This week and next I’ll be doing my usual pilgrimages to the BETT and Learning Technologies exhibitions. Some of my notes from previous years are on this site (BETT16; BETT14; LT16; LT15; LT14).
On reflecting about what I want to get out of these shows this year I realised the growing levels of cynicism in my previous reviews.
I then read Laura Overton’s mind shifts for 2017 piece and realized that it is perhaps as I’ve just now just been around a while! Obviously I don’t hold Laura’s level of experience but her fourth point resonated:
I’ve been going since it started years ago and it is great to catch up with old friends. However it’s a time when cynicism can abound, particularly with those who have been around a bit.
After all, we’ve been talking about how the latest tech will change the world, about performance, the need to get managers on board, to communicate more for decades.
These are not new ideas but our cynicism and fixed mindset thinking kicks in when we believe we see no change.
Whilst the concept of disruption is all the rage right now in L&D, fundamentally we need to apply the idea of radically transforming the norm to our own thinking, especially our cynicism. A growth mindset will ask – why no change? Was it that the time wasn’t right? Is the time right now? What can I do to make a difference now?
One weakness I have is that I perhaps do not take enough positive feeling from the change and impact I’m having – instead frustrated by the slow pace (or lack of) clear change. Rather than just thinking “yeah, heard this before” I’m keen, this year, to get more out of the events:
- Get a feel for what may be possible from BETT – 3D/VR/AR are of real interest to me at the time being as the practical skills in my workplace would lend themselves to these types of technologies – making virtual learning far more real whilst maintaining a safe learning environment (well VR would at least). If Microsoft don’t have a Hololens, to try their take on AR, I’m going to be disappointed.
- More generally BETT should be a good opportunity to get a feel for what is happening in schools – as I’ve argued before: an understanding of this is essential for workplace learning pros who want to build suitable inductions and optimize future readiness.
- At Learning Tech I’m going to be more of a ‘guide’ as I’m taking my head of department to the show and she will be a ‘newbie’. As we have a meeting in the morning we’re likely to be restricted to about half a day in the exhibition so I suspect it will be something of a whistle-stop tour – that should be good as it will stop me listening to as many of the free presentations. I think last year, in-particular, a number of those sounded like broken records. It should be a great opportunity to drive home some key messages and some of the things I keep banging on about…
and on that last point – Laura’s 6th point (“believe in yourself”) is another worth reflecting on. This time last year I was looking for work and was increasingly frustrated – both with (only some it has to be said) agencies (due to lack of contact/followups/etc) and with conversations/interviews where I felt I could contribute to an organisation but the recruitment processes were frustrating or annoying. Thankfully I’ve found an organisation where my skills and experience are a good fit – now just to avoid the cynicism and keep on driving on performance improvement and employee empowerment!
Whose Education Is It Anyway? 
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