AMERiCA LEARNiNG MEDiA

In the modern eLearning world of MOOCs, asynchronous training, and totally online learning management systems, it’s far too easy to ignore and trivialize face-to-face interaction in real life. But foregoing the company of your fellow meatbags here in the real world is a mistake. By J.P. Medved, Content Editor at Capterra

There are tons of events, conferences, and courses taking place offline that would be terrible to miss.  World-renowned speakers, thoughtful break-out sessions, and actionable plans are just a few of the great benefits you get from in-person interactions at these events.

I’ve compiled a list of the best eLearning events where you can network with peers away from the blue glow of your computer screen.

Come out into the sunlight!

DevLearn

This conference is run by the eLearning Guild and features sessions on everything from how Google Glass will impact learning, to how museums are using mLearning to provide mobile learning experiences for their guests.

Distance Teaching and Learning

Run by the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Distance Education Professional Development department in the Division of Continuing Studies the focus of this conference are topics like course creation for mobile learning, open education resources, and blended instruction.

E-Learn

This event features keynotes from thought leaders on authoring tools, LMS standards, and how to develop an organizational eLearning strategy. It is put on by the Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE).

Elliot Masie’s Learning

Elliot runs the popular Learning Trends blog, and the conference he hosts is definitely do-not-miss.  Big name speakers like George Takei talk about everything from coaching by video, to open learning, to case studies like how Southwest Airlines does training.

Enterprise Learning! Conference and Expo

The Elearning! Media Group hosts this conference every year and aims it towards HR, Talent, Learning and Development professionals to network, learn, and share.

FETC

This conference is mainly for people interested in eLearning from an education/academic perspective, rather than a corporate one. Keynotes reflect this, including people like the Chief Architect of Discovery Education and the Founding Principle of the Science and Leadership Academy.

Learning Technologies Conference

This one is billed as Europe’s “leading learning and development conference.”  It certainly has reason to brag, with over 500 conference delegates and over 30 sessions with 50 different speakers, it covers a lot of ground; from MOOCS to open badges and everything in-between.

mLearnCon

This is another product of the eLearning Guild, but it’s too good not put on this list.  This is, as far as I know, the only in-person event dedicated solely to the burgeoning field of mobile learning, and it’s a good one. Great to attend if you want to hear how Dominos built its mobile training app, or get a keynote from the CLO of Qualcomm.

Online Learning Conference

This is Training Magazine’s conference about online learning.  It’s held in meatspace though, not online.  Topics presented on include games and simulations, cognitive science and retention, and design strategies.

J.P. Medved currently works as a Content Editor at Capterra, where he specializes in writing about learning management systems for corporate training and HR professionals on Capterra’s Training Technology Blog. He is a graduate of Georgetown University where he founded The Georgetown Federalist. Follow him on Twitter @CapterraHRTech.

April 2014