?  We’re here to help!  Submit the form below to schedule a free preliminary consultation at your convenience.

First Name*

Last Name*

Email Address*

Company

jQuery(document).bind('gform_post_render', function(event, formId, currentPage){if(formId == 18) {} } );jQuery(document).bind('gform_post_conditional_logic', function(event, formId, fields, isInit){} ); jQuery(document).ready(function(){jQuery(document).trigger('gform_post_render', [18, 1]) } );

The post Social Learning Experiences: Making Better Connections appeared first on Talented Learning.

Social Learning Experiences: Making Better Connections original post at Talented Learning