Selling xAPI / Getting Buy-in for TorranceLearning Download May 2016

Editor's Notes

1. The C-Suite doesn’t care how you do it, they just want to improve productivity, efficiency and innovation. Improve the bottom line. It’s hard to show anything new to the changing student base. They are used to YouTube, SnapChat, Facebook. They get their news from Twitter (shudder). The send hundreds of text messages a day. They play video games. (hmm, are those last two an opening?) The tools we have today are not working. E-LearningFace it: No matter how many cool widgets you drop in your e-learning, you’ll never hear an employee say “Oooh, I can’t wait to get started on that new e-learning module today”. With traditional learning, we are re-arranging deck chairs on the titanic. Instructor-LedIt’s a toss-up whether instructor-led training is more or less impactful than e-learning. Studies go both ways; probably depends on the type of student. A blended offering is probably best. MOOCThe passing rates for MOOC’s is pretty low. Generous estimates put it around 40%. Can you sell that to the C-Suite?
2. If we want to improve an employee’s skills, we first have to measure those skills. xAPI allows you to measure skills in context. This means you monitor performance in the place where that performance takes place. For example, your accounting systems can send statements to xAPI, as well as your training systems. Obviously SCORM cannot do that. If you can measure, you can train on only those things that need improvement (cost savings).
3. Managers want: Reduce training time and costTraining is often viewed as a “cost”, with no clear impact on the business Improve PerformanceDo more with less.  Improve RetentionIn-line training, micro learning, gaming, simulations… all can work to improveemployee satisfaction
4. Imagine if your training could be “in-line” with an employee’s daily activity, instead of an “event”. (ex: Adam Mentor) xAPI can be used as a systems integration point, getting performance data from in-line systems, and learning data from training interventions Use micro-learning, gaming, simulations, mobile, etc. based on observed performance
5. Another Solution to Support-If your LRS is in the Cloud, it is not (necessarily) another system to support.-Easier to support than SCORM Costs-There are free LRS options and trial options. Run a pilot project to demonstrate effectiveness.-Use xAPI to integrate systems means no middleware! (PDF Annotator example Security-xAPI can be as secure as you want to make it. -Use HTTPS-Use signed statements-Use OAUTH
6. BoredomxAPI allows you to bring all kinds of new tools to bearbecause you can finally track it Performance-Using the feedback loop, you can provide trainingjust when it is needed. -You can avoid training the student on things they already know Data PrivacyYou may need a serious discussion BEFORE tracking student information-You need to show the student the benefits of tracking their performance in context.-Who owns the data? Student? Company?