eLearning SIG 

Mobile Learning is SO 10 Minutes Ago; Mobile Performance is Now! with Rich Mesch

Program Description:
Mobile learning is on everybody’s to-do list, and why not? Who wouldn’t want learning that follows you everywhere? But like so many emerging technologies, we need to look past the gloss of the possible to the reality of the useful. When we deliver learning to a mobile device the same way we deliver it to a desktop computer, we miss the point of having a mobile device to begin with.
 
People “learn” from their mobile devices all the time, they just don’t call it training. Whether they’re pulling sports scores, GPS-ing the next leg of their trip, or sending some quick texts, people use their mobile devices to gain knowledge--and we need to leverage the methods our audience is already using. They use mobile devices:
 
•         In short intense bursts
•         In down-time, such as between appointments
•         To retrieve information that may not be at their fingertips, or
•         To get information that may be so current or time-sensitive, there’s no other way to get it other than right now.
 
We need to look at not what we can teach people on a mobile device, but rather how we can use mobile devices to provide information to help them perform better. The goal of this session is to overcome the hype and misinformation surrounding mobile learning, and focus on how this technology can help the workforce become more effective. We’ll explore why most mobile learning is ineffective, and why mobile content needs to be rethought based on how people use mobile devices. 
 
About the Speaker:
 
Rich Mesch has been working in the field of experiential and contextualized learning for 25 years. He has designed and implemented solutions for dozens of Fortune 1000 companies in all industries. His projects have won several awards, including multiple Brandon Hall Excellence Awards, the New Media Invision Award for Simulation, the New York Festivals Silver Medal, and the HR Executive Top 10 Products.
 
He is a frequent conference presenter, having spoken on experiential and contextualized learning at the ASTD International Conference, ASTD TechKnowledge, TechLearn, eLearning Guild Learning Solutions, SPBT, Interactive Learning Conference, and the Linkages Conference on Leadership. He has published articles in Training Magazine, Focus Magazine, and Technology for Learning Newsletter. He is currently the Senior Director, Strategy & Innovation for Performance Development Group in Malvern, PA.

Additional Meeting Details:

Cost: Free for Philly ASTD members, $30 for non-members. Non-members may attend 2 SIG meetings for free before being asked to join the chapter or pay $30 per meeting.