Sponsored by iSpring

“The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice.”

Brian Herbert

My son and I are in Seattle this weekend to check out some colleges. To be honest, he’s head over heels for this city, but I secretly hope he stays a bit closer to home. Even so, I can’t wait to spend some quality time with him, exploring some cool places – like the Boeing flight museum (so cool!) and, of course, sampling some good food along the way. I hope you’ve got something fun lined up for the weekend too!

As always, thanks for reading.

What I’m Listening To: This week I discovered the Peach Tree Rascals and I’m enjoying them again today.

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Last Week’s Most Clicked:

The Learning Content Maturity Model

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📰 News & Notes

Ten of My Favorite Papers on the Science of Learning and Thinking

Newsletter regular Scott H. Young has compiled a list of his favorite papers on the science of learning. From topics like effective studying techniques to the psychology of motivation, these papers offer valuable insights into how we can optimize our learning process. Whether you’re a student or a lifelong learner, these papers will help you better understand the science behind learning and how you can use it to your advantage. So grab a cup of coffee and dive into these fascinating reads. Your brain will thank you for it!

🥡 Take away: These papers provide valuable insights into how we can optimize our learning process and improve our ability to learn.

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The cult of bare minimum learning

In today’s fast-paced world, where everything is available at our fingertips, we have developed a cult of bare minimum learning. We are accustomed to finding quick answers on Google or asking Alexa for help, rather than taking the time to understand the underlying concepts. We have become obsessed with efficiency and productivity, leading us to prioritize speed over depth of knowledge. This mindset has created a culture where we celebrate knowing the bare minimum to get by, rather than striving for excellence and mastery.

However, this approach to learning is detrimental in the long run. It limits our potential and prevents us from fully understanding the world around us. By only learning the bare minimum, we miss out on the intricacies and nuances that make a topic truly fascinating. It also impedes our ability to think critically and creatively, as we rely on surface-level knowledge rather than digging deeper. To truly succeed in today’s world, we must break free from the cult of bare minimum learning and embrace a growth mindset that values continuous learning and personal growth.

🥡 Take away: the “cult of bare minimum learning” is a dangerous mindset that encourages people to focus only on efficiency and speed, at the expense of quality learning.

Becoming an Expert Generalist

The article by Nick DeWilde explains how being an expert generalist can give you a unique advantage in today’s fast-changing and complex world. It describes the characteristics of an expert generalist, such as having a broad range of interests, being curious and open-minded, and having the ability to make connections between different fields.

He also shares practical tips on how to become an expert generalist, including reading broadly, experimenting with new skills, and building a diverse network of people. A great read for anyone who wants to expand their knowledge and skills beyond their current field or industry.

🥡 Take away: This article provides valuable insights and actionable strategies for those who want to become more versatile and adaptable in their personal and professional lives.

Our big problem is not misinformation; it’s knowingness

In a thought-provoking article, “Our big problem is not misinformation – it’s knowingness,” Jonathan Malesic challenges the prevailing belief that misinformation is the root of many of our societal issues. They argue that our culture’s tendency towards “knowingness” – the belief that we already know the truth and have no need for further inquiry or education – is a more significant problem. By embracing a humble mindset that acknowledges the limits of our knowledge, we can foster more meaningful and productive conversations and make progress towards a better future. (If you’re a Ted Lasso fan like me, this probably reminds you of this scene.)

🥡 Take away: The problem of the ‘knowingness’ problem requires a willingness to recognize and acknowledge our own limitations and biases, as well as a willingness to engage in honest, open-minded dialogue with others who hold different beliefs..

100+ ChatGPT prompts for creators: Speed up your workflow with AI

This collection of prompts from the Descript team can help supercharge your creative workflow with the power of AI. Diving into this treasure trove of handpicked prompts, you’ll discover how ChatGPT can transform your projects and save precious time, no matter the task.

From brainstorming ideas, drafting content, and editing text, to polishing your final product, ChatGPT has you covered. Leverage these to generate innovative concepts, optimize your writing process, and refine your message like never before.

