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Is 70-20-10 a Most Unfortunate Name?
Morgan McCall and his colleagues, who are usually credited with originating the 70-20-10 ratio in the 70-20-10 model for learning and development, probably didn’t get the memo. Or they got it, but they were convinced that including perfectly even numbers was the best way to go. We’ll probably never know. But we shouldn’t hold grudges against them either. The 70-20-10 model is great for organizations.
I’m not against this model of workplace learning. It can be successful if consciously implemented, and my belief is based on science. According to the In-Focus report from Towards Maturity “70+20+10=100: The Evidence Behind the Numbers,” companies that embrace this model are:
Twice as likely to analyze problems before designing a solution.
Four times more likely to engage directly with managers.
Eight times more likely to encourage staff to collaborate online to solve their own problems.
Three times more likely to get end users involved in designing solutions.
The report also said that even companies that don’t realize they’re using it witness its positive results.
But 70-20-10 may not be the best name for this particular learning strategy because the numbers are rarely that absolute; they’re guidelines. But the numbers are in the name, so they still raise some eyebrows. For clarity:
Seventy percent is for experiential learning and on-the-job discoveries.
Twenty percent is for social learning because organizations of all sizes are made of people and people talk with each other.
Ten percent is for formal learning with structured instruction, online courses and individual effort/
But why? For instance:
Why 10?
Ten is an awfully low number compared to the total of 100. Does 10 mean formal learning is not that important?
Why 20?
People talk a lot. When they’re at work they talk about work as well as personal issues. Sometimes they learn new things, other times they just talk. Should all words uttered in the workplace have a daily cap?
Why 70?
There are plenty of days when employees must do tasks they already know how to perform perfectly. There are industries where main things don’t change for years. Learning through on-the-job experiences is effective and important, but is it truly 70 percent important?
Again, these numbers are guidelines, so they should depend on each organization’s learning needs. Thus, they can change: 10 may become 19, 20 may become 36, while 70 may become 47. You can make any combination.
The numbers can change and they should change. But why stick to them in the name of this great model if they do change? What should we call 70-20-10 instead? Well, there’s no use reinventing the wheel. Everyone knows what the numbers stand for:
Seventy – experiential learning, or experience.
Twenty – social learning, or exposure.
Ten – formal learning, or education.
Thus, the 70-20-10 model, becomes the three Es learning model, or the Experience-Exposure-Education model. I think the names without the numbers are better.
What do you think? Will we ever drop the numbers?
BY Livia Mihai, a writer for Matrix by Cypher Learning. Retrieved from: http://ift.tt/2qtz54J
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Fostering experiential learning through technology
By advancing and training internal employees, companies can save time and resources, while also boosting company culture and employee loyalty.
Between recent top graduates and well-trained employees seeking new opportunities, competition is heating up among employers looking to hire and retain the best talent. And this competition is expensive. The typical cost of turnover is 21 per cent of executives’ and specialty positions’ salaries and 20 per cent of the salary of workers earning $75,000 or less. Losing an employee earning $75,000 will cost companies roughly $15,000! So what if there was a way to reduce costs from turnover and avoid the daunting search for new employees? Luckily, the solution is right under employers’ noses.
By advancing and training internal employees, companies can save time and resources, while also boosting company culture and employee loyalty. In order to achieve this, companies need to question typical learning methods, forming new ecosystems and environments that foster experiential learning, innovation and growth. When employees have the right support system to advance, the ‘talent gap’ is just a perceived impediment.
The “cost” for investing in employee growth is lower than people think.
While many business leaders worry about the price of paying for continued learning classes, time needed to map the projections of each employee, and even hiring internal career coaches to sharpen resumes, few realise that there are multiple technological options they can implement at a fraction of the cost of in-person training.
With affordable tools, companies can build talent from within instead of having to compete for new hires from a limited supply of experienced workers. Organisations need to shift their focus from hiring based on technical background alone, and instead identify strong leaders that can grow with the company long-term.
This shift in focus allows companies to enhance their succession planning, which is especially critical considering the many Baby Boomers who will soon exit the workforce and increasing number of Millennials who are taking on executive leadership roles. With today’s changing technology, identifying high potentials and arming them with the technical and leadership skills for tomorrow is an endeavour that must begin here and now.
Employers need to identify what kind of growth and advancement their employees seek
According to a study conducted by CEB, more than 70 per cent of employees say they are dissatisfied with the growth opportunities at their companies. Some companies only train employees a few times a year, when instead they should be looking to foster ongoing and consistent innovation in the workplace.
In order to keep employees happy and retention rates high, companies should look into cultivating new ecosystems and environments that help them grow on a continual basis. Not only will business leaders expand their existing talent from within, they will also avoid the stress of constantly fighting with competitors for new talent.
Technology is the key to fostering employee growth and happiness
While workplace development can help strengthen employee performance, facilitating it can be a big chore and require resources companies simply don’t have. Luckily, technology saves the day by providing tools to help foster the constant learning opportunities employees seek. These types of platforms will help business leaders eliminate the need for constant in-person support and, instead, help provide technical resources beyond a one-time course curriculum.
Such platforms also oftentimes provide flexible courses for employees, allowing them to customise learning opportunities according to what they are seeking. It can also add a layer of rivalry with competitive scoring to get the workplace engaged in their day-to-day activities. Additionally, these tools provide various resources such as reusable code bases, best practices, examples and more to keep employees up-to-date on the happenings within their industry.
