2009 Predictions, Remembrance and Challenges

ASTD's Big Question for January is, again, a series of questions.

• What are your biggest challenges for this upcoming year?
  
• What are your major plans for the year?
  
• What predictions do you have for the year?

First a little reflection. This year has been a busy year I've worked on:

• Analyzing Mobile Learning Opportunities within an Organizations
  
• Researched Virtual World and MMOLE Learning Opportunities within an Organization
  
• Researched Social Learning for Behind-the-Firewall Implementation within an Organization
  
• Worked to designing a Game to Teach Middle School Kids Science, Math, Engineering and Technical Skills as part of a National Science Foundation Grant
  
• Worked with US Intelligence Community
  
• Presented on the topic of "Gadgets, Games and Gizmos" Around the Country
  
• Conducted a Comparison of Two Training Methodologies for a PA State Agency
  
• Wrote Serveral Whitepapers
  
• Conducted Evaluations for National Science Foundation Grants
  

My three most popular 2008 Blog postings were (#1 being most popular).

#1: Bored?-Try Dissecting a Frog
#2: Top 5 Funny and Semi-Learning Related Videos
(My favorite)
#3: Help, I have an Instructional Design Master's Degree and I Can't Create E-Learning

What are your biggest challenges for this upcoming year?

Personnally

• Time management is becoming a bigger and bigger challenge. Very difficult to balance everything I am doing and still have time to breath.
  
• Spending as much time as possible with my two boys and wife. Tough to be busy and balance family life but it must be a priority.
  
• Plus, I'd love to get in better shape...yes I did say that last year and perhaps the year before...as with time management.

Professionally

• Finding new approaches to teaching my RFP class. I teach a wonderful class but I feel it has too much lecturing even though I have been working to eliminate the lectures, we have group exercises, group assignments, student presentations, good discussions but still...can I totally eliminate lectures...not sure I can. So this is a big challenge for me this year.
  
• I am writing a book this year called "Learning in 3D" about using virtual worlds for learning, that will be a challenge as all of my books have been. But they are so rewarding and I do enjoy it after it is over.
  
• Finding the time to write a peer reviewed article (I have said this the last 2 years, I need someone to hold me to this. I even have great research, just need to write it up.)

What are your major professional plans for the year?

• To write the book, "Learning in 3D."
• To publish a peer reviewed article.
  
• To continue blogging.
  
• To continue presenting.
  
• To enjoy being part of the field.
  
• I'm giving a workshop to the Centeral Iowa Chapter of ASTD. I am really looking forward to that engagement.

What predictions do you have for the year?

• E-Learning will grow at a rapid pace. With the economy in a shambles, one good way to reduce costs is to conduct e-learning.
  
• The rapid pace of e-learning growth will create a bunch of garbage e-learning.
  
• Organizations will struggle with too few staff and too much to do but will not want to hire more people.
  
• Social Media or Knowledge Media will become a great resource within organizations.
  
• I will continue to blog and enjoy the online community of bloggers, lurkers and others.
  

In conclusion HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!

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