{"id":27535,"date":"2023-11-14T23:07:58","date_gmt":"2023-11-15T05:07:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trainingmag.com\/?p=27535"},"modified":"2023-11-15T08:57:17","modified_gmt":"2023-11-15T14:57:17","slug":"getting-a-taste-of-tech-in-nola","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trainingmag.com\/getting-a-taste-of-tech-in-nola\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting a Taste of TECH in NOLA"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Innovations<\/p>\n

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Innovations in Training Test Kitchen \u201cexecutive chefs\u201d Hector Valle and Phylise Banner are ready to mix it up.<\/p>\n

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\"Betty<\/p>\n

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Betty Dannewitz and Jeff Weaver provide best podcasting practices.<\/p>\n

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\"Anders<\/p>\n

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Anders Gronstedt gets hands (and headset) on with VR.<\/p>\n

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\"Tamara<\/p>\n

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Tamara Kocharova offers tips for soft skills training in virtual environments.<\/p>\n

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In keeping with New Orleans\u2019 culinary reputation,\u00a0Training\u2019s<\/em>\u00a0fall TechLearn 2023 Conference offered a varied menu of training tech for attendees to both sample and dig into. Nearly 500 Learning and Development (L&D) professionals devoured content in 35-plus Innovations in Training Test Kitchen demos and five IIT Labs, 56 breakout sessions, eight hands-on clinics, two keynotes, four pre-conference certificate programs, and co-located event GamiCon NOLA. The conference was sponsored by Bridge, IIL, Inkling, and Scriptorium.<\/p>\n

Led by \u201cexecutive chefs\u201d (and learning experience designers) Phylise Banner and Hector Valle, the Innovations in Training Test Kitchen gave attendees the opportunity to explore the latest learning technologies and design techniques, and create recipes inspired by these new \u201cingredients.\u201d Attendees Melissa Kustra and Kate Berger submitted winning recipes (on engaging learners in Webinars and accessibility, respectively), earning them registrations to TechLearn 2024 in Austin, TX.<\/p>\n

The learning, networking, and sharing of challenges and best practices continued through activities such as the Dine Around Mixer Event, special New Orleans experiences (ghost tour, craft cocktail tour, and river boat jazz\/dinner cruise), and the closing reception with music from NOLA native (and former tech trainer) Renard Boissiere.<\/p>\n

\u201cAttending this event reaffirmed I\u2019m not alone in facing professional challenges,\u201d one attendee said. \u201cThe ability to have insightful conversations with others in my industry highlighted the universal nature of our shared issues.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Attendees<\/p>\n

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Attendees don festive facewear in NOLA.<\/p>\n

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\"Marcus<\/p>\n

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Marcus Brown marries music, art, and tech with his Electro-Sonic Painting with AR.<\/p>\n

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\"Keynoter<\/p>\n

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Keynoter Dr. Vivienne Ming has studied the interface of humanity with AI tech for years.<\/p>\n

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\"Behind<\/p>\n

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Behind the scenes\u2014and on the screen\u2014with virtual training master John Chen.<\/p>\n

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\"Attendees<\/p>\n

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Attendees listen to \u201cspook-tacular\u201d tales outside Jackson Square during the ghost tour.<\/p>\n

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\"TechLearn<\/p>\n

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TechLearn sparks a smile\u2014or three!<\/div>\n
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AI DOMINATION<\/h2>\n

Not surprisingly, artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential role in L&D dominated many of those conversations. Keynoter Dr. Vivienne Ming, theoretical neuroscientist, inventor, author, entrepreneur, and founder of Socos Labs, has studied the interface of humanity with AI technology for decades. \u201cAI is one of the most powerful tools on the planet,\u201d she admitted. \u201cBut it is just that\u2014a tool. AI knows everything but understands nothing. You can\u2019t throw an AI tool at a struggling learner and expect it to magically turn them into the person they want to be or you hope they can be. These tools are just mirrors\u2014 they give back what you put into them. So you need to think about what your learners can bring to these AI tools.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keynoter Ann Yoachim, director, Tulane School of Architecture\u2019s Small Center for Collaborative Design, took a similar approach to learning design. She reminded attendees that \u201ceach of us should be empowered to shape the places we live, work, and play.\u201d She encouraged attendees to \u201cget users\/learners involved throughout the co-creation process\u2014whether for training, learning, or anything else\u2014not just at the beginning and end.\u201d<\/p>\n

All in all, the conference provided lots of food for thought. As one attendee noted, \u201cThis was my first time at TechLearn and I came away with an arsenal of ideas and tools I can use to strengthen my career.\u201d<\/p>\n

AND THE GAMICON AWARDS GO TO\u2026<\/h2>\n

By Monica Cornetti, President, Sententia, Inc.<\/em><\/p>\n

In the vibrant realm of gamified adult learning, few accolades are as coveted as the GamiCon Throwdown Awards. These prestigiousTraining magazine honors recognize those at the pinnacle of designing gamified experiences that not only engage but also transform the learning landscape.<\/p>\n

At this year\u2019s event, held September 19, we celebrated luminaries who not only embraced but mastered the art and science of gamification, with each winner demonstrating the effectiveness of Sententia, Inc.\u2019s proven model for gamified and game-based learning in adult education.<\/p>\n

The People\u2019s Choice Awards were swept away by:<\/p>\n