Hooking learners with a simple story: Kevin Shadix describes why he uses a short story to motivate learners with a “teaser” scenario. He shows his scenario and asks, “Does a introductory story/scenario like this make you more likely to be interested? Or is it too goofy?” Stop by his blog and give him your feedback.

Your (teeny-tiny) brain on drugs: Join the Mouse Party to learn how drugs affect the brain. When you drag a drugged mouse to the x-ray-type machine, a narrator first explains what’s happening in the brain–and then text appears with the same info, reinforcing the narration. This seemed much more effective to me than simultaneous text and narration.

E-tired of e-hype? Reinvigorate your e-commitment to e-learning with this e-learning cheer!

Save $300 when you register by June 30 for the Brandon Hall Research Innovations in Learning conference. You’ll have lots of hands-on chances to learn, as you’ll see when you check out the preliminary program. I’ll give a half-day workshop on how to Dump the Drone and will participate in the Women’s Blog Jam.

See the difference a picture can make: Before & After magazine shows ways to make your presentations and elearning more compelling with visuals: “Remember: story, not data. Rather than talk about your topic, find a way to show it.”

Are you using feedback effectively? Get research-based recommendations from Will Thalheimer’s free two-part report.

Duck, duck, … goose? Cammy Bean bravely tries to convince a client to make Six Sigma training fun with rubber ducks.

Find out what 15 of your colleagues have to say about learning at work at the second Working/Learning blog carnival, hosted this time by Manish Mohan.

Marvel (or not!) at the advanced special effects used in the 1927 silent movie How to Use the Dial Telephone. See more old training movies at the Internet Archive.

What generation are you? This test uses your social media habits to determine your generation. (I’m Generation Y trapped in a Boomer body.)

Learn absolutely nothing from the PowerPoint presentation Chicken Chicken Chicken.