Robin will be discussing the value of assessor competencies based on the work that ibstpi just completed. He is joined by Dr. John O'Connor and Dr. Darlene Russ-Eft in this session at the Academy of Human Resources Development Conference in Oxford UK.

Jeffrey will be speaking on the topic of Transforming Learning Theories into Learning Games with Robin at the same conference.

Edward was voted as Secretary of HEDNA - The Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association recently. HEDNA is an international association focused on identifying distribution opportunities and providing solutions for the lodging industry and its distribution community. HEDNA is able to meet its objectives through:
* Optimizing the use of current and emerging technologies
* Influencing development of current and emerging electronic distribution channels
* Providing an opportunity for an open exchange of information among members
* Educating industry members

Congratulations Edward!

Down under, we're on our way... !

Robin is of the panelists for the ibstpi (International Board of Standards for Training, Performance, and Instruction) sessions in Australia in June, specifically June 18 in Brisbane, June 22 in Sydney, and June 25 in Melbourne.

This highly interactive session will focus on training competencies that ibstpi has built through the years, specifically Training Manager Competencies, Instructor Competencies, Instructor Designer Competencies and our latest book, the Evaluator Competencies.

If you happen to be in the area and would like further details, please email us at robinyap [at] phroneticinternational[dot]com

Jeffrey and Robin will be presenting a paper on Critical Thinking at the Adult Education Research Conference in Halifax at Mount Saint Vincent University on June 6-9. If you'd like to meet us please email us to setup an appointment.

We found this session to be very valuable especially to those individuals needing further understanding of social tagging. Harvard University Libraries presented last week Social Tagging @ Harvard: A Del.ici.ous Alternative or Passing Flickr?. You can read more about this at their blog. Click below or here for video part 1 & 2.

Any important meeting or initiative, we need to have a good prep. That's what we've been doing this afternoon at the ANSI pre-ISO delegate prep meeting. When in Berlin, its good to have good wiener schnitzel so check out Leibniz Klause at Leibniz Strasse - location chosen by Dr. Doug Lynch. Great choice to warm our aching backs and weary jet lagged bodies after a day long trip.

UPDATE: More ISO photos here

Read Robin's Blog on the Next Generation Organisational Certification Programme, Web 2.0 Tools and Organisational Change and Transformational Models.

Robin Yap is one of six North American delegates to create the updated ISO 2009 Education Standards in Berlin on March 26-27, 2007. This is a great honour and prestige to be part of as these standards shape the world of higher and corporate education.

ANSI US/TAG (Technical Advisory Group) invited Robin as a representative of ibstpi and Phronetic as well as representatives from ASTD and Wilson Thomson to deliberate the new standards especially including Web 2.0 tools and other emerging technologies.

Look for more postings on these deliberations in the coming weeks.

We had a giveaway at the Northern Voice conference and gave one to Tod Maffin who blogged about us here. They're a great idea we think because you can see who is calling you without actually holding your phone as its facing you. Quite a clever office accessory.

If you want one of these cell phone holders, see Robin at his CSTD presentation on March 15th in Toronto.

Have a great weekend ahead ~

The International Board of Standards for Training, Performance and Instruction is currently conducting an extensive survey of the experience of learners in online learning environments. The purpose of the study is to identify key issues and concerns that determine success in online learning, with a particular view to discovering what competencies, dispositions and attitudes learners should have to fare well in online settings.

In view of your involvement and expertise in online learning and instruction, the ibstpi project team managing this research study is asking for your assistance in completing the survey yourself as well as identifying appropriate respondents among your students and other members of your networks who have significant online learning experience. Kindly bring the survey to the attention of such people or bring the potential respondents in question to the attention of the ibstpi research team. You may also want to bring other colleagues or electronic distribution lists that could be approached with a similar request to the attention of the ibstpi research team. The survey is available here [http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB2263XSW3FQU].

IRB protocols have been met for this study. Thus, the survey is preceded by a statement regarding IRB approval of this research and an option for respondents to give their consent to participating in the survey.

We hope to obtain responses from a cross-section of learners in diverse settings, such as broad-based education programs or more narrowly defined training events, whether in blended or fully online courses. The survey is in English. However, if respondents wish to respond to open items in German, French, or Spanish, this will be accepted by the research team.

Please forward to Robin Yap any lists of learners you consider to qualify for this study or contact Dr. Michael Beaudoin if you have questions regarding the above research. Otherwise, send any lists directly to Robin for inputting into our master distribution list or just forward the survey link directly to your distribution lists.

We very much appreciate your interest and support of this endeavor. Those who complete and send Robin their contact information will be provided with our findings.