Such technology may even allow for monitoring of employee engagement and knowledge advancement to get visibility into the full education life-cycle that employees yearn for. In fact, there are several new performance management systems on the market that allow employees to view the extent of which their performance has improved following engagement in a learning opportunity. This information can be shared with employees’ managers and their teams to ensure the team is strategically aligned and progressing toward set key metrics and organisational goals.
The best employers prioritise collaboration and experiential learning
By implementing these tools into daily work life, businesses can prioritise collaboration and experiential learning, both of which are highly valued to those just entering the workplace. Such solutions can also help employees and leaders alike stay updated on the ever-changing world of technology. Offering existing talent opportunities like mentorship and on-the-job learning can expand their skillsets, thus filling the growing demand for knowledge of advanced analytics.
Today, businesses are in a world where there are nonstop technological changes which happen at a rapid pace. Workers, especially those in the IT industry, are expected to keep these skills up-to-date, and to do so, they need to improve their knowledge on a daily basis. According to a 2016 study by Instructure, a technology company that develops learning software, 89.6 per cent of surveyed employees felt that changes in their field required them to update their knowledge and develop new professional skills. Additionally, only 12.1 per cent of surveyed employees felt that their current job was 100 per cent preparing them for future work, while 85 per cent felt their current job was preparing them for 70.9 per cent for future work. Clearly, employees are aware that they need training and development in order to keep up with today’s rapidly changing business landscape. For this reason, continuous learning opportunities are a must within the workplace.
Offering training and professional development programs provides employees with the resources and tools to perform better and prepare themselves for greater responsibility. A company’s commitment to continued learning raises overall workforce expertise, as employees engage in building their knowledge in various areas. Once employees gain expertise and perform their jobs more effectively, their job satisfaction grows and the likelihood of retention increases. In fact, employees may even become brand ambassadors for the company, sharing their learning and developmental experiences with potential high-calibre candidates. All of these benefits result in decreased turnover and hiring costs, higher productivity, deepened collective knowledge and enhanced branding as an employer of choice.
Joshua Sutton, CEO and Founder of Pandera Systems
Image Credit: GaudiLab / Shutterstock
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8 Learning Strategies And Tips To Engage Your Millennial Workforce
According to most researchers and demographers, Millennials belong to the generation of people born between 1980s and early 2000s. They are also sometimes referred to as Gen Y. They’re becoming a force to reckon with as their presence in organizational workforces and several leading global economies is increasing.
This generation has grown up differently, and deserves to be treated differently. Learning strategies that otherwise work for older generations aren’t likely to find resonance with folks of this ilk.
It therefore becomes important to understand their traits, their learning preferences, their behavior, and how they go about their everyday lives to be able to create learning strategies that grab (and retain) their attention and help them apply that learning on the job.
What Are Their Characteristics Or Traits That Would Have A Direct Impact On The Learning Strategy?
Some of the key characteristics of the millennial generation:
First generation “digital natives”.
While Baby Boomers or people from the Gen X group would have played with He-Man action figures or Barbie dolls as children, most Millennials would have had gaming consoles, computers, and mobile phones as toys back in their childhood. They have grown with technology, the internet, social media, and smartphones.
Tech savvy.
Technology and digital devices have been part and parcel of their lives right from the beginning and they take to technology like fish to water.
Strong multi-tasking capability.
While employees of older generations would prefer focusing on one task at a time, Millennials are comfortable working on a document, listening to music, and responding to their peers on chat at the same time!
Are ambitious.
Studies have found most Millennials to be nurturing high ambitions and expect a quick raise in their ranks in organizations.
Have short attention spans.
This is a widely accepted fact. So much so that according to a report, NBA is seriously considering shortening the length of their games to cater to Millennials’ short attention spans!
Easily distracted.
Millennials are easily distracted. If you’ve seen them getting hooked to their phones during a class or a meeting, you’d know what I’m talking about.
Need a clear and definitive goal and outcome.
This generation doesn’t like beating around the bush. They want their goals and outcomes to be specific.
Need recognition.
Millennials are in constant need of recognition. According to a report, a significant percentage of Millennials expect a promotion, raise, or a bonus every 1-2 years. In fact, it says Millennials treat bonuses as a right rather than a reward!
Need constant feedback.
Millennials have grown up with the internet which provides instant feedback. They need constant feedback and instant gratification of their search for knowledge and day-to-day requirements.
Need flexibility.
The last thing Millennials want is stringency. They like flexibility – in the devices they use, the way they learn, and pretty much everything they do.
Furthermore, their learning styles show the following notable aspects:
They like learning to grow at work.
Group-based activities work really well with them.
They look for relevant information and don’t like wasting time on detailed supporting information.
They appreciate hands-on learning experiences.
They are not fond of authoritative styles of teaching and taking orders. They like their say to be valued and an environment which encourages them to voice it.
They show a strong preference for visual aids (rich media).
They prefer experiences they can relate to easily and apply (real life scenarios).
They are at ease with technology and respond best to interactive and engaging multimedia formats.
They like exploring things (as opposed to being “asked” to do something or following a rigid learning path).
They want more freedom, less pressure, and platforms to express their creativity.
They crave for attention and personal care.
Bottomline: They are open to learning as long as it’s short and fun.
What Tips And Strategies Can Be Used To Engage Your Millennial Workforce?
