Rating: 
Summary: Demystifying Learning
Review: As I read this book, I kept thinking that Darin Hartley has truly demystified what really matters in learning today: that learning is most helpful if it is delivered when and where people need it. Then, to boot, he has gotten permission from training suppliers and collegues to show real live examples of technologies and services that work. This book will make a big difference for anyone who is trying to revolutionize the way people learn in organizations.
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Summary: Fresh perspective on the future of enterprise e-Learning
Review: Darin Hartley is somebody who has been there, done that, when it comes to e-Learning. He has contributed and helped to direct some of the most innovative work in enterprise e-Learning through his technology role at Dell Computer Corp. This book captures alot of the lessons he has learned along the way and puts it in a refreshing framework of "on-demand learning." I recommend this book to anyone who wants a fresh perspective on e-Learning and the power of technology to improve performance.
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Summary: Online Learning Solutions that Work!
Review: Darin has the vision of technology enhanced learning...but he also knows how to make the rubber meet the road. He doesn't just use technology for technology sake. He shows you the road map of how to take a current business problem (that requires learning) and tailor a solution and make it a reality. He shares his wealth of information...from best practice to common pitfalls. Darin is inspiring. Don't just sit there! Make it happen!
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Summary: unlockig the secrets of learning
Review: Darin has written a wonderfully descriptive book about the emerging topic of on-demand learning. His experiences at Dell, one of the early adopters of on-demand learning, and his insights into this new way of learning make this a must read for anyone interested in e-learning.
Rating:
Summary: A Must-Read!
Review: Heads-up to all you management, HR and training folks out there-- this one's for you! "On-Demand Learning: Training in the New Millennium," by Darin Hartley is a must read if you have anything to do with learning in a corporate environment. Darin manages the Learning Technology Services Dept. at Dell and is an expert in the many issues of corporate training in an online environment. His expertise has been gained by on the job experience...so listen up! When I was coordinating world-wide geoscience training for Exxon, I used to joke to my management that what my corporate clients wanted was training that was free, met their schedules (not the training department's), and took absolutely no time to assimilate. Something that could be stirred into a coffee cup and voila! A new skill set magically up and running in no time. Five years ago we didn't have the technology to approach that scenario, but now we do...and Darin shares his knowledge gained from years of practical experience in this book. The central focus of "On-Demand Learning" is how to make training highly accessible within a corporate system: what are the alternatives to classroom training; what training can be delivered via alternative methods; what training cannot be delivered online; how to move into a technology-enabled learning (TEL) environment; and how to manage client expectations. This book is thoughtful, extremely well-designed, has a very high information to ink ratio and includes tons of applied examples, as well as tips for tackling the political realities of implementing TEL in any corporate environment. One of my favorites is the chapter containing Dell's TEL Strategy, which can serve as a template for any size organization. If you have anything to do with training in a corporate environment, read this chapter first. You'll understand why your own TEL initiatives either flew-- or crashed and burned!!
Rating:
Summary: A Must-Read!
Review: Heads-up to all you management, HR and training folks out there-- this one's for you! "On-Demand Learning: Training in the New Millennium," by Darin Hartley is a must read if you have anything to do with learning in a corporate environment. Darin manages the Learning Technology Services Dept. at Dell and is an expert in the many issues of corporate training in an online environment. His expertise has been gained by on the job experience...so listen up! When I was coordinating world-wide geoscience training for Exxon, I used to joke to my management that what my corporate clients wanted was training that was free, met their schedules (not the training department's), and took absolutely no time to assimilate. Something that could be stirred into a coffee cup and voila! A new skill set magically up and running in no time. Five years ago we didn't have the technology to approach that scenario, but now we do...and Darin shares his knowledge gained from years of practical experience in this book. The central focus of "On-Demand Learning" is how to make training highly accessible within a corporate system: what are the alternatives to classroom training; what training can be delivered via alternative methods; what training cannot be delivered online; how to move into a technology-enabled learning (TEL) environment; and how to manage client expectations. This book is thoughtful, extremely well-designed, has a very high information to ink ratio and includes tons of applied examples, as well as tips for tackling the political realities of implementing TEL in any corporate environment. One of my favorites is the chapter containing Dell's TEL Strategy, which can serve as a template for any size organization. If you have anything to do with training in a corporate environment, read this chapter first. You'll understand why your own TEL initiatives either flew-- or crashed and burned!!
Rating: 
Summary: Timely and Practical
Review: Obviously "on-demand" is code for "as-desired" or "as-needed." Therefore, to be effective, an "on-demand learning program" must be immediately accessible and, more importantly, permit self-directed participation. Now or very soon, a majority of us will work primarily in virtual environments. Therefore, organizations must provide support services (eg learning programs) which are user-friendly. Here is how Hartley organizes his material: The On-Demand Society, Some Highlights of Learning History, The On-Demand Learner, How to Enable On-Demand Learning, Technological Considerations for On-Demand Learning, On-Demand Learning Best Practices (Employee and Customer Examples), A Sample Technology-Enabled Learning Strategy, and A Functional Requirements Specification Template At the end of each Section, Hartley summarizes his key points and also provides a Glossary of key terms. This information will be especially helpful to the vast majority of readers who have relatively little prior experience with designing and/or managing on-demand learning programs. For them, I suggest, this book will be most valuable. In the New Millennium, only through various learning experiences will an organization's "greatest asset" (its people) be maximized as "intellectual capital." Hence the great benefit of this book. In a single volume, Hartley presents just about everything a reasonably intelligent person needs to know to formulate and then implement effective on-demand learning in her or his organization. For more advanced discussions of this subject, I recommend the works of other authors such as Peter Senge.
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Summary: Practical advice for training in the new millenium
Review: On-Demand Learning by Darin Hartley does a great job of describing training needs and explaining appropriate training solutions in the new millenium. Darin's experience and practical advice bridge the gap between theoretical knowlege and practical application. The book helps readers understand where and how technology based training solutions are appropriate and where they are not. I would highly recommend this book not just for training professionals but for all managers and professionals who need to ensure their employees and customers are getting the right training at the right time in the most efficient manner.
Rating: 
Summary: 'New Millenium' - most cliched phrase in the galaxy?
Review: The introductory sections of this book are a really basic overview of learning and attempt to provide an historical perspective on training in the 'new millenium' Have things really changed overnight since midnight 31 Dec 1999? For my money this glib overview is far too generalised - if you've picked up this book, then you've probably already got quite some developed ideas of your own on using ICT for training. Then when it comes to the nitty-gritty like 'How might I go about using some of these ideas? , the book turns out to be very US-corporation centered in its choice of examples with lots of buzz-words, lashings of really neat little acronyms, but nothing that you'd want to bookmark and come back to as inspiration to develop your own ideas further. Like lots of titles featuring the word 'millenium', this one's another also-ran vying for a space on an already overcrowded bandwagon.
Rating:
Summary: Great, Practical Ideas for Meeting the Demands of Learners
Review: This enjoyable, quick-read has a palatable mix of learning theory and tools that can be practically applied. It is seemingly written by a `regular Joe,' (because of the easy to read, straightforward language choices and real-life anecdotes peppered within) who also employees a keen sense of observation and innate ability to make explicit the simmering trends of American life. The most valuable part of this book lies in the best practices and actual templates that can be customized for use in any organization. The TEL assessment alone, if conducted by individuals with some knowledge of technology, could save a company hundreds of thousands of dollars. I am looking forward to Darin's next book and, yes, if it were a romance or some other work of non-fiction, I would also grab it up!
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