The use of e-learning in training

A rather stimulating article appeared in this month's edition of OP matters,  'Top Ten Tips for the use of technology in the designing, delivery and follow up of training: an evidence-based approach' by Laura Keith, OP Matters, Dec 2014, No. 24.  This is a subject that is close to our heart.  Pressure on training budgets, less time to release employees for training and a drive towards efficiency in achieving training outcomes have all been influences in the move towards e-learning.  

Here at enthios, we have been using Moodle as our online resource.  Our approach has always been that learning for the purpose of working in organisations is more about 'How' rather than 'What', so we have always made a lot of our materials widely available, instead concentrating more on making the process of learning effective.

Our own approach to e-learning is that it is best offered as part of a 'blended' approach.  In our case, we see e-learning as a way of transferring knowledge, either to help people prepare for a course, or to consolidate learning.  We still see value in classroom training and broadly speaking, we think it is still the best way for skill development to take place, with the knowledge elements being delivered by other means, including e-learning.  Although this is broadly in agreement with the tips outlined in Keith's paper, she does also advocate the benefits of simulation training and behavioural  modelling.  

The author also promotes the idea of using social media as a way of learners managing and consolidating their own learning, with discussions either being led by the trainer or as more of a free-form 'chat room' style.  She also emphasises the benefits of familiarising learners with the idea of e-learning technology before any coursework, as a way of enhancing the benefits to be gained.  This is particularly important in organisations where there may be an aging workforce.

'Coaching for the Zone' by Ted Garratt

This is the third book from an author who knows his stuff.  Garratt has a wealth of experience in business and sport and this makes the current book a real 'how to' read for people who work as coaches in either field.

Coaching for the Zone is about how to help business people or athletes get into a state of optimal performance, often known as the Zone, a state of excellence where a person can execute a skill without seemingly having think about what they are doing. The book is split into two main sections.  The first follows 'Alan' through a series of coaching sessions.  Each session has some sample dialogue, a commentary by the author and short case studies of real life situations.  The second section is a kit bag of skills, techniques and underpinning principles.  Particularly useful are the sections on limiting beliefs and decision-making.

This book is about doing.  Although it is obvious that the author has a depth of knowledge and experience in the topic, he keep theory to a minimum.  Even the description of the central concept, The Zone, is kept deliberately short.  For anyone who wants more on the theory, there are several texts already out there (and there is a good reference section at the back of the book).

It is obvious that he wants you to get doing, to put some momentum into the conversation.  And in this respect, it makes the book an absorbing yet easy read - one could even say that it models what it is talking about, as you soon find yourself being carried further into the book and losing sense of time. In fact, this is one of the points of emphasis that the author makes.  To coach someone in The Zone, you have to know how to get there yourself.  Preparation is a key element of this.  Another key theme that emerges is that we all already have in our experiences times when we have been in the Zone.  Through his transcripts and case studies Ted Garratt shows how to skillfully elicit those successful strategies that are unconsciously embedded within the minds of his charges.  Each one is unique, but what is common is how the coach can get the person to work on what is already there, applying it to new situations, rather than acquire new skills.

If you are already a coach you might think that the early stages are superficial, (eg setting up the right environment etc) but my opinion is that he has taken the view that the aim of this book is about application.  He knows the gap in the coaching arena that his book is trying to fill, and is aware that other texts cover the bits he misses out.

If you are new to coaching, this is a good starting place because it maps out how to do it (or at least enough to get started).  True expertise comes through interaction with coachees and self-reflection.  If you are an experienced coach, don't dismiss the book straight away, simply because he seems to skate over the theory.  You will find a few surprises in the book and it's interesting to see how a coach at the top of his game gets the best from his coachees.   

Don't read it once, keep it as a reference source.

'Coaching for the Zone' by Ted Garratt, Pub. Bennion Kearny

Ig Noble Awards

Interesting little article in The Psychologist (Nov 14, Vol27 No 11).  This year's winner in the psychology section of the Ig Noble Awards (The antidote to the Nobel Prize) was a piece of research around the hypothesis that psychopathy, Machiavellianism and narcissism would be related to an 'eveningness disposition'.  If you find yourself on a time management course where you are posed the question 'Are you a lark or an owl?',  you might want to choose your answer carefully.  You might be saying more than you mean to!

TED comes to Salford

     This was our first visit to a live TED event, the TEDx event, held at The Lowry on Salford Quays on November 10th, 2013.  TED's strapline is 'ideas worth spreading' and that is certainly what a TEDx event attempts to do.  Much of the day is taken up by speakers, all of who have around 15- 20 minutes to stimulate, inform and entertain the audience.  Speakers come from a wide range of disciplines (we saw businessmen, musicians, cosmologists, entrepreneurs and some visionaries too).  The subject matter ranges widely too.  At first this is a little disconcerting, as there seems to be no common thread, so in an hour you may be treated to a spiritual approach to business, crowd-funding, perceptions of reality and questions of our very existence, but if they do have one thing in common, they all make you think.  As well as the theatre-based presentations, there are breakout sessions and opportunities to network outside the main events.  It would have been good to have had better internet access during the day, but the organisers have to be admired for putting up on display the live Twitter feed during breaks.  Not all comments were complimentary towards some the speakers, but that is TED being true to their philosophy - it's about stimulating minds and debating information and opinions.  

The event was live-streamed and some of the main presentations should make it on to the TED Youtube channel so search for that if you want more on the content of the day.  We will definitely be going again.

We are launching an e-learning platform

We are in the process of developing our own e-learning offering, using Moodle as the main platform.  Adding e-learning to our portfolio of services will enable our clients to use a blended learning approach when designing learning programmes for staff.

We go 'live' with our first blended learning programme at the end of this month.  It's a modular programme on leadership and performance management, so we have built in some interesting online activities to help participants consolidate, deepen and widen their learning in between modules.

If you have any advice or comments about what you would want from an e-learning approach, I would be grateful if you could post up here.

We will keep you informed of developments!

Miles

A piece of good advice

As part of my research into elite performance I came across this rather insightful quote today:

'Whatever range of abilities we have acquired, there will always be tasks sitting right at the edge of them. If we judge ourselves by what is hardest for us, we may take for granted those things that we do easily and routinely. ' 

It was made by Nate Silver in his book 'The Signal and the Noise' (2012, Allen Lane).  The book is actually about our (lack of) ability to make expert judgments and predictions, but I thought is is also good advice for anyone involved in coaching, either as a coach or coachee. 

Continually focusing on what we find hard or want to stretch towards, to the exclusion of recognising the resources that we already have available, might actually be getting in the way of the very thing we are trying to achieve! Take time to take stock once in a while.  You're amazing.

Raise Your Game

Read our latest 1 Page Book Review of 'Raise Your Game' by Suzanne Hazleton.  It's a rather fascinating book, and particularly useful for anyone wanting to start up a business or make a career leap.

 

It's a great, practical book, packed with useful hints and tips.

 

Click here to read more

 

http://www.enthiostraining.co.uk/web//index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=82&func=fileinfo&id=86