Here are some of the strategies you can use to help Millennials learn and apply that learning on the job:
1. Offer Responsive mLearning Or Mobile Learning.
According to a survey, about 40% of Millennials interact more with their smartphones than they do with people. Besides, about 77% of Millennials spend more than two hours every day on their smartphones. Responsive mobile learning solutions and the flexibility to learn on the device of their choice will resonate well with Millennials.
2. Use Microlearning.
Bite-sized learning is an ideal way to engage Millennials and offset the short attention spans challenge associated with them. Also, the fact that they like hands-on learning experiences makes a great case for using microlearning nuggets as Performance Support Tools (PSTs).
3. Extend To Social Learning.
According to a survey, 83% of Millennials said they have a Facebook account. This generation loves social media. Their liking for collaborative experiences can be leveraged using forums and communities of practice that facilitate social learning, collaborative learning, knowledge sharing, and curation of learner created content.
4. Engage With Gamification Of Learning.
The concept of gamification resonates really well with Millennials. You can use gamification elements in learning to challenge and motivate these learners and bring about the required engagement.
5. Use Videos Extensively And Offer Learning Nuggets In Rich Media Formats.
Videos are a big hit with Millennials. According to a report, 81% of Millennials in the U.S. watch videos on YouTube. This also justifies the fact that they like searching and choosing what they want to watch contrary to watching shows on TV. You can use this trait to your advantage and offer video-based learning nuggets to engage them.
6. Offer A Learning Path Based Approach.
You can offer learning as a series in the form of a learning path and help Millennials learn, practice, and take remediation along the journey.
7. Wearable Tech.
It allows Millennials to be able to interact with the device at all times and can be leveraged to push learning nuggets or performance support learning aids. Wearable tech also serves the immediacy purpose better, and, due to the aesthetic appeal, goes well with the fashion element to excite Millennials as well.
8. Curated Personalized Learning.
As mentioned earlier, Millennials like exploring information. Curation of content gives them the opportunity to learn and contribute at the same time. Besides, personalization of learning to suit their individual learning style will go a long way in helping the learning stick.
If you are keen to find out more about getting Instructional Design right, you can check out Ei Design’s A Guide on Instructional Design Theories and Design Application course on Loop.sg today!
Content by Asha Panday ([email protected]), shared from http://ift.tt/2ldEw4D
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Lifelong Learning Is Good for Your Health, Your Wallet, and Your Social Life
In 2015 Doreetha Daniels received her associate degree in social sciences from College of the Canyons, in Santa Clarita, California. But Daniels wasn’t a typical student: She was 99 years old. Daniels indicated that she wanted to get her degree simply to better herself; her six years of school during that pursuit were a testament to her will, determination, and commitment to learning.
Few of us will pursue college degrees as nonagenarians, or even as mid-career professionals (though recent statistics indicate that increasing numbers of people are pursuing college degrees at advanced ages). Some people never really liked school in the first place, sitting still at a desk for hours on end or suffering through what seemed to be impractical courses. And almost all of us have limits on our time and finances — due to kids, social organizations, work, and more — that make additional formal education impractical or impossible.
As we age, though, learning isn’t simply about earning degrees or attending storied institutions. Books, online courses, MOOCs, professional development programs, podcasts, and other resources have never been more abundant or accessible, making it easier than ever to make a habit of lifelong learning. Every day, each of us is offered the opportunity to pursue intellectual development in ways that are tailored to our learning style.
So why don’t more of us seize that opportunity? We know it’s worth the time, and yet we find it so hard to make the time. The next time you’re tempted to put learning on the back burner, remember a few points:
Educational investments are an economic imperative.
The links between formal education and lifetime earnings are well-studied and substantial. In 2015 Christopher Tamborini, ChangHwan Kim, and Arthur Sakamoto found that, controlling for other factors, men and women can expect to earn $655,000 and $445,000 more, respectively, during their careers with a bachelor’s degree than with a high school degree, and graduate degrees yield further gains. Outside of universities, ongoing learning and skill development is essential to surviving economic and technological disruption.
The Economist recently detailed the ways in which our rapidly shifting professional landscape — the disruptive power of automation, the increasing number of jobs requiring expertise in coding — necessitates that workers focus continually on mastering new technologies and skills. In 2014 a CBRE report estimated that 50% of jobs would be redundant by 2025 due to technological innovation. Even if that figure proves to be exaggerated, it’s intuitively true that the economic landscape of 2017 is evolving more rapidly than in the past. Trends including AI, robotics, and offshoring mean constant shifts in the nature of work. And navigating this ever-changing landscape requires continual learning and personal growth.
Learning is positive for health.
As I’ve noted previously, reading, even for short periods of time, can dramatically reduce your stress levels. A recent report in Neurology noted that while cognitive activity can’t change the biology of Alzheimer’s, learning activities can help delay symptoms, preserving people’s quality of life. Other research indicates that learning to play a new instrument can offset cognitive decline, and learning difficult new skills in older age is associated with improved memory.
What’s more, while the causation is inconclusive, there’s a well-studied relationship between longevity and education. A 2006 paper by David Cutler and Adriana Lleras-Muney found that “the better educated have healthier behaviors along virtually every margin, although some of these behaviors may also reflect differential access to care.” Their research suggests that a year of formal education can add more than half a year to a person’s life span. Perhaps Doreetha Daniels, at 99, knows something many of us have missed.
Being open and curious has profound personal and professional benefits.