🥡 Take away: Experiments have shown that ChatGPT boosts productivity by a whopping 35% and these prompts can help you tap into that

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Transform Your Training with Hollywood’s Best!
eLearningArt’s free Hollywood Training program offers a unique approach to learning by immersing you in the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. With expert guidance and state-of-the-art resources, you’ll feel like a Hollywood insider in no time. Don’t settle for ordinary training – join us for an unforgettable experience that will elevate your skills and set you apart from the crowd.
Enroll now for free to start your journey to the top! 👉

Get smarter in 5 minutes with Morning Brew (it’s free)
There’s a reason over 4 million people start their day with Morning Brew – the daily email that delivers the latest news from Wall Street to Silicon Valley. Business news doesn’t have to be boring…make your mornings more enjoyable, for free.

Check it out!

Tech news is confusing – so we changed that.
Join over 450K people reading Tech Brew – the 3-times-a-week free newsletter covering all updates from the intersection of technology and business. We provide free tech knowledge that’ll help you make more informed decisions.
Subscribe For Free

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🎧 Podcasts

These are the podcasts that caught my ear this week.

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The Neovation Learning Hub can become your source of eLearning articles without the sales pitch! Explore topics like creating custom content, training platform uses, eLearning libraries, learning analytics, and AI for instructional design – never miss an update – subscribe for free today!

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🧰 Tech, Tools & Tips

If tools are your jam, check out my new WorkSmarter newsletter

Nano.Site

Build a profile page in minutes. Share your world with nano.site

https://nano.site

ReadyMag

Readymag is a web-based design tool that helps create websites, presentations, portfolios, and all kinds of digital publications without coding.

https://readymag.com

play.ht AI Voice Generator

AI Voice Generator with 600+ AI voices. Generate realistic Text to Speech voice over online with AI. Convert text to audio and download as MP3 & WAV files.

https://play.ht/

PromptPerfect

Optimize prompts for GPT-4, ChatGPT, Claude, MidJourney, DALL-E, StableDiffusion, Kandinsky, Lexica. Automatic prompt engineering done right!

https://promptperfect.jina.ai/

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Two days of lectures and workshops given by top industry experts

iSpring Days 2023 is a free online eLearning conference where top industry experts will gather to share best practices and proven solutions that elevate digital learning experiences and result in improved KPIs.

Speakers: Cara North, Holly Owens, Tom McDowall, Patricia Rieger, Clark Aldrich, and others.

Dates: April 27-28

What you’ll learn:

• Boost training metrics & improve your bottom line
• Build effective and engaging scenarios
• Design impactful eLearning programs
• Avoid common course design mistakes
• Choose training goals that align with business objectives
• Increase employee retention
• Overcome hurdles along the road to eLearning success

See you at the conference!

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🧳 Where’s Mike?

Microlearning Conference
April 27
Online

Learning & Marketing Conference
June 7-8
Online

Friday Finds is an independent publication that I produce in my free-time. You can support my work by sharing it with the world, booking an advertising spot, or by buying me a coffee.

Sponsored by iSpring

“Be content with what you have. Rejoice in the way things are. When you realize nothing is lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”

— Lao Tzu

I’ve been doing some reading lately on one of the most unlikely topics. I’ve been diving into the world of breathing. And I know what you’re thinking: “A whole book about breathing? What, are they just talking about inhaling and exhaling for 300 pages?!” But let me tell you, your breath can impact your stress levels and even the shape of your face! Crazy, right? Anyway, if you’re curious and want to check out the books I just devoured, here they are: “Breath”, by James Nestor and “The Oxygen Advantage” by Patrick McKeown. Trust me, your mind, body and face will thank you.

As always, thanks for reading.

What I’m Listening To: When I was in high school, I spent about a week one summer painting our house when Howard Jones had a popular album out and I’ve liked his stuff ever since. So that’s what I’m working along to today.

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Last Week’s Most Clicked:

The Better Deck Deck

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📰 News & Notes

The Learning Content Strategy Model

The Learning Content Strategy Maturity Model is a framework designed to help organizations assess their current state of learning content strategy and identify areas for improvement. It consists of five levels that represent a progression from an ad-hoc approach to a fully integrated approach to learning content strategy. At the first level, organizations have an ad-hoc approach to learning content, while at the final level, organizations have a fully integrated approach to learning content strategy.

By using this model, organizations can evaluate their learning content strategy and create a roadmap for continuous improvement. They can identify areas where they need to improve their strategy, such as aligning content creation with organizational goals, measuring the impact of their learning content on business outcomes, or adopting a data-driven approach to content creation.

🥡 Take away: Using this approach, organizations can create learning content that drives business outcomes and improves learner skills.

