This Week's Herman Trend Alert Women---Expanding their Sphere of Influence

The Herman Trend Alert February 11, 2004 The Future of Training The future of training is gaming. We saw it coming in some consulting we did with the United States Department of Defense, in our study of the Millennials (born 1985 and later), and in the rise of companies like Discovery Learning (www.discoverylearning.com). The United States Army's success with its challenging computer game, America's Army, is an impressive testimonial to the military's understanding of the younger generation. Although it glorifies violence, the game was such a successful recruiting tool that there is an updated version: America's Army 2.0: Special Forces. The Millennials have a different vocabulary, different ways of relating with each other, different play opportunities and, certainly, different media bombarding their psyches. Accustomed to screen images changing more than 100 times per minute, this new generation simply won't tolerate being "communicated at," as if they were simply receivers. They expect people to meet them on their level, speaking their language, with their vocabulary, engaging them interactively. Marc Prensky, author of "Digital Game-Based Learning" (McGraw Hill) characterizes the difference between this population of learners and their predecessors as "digital natives" versus "digital immigrants." He emphasizes the facility with which this younger generation embraces new technologies. Here's what employers (and teachers) need to remember when working with these digital natives: They're good at multi-tasking and parallel processing. Accessing information in a non-linear fashion comes naturally, because they are accustomed to hyperlinking. Good graphics are vital to engagement. They have no patience for passive learning. (For them, learning is never a spectator sport.) Work must be engineered to be more like play with built-in opportunities for achievement and heroism. Don't expect digital natives to play any game that doesn't have a reasonably immediate payoff. In a subsequent Herman Trend Alert, we'll talk more about the emergence of effective games and simulations. We'll look at present and future uses of this exciting technology. To be successful in the future, leaders must to learn to train, guide, and motivate younger workers, not only by speaking their language, but also by creating games that these digital natives will choose to play. © Copyright 1998- by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc." EMPLOYERS AND JOBSEEKERS: MARK YOUR CALENDARS Advertise at or attend VetJobs Virtual Career Fairs. VetJobs, the top veterans' job board, and PSI, the premier diversity job fair producer, are teaming up to launch these VeteransCONNECT events. Employer registration is now open with loading by February 15th. Candidate loading begins March 1st. Expect 25-30 employers and an attendee goal of 2,000 skilled jobseekers. Promoted extensively, early registration begins NOW. To register or request additional information, contact VetJobs at 877-838-5627 or email info@vetjobs.com; Employers: Mention the Herman Trend Alert to receive a Bonus. LOOKING FOR A UNIQUE VALENTINE’S GIFT? Give the gift of leadership advice in our weekly Lessons in Leadership to help your supervisors and managers remind your leaders about what’s really important The 52-week subscription is only $47, a bargain when you think about the savings to your organization in reduced turnover. Quantity discounts available by emailing Joyce at joyce@hermangroup.com. http://www.hermangroup.com/store/subscription_all.html#3 Order today! PREVENT EMPLOYEE TURNOVER IN 2012 Yes, you can prevent costly employee turnover, when you train your supervisors, managers, and executives. They will learn dozens of low and no-cost strategies and tactics that they can implement right away. We have an impressive track record and stand ready to help you. Call Carl at 336-210-3547 for a no-obligation conference call. Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers. New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is received by over 30,000 subscribers in 78 countries, in addition to other websites and printed magazines. Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Trend Alert service. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert. Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert View this week's Herman Trend Alert Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

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