While few studies validate this observation, I’ve noticed in my own interactions that those who dedicate themselves to learning and who exhibit curiosity are almost always happier and more socially and professionally engaging than those who don’t. I have a friend, Duncan, for example, who is almost universally admired by people he interacts with. There are many reasons for this admiration, but chief among them are his plainly exhibited intellectual curiosity and his ability to touch, if only briefly, on almost any topic of interest to others and to speak deeply on those he knows best. Think of the best conversationalist you know. Do they ask good questions? Are they well-informed? Now picture the colleague you most respect for their professional acumen. Do they seem literate, open-minded, and intellectually vibrant? Perhaps your experiences will differ, but if you’re like me, I suspect those you admire most, both personally and professionally, are those who seem most dedicated to learning and growth.
Our capacity for learning is a cornerstone of human flourishing and motivation.
We are uniquely endowed with the capacity for learning, creation, and intellectual advancement. Have you ever sat in a quiet place and finished a great novel in one sitting? Do you remember the fulfillment you felt when you last settled into a difficult task — whether a math problem or a foreign language course — and found yourself making breakthrough progress? Have you ever worked with a team of friends or colleagues to master difficult material or create something new? These experiences can be electrifying. And even if education had no impact on health, prosperity, or social standing, it would be entirely worthwhile as an expression of what makes every person so special and unique.
The reasons to continue learning are many, and the weight of the evidence would indicate that lifelong learning isn’t simply an economic imperative but a social, emotional, and physical one as well. We live in an age of abundant opportunity for learning and development. Capturing that opportunity — maintaining our curiosity and intellectual humility — can be one of life’s most rewarding pursuits.
Article replicated from HBR.org. John Coleman is a coauthor of the book, Passion & Purpose: Stories from the Best and Brightest Young Business Leaders. Follow him on Twitter at @johnwcoleman.
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The Benefits of Remote Practice Labs
Whether you are an experienced IT professional looking to validate your knowledge with an official certification, or someone who is interested in pursuing a career in the IT industry, options such as earning a Cisco Certified Network Associate qualification through CCNA training will have a beneficial effect on your career. The advantages of having this certification can also be enhanced by using Remote Practice Labs in conjunction with your training.
What are Practice Labs?
Practice Labs are made up of real computer equipment which has been networked together and made accessible online as a convenient practice location for students (and sometimes other IT workers). The Practice Lab set-up generally consists of a computers, routers, servers and switches which can be configured to suit the needs of the student.
One of the fantastic features when using the Practice Lab is that the entire system is reset when the student logs out so there is no fear of causing any harm to the equipment. This is also one of the reasons that many companies and organisations are using them to train their staff as it prevents any potential damage to the networks that are in use by the organisation. It is a safe and convenient way to practice and learn new skills.
When studying, there is a lot of theory that is learned throughout the duration of the course. The Practice Lab will help to put into practice the theory that has been taught and this will result in a far greater practical understanding of the material – which in turn will increase your chances of passing the exam first time.
The benefits of Practice Labs in a nutshell:
• Anytime convenience
• Highly cost-effective
• System resets (mistakes are easily recovered from)
• No long lab re-build times
• No large energy bills from running physical set-ups
• Ideal for training team members
• User-friendly
• Provides practical experience
You can find over 30 full-fledged certification training courses with robust Practice Labs systems on LOOP.sg. Come and explore your options to improve your workforce capability and move up the career ladder today!
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4 Reasons Online Learning Works Well for Working Adults
Online education is transforming the way students learn.
One 2016 survey found that online undergraduate students are an average of 29 years old and online graduate students are an average of 33, reflecting both the popularity and effectiveness of online programs to help adults meet educational and career goals. Online education is well-suited to older students often balancing education with work, family and other obligations.
Here are four reasons online education works well for working adults.
1. Course flexibility: Most online courses are accessible 24/7, 365 days a year, so you can usually study around your work schedule from anywhere in the world. If you’re an older student juggling an education with other responsibilities, this flexibility is ideal. You can do your homework all at once or in nuggets between other obligations.
Often, you can study for a degree online at a pace that fits your lifestyle. You can take one or several courses per semester or enroll in an online program with shorter terms that make it easier to concentrate on one course at a time.
Recognizing that many prospective online students have already earned some credits toward their bachelor’s degree, programs might provide transfer credits or credits for life or work experience. Some programs also allow you to test out of certain courses.
2. Learning new skills and improving existing ones: Completing online courses from home or your desk at work can help you develop new skills to boost your earning potential.
If you were hired straight out of high school, you may find you need a college degree to move into management. Or you may simply want to improve or refresh the skills you already have, or learn job-specific skills to meet the changing needs of your profession.
Many companies will pay partial tuition for job-related courses that expand your knowledge base. If technology has been changing the way your industry functions, for instance, your employer might greatly value online courses that help you keep up with your field.
3. Instant relevance to your job: You may be surprised by how much more you enjoy your classes than you did when you were younger because in many online courses, you will find other working adults who you can network with and discuss recent experiences.
Online education is more practical because you can relate what you learn to the job you do every day and improve your job performance. You will also be able to make classes more interesting for other students by sharing relevant work-related examples in online discussion boards, for example.
4. New career opportunities: You may want to take online courses to round out your resume so you can compete for completely new positions with your current employer or at another organization. Earning a degree or advanced certificate online can be a great way to reinvent yourself if you are looking to change careers.
The takeaway: Online courses can provide real value to working adults because they are flexible and can help build the knowledge needed to get ahead while networking with others in similar positions.
