Forio's Forum

Rules for Revolutionaries isn’t a book about simulation or e-learning, but it is an inspirational book on entrepreneurship and Guy Kawasaki (formerly chief evangelist at Apple Computer) is a fantastic public speaker.

Guy Kawaski is a big fan of “top ten” lists and so the book is divided into ten rules that entrepreneurs should use to help their businesses. One of the rules, “eat like a bird and poop like an elephant” resulted in the development of the resources page for Forio, so it’s appropriate that we mention the book here.

What is the process by which new technologies get adopted? The same processes that cause technology to spread are the same that cause many diseases and belief systems to spread– namely interpersonal communications. Rogers explains how all social change requires to voluntary cooperation of members of society.

The diffusion process creates product lifecycle behavior. Product lifecycle behavior is frequently modeled in management simulation because it is a basic force that drives business. The diffusion process described by Rogers is used in the PDA Sim simulation.

by Thomas Schelling This book is now old enough (first published in 1978), and popular enough to be considered a classic introduction to economics and systems analysis. Schelling uses examples throughout the book that you might have thought of before, and then applies analytical techniques for understanding their behavior. One of Schelling’s main points is [...]

Horton focuses on the design of web-based training programs. There is a wealth of information on making training materials accessible to a global audience. Horton provides insights into issues including cultural differences, using e-learning with an audience of nonnative speakers, and technological constraints.

Horton makes the point that traditional classroom training is provided under optimum conditions for teaching. Learners are typically away from home so they aren’t easily distracted and the facilities are designed for training. Often in e-learning, learners are training from home or while on-the-road with no technical support, many distractions, and possibly inadequate technology. He provides several solutions to overcoming these and other obstacles.

Software development is a big part of Forio’s e-learning simulations. DeMarco and Lister explain why the major issues of software development are human, not technical. The authors have original and insightful ideas on on time estimation of software projects, space requirements for programmers, why a quiet and private workspace is essential to efficient programming. They also have excellent ideas on how to hire great programmers.