PLE62
Workplace Learning: Science, Data and Good Practice
Date Friday, Dec 7 Time – RoomPotsdam III
Schooling tells us that studying is largely about memorizing and regurgitating information on demand, and that people are born smart or otherwise. None of this reflects either what we know about the mind, or how we learn in life and at work. In this plenary session, we explore how to make the most of our natural ability to learn, what inspires people to learn at work – or not – and what we could do to ensure a smarter approach to workplace learning, both as individuals and as employers. There will expert speakers, but also conversation, so come prepared to make your own contribution!
Ulrich Boser
Founder, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress and Founder of The Learning Agency, USA
Ulrich Boser is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and the founder of The Learning Agency. He is dedicated to improving the ways that learning is delivered.
Boser is also a bestselling author, and he recently wrote a book on the science of learning titled Learn Better: Mastering the Skills for Success in Life, Business, and School, or, How to Become an Expert in Just About Anything. Amazon called Learn Better “the best science book of the year.”
Boser’s work has been highly influential. His research has been featured everywhere from “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” to the front page of USA Today and has helped inspire policy changes at the district, state, and national level. Boser has also developed legislation, advised political campaigns, and served as managing director of the Center for American Progress’s education team.
Ulrich Boser recently launched the Learning Agency. Part consultancy, part service provider, part communications group, the Learning Agency helps people–and organizations–harness the power of learning.
Boser has also been a contributing editor at US News and World Report and a researcher at the newspaper Education Week. His writings have appeared in a variety of publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Slate, Smithsonian, Newsweek, and Wired.
Earlier in his career, Boser wrote the The Leap: The Science of Trust and Why It Matters, which Forbes called “recommended reading” and Talking Points Memo described as “both comprehensive and engaging.” He also wrote The Gardner Heist: The True Story of the World’s Largest Art Theft, which became a national best-seller. USA Today called The Gardner Heist “a public service,” while The Wall Street Journal described the book as “captivating.”
Boser has also been an Arthur F. Burns Fellow, an adviser to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and have been featured on CNN, National Public Radio, and NBC’s Nightly News. His career has also included stints as a reporter, editor, and English teacher. He graduated from Dartmouth College with honors.
Hannah Gore
Talent Development Manager, Talent Development Manager at Solera, Inc., UK
After 13 years at The Open University, Hannah was asked to join Solera’s EMEA division to oversee the development and launch of their internal Business School, to train staff in 44 European Countries, with further expansion plans as part of the company’s 2020 vision.
Hannah joined The Open University in 2005, and developed a range of projects with students and academics, largely in on the theme of improving online communication methods within the web presence of The Open University, which utilised a range of emerging tools, platforms, and techniques to leverage student engagement.
In her last position at The Open University Hannah worked on several projects regarding the impact of social media on student engagement. With the developing movement towards social learning and its use of hosting on third party platforms, Hannah’s portfolio subsequently expanded to Senior Producer: MOOCs at The Open University. It was within this role coupled with the culmination of her experience across the domain that led to Hannah influencing and leading the development of aspects of The Open University’s free online learning platforms, OpenLearn and FutureLearn, with additional syndication arrangements to third party platforms.
Hannah has worked in both the public and private sections, and has graduated with five qualifications, including an MBA and an MSc, from The Open University. As an advocate of lifelong learning, Hannah was recently awarded her fifth qualification, a doctorate on the ‘Engagement of Informal Learners Undertaking Open Online Courses and the Impact of Design’, providing the academic field with the largest single source of MOOC engagement data to date.
In her professional career outside The Open University, Hannah also undertakes freelance consultancy in the field of social media with learning design and its impact on a range of industry sectors, and serves as an Online Executive Panel Member at McKinsey giving views on emerging technologies and the impact of social changes across the industry.
Simon Brown
Global Head, Learning Centre of Excellence and Novartis Universities at Novartis, Global Head, Learning Centre of Excellence and Novartis Universities at Novartis, Switzerland
Moderator
Donald H. Taylor
Chairman, Chair, Learning Technologies Conference, UK
Donald H Taylor is a 25 year veteran of the learning, skills and human capital industries, with experience at every level from design and delivery to chairman of the board. He has been chairman of the Learning and Performance Institute since 2010.
A recognised commentator and organiser in the fields of workplace learning and learning technologies, Donald is passionately committed to helping develop the learning and development profession.
His background ranges from training delivery to director and vice-president positions in software companies. Donald has been a company director and shareholder for three companies through start up, growth and acquisition.
He is an influential writer and speaker in the fields of the professional development of L&D and of technology-supported learning. He was the 2007 recipient of the Colin Corder award for services to training and has chaired the Learning Technologies Conference since 2000. He also chairs the Learning and Skills Group, hosting its bi-weekly webinar programme, and edits Inside Learning Technologies Magazine. He is a graduate of Oxford University and in 2016 was awarded an honorary doctorate by Middlesex University in recognition of his work developing the L&D profession.