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PowerPoint Accessibility Freebies

In this video, Stephy Hogan shares some great accessibility tools and resources for PowerPoint and reminds us about the importance of making PowerPoint presentations accessible to all. By following accessible slide design principles such as using preset layouts, readable fonts, descriptive links, and alternative text, everyone in the audience can acquire the same information and enjoy the same experience. If you like this one, check out the rest of the series on Presentation Accessibility.

Take away: Grab the free guide on Fundamental PowerPoint Accessibility and make sure your presentations are accessible to everyone.

How to use Google Bard as a research tool

Meet Google Bard – the AI-powered chatbot that can tackle a wide range of text-based tasks, from writing poetry to summarizing complex ideas and translating languages. With Bard, you can say goodbye to the hassle of sifting through multiple pages and links to find what you need. Simply ask Bard a question, and it’ll provide you with a concise, human-like response. Plus, you can ask follow-up questions to get more details. While it’s not perfect yet, Bard’s potential to revolutionize the way we search for information is undeniable. Check out this Google’s answer to ChatGPT and take a peek at the future of search today!

🥡 Take away: Unlike ChatGPT, Bard can access Google Search to provide up-to-date information.

How to use AI to unstick yourself

Ethan Mollick has become a must-read for me when it comes to using AI. In this article, the he delves into the potential of AI for breaking through mental blocks and sparking creativity. By using AI-powered tools like GPT-3, he explains, one can generate fresh ideas, explore new perspectives, and even enhance their writing skills. He goes on to provide a quick guide on how to use GPT-3 and offers some practical examples, such as generating blog post ideas or brainstorming.

🥡 Take away: This article highlights the value of AI as a tool for anyone seeking to overcome creative roadblocks and find inspiration.

The Operating Manual for Your Nervous System

Have you ever felt overwhelmed or stressed out and wondered how to take control of your nervous system? Well, wonder no more, because this article has got you covered. This article explains the basics of the autonomic nervous system and how it controls our responses to stress and relaxation. It also provides some simple, practical tips for regulating your nervous system, such as deep breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation.

🥡 Take away: By learning how to control your nervous system, you can improve your overall well-being and better manage stress and anxiety.

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What do skills, AI, learning analytics and other 2023 L&D topics mean for you as a training provider?

Do you want to stay ahead of the curve in the L&D world and prepare yourself for the future? Then don’t miss this upcoming webinar on April 25th, from 12:00 – 13:00 CEST!

Donald H. Taylor and Ger Driesen will clarify the results of the 2023 Global Sentiment Survey (GSS). How will topics like reskilling/upskilling, Artificial Intelligence and learning analytics, shape the L&D world in the coming year and how does this inform your strategy as a training provider? If you can’t make it live, they’ll send you the recording.

Join the webinar 👉

Get smarter in 5 minutes with Morning Brew (it’s free)
There’s a reason over 4 million people start their day with Morning Brew – the daily email that delivers the latest news from Wall Street to Silicon Valley. Business news doesn’t have to be boring…make your mornings more enjoyable, for free.

Check it out!

Tech news is confusing – so we changed that.
Join over 450K people reading Tech Brew – the 3-times-a-week free newsletter covering all updates from the intersection of technology and business. We provide free tech knowledge that’ll help you make more informed decisions.
Subscribe For Free

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🎧 Podcasts

These are the podcasts that caught my ear this week.

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🧰 Tech, Tools & Tips

If tools are your jam, check out my new WorkSmarter newsletter

Gemoo

With Gemoo, you can record and share video and image messages that are organized, informative, and engaging

https://gemoo.com/

Freepik Videos

Browse the Freepik collection and find the perfect video for your next project.

https://freepik.com

Icônes

⚡️ Icon Explorer with Instant searching, powered by Iconify.

https://icones.js.org/

Microsoft Loop – Think, plan and create together

If you have a work or school account, you can now kick the tires on Microsoft’s latest collaborative document/content creation tool.

https://loop.microsoft.com/

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Make blockbuster courses in PowerPoint

A pre-recorded webinar series

What makes blockbusters so exciting? Action. Special effects. Plot twists. Learn how to pack your learning content with the same elements to keep your learners engaged!

PowerPoint vs iSpring Suite is a series of pre-recorded webinar sessions on how to harness the power of these tools to design the most advanced eLearning content. Learn how to enhance your online courses with animations, mini-games, flashcards and more! 

