Chapter Connections

Extended reality, also known as XR, is an industry term that encompasses a wide range of immersive reality design solutions. It includes augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), and 360 video. While AR and VR are the most widely recognized immersive technologies, XR is often used to describe the broader spectrum of these innovative experiences.

What makes each of these technologies unique?

Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that enhances the real world by overlaying digital data onto it. With a smartphone, tablet, or pair of smart glasses, AR allows users to interact with virtual elements in real-time while still being aware of their physical surroundings.

Virtual reality (VR) creates a completely immersive digital environment that transports users into a simulated world. Users wear headsets or goggles that block out their view of the real world and replace it with a computer-generated one. 

Mixed reality (MR) combines elements of both AR and VR, integrating virtual objects into the real world, allowing users to interact with them as if they were physically present. MR enables users to see and manipulate virtual entities within their actual surroundings in an interactive and engaging manner.

Each of these technologies has its own unique capabilities and applications. AR enhances our perception of reality by adding digital information to our physical environment, VR provides fully immersive experiences in virtual environments, while MR merges these technologies to create interactive experiences that blend the virtual and real worlds together. 

Where can I experience XR applications?

XR applications may seem like something best suited for entertainment purposes.  Perhaps the most familiar of augmented reality applications has been Pokemon Go (Pikmin Bloom was a good follow-up game in a similar vein).  The newly released Microsoft Mesh world is an immersive virtual reality world, albeit one that is accessible on the desktop via a Teams viewer, that appears to be more frivolous than practical at this time. 

But there are practical, realistic learning applications for these technologies.

The most readily available may be on your smartphone, which may have an Augmented Reality translation app that can take an image of text and translate it into a different language.

What’s neat is that companies like Microsoft and Meta are making Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality L&D applications nearly as attainable as a translation app. 

That’s what we’ll be showcasing this Leap Day at CraneMorley.  You’ll get a chance to experience multiple use cases in which either Mixed Reality or Virtual Reality addressed a training need in a unique and innovative way that enhanced the learners’ ability to achieve learning objectives. You’ll find that these applications can be well suited for a variety of industries, from automotive to manufacturing, from healthcare to utilities.

Want to see this for yourself?  Don't miss your chance to experience virtual and mixed reality learning applications!

Experience eXtended Reality (XR) Applications in Learning and Development ~ Training & Technology SIG

Since servicing as ATD-OC's Chapter President in 2009, Anthony Harmetz has founded the Training Manager’s Special Interest Group, was highly involved in the Total Training program for many years and has led countless other Chapter projects. Ask Anthony about the halcyon days of our Chapter and he’ll probably describe the day prior, because “It’s a great time to be part of ATD-OC!”

We asked Anthony about his new Board role as Vice President of Professional Development — Workshops.

Why did you join the ATD-Orange County board?

I've been a member and a volunteer a long time and see ATD-OC as my professional home, so I was happy to help out when solicited.

What do you get out of your role?

As a board member, I get a chance to regularly connect with a bunch of my peers as we work together--and to try out new ideas I don't get to experiment with during my regular work. 

What is your proudest accomplishment of the past year?

It's hard to pick the accomplishment I'm proudest of last year, but one of the contenders would be making time in the morning to work for 30 minutes every day on a personal project before doing anything else--it may not sound like a big deal, but it's really helpful to me.

Want to know more about your Vice President of Professional Development — Workshop?

View Anthony Harmetz's Member Profile.  

In a recent ATD webinar, a panelist cited a surprising benefit to CPTD certification. The opportunities within the talent development field are vast, she stated. Completing the CPTD certification allowed her to determine where she wanted to focus her career.

Other panelists echoed that sentiment.  One shared that just by beginning her CPTD certification process, she learned where she needed to develop in order to achieve her career goals.

There were other ways the CPTD certification impacted the panelist careers:

• Expanded network of skilled L&D professionals

• Credibility in the field

• Credibility with other professionals for whom certification is an important element in their field

But of all the benefits, the idea that the CPTD provides guidance and structure for one’s career progression is appealing.  It’s easy for someone with a career in talent development to become a jack of all trades, master of none. Maybe such career focus is something that appeals to you?