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Instill the love of learning…
From the day we are born, we are learning.
There will inevitably be moments along the way where learning might feel burdensome or become less appealing.
Henry Ford once said, “anyone who stops learning is old, whether at 20 or 80. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.”
So, what can we do to embrace a love of learning that will carry us through a lifetime?
Here are a few tips for instilling a love of learning:
• Let curiosity motivate learning.
Thinking requires a lot of effort, where curiosity, by nature, has the power to drive thinking forward. Find ways to tap into your child’s natural curiosity to inspire deeper thinking and learning.
• Accept failure as a process to improve.
We aren’t always going to be right and things don’t always work out, but it’s taking that next step which allows us to revise our thinking and create a new plan to continue moving forward. Embrace and celebrate failure as a necessary part of learning, because most success stories have a past filled with failed attempts.
• It’s ok to admit you don’t know.
We can’t possibly hold all of the answers and it is unrealistic to expect that. One of the hardest phrase to say is, “I don’t know” for fear of ridicule. Rather than place pressure on holding the answer, make a shift to valuing the ability to seek out the knowledge needed.
• Learn for fun.
Even from kindergarten to high school and beyond, learning can become a bit daunting. Make sure to balance educational learning with learning for pleasure. Take up a new hobby or make time to dig deeper into an interest.
Find ways where you can learn something new together. Try learning a random fact each day, words in a different language or read about a new topic.
Learning happens all the time and will last a lifetime. Help yourself develop skills which will aid in your pursuit of becoming a lifelong learner.
Never stop learning.
Carry on the learning journey with LOOP.sg. With over 400 SkillsFuture Credit courses available, you’ll find something that will spark your interest and love for learning all over again! From Professional Development courses to interest based courses, there’s something for everyone!
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UTAP funding available for courses on LOOP.sg!
Now your personal skills development is even cheaper if you’re an NTUC member!
Enjoy UTAP funding at 50% of the unfunded course fee capped at $250 every year if you’re an NTUC member for the following courses!
Click on each course to find out more.
Wireless Hacking and Security
Crystal Reports: Advanced
Web Design Programming: xHTML, SQL PhoneGap
AutoCAD 2016 Essentials: Learn the Essentials
Build Android Apps with App Inventor 2: No Coding Required
Become a Professional Programmer (Java & JavaScript)
Leadership Essentials: For Business & Project Management
Bud to Boss Toolkit: Becoming a New Manager: For Business and Project Management
An Essential Online Course: Understanding Finance for Non-Finance Professionals
An Essential Online Course: Facebook Marketing for Small Businesses
An Essential Online Course: Accounting & Bookkeeping Intermediate
To make use of your UTAP training subsidy, login to your U Portal account to submit your UTAP application. Please apply for your UTAP claim within 6 months after course end. Late applications will be rejected. For more information, do check the http://ift.tt/2jTvMje website.
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Master the art of Yu Sheng with Loop.sg
It’s that time of the year again where the festivities abound and you’re attending “Loheis” with friends, family and business-related people. LOOP.sg has some tips to help you to look like a pro when it comes to all those nifty auspicious mentions when setting up the Yu Sheng for the big toss.
Exchange best wishes
Say: 万事如意 (wan shi ru yi) or 恭喜发财 (gong xi fa cai)
Symbolism: The former means “May your hopes and wishes materialize into reality” and the latter reflects “Good fortune and prosperity”.
Place the slices of raw fish on the platter
Say: 年年有余 (nian nian you yu)
Symbolism: Abundance and excess through the year
Add the pomelo on top of the fish
Say: 大吉大利 (da ji da li)
Symbolism: For auspiciousness and good luck
Sprinkle the pepper
Say: 招财进宝 (zhao cai jin bao)
Symbolism: To attract money and valuables
Pour the oil in a circular motion
Say: 一本万利 (yi ben wan li)
Symbolism: To encourage wealth to flow in from all directions
Place carrots on top of the fish
Say: 鸿运当头 (hong yun dang tou)
Symbolism: To bring good luck
Add the green radish
Say: 青春常驻 (qing chun chang zhu)
Symbolism: Never-ending youthfulness
Add the white radish
Say: 步步高升 (bu bu gao sheng) & 风声水起 (feng sheng shui qi)
Symbolism: For achieving success prosperity in business and rising up the career ladder
Sprinkle the peanut crumbs
Say: 金银满屋 (jin yin man wu)
Symbolism: Blessings of gold and silver around the home, the peanuts also represent youthfulness
Sprinkle the sesame seeds
Say: 生意兴隆 (sheng yi xing long)
Symbolism: A flourishing businesss
Pour the plum sauce
Say: 甜甜蜜蜜 (tian tian mi mi)
Symbolism: That life will always be sweet
Scatter the golden crisps
Say: 遍地黄金 (bian di huang jin)
Symbolism: An abundance of gold and prosperity for everyone
And now you’ve picked up the skills on how to expertly lead your next ‘Lohei’! For more skills that will help you achieve wealth and prosperity in the Year of the Fire Rooster, hop onto Loop.sg and explore our abundant list of SkillsFuture Credit eligible courses today!
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3 Reasons Why You Should Go into Project Management
Now is the best time to get accredited.
With the tech market’s explosion over the past few years, project management is quickly becoming a field invaluable to any organization’s success. Seasoned project managers use training from specific certifications to ensure that projects are well-structured, proceed in a timely manner and are finished within budget and on time.
