{"id":5339,"date":"2014-12-16T12:17:29","date_gmt":"2014-12-16T10:17:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oeb.global\/OEB_Newsportal\/?p=5339"},"modified":"2016-11-10T11:55:57","modified_gmt":"2016-11-10T09:55:57","slug":"friday-plenary-talking-the-talk-to-inspire-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oeb.global\/oeb-insights\/friday-plenary-talking-the-talk-to-inspire-action\/","title":{"rendered":"Friday plenary: Talking the talk to inspire action"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"FridayPlenary\"<\/a>

Left – Nick van Dam; Centre – Shyamal Majumdar; Right – Jeremy Auger<\/p><\/div>\n

As panellist Nick van Dam<\/a> from McKinsey & Company and the e-Learning for Kids Foundation stated in his introduction: \u201cToday it\u2019s all about collective wisdom.\u201d It was in this spirit that the interactive plenary session called upon the audience for questions and comments to fuel discussion around the theme: \u2018Less Talk, More Action! Meeting Tomorrow\u2019s Needs Today.\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

By Annika Burgess<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Steering the conversation and filtering questions coming through social media was broadcast journalist Nik Gowing<\/a>, who started by throwing out many tough, yet strategic talking points of his own. Each speaker was prompted to introduce the audience to the practical steps that need to be taken to change the dynamics for learning processes today for tomorrow\u2019s learning organisations; and how business and academia can work together to find solutions.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Shyamal Majumdar<\/a>, Head of the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, highlighted that while we may turn to technology to improve education and training this is not the only answer: \u201cHow many times have we tried to change the world with new technology?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAt UNESCO, we see the world and we see that there\u2019s a huge digital gap there. We still have a long way to go,\u201d Majumdar said. \u201cTechnology alone cannot change education. We need proper integration.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jeremy Auger<\/a>, Chief Strategy Officer from Desire2Learn, backed up these comments by stating that \u201ca tool is useless without the proper application.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

According to van Dam, who has 25 years of experience in the field of training and development, mastering current and future realities requires deep learning capabilities; however, we need to know where to start. \u201cOrganisations don\u2019t know where capability gaps are and how to close those gaps,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In regard to how to tackle this problem, van Dam emphasised that it goes back to the learner. \u201cWe need to develop a learning mind-set. People in careers now are really responsible for their own development.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

At this stage, audience input such as: \u2018We need to constantly build capabilities \u2013 this is the talk. How do we put that into action in the workplace?\u2019 And \u2018Learning is learning. It’s an age old principle that hasn’t changed. True, but learning competences do change as tech changes,\u2019 moved the conversation towards skills and capacity building.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Majumdar said we need to think about the requirements of the employer and the shelf-life of skills taught. \u201cPeople need to be skilled very fast so you need a foundation. We are training learners knowing very well that after six months or one year new technology will come,\u201d he said, also stressing the need to gain \u201ca cluster of skills.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Auger added: \u201cWhen you\u2019re hiring you need to be looking for graduates that have the ability to learn and the ability to learn quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

According to van Dam, this ability to learn all comes back to motivation. \u201cWe all know that people can learn if they do something they are excited about. You need to build on people\u2019s strengths,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe know that if people can do what they are good at then they will accelerate. You don\u2019t need to tell them to watch a 10 minute video because they will be excited about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The conversation also touched on personalising learning. Although we still value coming together and learning in the same place, we should not confuse face-to-face with personal. This then led to the speakers defining the role of technology in learning \u2013 all agreeing that technology is not the only answer.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe can use technology to take things to the next level,\u201d van Dam stated. While, Majumdar said that \u201ctechnology is only complementary to the entire learning process.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After much talk on how to take action, a final summarising point came from an audience member: \u201cIf we want to turn talk to action, we need to instigate change tomorrow; not next week, next month or next year \u2013 tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WATCH: Interviews with Nick van Dam, Jeremy Auger and Shyamal Majumdar from OEB 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"NickvanDam_video\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"JeremyAuger_video\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Shyamal<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As panellist Nick van Dam from McKinsey & Company and the e-Learning for Kids Foundation stated in his introduction: \u201cToday it\u2019s all about collective wisdom.\u201d It was in this spirit that the interactive plenary session called upon the audience for questions and comments to fuel discussion around the theme: \u2018Less Talk, More Action! Meeting Tomorrow\u2019s […]<\/p>\n

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