ASTD Member Meeting in the UK

Here's a blog post from guest blogger Neville Pritchard, from ASTD International Partner The Learning Sanctuary in the UK:

The Learning Sanctuary held its second meeting for ASTD members and prospective members at Olympia on January 26. The room was kindly donated by Principal Media Ltd, the organisers of Learning Technologies Conference & Expo held at Olympia on the following two days. Once again we had over 30 attend a lively and interesting meeting where discussion was extensive. We opened with Gordon Bull (ASTD Board member) explaining how to maximise ASTD e-membership benefits before we split into sub groups.

We explored technology based learning developments and when to utilise what; the need to focus on performance impact and to utilise an appropriate mix of measurement models depending upon the purpose of measurement and reporting; the increasing need for L&D to ensure high quality consulting skills; trends in the use of coaching and the need for individual and coach responsibility; links to informal learning and 'letting go'; the need for collaboration, coordination and integration in implementing L&D initiatives; considered goodpractice.com research into leadership development trends; and explored the group's pressing issues within the management of learning. Each topic was visited twice as groups rotated around a choice of subject every 20 minutes with facilitation being delivered by members with specific expertise and interest in the subject areas.

As a full group we also considered what research we felt would help take the profession forward. An example amongst a number of topics we included was:

- What types of learning delivery actually lead to best improvement and response from learners?

- How do different types of role or function influence this?

- Is this influenced by the type of industry an organisation operates within?

- Content/training methodologies different to roles, types of business, types of department

- Comparing delivery models

It was a fabulous meeting with high quality debate and an opportunity for members in the UK to network and consider key issues with other L&D professionals.

Neville Pritchard