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🎶 What I’m Listening To
If you’d like some fresh new holiday music, you’ll love this playlist by Questlove
👆 Last Week’s Most Clicked
📰 News & Notes
Behavioral Scientist’s Notable Books of 2024
The Rundown: Behavioral Scientist has released its annual list of 45 notable books published in 2024, highlighting works that delve into human behavior.
The Context:
- AI Focus: Several titles explore artificial intelligence, examining its societal impacts and ethical considerations.
- Work and Productivity: A renewed interest in work culture, overwork, and strategies for achieving smarter productivity is evident.
- Diverse Topics: The list includes books on probability, chance, behavioral design, existential psychology, animal cognition, and plant intelligence.
Why it Matters: This curated selection delves into the cutting-edge of behavioral science, offering insights into contemporary issues and emerging trends that shape our complex world.
Enhancing Readability for Effective Learning and Development
The Rundown: A recent article highlights how improving readability in learning materials can boost understanding, engagement, and outcomes in workplace training.
The Context:
- Readability focuses on making content easy to read, concise, and structured for clear comprehension.
- Techniques like using simple language, consistent formatting, and breaking down complex ideas can help.
- Research shows that well-designed, readable training materials enhance learner retention and satisfaction.
Why it Matters: Clarity in communication isn’t just about aesthetics—it directly impacts how employees learn and perform. Improving readability aligns training with learner needs, fostering better skill development and boosting overall organizational efficiency.
How ChatGPT’s Canvas Can Help You Use AI More Productively
The Rundown: Now available to all users, OpenAI’s Canvas brings generative AI into a shared workspace, transforming how users brainstorm, write, and edit content.
The Context
- Canvas functions like an AI-powered Google Docs, allowing real-time interaction with AI on shared documents.
- It helps you draft, edit, and organize longer pieces—like articles, reports, or scripts—in a single window.
- Users can refine ideas, generate outlines, and edit content collaboratively.
Why it Matters: Tools like Canvas show how AI is moving beyond simple chatbots. They’re now part of how we work, making us more productive in many different fields.
Everyone’s talking about it – some use it, others fear it
Whether you’re AI-curious or AI-cautious, join our webinar to discover how to harness AI for your L&D strategy. Save your spot to learn innovative ways to use AI to your advantage!
Join Us! Wednesday, January 22, at 12 noon CT!
Can’t attend? Register, and we’ll send you the recording!
🧰 Tech Tools & Tips
If tools are your jam, check out my Work Smarter newsletter.
Feeder
Get all your favorite content effortlessly in one convenient location.
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Guidde
Easily create onboarding documentation with AI. Free for up to 25 videos.
https://guidde.cello.so/fxRMVDwhoei
Marketing Secrets for L&D Pros
Join our LinkedIn group to learn how to create engaging learning experiences. Connect with L&D pros, discover marketing insights, and elevate your training strategies. Join Now!
🎧 Podcast
This is the conversation that caught my ear this week. You can find previously featured podcasts in my Friday Finds podcast playlist.
How to use cognitive psychology to enhance learning
Enhance learning with counterintuitive strategies. Dr. Bjork, a leading memory expert, emphasizes spaced repetition, frequent self-testing, interleaving practice, and generating your own answers for deeper understanding and better long-term retention.
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Kickstart Your mLearning Project with Ease
Pitching a mobile learning project requires a thorough approach. Make things easier with a ready-to-use Excel template! Download it for free, simply fill in key details, such as dates, names, and goals, and enjoy a step-by-step roadmap to implementing an mLearning initiative in your company.
🧳 Where’s Mike?
- ATD 2025 International Conference May 18-21, Washington DC
If you or your event needs a speaker or workshop that is highly interactive and super practical, we should talk.
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Mike Taylor 