For these reasons, going into project management is a strategic way you can become indispensable at any company. If you’re not already convinced, here are a few more considerations for entering this burgeoning field:
You’ll always be able to point to your tangible value.
In project management, it all comes down to the numbers and your effective communication. When you’re able to increase the efficiency of your company’s workflows, that will result in higher profits — and there’s no hiding that.
You’ll understand how to foster team engagement and build relationships.
Project managers are the only people who communicate with (and need to understand) the role of every single person on their team. Whether it’s your marketing team or the C-Suite, you’ll learn how to manage the stakes with every individual.
You’ll never gain a better understanding of problem-solving elsewhere.
You’ll develop a keen eye for where red flags are in any business situation, and master the art of fixing them.
If you’re keen to get started on the Project Management pathway, how about taking the first step with our Project Management courses on LOOP.sg? With over 50 different topics, you’ll be able to grasp the fundamentals quickly!
Article originally posted on http://ift.tt/2jj0UXb
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How to Ace your Project Management Certification Exams
As we continue our features on Project Management Certification, here’s another article from TechRepublic on how to ACE your exams. To read the full article, check it out on TechRepublic’s page.
The Project Management Institute’s PM certifications are the most globally recognized in project management. The PMI offers these eight certifications:
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Program Management Professional (PgMP)
Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)
PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)
PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)
PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
It’s estimated that 3 out of 5 (60%) of people pass the PMP exam on their first try. Follow these steps to increase your chances of acing any of the PM exams.
SEE: PMI certifications: What these IT certs could mean for your salary and PM career (TechRepublic)
Before you start studying
Tip 1: Break the content down into either the five phases/process groups or the 10 knowledge areas.
Tip 2: Allow at least six months before writing any of the project management exams.
While you’re studying
Tip 3: Avoid multitasking
Tip 4: Use exam simulation software to test your progress and perfect your methods before the real exam.
Tip 5: Consolidate what you’ve learned before moving onto new content.
What to do several days before the exam
Tip 6: Use your project management skills to allocate exam time and your required effort.
Tip 7: Plan to write alone.
Tip 8: Just before you write, don’t discuss the exam with anyone.
What to do on exam day
Tip 9: Make common sense decisions when you’re unsure about an answer.
Tip 10: Have confidence and don’t second-guess yourself.
To maximise your time and allow yourself to understand the knowledge areas, you could always consider taking up our Project Management courses on LOOP.sg. Each course is specific to an area of knowledge and comes in easy to pick up, bite-sized learning that will help you keep on track for your exams. Check out our courses here – http://ift.tt/2j7um2p
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7 great IT certification exam simulators for project managers
If you’re looking to get started on your PMI certification as a Project Manager, you’ll definitely need to get some tips on making the process easier. Have a read on TechRepublic’s tips on how to ace the exams.
Image: http://ift.tt/2jbGgLT
Let’s face it, no one likes to spend more time than they have to studying for exams, so it only makes sense to find ways to “study smarter, not harder.” And while there are many ways to prepare for the Project Management Institute’s (PMI’s) exams, some tactics make lighter work of the preparation process.
Here are great sites that offer exam simulations aimed at helping candidates pass three of the PMI exams on their first attempt.
SEE: PMI certifications: What these IT certs could mean for your salary and PM career (TechRepublic)
BrainBOK
BrainBOK offers a toolkit to study for the Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) exams that is combined with BrainBOK’s ITTO (input, tools and techniques, and output) Explorer, Exam Simulator, Flashcards, and Quiz. There is also a project management course completion certificate.
Its features include:
ITTO Explorer, which helps in the mastery of PMBOK ITTO
an exam simulator with realistic and challenging questions
flash cards that cover almost every topic you need to know for the exams
a quiz, which is a proprietary quiz engine with built-in intelligence
Exam Central
Exam Central offers a web-based PMP exam simulation with over 1,000 questions that are based on the 5th edition of the PMBOK Guide. The site provides detailed answers and progress reporting charts.
Features include:
PMP practice exam questions reviewed by PMP experts. For easy access, there’s web-based analytical progress reporting and explanations.
full-length exams that follow the actual timed exam process, and group percentages.
PMP flash cards with customizable card deck subjects, analytical progress reporting, and detailed explanations covering all topics.
a PMP dictionary with a comprehensive list of terminology offering easy to understand definitions with alternative versions, easy to use category selection, and search features.
PM Exam Simulator and PM PrepCast
PM Exam Simulator and PM PrepCast, founded by Cornelius Fichtner, PMP, CSM, have exam simulators to prepare for the PMP, CAPM, and PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) exams. There is a separate pool of questions for each exam, and questions were created “specifically for one exam type and simulators ensure that candidates will never see an ACP question in the PMP simulator or the other way around.” PrepCast offers video training, exam simulation, and exam coaching options.
Core features include:
detailed explanations
three exam modes
accessible through a PC, tablet, or phone
mark for review
up-to-date content
start now or start later
live feedback
unlimited repeats
in-depth statistics
a realistic environment
24/7 support
Skillset
Skillset offers basic and pro exam simulations with thousands of practice questions, classified by skill and ranked by difficulty, and a “readiness score” that tells candidates when they are ready for higher stakes exams.
