If you are like me, the continued verification SMS code has to be by far one of the worst inventions ever.
The whole “remember this device for two weeks” thing, which you check the box, yes, either doesn’t work or is just a game that the company wants to play, and you are the pawn.
WordPress does it.
Google—OMG, plus they add the twist of verifying that this is actually you, which you do, and then it is repeated the next time.
I openly admit FindAnLMS will require a dual authentication, but only once, and honestly, for your protection.
The platform won’t make you do it every single time.
I digress.
Now, onto your questions.
Q: I see that you often discuss immersive learning, but you are not a supporter of it. Can you explain why?
Craig (that’s me – in the future, I will reference myself as “A” and the person asking the question as “Q”)
I am not against immersive learning; rather, it is how it is delivered and, more importantly, the device used to deliver it that concerns me.
I have always been a massive fan of XR (formerly known as MR), which combines AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality).
Today, to achieve outstanding VR or XR, you want to view it with a VR or XR headset, depending on your output. VR is a VR headset made by a manufacturer of VR headsets.
My issue then is with immersive learning’s output.
Learning Technology vendors who promote immersive learning will present it with a headset. They—at least the ones I find outstanding at it—and that is debatable with some—never show it on a mobile device as though that is the best VR approach.
Some authoring tool vendors push the narrative of creating VR with their tool and then show it off with a mobile device, as though this proves that VR is equally the same output on said mobile device compared to a headset.
That is a misnomer.
If you have an excellent headset company that has the processors and some other items in their headsets to tap into VR and achieve its potential, then trust me, viewing it on a mobile device, whether it is a tablet or a smartphone, will always be better than viewing it on a tablet.
Now, that being said, what is “immersive learning?”
It’s vague enough to be ‘scenario-based learning.’
In contrast, the learner is placed in an engaging and interactive real-world scenario—the key here—and their actions will result in other actions, not just an avatar talking to them.
It is immersive because it is.
Learning system vendors are coming out or pushing around immersive learning.
I like Cornerstone because they purchased the best provider of VR content, which has the potential to be legit XR.
What I have seen coming takes it to a whole new level—in the Cornerstone Learn version (which I now recommend because it includes the LMS and immersive learning).
For now, I wouldn’t change my perspective on immersive learning output—mobile vs. headset—and a VR headset if the vendor shows XR, then an XR headset.
If you want third-party content, I know the best provider to create it for you—yes, it will blow your mind.
What is their preference for viewing it?
Headset.
Q: I have been reading about tariffs and wonder if they will impact buying a learning platform or any learning technology devices.
A: This is an excellent question, and I have also considered it.
It is not from a learning system platform provider, but from the learning technology devices and where they get their parts.
We live in a global supply chain.
Regardless of whether you purchase clothes, electronics, cars, or even those learning technology devices that an LT vendor sells.
If the vendor is developing something related to technology (in our case), its parts are coming from somewhere, and more than likely not just your country, where the vendor is located.
Will the tariffs then impact the company’s device that you are going to buy, and then the vendor will have to increase their price, which you will then pay?
My answer is that it depends on the country and the tariff percentage.
In other words, 10% will increase the manufacturer’s fee, which the manufacturer then passes on to the learning technology vendor (in our scenario), who will either eat it or pass the fee on to you.
Thus, if the manufacturer increases the fee to 25% for the LT vendor, it likely won’t absorb that cost, which will be passed on to you.
I surmise that even 10%, the vendor won’t eat—i.e., just accepts it, and it impacts their bottom line.
This will be something to watch in the coming months, depending on the length of the tariff and the country, i.e., where the manufacturer is located (not the vendor).
Cause the manufacturer is not going to eat the cost.
Right now, I’d pay close attention if I were in the LT market or looking to purchase one.
If I want to buy one, I should do it now—if it is in stock, you shouldn’t be paying a higher fee.
Once they run out, you will see a higher price point, depending on where that manufacturer is located or manufactures, since the parts may not just be from one country.
Q: What should we do, if we do not want to be in the new provider’s system.
A: First, assuming the new buyer is another learning system, you won’t be automatically migrated to them.
The common practice is that your platform, let’s say LMSX, is acquired by LMSTP. LMSTP will still have their system—the one they ideally want you on—and you will still be on LMSX.
