I love the ability to develop engaging courseware using a great authoring tool. I'm currently using Captivate 5.5 authoring tool that enables me to design, develop and publish eLearning courseware, job aids, simulations, videos and training in an interactive manner. I'm surprised at the capabilities of these eLearning authoring tools. Captivate 5.5 has the ability to upload and publish YouTube videos. This Adobe product is great for branching paths for learners, developing scenarios and creating robust assessments. Take a look at a video giving an overview of Lectora authoring tool by Trivantis. Development Tool for creating eLearning courses

In my current role, I have the opportunity to work on competency models for our sales group. Competencies are defined as, "a grouping of the knowledge and skills necessary for the performance of a job task." Competent workers have the knowledge and skills they need to perform their jobs.Click here to view a presentation on competency modeling.

Description of Agency: Boys and Girls Republic is Michigan's oldest residential youth treatment center, established in 1890, evolving over the years as a community resource for youth and families, providing residential treatment and supervised independent living for at-risk youth and outpatient counseling services for adults, youth and children. Facility houses 80 residents located on an 80-acre campus in Farmington Hills, MI. They provide a year-round academic and vocational training program, an independent living program, and a therapeutic recreation program for youths. They also offer custom-designed Adventure Challenge Programs to school, community, and corporate groups.What I did? Sorted and wrapped presents for at risk youth, read Wall of Wishes Christmas Cards for content and then sorted and separated cards, decorated community hall for Christmas Party (including washing glasses and dishes), decorated the Christmas tree and hung lights, set up tables & displays for gift store. What did I take away from event? What I took away from this experience was a sense of community. I felt that I contributed to making our community a warm and inviting place to belong. I’m hoping that the youth understand that someone cares about them, not only during this holiday season but during the year. My feelings on Community Day: I felt that I could make a difference in our community. I enjoyed the social aspects of working with others in achieving a common goal. The team work needed to achieve our goals for the day allowed us to work in harmony and communicate effectively.

ISPI Conference 2011 Our theme is simple yet very profound: THE Performance Improvement Conference! Plus, this year ISPI is launching a new Research-to-Practice Day!With our focus on performance technology, the International Society for Performance Improvement is in a position to be a powerful force for helping organizations successfully adapt to the ever-changing business environment. Join us at THE Performance Improvement Conference, April 8-13, 2011, in Orlando, Florida, and learn from our many expert presenters sharing their thoughts on adapting to the current external environmental forces and applying and implementing innovations. Come find answers to some of the most significant problems many organizations are facing, share best practices, and network with the smartest minds in the industry from around the globe. We will continue to shape the future of performance improvement through learning, sharing, working together, and networking. We will gather great minds and practices from the environments where human performance technology (HPT), with all its potential, has so much to offer, including business, government, military, health care, academia, and other organizations. You will want to hear what they say, share your insights, help move our profession forward, and improve your performance. The knowledge available in our field is dynamic and growing. Our thought leaders are constantly adding to the foundations of that knowledge. Every year our practitioners discover new ways to implement what we have learned so far. During our conference, we will come together to learn and share. We will build on what we know already, improve our skills at applying that knowledge, and facilitate the creation of valued results for ourselves, our clients, our organizations, and society in general. Workshops I attended: Subject Matter Experts: Don't Just Say, "Now Spill the Beans"A Comprehensive Performance Analysis and Improvement MethodThe Executive's View: Managing Organizational PerformanceCritical Success Factors for Developing Global eLearning Lesson Learned in Award Winning Online Learning Learning 2.0 and the Knowledge Revolution Building Successful Online Programs I was totally engaged in the learning process and enjoyed my time at this wonderful conference. I also had the ability to speak to mentors in our field and obtain best practices in Leadership Development, Online Learning, Performance Consulting and Learning Interventions.

"Leaders aren't fundamentally different from you or me. They don't walk on water. They don't have magical powers." Richard Osborn (Wayne State Business School) Click here for a link to an article on developing leaders at your organization.

