This month we introduce a new section to Simpact called BlogBites. For those readers who have become accustomed to receiving news in short, to-the-point sound bites, BlogBites is for you. Each month, we will scan various e-Learning blogs and highlight what people in the industry are talking about. If you maintain a blog or know of an interesting blog that you want to share with others, send us the Web information. We just might include it in an upcoming issue of Simpact.

In a recent presentation about informal learning, Jane Hart made a great point—“…the half life of a piece of learning content is about 3 days – in other words if you don’t apply it immediately – you forget it.” Of course, we NexLearnians agree wholeheartedly with this comment. We tell anyone who’ll listen that an Immersive Learning Simulation offers the best opportunity to learn because users get to perform specific tasks, processes, or techniques in a real-world environment while the training is still fresh in their minds. Later in her presentation, Jane explained that “Each person’s PLE [Personal Learning Environment] will be different—it will meet their own job and personal needs. But the important thing to realise is that this is nothing new—this is already happening—people are using blogs, podcasts, bookmarking, social networking—they just don’t think it’s learning—and that’s the beauty of it.”

Phil evaluates the value of meeting with clients to discuss their training successes and failures. “Seeing decision makers and thought leaders for such large organizations so enthusiastic about the strides being made and the new possibilities being explored has been an unexpectedly pleasant revelation.” He also notes that brainstorming is essential to the creative development process. “Different perspectives add value to any endeavor, and they've certainly helped my simulation writing capabilities. But I hadn't considered how easily that spirit of collaboration could translate to our clients. I could go on and on about this point, but I summarize it by saying that the more people we get talking candidly about simulations, the better.”

During a recent Detroit Tigers game, it occurred to Tom that schools may actually have a metaphor in place for using simulations in learning. “Our music programs and our sports teams make extensive use of a practice-based approach for learning. In fact, it’s almost the only way kids learn in those classes. Out of all the sports and music I’ve done in my life, I don’t think I’ve sat in one lecture or seen one PowerPoint….maybe we can take some of the learning approaches from the ball fields and music rooms and take it back to the classroom…” Makes sense to us. If it helps generate ideas like that, maybe we should all take in a few more ball games to get the creative juices flowing.

Remember, BlogBites is now a regular Simpact feature. Send us a link to your blog or to one that you think is interesting. Expert.