David Kelly’s Curated L&D Content for the Week of 10/16/17

This week’s curated content includes links exploring the following:

  • misconceptions regarding generations in the workplace
  • an important question about compliance training
  • examples of the transformative potential of augmented reality
  • an example of visuals used to convey understanding
  • why we need more specific definitions for gamification
  • A glimpse into the future of VR training

The made-up nonsense about generations at work by Corporate Rebels
There are countless articles available online informing us about the changes coming to the workplace as Boomers retire and are replaced by Gen Xers and Millenials. These articles usually create a sense of urgency based on the differences that each generation brings to the table. The problem, as this article explores, is that there really is no evidence to support these stereotypes.

Study finds 75 percent of workplace harassment victims experienced retaliation when they spoke up by Tara Golshan
You may wonder why I choose to share an article about this story in an L&D-focused blog. There are two reasons. First, a problem like this will only go away if we all acknowledge it and talk about it. Second, L&D professionals should see a connection between this story and our world. Compliance training is a must have for almost every organization, but the Weinstein story is just the latest example of compliance training being proven as more focused on avoiding liability than in changing behavior. It begs the question… what could we be doing differently that could have a more positive impact?

These 5 iPhone Apps Prove Augmented Reality Isn’t Just Hype by  Lisa Eadicicco
Augmented reality continues to gain momentum as Apple and Google push the technologies in their latest smartphones. AR is still something people need to experience in order to appreciate it’s potential, and this post explores three non-gaming applications that showcase the doors that AR has the potential to open.

Using Architecture To Explain 16 Mental Illnesses And Disorders by Giedrė
The right visual can often convey more meaning and understanding than words. This post explores one such example, with visuals being used to explain mental illnesses or disorders. Using the ubiquitous visual of a simple house, the artist creates sixteen unique images that show what the house might look like if it suffered one of these afflictions. It’s an interesting read, and a great example of using visuals to convey an idea.

An Elusive Definition: “Gamification for Learning” by Karl Kapp
Gamification is a term and approach that has gained mainstream acceptance in the L&D field in recent years. At the same time, “gamification” as a term is defined different ways in different spaces. In practice, the term gamification may not be specific enough to be defined on its own, as there are different types of approaches to gamification that are unique enough to warrant their own definition, as this post explores.

Here’s the trailer for the new Star Wars VR experience coming to Disney parks by Greg Kumparak
While the latest trailer for Star Wars The Last Jedi got all sorts of attention last week, there was another Star Wars-related trailer that got me even more excited. It’s the trailer for a new VR experience opening in Disney Parks, and in many ways, it showcases the future of VR in workplace training: no wires, free-roaming, and collaborative. If you want to see the future of VR learning, look to examples like this from the entertainment world.

How to help those in California…

Over the past week catastrophic wildfires have devastated northern California, with thousands of homes and buildings destroyed. While progress has been made in fighting these fires, the effects of this disaster will be with those affected for weeks, months, and years to come.

The home offices of the eLearning Guild are in Santa Rosa California, and while our team members and our offices were thankfully spared the worst of the wildfire’s impact, we witnessed firsthand the destruction and fallout to an area that many of us call home. Thousands of people lost everything and will need help.

There are a number of ways that people can provide assistance; a comprehensive list of options is available in this article from NBC. You can also make a quick and easy donation of $10 to the Red Cross by texting CAWILDFIRES to 90999.

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