You’ll be able to confidently:

• Synchronize audio and PPT slides
• Set up triggers and animations in your course
• Create mini-games for online courses
• Create flashcards

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🧳 Where’s Mike?

Microlearning Conference
April 27
Online

Learning & Marketing Conference
June 7-8
Online

Friday Finds is an independent publication that I produce in my free-time. You can support my work by sharing it with the world, booking an advertising spot, or by buying me a coffee.

Sponsored by iSpring

Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.

— Maria Robinson

As someone who’s been working in the L&D profession for several years, I can honestly say that I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this amazing community. I truly believe that there’s no other field quite like L&D, where people are so welcoming and helpful to one another. Whether it’s sharing ideas, offering support, or just lending an ear, there’s always someone out there who’s willing to help. And the best part? The opportunity to connect with L&D pros from all over the world! From attending conferences in New Zealand to making new friends from China, Turkey, Brazil, and beyond, it’s been super cool to meet and talk with such wonderful learning professionals. So here’s to being a part of the L&D community – I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of it!

What are you most grateful for?

As always, thanks for reading.

What I’m Listening To: It is spring break around here and Groove Armada Radio is just the right mix of funkiness and fun.

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Last Week’s Most Clicked:

The Better Deck Deck

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📰 News & Notes

If learning matters, make it a campaign

The article by Ross Garner argues that learning and development should be treated as a marketing campaign, with clear objectives, target audiences, messaging and tactics. By adopting a campaign mindset, L&D professionals can create a more engaging and impactful learning experience that resonates with learners and drives behavior change. He also offers practical tips and examples to help L&D teams apply campaign principles to their programs, including using data and analytics to measure success, leveraging social media and influencers to amplify the message, and creating personalized content that speaks to the specific needs and interests of different learner segments. More great stuff to #StealFromMarketing

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The Magic of Knowing When to Use Concrete vs. Abstract Language

Using concrete language (words that describe tangible things) can make messages more memorable and easier to comprehend, while abstract language (words that describe concepts) can be effective for conveying complex ideas. Knowing when to use each type of language is a valuable communication skill that can improve how effectively you connect with your audience. By using concrete language to clarify instructions and abstract language to convey emotions and values, you can make a lasting impact.

Why Less is More in Learning Design

In this post, Connie Malamed discusses the importance of cognitive load in learning. When learners are presented with too much information at once, their working memory becomes overloaded, and they are unable to effectively process the information, which can lead to poor learning outcomes. She recommends several strategies for reducing cognitive load to create learning experiences that are more effective and enjoyable for learners.

The Multi-Store Memory Model

The multi-store model of memory is a theory of memory that proposes that information is processed in three stages: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory. Sensory memory is a brief store that holds information from our senses. Short-term memory is a limited-capacity store that holds information for a few seconds. Long-term memory is an unlimited-capacity store that holds information for an indefinite period of time.

The multi-store model of memory has helped us understand how information is processed and stored in the brain. This has led to new teaching methods and learning strategies such as spaced repetition, mnemonic devices, retrieval practice, and elaboration. These strategies can help us learn more effectively.

You Are You, We Live Here, This Is Real Life

In his article, Freddie deBoer argues that people should be more accepting of differences and focus on commonalities to build a sense of community. He suggests that in the current political climate, people are too quick to dismiss others who don’t share their beliefs or experiences, and this leads to division and conflict. Instead, deBoer suggests that people should embrace diversity while recognizing the shared experiences and challenges that unite us as human beings. By doing so, we can create a more harmonious and inclusive society. Does this resonate with you?

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Learn from one of the most respected voices in the learning industry, Donald Taylor!

In this upcoming webinar on April 25th, 12PM – 1PM CEST, powered by aNewSpring, Donald H. Taylor will dive deep into the 2023 Global Sentiment Survey (GSS) results. It clues you in on which topics will shape the L&D world in the coming year and what this might mean for you.

Trend catcher, Ger Driesen, will also provide a unique perspective on how the survey results could impact the training provider industry. With this exclusive insight, you’ll be ahead of the curve and ready to adapt to the latest trends. Join the discussion!

Attend the webinar

Get smarter in 5 minutes with Morning Brew (it’s free)
There’s a reason over 4 million people start their day with Morning Brew – the daily email that delivers the latest news from Wall Street to Silicon Valley. Business news doesn’t have to be boring…make your mornings more enjoyable, for free.

