As a leader in workplace learning and performance, FKA has worked in many industry sectors. One common challenge, whether it’s in technology, health services, pharmaceuticals, financial services or manufacturing, is the effective utilization of technical support resources in both pre- and post-sales activities.

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I have provided technical support for online learning sessions during most of my 16 years at FKA, using many of the available platforms. The quality of the technology has improved over the years, but technology being what it is, there are still things that go wrong. Here’s list of my top 6 tips for running successful online learning sessions to help ensure your participants have the best possible learning experience while minimizing the technical challenges.

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After nearly 15 years with the same employer, I took the plunge and found a new job. It was a change that I desperately needed, both personally and professionally.  As with most things, I didn’t simply take a few steps to the left or right – I dove headfirst into a brand new, profession- Learning and Development.

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In an earlier blog we discussed what are the Instructor Competencies for face-to-face, online and blended settings. In this blog, we’ll identify the uses of instructor competencies in terms of how they can improve instruction and enhance learning and performance.

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What does it take to be a competent instructor? That question has been asked a multitude of times and today’s perspective takes into consideration the face-to-face environments that most instructors and facilitators know (the physical classroom and on-the-job training scenarios), as well as virtual facilitated (synchronous) learning, and blended settings.

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Recently I was tasked by FKA’s President, Michael Nolan, to write an article about my motivation to learn continuously. Michael had taken an interest in my reading habits because I am continuously quoting from the books I read during conversations in the office.

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Do you need to improve the effectiveness of your instructor’s ability to transfer skill and knowledge in the physical, virtual, or on-the-job learning environments?  Does the delivery of your training programs lack engagement and motivation? Do your learners get tired of the same presentation or application methods?

If the answer is yes, here are 10 simple and effective ways to improve learner engagement without having to redesign your total program:

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One of the more common requests we receive is from clients asking for help with an existing course they describe as dull and boring training. When I look back at the history of these scenarios there is a pattern of the courses being technical training.  The training is teaching how to use a software application or how to follow a standard operating procedure (SOP).

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Recently Scott Weersing of GP Strategies asked the questions “Should we add data science to competency/skills needed now?”  in a post he made on LinkedIn.   The post referenced a Harvard Business Review article “The Democratization of Data Science”.

The post and string of comments prompted this post which describes the data analysis workflow that is introduced in FKA’s Training Needs Analysis (TNA) workshop. It outlines a basic data analysis workflow that learning and development professionals should have the capability to use. (more…)