LMSTP will not sunset (which means your system closes up shop, and if you are on it, you either go down with the ship, jump to LMSTP, or go to another system) a system right away.
As a client of LMSX, you can stay.
LMSTP will try to have you move to their system rather than stay on LMSX, but they won’t force you.
Initially, they will support you, but at some point, they will stop supporting you, and you can stay on LMSX.
It is a common practice.
There are vendors who will still have their other system—which they acquired—and provide updates to it, but what percentage of R&D will go into said others versus the main one?
Back to the assumption of the stay as long as you want, but no more support.
I have seen the above quite a bit. The reason people stay on the original system and never move over is exactly to your point—they either do not want to go over to the acquirer because they didn’t like the system, have no interest, or are just comfortable with their system—e.g., LMSX.
The downside to staying on LMSX is that when support goes, updates go too.
Thus, all the new stuff, the good and cool stuff everyone else gets, you aren’t because you are on LMSX.
Typically, employees see your system as antiquated because it looks that way.
And they should see it that way.
Because it is.
You do have options, though, and it starts when you negotiate and put it all into a contract.
You will note that if you ever want to leave (opt-out), you can without providing cause or paying any penalties or fees. Then include the statement “Notification must be made no later than 60 days.”
The vendor usually wants some assurances, and if they nag at you, you can say, “Look, I’ll give you sixty days’ notice.”
Vendors are not fans of clients asking for opt-out clauses.
I love it when I hear vendors say, “They can leave at any time they want,” failing to mention that there are no refunds.
When you pay upfront, it is sort of a big thing.
Ditto on the “they do not have to renew with us”—great. So you are going to give them back all the money they paid upfront for the three-year contract?
The biggest gripe I hear from people when it comes to trying to get out of their contracts, whether due to the vendor being acquired by another vendor in the industry or bought by whomever, is that they can’t get out of their contract.
Or if they can, they have to pay a penalty fee.
When you sign a contract, and the amount is X per year, based upon a three-year deal (a common number of years—and one I recommend), the typical MO is to pay upfront.
People tend to ignore that part because they are wrapped in the MAU spin. (Monthly Active User)
Hence, get the opt-out clause in there.
I don’t care what they promise or will do; those folks may not be around.
Why?
Redundancy—the salesperson or people may no longer exist because the buyer company has its own salespeople.
Who likely doesn’t know you or your situation.
After all, you signed that contract – no gimmies.
Q: In the trends post, you didn’t mention the vendors or vendors who stand out in AI today. Are there any?
A: There are quite a few, but I will openly admit that the best one I have seen so far – and this is because of what they will be rolling out before the end of the summer – is Cornerstone.
What I saw (less than a week ago) made me go, “WOW.”
Then, why isn’t anyone else doing this or adding this in terms of capabilities?
They will show off some stuff at their show in late May.
On a side note, a blog post about the latest with AI and how it can be leveraged in a learning system will be published the first week of May.
There is a lot of new stuff to cover, including why some vendors are not paying attention, especially with the possibilities, and how their LLM (as in the one they selected) has problems.
Q: I recently read that you will write a post about mentoring platforms, including your top picks. When will this be published, and will you list all the mentoring platforms?
A: Yes and Yes.
In answer to your first question, It will be published the second week of June.
As for the second, I am going diatribe here, but it covers it all.
I’ve been studying the market for some time now, and to provide the latest insight, I contacted the top 20 in the industry.
I’ve been honored by many who want to contribute to the post and provide invaluable details and information I need, including deep dives into their platforms and asking questions.
Thus, you will read the latest and greatest—okay, the latest—and hence, the top picks are based on the platform’s latest insight, not just me picking names out of a hat.
However, if it is a top hat, all bets are off.
Bottom Line
I won’t be attending ATD this year, but will go through their book, and pick out some vlendors you should check out – because had I aattended, theyw ouldn’t have been ones I wanted to see what is going on.
I recommend that those who attend these shows request the demo not at their booth but back at their office and online.
They want to show you there—pass. You want to hear them, plus you can have them upload your content or do this or that to validate that what they are showing actually works with your stuff.
Plus, you can find out how interested they are and how much they care about you if they don’t follow up.
.
You will get an idea.
Then again, the percentage that does
is less than 10%.
So, if you are left out, it’s okay.
You will have
Plenty of company.
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