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Friday Finds — Science of Luck, Open AI o1, Google Notebook

Friday Finds — Science of Luck, Open AI o1, Google Notebook

📰 News & Notes

How to Be Lucky in Business and Life: 4 Science-Backed Principles

Think luck is just a roll of the dice? Think again! According to researchers like Richard Wiseman and Joël Le Bon, you can make your own luck by being a little adventurous, trusting your gut, staying positive, and learning from your mistakes. It's like having a secret cheat code for life! Who knew?

🎯 Take away: Luck isn't random—it's a mindset that thrives on creating opportunities and staying resilient.

Something New: On OpenAI's o1 and Reasoning

OpenAI's new o1 AI is like having a super-smart intern who sometimes takes things way too literally! o1 can solve really tough problems, even beating experts in physics. It can even figure out tricky crossword puzzles, although it thought "Galaxy cluster" referred to a Samsung phone instead of, you know, actual galaxies. While it's not the best writer, its ability to plan and solve complex problems could be a game-changer for designing learning experiences, leaving L&D professionals to act more like mentors than instructors. But hey, at least it doesn't ask for coffee breaks!

🎯 Take away: o1 AI excels at solving complex problems and could potentially revolutionize learning experience design.

Google Notebook

Google Notebook is a personalized AI research assistant that uses Google's most capable model, Gemini 1.5 Pro. It allows users to upload documents to make NotebookLM an "expert" on the information uploaded. NotebookLM can then be used to generate personalized guides with in-line citations from the uploaded source material.

Be sure to try the newest Audio Overview feature that can turn documents, slides, charts, and more into engaging podcast-type discussions with a single click. Here is one I made yesterday. I think it is pretty impressive and there are a lot of ways you can use this in your L&D world. Take a few minutes and go play with this - you’ll be glad you did.

Take away: Google Notebook turns your research into a fun, personalized experience, complete with audio summaries!

Consider these 5 key questions before making your move to eLearning!

Moving to eLearning might be the right decision for your organization, but it’s crucial to consider all the possibilities and outcomes to help you formulate a plan before making your move. Find out what to look for as you move your live or instructor-led training to a digital environment.

🧰 Tech Tools & Tips

If tools are your jam, check out my new Work Smarter newsletter.

Toolfolio

A curated collection of tools for creators & designers.

toolfolio.io

FlowPrompter

A transparent online teleprompter that helps you deliver smoother performances on camera.

flowprompter.app

I’m hosting a full-day workshop at DevLearn with Bianca Baumann that's all about blending the power of AI and marketing to create learning experiences that truly resonate. I'd be thrilled if you could join us. What do you say? I’d love to see you there!

🎧 Podcast

This is the conversation that caught my ear this week. Check out previous episodes in the Friday Finds podcast playlist.

What the Maps in Our Brain Tell Us About the Learning Process

To fit all the billions of neurons in the human brain into our heads, they're organized so that brain regions are carefully mapped to things like vision and hearing. And understanding those maps can be a key to better understanding how the mind—and how learning—works,

open.spotify.com/episode/5pkSFH9lixEBiJiQVweC3Q?si=qZnngHYLTkCAQ5ArBu_YqQ

Launch online training in just 7 days with iSpring Learn!

If you're looking for a learning management system that's not only powerful but incredibly easy to use, iSpring Learn is your go-to solution. With its intuitive interface, you can quickly create engaging courses, deliver them, and track learner progress with the industry’s most detailed reports — all without the need for any technical skills. Plus, iSpring Learn offers seamless integration with your existing tools and unlimited storage, so you can focus on what matters most: delivering top-notch training.

Ready to see how fast you can get started?

🧳 Where’s Mike?

DevLearn, Las Vegas, November 5-8
5th Annual Design for Deeper Learning Fall Series, November 14

If you or your event needs a speaker or workshop that is highly interactive and super practical, we should talk.

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Friday Finds is an independent publication that I produce in my free time. You can support my work by sharing it with the world, booking an advertising spot, or buying me a coffee.

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