Features include:
Basic
unlimited access to thousands of practice questions
exam readiness scores
smart reinforcement
Pro
focused training ensures candidates are exam ready
personalized learning plans
an exam alignment engine to a candidate’s current baseline knowledge
ways to eliminate wasted study time
an exam pass guarantee
Velociteach
Founded by Andy Crowe, a leader in the IT project management industry, Velociteach has courses that combine three practice tests to help candidates prepare for the PMP exam. It consists of “600 unique questions, answers, and explanations in a simulated PMP exam environment.”
PMP and PMP-ACP exam simulations can also be purchased on the site via Amazon, along with a PMP exam quick reference guide.
Whizlabs
Whizlabs offers a “unique step-by-step, online learning model that combines online instructor-led training with an online simulated series of tests wrapped in an exam simulator and video tutorials to maximize success in achieving certification.”
Features include:
four full-length mock exams with 995 unique questions
objective-based practice tests
exhaustive explanations with every question
tips and tricks
revision notes
reports to assess strengths and weaknesses
unlimited access
Give the simulations a try
Regardless of your studying style, at least one of these exam simulations is likely to provide the support and guidance you need to pass a project management exam on your first try.
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The top elearning trends for 2017
Learning through electronic media is not new but the heights to which it reaches each day is. The number of people and companies that are using Internet-based learning is increasing each day. Having a particularly fixed skillset is no longer the only requirement for jobs; companies out there look for employees who can learn new skills with time through such e-sources which would provide them with the required knowledge.
Every year people see a new trend in the field of e-learning, and today we are going to have a look at some of these along with some existing ones in our list of top e-learning trends in 2017.
1. Mobile Learning
Mobile learning has been there since a year or two, and it doesn’t look like the users of it are going to decline. The number of smartphone users is increasing day by day, and with it, the chances of people turning into e-learners are increasing too. Companies are also looking into this aspect of learning as a tool for employees to develop their intelligence.
2. Virtual Reality
Virtual reality might bring the e-learning a level up from where it is now. Introducing this concept among the e-learners will be new and will provide them a more interactive environment to learn from. The devices are readily available and work perfectly with smartphones and other devices too. The real life like experience might make it popular among the learning community.
3. YouTube
It is the most used source for e-learners, and it is free. There is a wide variety of lectures from professionals to beginners over YouTube, and it is also the largest learning community on the planet. The YouTube lectures are watched widely over the world and the participation in the comment section is immense too.
4. Forum Based
Forum based learning is probably the oldest style of e-learning and not at all out of style. It’s a certainty, that during any learning, one may come across queries in their mind about what they learn. Forum based learning is just the right place to get the answers.
5. Big Data
Now that the internet has already seen millions of learners over the web, the trend of data collected from these huge number of users will come in handy to develop a system of learning. Following the patterns of previously existed learners, a learning plan can be generated based upon the level of the student which can be checked through various tests.
6. Quick Learning
Learning community, looking for quick solutions while learning is growing each day. Studies prove that the most active period of studying is 20 minutes and concentrating isn’t easy more than that amount of time. Lectures between 5 to 20 minutes will be a common trend to see in the coming years.
So, these are the trends that you can expect to see in the year of 2017. The increase in the number of e-learners is a surety, especially by companies that are looking to teach some essential skills to their employees. So get yourself started with the right skills this year with our courses on LOOP.sg! With over 300 SkillsFuture Credit eligible courses, you’ll be on the right track to improve your workforce capability at low cost and in no time!
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5 learning and development trends to watch out for in 2017
1. Mobile learning accounts for 25% of all learning worldwide
70% of modern learners rely on search engines like Google and 50-60% access online courses for knowledge, so it’s not surprising that today’s workforce relies less on traditional L&D training.
2. Millennials and Gen X are the largest online learners
Millennials account for more than one in three US workers today and have surpassed Generation X in 2015 as the largest segment of the workforce, according to the Pew Research Center.
3. Mobile video traffic is the fastest growing category in total mobile traffic
Mobile video traffic accounted for over half of the total mobile data traffic in 2015 (55%), more than social networking, web browsing, or audio. And mobile video is expected to keep on climbing to account for over 60% of mobile data traffic in 2018.
4. Wednesday is the most popular time to learn at work
The report found interesting data on optimum usage times for learners:
Wednesday is the most popular time to learn at work – with 3pm as the most popular time of day where learners will engage with some form of training.
Those taking courses in IT, software programming, and web development have a second peak time at 10pm, preferring to burn the midnight oil when it comes to learning.
Mobile learning is popular on the morning commute 6am-9am for all learners, peaking at 9:00am, and tapers off during work hours and the evening commute.
5. Hot course topics to keep an eye on in 2017
While IT, software development, and office productivity continue to top the list of popular workplace courses in 2016, new learning trends are emerging that are worth watching.
Information provided by Human Resources Online
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Loop.sg Web Buddy Program
One of the challenge points when you’re looking to pick up a new skill is always having a platform to practice and refine the skills you have learned. If you’re looking to get started in web development, web design or just simple web coding, we’ve got a great offer for you!
Simply do the following and get 365 days of free web hosting on us!
