LEARNOGRAPHY_ANNUAL_REPORT_FINAL_INTERACTIVE

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LEARNOGRAPHY ANNUAL REPORT 2014-2015
THINKING
FORWARD

2 3
ABOUT. LEARNOGRAPHY.
BELIEVE. ACT.
COMMUNICATE. DESIGN.
LOOKING. FORWARD.
SPACE. PERFORMANCE.
LIFELONG. LEARNING.
TECHNOLOGY. PRODUCTIVITY.
LEAD. LEARN.
DIGITAL. LEARNING.
RESOURCE. STANDARDS.
BY THE NUMBERS
LEARNOGRAPHY RECOMMENDS
Q&A WITH THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD
Q&A WITH THE CEO
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CONTENTS
LEARNOGRAPHY ANNUAL REPORT 2014-2015 LEARNOGRAPHY ANNUAL REPORT 2014-2015

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SHARE. IDEAS.
Learning is a lifelong endeavour. Whether we’re designing learning modules,
developing a video series, or evaluating existing resources, we apply our
knowledge as professional educators to ensure you achieve the learning
objectives that matter most to you.
COMPLEXITY. CLARITY.
For over 20 years we have been distilling complex topics into engaging
learning experiences. Our collaborative process identifies outcomes that
are meaningful and measurable. From performance to compliance, we help
organizations solve a variety of challenges.
SUBJECT. MATTERS.
We operate by a standard of excellence and have evolved to serve the ever-
changing needs of learners. As a full-service learning solutions provider, we
transform information and ideas into customized learning experiences for
virtually any audience.
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ABOUT. LEARNOGRAPHY.

6 7
JOIN US
We deliver change by creating custom
learning solutions. We are driven by quality,
not quotas. We create the best learning
experiences money can buy and we do it in
a way that optimizes your investment and
learner outcomes. In corporate training, K-12
education, and international markets, we’re
turning old paradigm learning into revolutionary
experiences – one project at a time.
by Juliana Trichilo-Cina
BELIEVE. ACT.
If you have an insatiable need to nurture talent, inspire
individuals, and build community, it’s time to join the
Learnography movement! We are a non-profit, for-purpose
organization that creates custom learning experiences
through eLearning solutions, resources, media, research,
and much more. We use the latest and most effective
trends, tools, technologies, and talents to work with a wide
range of learning communities.
WHY
We believe in the potential of people. We believe
that when people are effectively empowered,
they can achieve anything. We believe people
need the tools and freedom to grow and express
themselves in an environment of inclusivity
and equal access. We believe that when people
have that freedom, they are authentic and learn
naturally. We believe we are responsible for a
global community. We believe we must share
these beliefs with the world.
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It’s a movement.

