In the interest of the continuation of Quinnovation, Learnlets, and me, this is a solicitation post. If it’s not for you, kindly ignore. However, it may be for your boss; if so, please pass it on!
Do you run an L&D department, or make L&D decisions, and don’t have sufficient learning science background? You know, you get asked to make decisions that involve learning – responding to vendors, stakeholders asking “why”, etc – and you’re not sure how to respond. That’s not uncommon! While you know how to select technologies, design solutions, create strategies, etc in other areas, you don’t necessarily know how to do that with an enlightened view of how we think, work, and learn. L&D is unique because it deals with learning – skills, social, informal, and more. And your school experience is not a good guide. How do you cope? Learning science on tap!
Let me offer this solution, specifically Clark Quinn, Ph.D., on tap. There are reasons why: I’ve been recognized for my depth of knowledge and breadth of experience in translating learning science into practical terms. That includes writing books, keynoting, awards, and, of course, consulting. I’ve applied that background for literally decades in the design of solutions: games, mobile, strategy, processes, policies, and more. So, that’s available. For instance, you could send me something that needs a learning science perspective – an RFP, a memo, an organizational initiative, and I’ll break it down from a learning science perspective, and provide you with same. Or we can talk on a call. What’s more, as I’m wont to do, I’ll provide the underlying thinking. That is, you learn as you go, too! (Just how I roll.)
Of course, you don’t have to take my advice. You’ll have it, and can factor it into your thinking. And, I can adapt my thinking to specific constraints. I am known to come up with better ideas than had been proposed initially. But it’s up to you. I’ll give you my feedback, and you can do with it as you will. This service is for those that can’t come up with that advice on their own, and it’s an important perspective. What I’ll suggest as recommendations will be grounded in evidence-based approaches. I’ll research anything I need to know and don’t (no extra charge), so I learn too. But I have been involved in thinking at most levels and areas of an organization, in a multitude of roles.
I won’t be an employee (nor want to become one). And, I’m not generating new things (that’s a different engagement, we can talk about it), but I’ll review and opine, to your needs. So, I won’t write an RFP or a whitepaper for you; I won’t design a learning experience; nor will I read an article and summarize it for you. Those’d be different engagements. But I’ll review an RFP or whitepaper (incoming or outgoing) for the necessary learning science. I will review the rules and practices around such a design. If someone sends you an article and asks your opinion, I’ll give you the perspective on that. In particular, I’ll help evaluate any claims that you’re faced with, again either coming from inside or outside.
In short, I’m your learning science advisor. Anything you need. Of course you’ll also get any other thoughts my experience provides: how to deal with issues or people, possible solutions, and more. Comes with the territory.
I also know to respect confidentiality. Heck, my IP has been used to train LLMs, and that doesn’t sit well with me. I will also likely want to write up any learning I attain. I can anonymize it or profile you, your choice. Obviously, I won’t share anything proprietary. And my advice is yours, and you can choose to acknowledge me or keep my participation out of it; I really don’t care.
I’ve, over time, learned to be efficient. One of the benefits of knowing how our minds work is that I know what we’re not good at, and have developed practices to ensure that I don’t fall down on commitments. I have my own project management approach, which, coupled with my natural “just do it” inclination, means that you won’t be waiting weeks for a response. I’ll commit to 48 hours max on anything less than ebook length, and as folks who are using me in other ways (*cough* LDA and Elevator 9 *cough*) will tell you, I tend to do things in a matter of hours if it’s not too long.
So, what would such an engagement entail? I’d like to keep it simple and fair. I reckon there’s anywhere from 3 to 10 such things a month. Some will be short, some will be longer. Some months more, some less. My initial ask is $1K per month, and an initial $500 retainer (just to make sure payment systems work, and that’ll cover a call to set the context). If you want to sign up for a year, it’s $10K (9999.99 if necessary to stay under a cutoff ;). Either of us can terminate at any time; in the case of a year purchase, I’ll prorate. What I do for you is yours, what I know and learn is mine. I’ll prod you weekly to remind you to take advantage, and you don’t have to. (Heck, you can always think of it as supporting your friendly neighborhood research translator!)
This may not be you, but if it is, think through the tradeoffs. No overhead – taxes, benefits, etc – the cost is the cost. What you get is yours and your department’s. It’s an investment in learning, for that matter, because you will have the opportunity to improve your understanding as we go. My goal in this (and every) engagement is to remove the need for me in the loop, and learning about learning isn’t just for those developing learning, it’s a good practice for everyone. It’s even a competitive advantage.
Oh, one other thing. I reckon, what with my other commitments, I can only take on 10 such relationships. So, first come, first served. Learning science on tap. Your move! You can reach out here.
We now return you to your regularly scheduled day, already in progress.
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