Check it out!

Tech news is confusing – so we changed that.
Join over 450K people reading Tech Brew – the 3-times-a-week free newsletter covering all updates from the intersection of technology and business. We provide free tech knowledge that’ll help you make more informed decisions.
Subscribe For Free

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🎧 Podcasts

These are the podcasts that caught my ear this week.

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🧰 Tech, Tools & Tips

If tools are your jam, check out my new WorkSmarter newsletter

How Password Managers Work and Why You Need to Use One

One password to rule them all.

https://medium.com/the-useful-tech/how-password-managers-work-and-why-you-need-to-use-one-3205954f2e4e

Kapwing

The collaborative video editor for modern teams.

https://www.kapwing.com/

STORYD

Data presentations leaders love, in seconds.

https://www.storyd.ai/

Loaf

Animated SVG icons you’ll love to use.

https://getloaf.io/

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iSpring Days

Two days of lectures and workshops given by top industry experts

iSpring Days 2023 is a free online eLearning conference where top industry experts will gather to share best practices and proven solutions that elevate digital learning experiences and result in improved KPIs.

Speakers: Cara North, Holly Owens, Tom McDowall, Patricia Rieger, Clark Aldrich, and others.

Dates: April 27-28

What you’ll learn:

● Boost training metrics & improve your bottom line

● Build effective and engaging scenarios

● Design impactful eLearning programs

● Avoid common course design mistakes

● Choose training goals that align with business objectives

● Increase employee retention

● Overcome hurdles along the road to eLearning success

See you at the conference!

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🧳 Where’s Mike?

Microlearning Conference
April 27
Online

Learning & Marketing Conference
June 7-8
Online

Friday Finds is an independent publication that I produce in my free-time. You can support my work by sharing it with the world, booking an advertising spot, or by buying me a coffee.

Sponsored by iSpring

To make mistakes is human; to stumble is commonplace; to be able to laugh at yourself is maturity.

— Denis Waitly

We’re right in the middle of our always unpredictable spring weather around here. Sometimes it seems like we get all four seasons in a single day. I’m grateful for the increasingly longer days and the trend towards warmer temperatures (even though it snowed at one of her games this week). I’ve bet my daughter that she’ll have to play at least one of her softball games in the snow. Clearly, nobody lives in Ohio for the weather!

As always, thanks for reading.

What I’m Listening To: Spring is on my mind this week so today I’m spinning this “Spring Pop” playlist.

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Last Week’s Most Clicked:

Should we list the learning objectives?

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📰 News & Notes

Using AI to make teaching easier & more impactful

Have you been considering how artificial intelligence (AI) can make teaching and training better? Ethan Mollick has a new article out that explains exactly how AI can help teachers, trainers, and students alike. He dives into how AI can be used to grade papers, create personalized learning plans, and even detect when a student is struggling before they fall behind. It’s amazing how this technology can help us do things faster and more efficiently.

But this doesn’t mean robots will be taking over anytime soon. He makes it clear that AI is meant to support educators, not replace them. You should subscribe to his newsletter while you’re over there.

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Is there such a thing as “Too Much Interactivity”​ in eLearning?

In this post, Karl Kapp discusses the potential negative impact of excessive interactivity in eLearning. While interactivity can be beneficial in engaging learners and improving retention, too much interactivity can be overwhelming and counterproductive. Karl suggests that instructional designers should carefully consider the appropriate level of interactivity for each learning objective and ensure that it supports the learning experience rather than detracts from it.

Use the Better Deck Deck to Banish Bullet Points

Everyone knows to avoid the dreaded bullet point lists, right!? Often, that is much easier said than done, which is why you should know about Nolan Haim’s Better Deck Deck. It is a deck of cards offering 52 tried and true design alternatives to those boring bullet points. Plus, it has over 150 professionally designed examples of these techniques in action to help spark your creativity and take your presentations to the next level. So say goodbye to dull slides and hello to engaging, impactful presentations!

If you’d like to see even more examples, the crew over at TLC Creative have been posting a series of before and after examples based on cards from this deck.

RSS isn’t Dead: It’s the Antidote to Social Media Algorithms

If you’ve been around here for awhile, you probably know that I’m a fan or RSS. (RSS, or Really Simple Syndication, is a technology that allows you to subscribe to content from your favorite sites and get all the updates in one central location.) In this article, Jonathan Wylie reminds us that although some people may think RSS is a thing of the past, it’s actually a valuable antidote to the often-biased and cluttered algorithms of social media platforms. By curating your own RSS feed, you can cut out the noise and get straight to the content that matters most to you. So don’t overlook RSS – it’s a tried and true technology that’s still relevant, and useful in today’s world.

