The ”Happy New Years’ Resolutions” Episode

DISCLAIMER: We apologize for the recording sound on Matthew’s side of things… First, he was sick. Second, his microphone broke and the sound quality was reduced. We will fix this before the next episode. Now… onto the show…

In our first segment, we explore what is a learning objective. How are they used, should they be used, how are they constructed, how are they consumed, and what are alternatives to them. We mention Bob Mager and his book, Preparing Instructional Objectives: A Critical Tool in the Development of Effective Instruction. Will also refers to his mentor and doctoral advisor, Ernie Rothkopf. One of the research articles Will references is: Rothkopf, E. Z., & Kaplan, R. (1972). An exploration of the effect of density and specificity of instructional objectives on learning from text. Journal of Educational Psychology, 6, 295-302. From Will, here is the classic piece he wrote about rethinking instructional objectives. Click here. And, Will’s classic video on objectives that Matthew sends to everyone. Click here.

Our second segment delves into the overall purpose of training. Is it just to ultimately yield business results? Shareholder value? Or, aligning more with the sustainability values of today, to provide outcomes aligned also with employee well-being, the enhancement of the community, and other broader benefits to the many. Click here for the LinkedIn Post that inspired this segment. We also brought up Self-Determination Theory again. The motivation model originally conceptualized by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan from the University of Rochester. While both of them have done quite a bit of writing about SDT within the context of work (and Rich is now offering a program on Coursera beginning February 10), the two researchers Matthew mentions are Marylène Gagné and Jacques Forest. The specific articles and book referenced are listed first along with other articles Jacques has shared with Matthew. That list is at the bottom of the episode notes. If you are interested generally in SDT, go here and/or take Rich’s Coursera program.

In our third segment, we are joined by Kassy LaBorie. Together we all discuss how to bring interactivity to the virtual classroom. We discuss the differences and similarities between classroom and virtual classroom delivery. Kassy shares the misconceptions many have about virtual classrooms. And, so much more about virtual delivery. Kassy mentions the wonderful video, A CONFERENCE CALL IN REAL LIFE, embedded above. Or, click here to see it on YouTube. Kassy can be found at https://kassyconsulting.com. She is the co-author, along with Thomas Stone, of Interact and Engage!: 50+ Activities for Virtual Training, Meetings, and Webinars. Tom, also Kassy’s husband, wrote the very cool baseball book, Now Taking the Field: Baseball's All-Time Dream Teams for All 30 Franchises.

Finally, we take a break from our Best and Worst closing and have several of our listeners share their personal New Years’ Resolutions. Will and Matthew share theirs, as well. Contributors are: the very same Kassy LaBorie you listened to in segment three, Phil Reynolds, Cara North, Clark Quinn, Ellen Burns-Johnson, Roger Kaufman, Allison Samon, Ulrich Boser, Julie Dirksen, Alex Salas, Mirjam Neelen, and Dave Barton.

SELF-DETERMINATION THEORY REFERENCES

Forest, J., Gilbert, M.-H., Beaulieu, G., Le Brock, P., & Gagné, M. (2014). Translating research results in economic terms: An application of economic utility analysis using SDT-based interventions. In M. Gagné (Ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Work Engagement, Motivation, and Self-Determination Theory (pp. 335-346). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Trepanier, S.-G., Forest, J., Fernet, C., & Austin, S. (2015). On the psychological and motivational processes linking job characteristics to employee functioning: Insights from Self-Determination Theory. Work and Stress, 29, 286-305.

The Oxford Handbook of Work Engagement, Motivation, and Self-Determination Theory

Güntert, S. T. (2015). The impact of work design, autonomy support, and strategy on employee outcomes: A differentiated perspective on self-determination at work. Motivation and Emotion, 39, 74-87.

Trepanier, S.-G., Fernetet, C., & Austin, S. (2015). A longitudinal investigation of workplace bullying, basic need satisfaction, and employee functioning. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 20, 105-116.

Van den Broeck, A., Schreurs, B., De Witte, H., Vansteenkiste, M., Germeys, F., & Schaufeli, W. (2011). Understanding workaholics’ motivations: A self-determination perspective. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 60 600-621.

Ng, J. Y. Y., Ntoumanis, N., Thogersen-Ntoumani, C., Deci, E. L., Ryan, R. M., Duda, J. L., & Williams, G. C. (2012). Self-determination theory applied to health contexts: A meta-analysis. Perspectives on PsychologicalScience, 7, 325-340.