Learning 2009 : So What Have I Learnt ?

The last few weeks have been very busy, where I was fortunate enough to attend Learning 2009 (www.learning2009.com) in Orlando, Florida. Over 1,300 learning professionals from all around the world attended.

Three major take away for me were :

1. The discussion around the use of video for learning purposes was very insightful. Yes we already use this media but with internet band width every increasing, the very low cost of equipment and software to conduct interactive sessions, the high cost of travel, then we really need to re-look at this medium. The examples presented, especially one from the UK where piano is taught via video, were just outstanding. My feeling is that with 3D imagining not far away, world experts will be able to teach right in your own work place or home but with a true feeling of a face to face interaction.

2. I was gave a presentation around what CPA Australia was doing with social media, there was very good discussion that broke into 3 themes. One around social media being about network learning and connection – a true open connection, very useful for following an event or a topic amongst your friends or colleagues, another around the perceived high reputation risk of using any type of social media and the last around the now very limited commercial gains that social media can bring.

For me, in the end social media is all about being social!

3. The USA is very depressed. I lived there for almost five years from 2002 and the news reports of increasing unemployment and housing foreclosure were very depressing, especially for a country that only wants to promote “good news”. On a global scale the world needs for the US to rebound, I feel around the world the first quarter of 2010 is going to be very slow for many business.


More information about the event as well as follow up activities can be found on the website www.learning2009.com .