Great titles help your content succeed

If you’ve been around here long, you already know that I talk a lot about what L&D should “steal” from marketing. Marketers understand the significance of making a strong first impression when it comes to delivering effective content. The title of your content is the first thing your audience sees and can greatly influence whether they engage with your material or not. In this 7taps course, I share a little bit about the psychology behind how titles affect our perception of content and provide practical tips for creating attention-grabbing titles that will make your content stand out. So, let’s dive in!

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See why over 200,000 people love Refind!
Every day Refind picks 5 articles that make you smarter, tailored to your interests. Get smarter every day! 
Subscribe for free to get 5 links / day

Get smarter in 5 minutes with Morning Brew (it’s free)
There’s a reason over 4 million people start their day with Morning Brew – the daily email that delivers the latest news from Wall Street to Silicon Valley. Business news doesn’t have to be boring…make your mornings more enjoyable, for free.
Check it out!

Tech news is confusing – so we changed that.
Join over 450K people reading Tech Brew – the 3-times-a-week free newsletter covering all updates from the intersection of technology and business. We provide free tech knowledge that’ll help you make more informed decisions.
Subscribe For Free

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🎧 Podcasts

These are the podcasts that caught my ear this week.

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🧰 Tech, Tools & Tips

If tools are your jam, check out my new WorkSmarter newsletter

Rhetoric

Record powerful, personable, and persuasive presentations

https://www.rhetoric.app/

PEECH

Peech, a personalized and automatic video editing and management platform, allows you to automatically create, transcribe, collaborate, optimize, and publish content – all in one place.

https://peech-ai.com/

ScreenRun

Create beautiful videos for your screenshots in a few seconds

https://screenrun.app/

Cool Symbols and Fancy Text to Copy Paste 😍 ♡¸.•*

Everyone needs some fancy text and symbols from time to time, right!? Grab yours here.

https://fancysymbol.com/

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iSpring Suite

Supercharge your courses with awe-inspiring content

Imagine you’re a learner. Would you rather view an old PPT or enjoy a dynamic scenario? What about printed test questions as compared to online quizzes with drag-and-drop and hotspot questions? iSpring Suite empowers you to create any advanced content type, from scenarios and interactions to educational videos and tests with automatic feedback.
Read his article filled with tons of insights, groundbreaking ideas, and samples, and learn how to create effective role-plays yourself.

Here are the top 3 functionalities you’ll find in iSpring Suite:

• The industry’s best scenario builder
• Smart features for courses of outstanding quality 
• Templates for every content type – no coding required… ever!

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🧳 Where’s Mike?

Learning & Marketing Conference
June 7-8
Online

Unleashing AI for L&D Pros
April 4
Online

Friday Finds is an independent publication that I produce in my free-time. You can support my work by sharing it with the world, booking an advertising spot, or by buying me a coffee.

Sponsored by iSpring

“A sure way for me to blunt my aliveness, my day-to-day experience of my vitality, is to live in victimhood, blame the weather, blame the traffic. What I notice is, if I stop blaming and I choose to move the locus of control back over here, and I choose to have agency, to be responsible for my experience, not the external world, but to be responsible for my experience, there’s a surge of energy that comes back in the body.”

— Jim Dethmer

I made it back from Auckland with some new Kiwi friends and another destination for my travel list. (Everyone said I have to come back and visit the south island.) To manage the 17 hour time difference, I tried out an app called Time Shifter and it worked well beyond my most optimistic expectations. The app tells you when to get sunlight, caffeine, when to nap, etc. to help you avoid jet lag…and it worked tremendously well for me. It was super easy and the first trip is free – I don’t get anything from recommending it, it just works!

As always, thanks for reading.

What I’m Listening To: Today I’m checking out the “unpolished pop” of SEB who I’ve noticed from a number of other playlists that I’ve share here. See what you think?

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1E4BEsCybMPW7Z?si=e7b7b4f3f0c74692

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Last Week’s Most Clicked:

Uplevel your prompt craft in ChatGPT with the CREATE framework

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📰 News & Notes

Alchemy: The Dark Art and Curious Science of Creating Magic in Brands, Business and Life

You probably know that I’m a fan of looking for things L&D can ‘steal’ from marketing. This is a great book by a renowned marketer that I really liked. 

