The Thinking Synch event on September 26, at Holborn Bars, London, was a great success, with some illuminating presentations and enjoyable collaborative activities. The event was organised and hosted by Viv Cole of Academy Internet.

If you missed the event or are looking for memorabilia, here are the PowerPoints, links to blog reports, a few photos and the output of the Knowledge Cafe.

Presentations

Viv Green, Introduction (448K)
Alan Saunders, Illustra (465K)
Brian Bishop, Teletech@Home (1.2MB)
Louise Talbot, Training Foundation (4.2MB)
Matt James and Kathy Seddon, NCSL (4.9MB)
Patricia Fitzgerald, Cisco (7.7MB)
Ron Edwards, Ambient Performance (32MB)

LouiseTalbot of the Training Foundation had us communicating in circles with our backs to each other

Blog postings by Clive Shepherd

Synchronous e-learning myths #1: One hour is enough for anyone
Synchronous e-learning myths #2: Classroom will always be best
Synchronous e-learning myths #3: Just more death by PowerPoint

It may be a first for the eLN to have two expatriate Americans speaking on the same bill; what's more both specialise in working with virtual worlds - Ron Edwards, Ambient Performance (left) and Brian Bishop, Caspian Learning (right)

Knowledge Cafe

These flip chart transcriptions might mean something to you if you were there!

What should learning designers be doing to adapt to synchronous elearning?
Bite sized pieces of information.
Object specific.
Interactivity – between trainer and participant – between participants
Different types of media and how to use them
Steal!
Be a student
Build learning so all styles are accommodated
Be aware of cultural differences
Experience it
Learn technology
Scepticism
Strengths and weaknesses
Whole process
Facilitators
Recipients
Is it appropriate for content culture context.
Functionally sound
Facilitation skills
Challenge yourself
Designed for the facilitator and the student.
Variety important
Keep an open mind
Integration into existing approaches
Begin with learning strategy
What experience does the learner have already?
Technically sound
Culture, rules, politics
Keep it simple
Surrender some control
Remember to blend
Content first then look at the technology
Pilot group/user testing
Continuously simplify

What should organisations be doing to prepare for syncrhonous elearning?
ID needs – organisational / individual – TNAs and match to relevant solutions, i.e. virtually mobile
Review technology
Buy in/stakeholder
Test it works on co. infrastructure
Identify audience/users – get views
Give learners the choice – cost? how many options? help to overcome resistance
Evaluation – learning goals
Mapping changes/change managament
Employ/train – facilitators – disciples – ID skills
Practice
Manage change
Robust performance evaluation criteria
Milestones of measurement
Gaining buy-in – look at top 10 customers – enjoyable experience
Convincing traditionalists
Free trials
See case studies – see it in action
Align to strategic objectives
Set expectations – reality
Used as a daily business tool
Investment in technology and people
Monitoring and evaluation of effectiveness/ROI
Best practice methodology/protocol
Location suitability and explicit permission to spend time here
Match audience to needs
Inclusion of technology have nots – skills and accessability

What will learners need to do to take advantage of synchronous elearning?
Open mind/mindset
Competence/ability/familiarity of tool
Participate (with permission to lurk first)
Clarity in expectations
Right environment
Get orientation/practice
Experience
A “nugget”
Don’t let past experience dictate this session.
Understand why you are there
WIIFM?
Understand your own learning style.
Cheers and fears
Demand quality/recognise  Q and demonstrate understanding
End result – bottom line/company
Behavioural change as a result of training.