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

• tips for cropping photos in elearning
• a look at the hype and substance linked to design thinking
• an example of big data and A.I. being applied to learning and development
• a unique look at the role encouragement plays in performance
• a review of the first stand-alone VR headset from Oculus
• how to improve learning behaviors in yourself and those you support

How to Crop Photos for eLearning by Connie Malamed
Images are a cornerstone element of elearning, and one that we often take for granted. It’s not just enough to have the right image; you also need to use it in the most effective way possible. Sometimes the easiest thing to do to make an image work better is to crop it. This post examines nine ways to crop your images, each of which has a unique purpose.

The Decisiveness of Design Thinking by Jon Kolko
This article provides a great overview of one of the hottest buzzwords in our industry: Design Thinking. In addition to providing a nice overview of the history of the idea and the criticisms applied to it, I also share this post for a secondary reason. It goes back to the word BUZZWORD. Buzzword usage spreads much faster than buzzword understanding, which can often delete a good idea through overly simplistic or inaccurate usage. This post in some ways looks to combat the anchor that buzzword status has on the design thinking concept.

Two Facebook and Google geniuses are combining search and AI to transform HR by Jonathan Shieber
I’m often asked how I think Big Data and/or A.I. will transform learning and development. There are so many different ways to answer that question, and in some ways, that fact alone is the most important answer. In truth, it’s not that these trends are going to change learning and development; they’re going to change the digital world as we know it, which will then impact L&D. But changes like that are often hard to grasp without more relevant examples. I share this post less about the startup being profiled and more to provide that relevant example of how data, A.I., and other technology trends are going to impact L&D in the years to come.

Who cheers for you? by Andrew Jacobs
Encouragement is an important part of learning. We often interpret this concept in the context of feedback that someone received related to engaging in an educational or training program. But encouragement goes beyond those moments, providing a boost when people are feeling discouraged. This post explores that idea and should help you see the concept of encouragement from a wider viewpoint.

Oculus Go Review: The New Standalone Headset Is A Watershed Moment For VR by Author
Virtual reality took another huge step forward this past week with the release of Oculus GO, the first low-cost, stand-alone VR headset. This is a significant milestone for VR, both in terms of functionality and pricing. The experience of Oculus GO is similar to mobile-VR applications like Gear VR or Google Daydream, but it’s being delivered on a dedicated device that does it all without a smartphone – at a price below $200. This addition to the market will help drive adoption even faster in both the consumer and enterprise VR markets.

Learning Is a Learned Behavior. Here’s How to Get Better at It by Ulrich Boser
We talk about learning a lot in our work. But when we talk about what learning looks like, we’re often describing activities related to training and education. This post explores activities specifically related to learning and provides tips that can be applied to enhance learning for yourself and those you support.

Immerse Yourself in VR, AR, and Simulations for Learning

After selling out in 2017, Realities360 returns to Silicon Valley in June 2018. Everything about the conference is expanded this year while still providing the smaller event feel and an environment where individuals and orgainzations that are early adopters of AR, VR, and simulation technologies can network and collaborate.

Realities360 will be a hands-on event that enables you to experience these technologies for yourself and engage in conversations about the opportunities these technologies open for learning and development. This is the event that enables training and education professionals, and our industry, to put these exciting technologies into context and harness their potential.

Join us in San Jose June 26 – 28 as we create the future together.