DevLearn is one of the biggest conferences on the L&D calendar, and after a digital-only conference last year, we’re excited to be attending DevLearn 2021 in person! Sadly, due to COVID-related travel restrictions, I can’t be there in person, but our booth (609) is right next to the main entrance. Bill, Craig, Stephen and Izzy will be there, and we’d love it if you popped by to say hello! We’re also excited to confirm we’ll be presenting two sessions—more on this below!
Alongside the Expo, there are loads of excellent sessions for you to attend. Here are our picks of sessions that cover learning analytics, xAPI, measurement and data.
Wednesday, Oct. 20
1:15pm
Using xAPI with SCORM to Create Adaptive Learning with Rebecca Davenport
If you work with authoring tools like Storyline and want to experiment with xAPI, this will be a really helpful session, even if you’re not a developer. And if you’re experienced with xAPI, Rebecca’s session is a great case study that highlights using xAPI to not only enhance the learner’s experience and save learners' time, but also generate valuable reporting data.
3:00pm
There aren’t sessions directly relating to xAPI data and learning analytics during this time slot, but a few look like they at least touch on data and may be worth a look.
- When It’s Time to Say Goodbye: Migrating to a New LMS with Vicky Hale and Julia Shawver
This session promises to include some content on data migration. (If you’re interested in LMS data, be sure to check out our LMS Data Requirements blog post.) - Designing and Assessing Learning in VR Using an Evidence-Centered Approach with Kristin Torrence
If you’re interested in VR, this session will help you design and measure effective virtual training programs.
Thursday, Oct. 21
7:30 am
Data Strategy in L&D with Koreen Pagano
You don’t want to miss this early morning networking discussion! I really appreciate Koreen’s posts on the Degreed blog, and I’m sure that she, along with the other discussion participants, will have plenty of interesting insights to share. So whether you contribute your own tips and experience or just listen to the discussion, I’m expecting this to be a very beneficial session.
10:45 am
A New Architecture for Learning Design: A T-Mobile Case Study with Joe Pulichino
This session describes T-Mobile’s experience designing and implementing a new enterprise-wide learning architecture—including details of their data collection, reporting, and analytics. These kinds of sessions are often extremely helpful to inspire your learning architecture/ecosystem design and illustrate the value of data and analytics.
12:15 pm
5 Ways Learning Analytics Can Transform your Business with Watershed's own Bill Conran
Learning analytics has a reputation for being complex and challenging. But what if you ignore the technicalities and look at the stories that data can tell? In this talk, we look at five ways global enterprises used their learning analytics platform to improve, adapt and transform areas of their business in very different circumstances.
1:15pm
Personal Narratives: An Experiential Approach to Effective Data Collection with Danying Chen and Roberto Rojas Alfaro
We’re big fans of quantitative data at Watershed, but qualitative data is equally valuable in explaining and illustrating insights highlighted in the quantitative data. This session promises to explain qualitative data collection approaches, such as shadowing and conversations.
READ MORE: Brinkerhoff’s Success Case Method uses qualitative analysis of cases identified using quantitative data.
3:00pm
If you’ve planned your visit to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum on Thursday afternoon, then reschedule now because there are no fewer than four xAPI and analytics-related sessions in this time slot. Of course, you’ll want to attend at least one, so clear your schedule. The waxwork models can wait–they’re not going anywhere.
The following sessions will benefit the techies amongst you—whether you’re interested in upgrading legacy SCORM content to xAPI and cmi5, or tracking Unity-based games.
- Mind the Gap: Bridging the SCORM and xAPI Divide With cmi5 with Chris Tompkins and George Vilches
- Using xAPI to Track Learning Experiences in Unity Games with Art Werkenthin
And if strategy is more of interest than code, these sessions sound really interesting.
- Create a Data Strategy That Will Highlight Your Impact on Business Outcomes with Vanessa Bragg and Maribeth Pearson, and
- Why Skills Are the New Currency for L&D with Koreen Pagano
Friday, Oct. 22
8:30am
Friday morning offers two sessions that might appeal to different audiences.
- BYOD: xAPI Made Easier with Quick Code Snippets with Jeff Batt
For the techies, this is a practical workshop that covers incorporating xAPI tracking into authoring tool courses. - Impact Matters: Developing a Comprehensive Impact Assessment System with Jen Kruper and Pam Lee
From a strategy angle, this session covers a process for consistent impact measurement of learning programs in your organization.
10:00am
5 Steps for Good xAPI Governance with Watershed's own Izzy Lara
As you implement xAPI tracking in your organization, having simple, basic data governance processes can help avoid headaches down the line. This session is based on years of real-world experience working with early adopters of enterprise-wide xAPI implementations and crammed with hot tips and sound advice. This is the top xAPI session you and your team will want to attend! (Check out our xAPI Governance blog series ahead of time.)
About the author
As a co-author of xAPI, Andrew has been instrumental in revolutionizing the way we approach data-driven learning design. With his extensive background in instructional design and development, he’s an expert in crafting engaging learning experiences and a master at building robust learning platforms in both corporate and academic environments. Andrew’s journey began with a simple belief: learning should be meaningful, measurable, and, most importantly, enjoyable. This belief has led him to work with some of the industry’s most innovative organizations and thought leaders, helping them unlock the true potential of their learning strategies. Andrew has also shared his insights at conferences and workshops across the globe, empowering others to harness the power of data in their own learning initiatives.
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