VIR established 2018 to offer consultancy to HR and recruitment professionals to help them manage and exploit digital technologies
James brings a wealth of experience in the recruitment and HR industries.Last year ThinkinCircles won the best Marketing and Pr supplier at the inaugural Recruitment International Supplier awards in London (based on client feedback).
PhD Philosophy
Ed tech research since 2009
(Talk around how we learn at work)
(images need for below)
Classroom
PC Screen/e-learning/watch and click
At desk training
What patterns do we see over recent years? (Impact of internet, mobile, etc)
Why is there a need for VIR?
Human capital is important for productivity but also for the fabric of society and social institutions
We are living through a unique period of accelerated social and technological change
Industry 4.0 = World Economic Forum
Part of German strategic planning
We are living through a unique period of accelerated social and technological change.
There was once a version of this for smartphones, personal computers, refrigeration, etc.
Gartner Hype Cycle provides a way to understand the life cycle of technological innovation
We are currently at the peak of inflated expectations for a range of technologies e.g. artificial intelligence, machine learning,
The point is that technological change is disruptive but those ahead of the curve will be in a position to benefit.
Automation will destroy/create but the risk is not shared equally – occupations with highest estimated automability are lower skilled (and hence, younger). Nb World Bank report
Automation will continue to change the workplace
Technology as disruptive force: changes in tasks, working patterns, occupational profiles, infrastructure and regulatory frameworks
Threat or opportunity? Threat to old ways of doing things but so was refrigeration. New roles emerge based on new technologies, forms of organisation and opportunities for profit
Key roles with less vulnerability (recruitment?!)
In the future regular learning & development will have enhanced importance
The need for soft skills, transferable skills, flexibility, communication skills, etc. in the economy of the future
(Nb NOT worsening of working conditions).
Does the training offered by people in the room sound like this, or is it characterised by compliance?
Human capital is important for productivity but also for the fabric of society and social institutions
5 million UK adults lack basic reading, writing and numeracy skills (Joseph Roundtree Foundation, 2016) – technology can widen educational divides
What role is technology playing?
Human capital is important for productivity but also for the fabric of society and social institutions
5 million UK adults lack basic reading, writing and numeracy skills (Joseph Roundtree Foundation, 2016) – technology can widen educational divides
What role is technology playing?
Artificial Intelligence - Breaking the productivity plateau
Augmentation of existing operations (e.g. medical diagnosis)
Note that the doctor is still needed: augmented, not replaced
Applications in HR/development
Matching jobs to candidates; Contract analysis
AI as misnomer - Can you rely on an algorithim, or do you need human input? Isn’t all AI just augmented intelligence? Nb bias in Amazon recruitment algorithim against women
The point is that it just following a script – albeit a complex one.
“Predictive Analytics” – recognise a pattern and attempt to follow the rule – is this artificial intelligence? Augmented intelligence? Not general intelligence
Public record keeping - Effectively promises greater democratization, transparency & consistency
Keeping reliable records of training & education
Evidence of skills and development
Identification and authentication of candidates & their skills
Dispute resolution
Smart contracts
Need for compatibility across systems
Virtual Reality – creating and experiencing a new kind of digital space
Possibilities for training & education through simulation
Immersive & branded experiences
Augmented Reality
Contextual information
On the job learning
rDigitalisation
Acceleration through infrastructure
Networked systems
Worldwide reach
Efficiencies through smart operations
Rethinking strategies
Requires firms to manage process of change
Potential to benefit from greater efficiencies
Improved real-time measurement of staff activity
Real time experimentation
Accelerated piloting and rollout of innovation
“digital dividend”
Digitalisation of people’s lives
Privacy/GDPR – again, ethical requirement
Analytics
Exponential growth in data generation, storage and use
How to make sense of the data generated with respect to learning
Make comparison to learning analytics programme at the OU, MIT – emotional analytics Spurious correlations
”When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail”
LEARNING IS A COMPLEX PROBLEM
Obviously no-one knows what the future will hold, but we can understand the trajectory we are on.
The digital ecosystem is evolving rapidly, with disruption bringing both opportunity & risk
A simple approach to orientation in this space: OOFAT
What kind of content? How is it being delivered? How is learning being recognised? (Orr, Weller & Farrow, 2018)
How are we making the most of digital affordances ?
Are we planning for change in the best way?
Are our staff learning anything? How do we know?
Artificial Intelligence - Breaking the productivity plateau
Augmentation of existing operations (e.g. medical diagnosis)
Note that the doctor is still needed: augmented, not replaced
Applications in HR/development
Matching jobs to candidates; Contract analysis
AI as misnomer - Can you rely on an algorithim, or do you need human input? Isn’t all AI just augmented intelligence? Nb bias in Amazon recruitment algorithim against women
Rethinking elearning
Compliance is important, but can lead to learning experiences that don’t engage
Effective pedagogy/learning design – move away from paper model
Opportunities for peer learning and knowledge exchange
Understand barriers to learning with technology
Identify longer learning pathways
Take advantage of high quality, openly available educational resources
Avoid technological solutionism - ongoing process of critical reflection
Rethinking organisational culture – how does your organisation learn?
Ken Robinson – our educational and training systems stifle playfulness and inquiry – all important elements of how we learn but denied since school
Foster creativity & independent lifelong learning
Integrate development into organisational culture
Invest in staff
Give staff the skills to review and acquire new knowledge and practices
Nurture innovation and capture & amplify effective practice
4 principles: A technology-enabled, human-centric economy enabled by the right concepts and forms of engagement