You can review the varied ways in which a CPTD or APTD certification can impact your career here, or learn more about the opportunities to invest and grow as an L&D professional by attending our multi-chapter CPTD Study Group information session.

Kim-Khue Chieffo has been a mainstay of ATD-OC’s Talent Development team for years, starting as the Change Management SIG co-leader and progressing to the VP of Talent Development in 2018.  She’ll be applying her Change Management expertise as she assumes the President-Elect role for a second term, then later the Chapter Presidency.  We asked a few questions to get to know Kim better.

Why did you join the ATD-Orange County Board?  

I wanted to give back to the community and continue our tradition of life-long learning, sharing knowledge, and supporting other professionals to grow in their personal and professional lives.

What did you get out of your role?  

I've learned to balance life, work, and volunteering; and managing and leading a nonprofit volunteer-based organization has taught me some great skills that I will carry on to my for-profit work.  

What is your proudest accomplishment of the past year? 

Resilience! I've remained resilient, continuing to serve on the Board, contributing to the Chapter's success, and keeping the positive energy going. Thank you to our awesome Board members!

You can learn more about your President-Elect on her Member Profile, or by introducing yourself to her at any of our Monthly Learning Events.

Matt Zinman will be the first to admit that he broke a few L&D rules last night, but we don't think he's going to ruminate over it. He had set a definite goal — to provide a group of L&D professionals beset on all sides by change and competing priorities with a framework for developing resilience — and he was determined to meet that goal.

Throughout the event Matt returned to his basic outline for resilience:

• Keep things in perspective

• Be present

• Stay purposeful

As always, there's a great detail of practice and reasoning that goes into a three-step process, which is why Matt acknowledged he was including what amounted to a three-hour workshop into a one-hour webinar.  

Not that it mattered much to a group of L&D professionals used to cramming three months of work into a one-month workflow or increasing amounts of "need to know" information into shorter and shorter periods of time. We had been given the highlights and were connected to a veritable learning ecosystem to support us in our pursuit of happierness. 

• A link to the webinar recording.

• A book of Z-isms (who among us does not love a book?).

• A collection of post-webinar job aids, worksheets, and references to refer to after our session.

Matt ended the presentation with a challenge for self-reflection, and we pose it to those of you who attended the event last night.  We’d love to see some of your thoughts in the comments below. 

As we approach our first webinar for 2024, we're reminded of this article from ATD:

"As an L&D professional, you help others heighten their self-awareness, and you observe its impact on employee happiness and engagement. But how often do you enhance your self-awareness? After all, it’s foundational for many of the skills leaders and professionals need—including YOU—to succeed in the new world of work, especially hybrid and virtual formats. And although 95% of us believe we are self-aware, that’s not the case. According to a study by organizational psychologist Tasha Eurich, only 10 to 15 percent of us are self-aware."

Link to full article.

When you join ATD, you belong to the strongest community of talent development professionals in the world.

When ATD members join both the local ATD-Orange County chapter and ATD National, they choose to be change makers in their own backyard and knowledge leaders in the talent development profession. Joint membership offers learning professionals a unique opportunity to connect with local, national, and international professionals. Joint members can learn about trends in the field, and gain access to research, best practices, and templates they can apply directly to impacting organizational results, their community, and advancing their career.

• ATD membership provides the tools you need for success.
• Chapter membership applies those tools to your organization and community.

Make 2024 the year of lasting improvement! Take advantage of ATD National's Member Appreciation sale before January 12, and get a 10% discount on your ATD-OC membership, as well as National membership at 2023 prices.

Learn more about Power Membership here.

A final note: when you do take advantage of these opportunities for your career, kindly think of ATD-OC when checking out.  You'll find a Chapter Incentive Program (ChIP) field.  When you select the Orange County chapter (CH8091), then 10% of the cost of membership will be directed to ATD-OC to support our operations.  We appreciate it!

