What We Learned at DevLearn 2023
Last month, the SparkLearn crew gathered in Las Vegas for DevLearn. From awe-inspiring keynote speakers to a diverse set of sessions covering the latest in learning tech and a bustling expo floor, the three days were packed with action and insights. Let's hear from each team member about their key takeaways from this remarkable conference!
Chad Udell
Chad presenting his session on how AI is reshaping the collaborative workflow.
Well, if 2021 was the year of AR/XR and 2022 was the year of the Metaverse, then 2023 for DevLearn was certainly the year of AI. This certainly does feel different, though, for some very important reasons. First, AI is an all-purpose technology with many deep-reaching transformative business implications. Second, AI requires very little new fancy hardware for the end user, unlike the previous hot technologies. Third, AI, as it is currently positioned, is all about making everyone’s job easier. These three things seem to point to a real and lasting future of AI being woven throughout learning technology solutions for the immediate future.
Beyond the ubiquity of AI at the conference (in sessions, in hallway conversations, and in the exhibit hall), other things that were clear to me were the fact that the Learning Guild is wise to move out of their current DevLearn home and into a bigger place. As a DevLearn attendee since 2008, it is truly amazing to see the continued growth of what is now North America’s learning technology-focused conference.
I also learned that I probably need to start watching “Somebody Feed Phil.”
See you next year, DevLearn!
Eric Kuhn
Well, DevLearn 2023 was the biggest and best DevLearn show that I have attended yet, and I am happy to hear that next year, it will be hosted at a larger facility to allow for more room and new ideas. Some notable takeaways:
There are still a lot of people who are unfamiliar with xAPI and the power of gathering and using better learning data to make informed decisions and improvements. If this is something you are interested in, check out learnxapi.com from our friends over at Build Capable or the xAPI Learning Cohort from the Learning Guild.
Eric with Keynote speaker Phil Rosenthal, host of Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil.
As a platform provider that specializes in mobile-first learning, we had a lot of questions from attendees on the expo floor about using SparkLearn to integrate with, sit on top of, or otherwise augment their existing LMS so users get a much better mobile experience. There are a number of ways to do this with SparkLearn, and we talked a lot about developing Learning Ecosystems with interested folks at the conference.
Lastly, you best prepare for AI tools because they are coming fast. Understanding the basics of using AI tools and some of the pitfalls that can come with them will be very useful in the near future. Luckily, we’ve got you covered there, too.
Evan Scronce
I was very excited to reconnect with our learning community at DevLearn! As always, representing SparkLearn at the Expo alongside the team of Rickey, Eric, and Chad was a fantastic experience. Meeting new people and exploring their learning challenges is incredibly rewarding.
At the event, we got a chance to talk about how SparkLearn's design inherently brings fresh perspectives to organizations. We deliver and measure learning differently than other providers in the industry. On that note, the buzz around xAPI was evident.
We were thrilled to explain how our partnership with Veracity LRS is unlocking key insights into team engagement with SparkLearn. Addressing the mobile limitations of traditional LMS providers was another hot topic. Our focus on creating a unified, mobile-first content platform clearly resonated, winning over new SparkLearn fans as they recognized how our solutions align with their strategic goals.
We look forward to going back in 2024!
Rickey Copley-Spivey
Eric, Chad, and Rickey at the SparkLearn booth in the expo hall.
I had a fantastic opportunity to connect with numerous attendees at our booth during DevLearn. This year, most of my conversations centered around mobile learning and the quest for a user-friendly learning management platform for both learners and instructional designers. Many of the entrenched solutions out there gloss over vital aspects of mobility, ease of use, and learner engagement.
I discovered that many companies have committed to long-term contracts with some of the larger legacy systems. Multi-year contracts can be a good way to lock in pricing or get a discount upfront, but tying yourself to a contract of five years seems really limiting. After the honeymoon is over with your provider, customers are often left disappointed with the level of support they receive and the unfulfilled promises that were supposed to streamline their work. The DevLearn attendees I talked to seemed to understand that they deserve something different and better, but they're unsure of where to begin and how to convince their executives to implement these changes.
We’ve always been a forward-facing company of learning technologists, and we love to share this type of expertise, so of course, I would recommend they come to talk to us and get a level set on trends before jumping in. We love to partner with prospective customers from the beginning stages of the procurement process through platform selection, implementation, and continued support for the contract's life.
Putting It All Together
Well, looking back on DevLearn 2023, it's safe to say that it was truly the year of AI. The energy was infectious, and it's clear that AI's impact is set to revolutionize the learning tech landscape. Conversations at the Expo were buzzing with excitement about mobile learning and the quest for user-friendly platforms. Many are eager to break free from outdated systems. It's an exhilarating time for the industry, and it's evident that big changes are on the horizon. Thanks again to the Learning Guild for putting together this amazing event. Here's to the future of learning tech!