(Free web hosting equates to 1GB of web space and 30GB of monthly traffic bandwidth)
a) Sign up for a LOOP.sg account
b) Purchase a web development course from the list below with a total value of $79 or more*
Course title URL Content Length Cost Fundamentals of CSS and CSS3 http://ift.tt/2gFCtSI 13 hours $79 HTML5 & CSS3 Site Design Bundle http://ift.tt/2fY3X7I 14 hours $99 Become a Professional Programmer (Java & JavaScript) http://ift.tt/2bdUWpR 7 hours $79 Build a Website from Scratch with WordPress 3.5 http://ift.tt/2fY7W46 6 hours $40 Basic WordPress Course http://ift.tt/2gFBaD8 20 hours $49.60 Planning a Successful Website http://ift.tt/2dnMNRF 8 hours $45 Adobe Dreamweaver CS6 http://ift.tt/2gFDs5a 8 hours $45 PHP Programming Deep Dive http://ift.tt/2fY8rv3 11 hours $79
*Other non-related courses may be purchased to meet the minimum value
c) We’ll send you an email with details on how to go about getting your web hosting with us set up!
Click here to view the Terms & Conditions of this offer
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How To Get Started In Professional Web Development [Infographic]
As the adage goes, it’s never too late to start over. If you feel like a career change and like the idea of building websites for a living, this infographic from finance site Varooma contains everything a beginner needs to know about web development – with an emphasis on getting paid.
The below guide is aimed at 40-to-50-somethings who are looking to switch careers later in life. However, the information is applicable to anyone who wants to get into web development without experience.
For first-time coders, the main stumbling block is obviously language. However, as Varooma explains on its accompanying blog, the hurdle isn’t quite as high as you might be thinking:
If you’ve worked thousands of hours at a job or jobs that required you to be deeply logical and scientific, or you have an engineer’s mind for an elegant solution, learning to code may feel relatively natural to you.
…A combination of up-to-the-minute knowledge and a demonstrable history of logical problem-solving could stand you in good stead for a decent position.
The infographic contains advice on where to start and the best online resources to find help.
Of course there’s also our courses on LOOP.sg – the quickest, simplest way to start experiencing web development. Through our comprehensive online training courses, you’ll pick up the basics in no time.
Explore our available courses here!
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Autodesk University – sharing the power to make anything.
Autodesk University (AU) is a series of conferences and an online learning destination focused on inspiring, challenging and energizing Autodesk software users, partners, and industry leaders about the future of design and engineering. Now in its 24th year, the AU conferences bring together more than 25,000 participants at live events in 15 countries through classes, forums and keynotes with product experts and thought leaders.
Autodesk, Inc. kicked off its annual flagship user event, welcoming almost 10,000 attendees to learn, network and explore the future of making things. Autodesk University (AU) showcases the new ways that buildings, products and more are being designed, made and used.
At the event, the company will unveil new and updated technologies that give Autodesk customers the power to make anything. Autodesk will also outline plans for a streamlined portfolio of cloud platforms that simplify the work of designers, engineers, digital artists and others.
“We’re all in on the cloud. Access to infinite computing power and the ability to work together effortlessly is completely changing how design and engineering are done,” said Carl Bass, CEO of Autodesk.
In their keynote speeches, Bass and CTO Jeff Kowalski will share a vision for the future of work, where designers and engineers will collaborate with computers to achieve more than was previously possible. The keynote will feature appearances by people whose endeavors embody this emerging future: Anna Nixon, a high school student from Oregon competing in the First Robotics Competition and Christian Benimana, Rwanda’s first trained architect and programs director for MASS Design Group.
Throughout the event, Autodesk University attendees will see how their peers are taking advantage of the transformative power of technologies like generative design, augmented and virtual reality, robotics, additive manufacturing and more.
Tomorrow Senior Vice President of Products Amar Hanspal will delve deeper into Autodesk’s product portfolio and cloud software platforms, breaking news on new capabilities coming to Fusion 360 and BIM 360. (Posts tomorrow on Autodesk’s In The Fold blog will detail the news.)
Hanspal will also spotlight Forge, Autodesk’s connected developer platform used to build and deploy apps and services for making the world around us. In the year since Forge was launched, the platform has surpassed 4,000 applications, which span a variety of uses ranging from part inspection to sub-sea surveying. Autodesk has invested in several companies through its Forge Fund and has aggressively broadened the Forge platform, focusing on enhancements to AR/VR and rendering to drive immersive real-time industry focused experiences. (See Autodesk’s newsroom for a related announcement on Forge today.)
“With our ongoing shift to cloud services, we are 100% focused on delivering maximum value to our subscribers and software developers. We are building a set of complete, connected and on-demand experiences for each of our major industries. Our aim is to empower engineers, designers and other users to have their project data in one place, collaborate across geographies, and more easily tap into the immense capabilities in Autodesk’s portfolio,” said Hanspal.
Customer projects from Briggs Automotive Company, Swinerton Builders and JE Dunn Construction’s will showcase how they are using cloud services to pioneer new ways of working, try new business models and embrace the future.
In addition to the keynotes, hundreds of hands-on classes and networking with peers, the conference offers dozens of interactive exhibits that bring the future of making things to life. Examples include live industrial robotic 3D printing, a brick-laying construction robot, the first-ever generatively designed office building, an open-sourced 3D printed drone, a virtual reality experience to configure a full-scale Ford Mustang, and augmented reality construction hard hats. While these technologies are expected to reach the mainstream in the next one to four years, they’re available today for those cutting-edge innovators who are propelling us into the future.
Autodesk makes software for people who make things. If you’ve ever driven a high-performance car, admired a towering skyscraper, used a smartphone, or watched a great film, chances are you’ve experienced what millions of Autodesk customers are doing with our software. Autodesk gives you the power to make anything. To get started on the path of innovation, find out more about our Autodesk courses on LOOP.sg here.
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