ML140: Jeff Cobb on The State of Online Learning, Navigating Wicked Learning Environments and How to Run Good Virtual Events
Learn about the impact of COVID 19 on adult learning and higher education, the need to navigate wicked learning environments and the secret to running good virtual events and learning experiences.
Jeff Cobb is a thought leader in the field of lifelong learning and the author of the bestselling book, Leading The Learning Revolution. He also runs a popular blog and podcast, Leading Learning, and is the founder of Tagoras, a learning consultancy.
I previously had Jeff on the podcast back on episode 56 - go back and check that one out if you want to get an intro to Jeff's background and a broad discussion of the market for lifelong learning and the trends driving the global learning revolution.
Jeff is uniquely placed to view the lifelong learning industry from a big picture perspective given his many years of experience and the range of different clients he has been involved with - so when the current crisis hit, he was one of the first people I wanted to speak to.
In this episode we discuss
-The impact of COVID 19 on adult learning and higher education
-The need to navigate wicked learning environments
-The secret to running good virtual events and learning experiences
We also discuss the importance of personal branding for edupreneurs and the significance of community in learning experiences. This was a wide ranging conversation with someone who has a broad experience of the online learning space and it was great to pick his brains.
Show Notes
- Introducing Jeff [00:39]
- What has Jeff’s lockdown experience been like? How has he navigated online learning with his children? [02:12]
- What does Jeff think about the quality of learning since shifting online? [03:22]
- How has COVID impacted the business aspect of online learning? [04:47]
- What is online learning? [07:24]
- What business opportunities in online learning are currently emerging due to the pandemic? [08:26]
- How can community relieve the tension between supply and demand in the online learning space? [11:57]
- How is Jeff thinking about higher education in relation to his kids and their future with it? [16:27]
- With increasing fees and the growing popularity of online learning, what status awaits higher education in the US post-COVID? [17:16]
- How should businesses be thinking about retraining and upskilling workers with the current trend of employee displacement? [19:54]
- What are wicked learning environments? How do these environments limit a worker’s learning process? [22:27]
- What value points should people consider to create a successful and high-demand virtual event? [25:39]
- Jeff shares the tools and techniques they implement for their business [28:38]
- How can online learning creators keep their community engaged while still prioritising individual learning and interest? [30:49]
- How should entrepreneurs frame their thinking around their brand and the importance of branding? [33:22]
- What key ideas does Jeff want people to associate with his brand? How does he establish these ideas? [36:39]
- How can people distinguish experts in their fields? What separates someone with expertise from someone who is knowledgeable? [38:46]
- Jeff’s piece of advice for workers and learners during these uncertain times [41:24]
- Closing remarks [41:53]
Resources
📖 Leading the Learning Revolution - Jeff Cobb
▶️ Leading the Learning Revolution - 3 Key Changes