“Alchemy: The Dark Art and Curious Science of Creating Magic in Brands, Business, and Life” by Rory Sutherland is a book that argues that unconventional ideas and solutions can be more effective than traditional ones in certain situations. Sutherland suggests that the key to unlocking these unconventional ideas is to approach problems with an open mind, and to be willing to question assumptions and consider alternative perspectives. 

He also emphasizes the importance of understanding human behavior and psychology when designing solutions. Ultimately, he us to embrace creativity and experimentation in our work, and to not be afraid to try new approaches and ideas.

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Should we list the learning objectives?

Christy Tucker explores the pros and cons of including learning objectives in e-learning courses. On one hand, clearly stating the learning objectives at the beginning of a course can help learners understand what they will be able to accomplish by the end of the course. On the other hand, some argue that listing learning objectives can be dry and unengaging for learners.

Ultimately, she concludes that including learning objectives can be a helpful tool for learners, but it’s important to present them in a way that’s engaging and motivating. She suggests using a variety of methods, such as storytelling, to make the objectives more interesting and relevant to learners. What is your stance on including the learning objectives in your learning content?

Should instructional designers use ChatGPT?

This Digital Learning Institute article takes a look at using ChatGPT for learning design. Basically, ChatGPT can be used to create personalized learning experiences for students. It can generate quizzes that are tailored to each student’s unique needs or provide feedback on writing assignments in real-time.

Of course, there are some limitations and ethical considerations to using AI in education. We need to make sure that we’re not just replacing teachers with machines and that we’re still providing human interaction and support.

But overall, the article suggests that ChatGPT has the potential to revolutionize learning design and improve student outcomes. So, it’s definitely worth exploring how we can use this technology in learning and education in a responsible and effective way.

We need to learn how to connect

Harold Jarche’s post about the fact that increasing connections should be a primary business focus of HR and L&D departments is not new, but still as relevant as ever. 

Connections increase as people cooperate in networks (not focused on any direct benefits for helping others). Diverse networks can emerge from cooperation that is supported by transparency and openness in getting work done. Basically, better external connections also make a worker more valuable internally. Fostering this perspective will be a huge change from the way many organizations work today.

Are learner personas a useful design tool?

In his blog post, Neil Mosley poses the question, “Are learner personas a useful design tool?” He explores the pros and cons of using learner personas in instructional design. While some argue that learner personas are a valuable tool for creating more personalized and engaging learning experiences, others question their usefulness and suggest that they can be too limiting or even counterproductive. He offers some insightful commentary along the way, so give it a read and let me know what you think about it. 

See what others are saying and add your voice to this LinkedIn discussion on learning personas.

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🎧 Podcasts

These are the podcasts that caught my ear this week.

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A Deep Dive into ChatGPT and Marketing AI

🧰 Tech, Tools & Tips

If tools are your jam, check out my new WorkSmarter newsletter

ResearchRabbit

The most powerful discovery app ever built for researchers 🔥

http://www.researchrabbit.ai

There’s An AI For That

Comprehensive database of 2,668 AIs available for over 603 tasks. Use our smart AI search to find the best AI tools for any use case

https://theresanaiforthat.com

YouTube Transcript – read YouTube videos

Better, easier to use transcripts for YouTube videos

https://youtubetranscript.com

Design Sidekick – find colors, fonts, styles, and more

Design Sidekick is a free Chrome extension that finds colors, fonts, and styles used on any web page.

https://designsidekick.io

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Role-Play Training: The New Foundation for the Training Industry

An in-depth article on role-play training, by Clark Aldrich

Everyone’s excited about ChatGPT at the moment, just like they were excited about the metaverse a year ago. But where’s the metaverse now? Clark Aldrich, the world’s most experienced designer of educational simulations, suggests that we should focus on role-plays aka scenarios instead because this type of content has been proven to work and will enhance your training like nothing else.

Read his article filled with tons of insights, groundbreaking ideas, and samples, and learn how to create effective role-plays yourself.

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🧳 Where’s Mike?

Learning & Marketing Conference June 7-8 Online

Friday Finds is an independent publication that I produce in my free-time. You can support my work by sharing it with the world, booking an advertising spot, or by buying me a coffee.