Dear Marsha I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your service to ISPI this year. Your work on the proposal review team for the "Analysis" track ensured the highest quality presentations for that track.ISPI is for the most part a volunteer run organization and it is the willing contributions of you and your colleagues that make the conference such a success.The time you spend in this endeavor is greatly appreciated and I look forward to seeing you next year.Regards,Miki LaneImmediate Past President, ISPI

I was recently recognized by my peers at the University of Phoenix on their Faculty Scholarship (Research)Day. The title of my poster presentation was "Constructivist Competencies for Online Instructors". Faculty members had the opportunity to present an idea, research topic or study that would enhance the learning environment, integrate a practice or apply a concept to solve a problem. What an honor!

I had the opportunity to attend the ISPI (International Society for Performance Improvement) Conference in Reno, Nevada. What wonderful speakers!I enjoyed the following sessions: Creating a culture of accountability The key to accountability starts with management. Leaders must lead by example and focus on re-designing a culture of accountability. Re-design must occur within the culture and possibly re-design of physical environment. What is Leadership? Transactional vs. Tranformational Leadership Transactional Leadership is focused on the planning, organizing, coordinating, directing and controlling. This type of leaders source of influence is based on position or command of authority. Transformational Leadership engages followers beyond their self interest by recognizing existing needs, arousing and satisfying higher order needs. This type of leaders source of influence is based on visioning, values, role modeling, confidence building and communication. Key attribute is enabling employees to reach their full potential. Click here to learn more about conference highlights.

Our Locus Media Team Members attended a very informative workshop recently, sponsored by ASTD - Orange County Technology Tidbits. The speaker was Victor Kinney of Cornerstone On Demand, and he outlined the ins and outs of Learning Management Systems (LMS). The misconception is that LMS is for larger companies with larger budgets. Victor outlined a lot of benefits for small companies -  to begin with basic features and then add features as needed. In the past, many LMS systems were custom programs that were costly to maintain internally and not very flexible with feature changes. It’s nice to know the industry has grown along with our advances in software efficiencies. Small and medium sized companies can now use well-designed LMS because the large costs and complicated systems of the past are no longer a barrier to entry. Locus will keep you updated on the continuation of LMS advancement.

We hope to see you at the 41st Annual SPBT Tradeshow!  This year’s keynote speakers and workshops are focused on "New World, New Learning" - weathering the storm of your organizational challenges. 1.  Learn the latest on how the Accountable Care Organizational model developed, how it relates to health care reform and how it may impact your business. 2.  Discover how compliance training can be delivered in a manner that is impactful and engaging using the latest interactive technology. 3.  iPads aren’t just for kids anymore!  Learn how iPads are being used as a training as well as a selling tool, learn how to avoid the challenges of technology, how they are used in product launches and building a road-map for a launch solution. The keynote presenters are: * Michael Gelb: How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day * Mike Abrashoff: It’s Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy * Daniel Kraft: The Future of Health & Medicine: Where Can Technology Take Us? And let’s not forget that this conference is being held in New Orleans! There is so much to do in the Big Easy, both day and night - it can be overwhelming. From cemetery tours to city tours, Mississippi Jazz Dinner Cruises to Swamp Tours - there is so much variety you’re bound to find something that floats your boat.  Here are just some ideas: - New Orleans City Tours - French Quarter Tours - Garden District Tours - Ghost and Vampire Tours - Cemetery and Voodoo Tours - Swamp Tours - Riverboat Tours - Plantation Tours - New Orleans Movie Tours And if touring isn’t your cup of tea, or as the case may be in New Orleans, your Chicory Coffee or Hurricane Cocktail, there is plenty more to do and see in this hotbed of activity and fun. Here are some websites to help you on your way to a sizzling stay in historic and happening New Orleans! www.NewOrleans.com www.NewOrleansOnline.com www.NewOrleansCVB.com www.GraylineNewOrleans.com For some fun and interesting showstoppers, come by the Locus booth, #231, and we’ll introduce you to some creative blended learning programs.  We’ll also have some sparkling giveaways so stop by and help us celebrate our 10-Year Diamond Anniversary!