On November 6, the ATD learning and development community lost an important leader and innovator. Sue Gabriele was a beloved long-time member of the ATD - Los Angeles Chapter. She will be remembered most as the founder of the GEMS RoundTable meeting method and leader of the RoundTable SIG. You can learn more about Sue's great works at www.gemslearning.net

Below are details on how to celebrate Sue on Friday, December 8 with members of several other organizations with which Sue was involved.

A LETTER FROM THE FAMILY & INVITATION TO HONOR SUE ON 12/8

Dear friends, family, and colleagues.

Our beloved mother Susan Farr Gabriele passed away on November 6th.

Our family misses her and loves her more than words can describe. If you are one of the nice people who miss her also, please feel free to leave messages here on her remembrance site:

https://everloved.com/life-of/susan-gabriele/

We use this site to announce her Celebration of Life too, which will be Jan 8th for the 1:30pm Funeral and Reception at American Martyrs Church (1431 Deegan Place, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266)

On Friday, December 8th, we honor our Mom's academic achievements on-line from 8am to 9am, to be sponsored by the International Society of Professional Improvement. Please REGISTER FREE at this SITE (to get the meeting link).

On Jan 9th, at 10am will be the Interment at Inglewood Park Cemetery (720 E Florence Ave, Inglewood, CA 90301).

Thank you dearly, and you are all welcome to each event. 

Tony and Sylvie Gabriele

Invest in your professional development with discounts on

bestselling ATD products!

This week only! August 7th - 11th, you can save on ATD favorites with discounts sitewide, including discounts on National and Chapter Membership when purchased on td.org.

From July 24 to August 18, all certificate and master programs, on-demand courses, APTD and CPTD prep courses, and the TDBoK are 20% off.

ATD national membership provides exclusive members-only content and trusted resources to support your work. From August 7th - August 11th, you will save 10% on your ATD National membership in addition to the $30 discount you receive as a Power Member. Plus, our chapter is also offering a 10% discount.

Our chapter receives a portion of purchases through the Chapter Incentive Program(ChIP). Be sure to select our name from the dropdown menu on the final page of checkout to send a portion of your purchase to our chapter.

Sale on Membership ends on August 11th, so you won't want to wait!

Company Member Spotlight Opportunity

We are always looking for innovative ways to show our appreciation for our Company Group Members. This year the ATD-OC BizSIG Special Interest Group, which just delivered a resoundingly successful program on AI and Chat GPT, will host interviews with directors or executives of two of our Company Group Members.

It’s a first come first serve opportunity for a senior level representative of your organization to promote your learning and development efforts and your L&D team!

These one-hour programs will be aired in October and November on the second Thursday of each month. The recordings will be made available to all members and to the Company Group Members for their promotion.

Based on schedules, availability, and your preference, we may do these events live versus pre-recorded.

Our main purpose of these interviews is showcasing your organization and providing a forum to share your knowledge, thoughts, and the great things about your L&D staff and organization.

Jeffrey Hansler, current BizSIG leader and past ATD-OC President, and his www.Biz-Souls.com  podcast partner, Rona Lewis, will be conducting the interview whether it is live, or pre-recorded in person or over Zoom.

We work from a general outline:

1)      Background on interviewee(s) and how and why you joined this organization
2)      Introduce staff, initiatives, accomplishments, and goals
3)     What is changing in L&D and the value you receive from ATD / ATD-OC

We do a little research and put together some more specific questions which we send to you in advance. We are open to recommendations on everything – including title, opening statements, and content.

Best Practices for Ultimate Guest Experience

Short sentences and succinct answers make powerful impacts, as well as having conversations, not giving explanations. Many podcast guests feel the need to “teach,” proving they deserve to be interviewed. You know what? If we didn’t think you are worth interviewing, you wouldn’t be here! Let’s make this a conversation about your business experience doing what you do. Oh, we’ll chat about what you do, be sure about that and we’ll ask a bunch of questions, if you let us….which leads to great conversations. 

Please reach out to ATD-OC Administrator, Denise Ross, at ocoffice@atdoc.org or 714.527.4785 by June 1.

Thank you.