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COMMUNICATE. DESIGN.
Learnography worked with Canadian Blood Services to create an animation
to teach youth about blood and organ donation. Discover the power of
effective communication and design.
We spoke with Mary Ann Ducedre from Canadian
Blood Services (CBS) – an organization that
collects, tests and manufactures blood, blood
components and stem cells. Public education
about the benefits of blood and organ donation
is extremely important to this organization, so it
is imperative that they have clear and effective
social engagement tools. Learnography worked
together with CBS to create one such tool.
CBS wanted to demonstrate the substantial
number of lives that can be positively impacted
through a single donation. The human body is
incredible and there are so many little-known,
yet extremely important facts that can get
society as a whole thinking about the importance
of every individual’s contribution. Did you
know that you can save eight lives through
organ donation and improve 75 lives through
tissue donation? Or that you can help save
cancer patients by donating platelets? Having
a good understanding of the difference you can
personally make is often what compels people to
donate.
Learnography worked with CBS to develop a
tool to educate students in classrooms across
Canada about blood and organ donation.
CBS wanted a resource that was appealing
and engaging to the tech-savvy students in
today’s classrooms. Mary Ann told me, “we
gave Learnography the information and said do
your magic, and that’s what it was.” The final
resource was an animation with intriguing and
important facts about blood and organ donation
in just under seven minutes.
“CBS gave us a lot of leeway to find
creative ways of portraying the data,” says
Learnography’s Media Manager, Danijel
Margetic. “CBS was very supportive through the
process and took leaps of faith that ultimately
led to the delivery of an interactive tool.”
Mary Ann explained that this animation
is now their main conduit for getting their
message across, and added that the animatic
has “longevity and a lot more use than just
what we had intended.” The use of video was
exciting, and easy to understand, making it
the centerpiece in CBS’s campaign to engage
students to become future donors.
by Jessica Chorney
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LOOKING. FORWARD.
According to recent studies, leadership development is one of the biggest
trends in training today. When I asked Angela Gravelle, Executive Director
of the Ontario Municipal Leadership Institute, about her thoughts on why
leadership is such a hot topic, she offered up a poignant fact. “A leadership
crisis is looming in Ontario’s municipal sector, as close to 50% of experienced
senior staff in Ontario’s municipalities are poised to retire within the next five
years.”1
Municipal leadership is a subsection of a greater retirement crisis. With
such a high number of impending retirees, the importance of succession
planning and talent development cannot be overstated. Key capacities must
be identified in senior leaders and fostered in junior staff to avoid a significant
talent gap when these leaders retire.
The Ontario Municipal Leadership Institute is dedicated to developing
leadership capacity in the municipal sector. Without dedicated efforts to
support the training and development of future leaders, the performance
and sustainability of organizations will suffer. Angela’s comments remind us
to make leadership training a priority in our organizations to ensure future
viability and growth.
by Jessica Chorney
1
Leadership Excellence Advancement Pilot Project Summary Report from May 2012.
A looming retirement crisis makes leadership training
essential for future organizational success.
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Learnography is in the midst of an office redesign and already enjoying
its benefits. Rethink your office space for improved performance.
SPACE. PERFORMANCE.
I’m sure you have heard the buzzwords
surrounding some new office design trends:
open offices, mobile workstations, standing
desks, bringing in the outdoors, etc. Some of
these methods might seem unconventional
and completely unrealistic to implement
in your organization. However, there has
been increasing evidence to suggest that
these modern office design principles
support employee satisfaction, productivity,
collaboration, and health.
Designing your office space to maximize
efficiency and collaboration is important to
achieving success. Learnography’s Operations
Director Gina Melvin explained that, “we
are in the office for so many hours a day.
It is important for our health - emotionally,
physically and psychologically - to be
comfortable and implement best practices in
office design.”
There are dramatic health effects that can come
from sitting in uncomfortable chairs, staring at
a screen and typing all day; carpal tunnel, back
pain, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, to
name a few. The best workplace environments
offer opportunities for staff to move around,
but if you have to sit in the same place for
the majority of the work day, at least make it
as comfortable as possible. After all, comfort
affords huge benefits in terms of productivity.
The most dramatic change we have
implemented was a standing work station in the
central office space. It has been proven that
standing leads to more creativity and better
collaboration during meetings – it’s the perfect
idea generation station. It also has substantial
benefits in terms of reducing pain and getting
our blood flowing.
Another trend is to give up your four-walled
office. Learnography is increasingly moving
towards more open office spaces, and we are
certainly enjoying the benefits. Working in an
open space inspires collaboration, efficiency,
accuracy and creativity through less formal
conversation.
One of the largest advantages to an open office
space is the abundance of informal learning
that takes place. Immersing employees in open
conversations about all aspects of the company
creates endless opportunities for workplace
learning.
by Jessica Chorney
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Learnography’s experience in K-12 education is
benefiting the corporate world.
LIFELONG. LEARNING.
For over 20 years, Learnography has
provided trusted support to the education
sector. What started as a standards agency
evaluating textbooks for use in Ontario
classrooms under the name of Curriculum
Services Canada (CSC) has grown into a
robust organization providing a myriad of
services. As the need for CSC’s education
expertise has grown, we evolved to meet the
need. Under the new Learnography brand,
we have effectively applied formal K-12
learning practices to benefit business-driven
corporate goals. But how transferrable to
professional learning is K-12 education
expertise really?
Learnography’s Development Director
Pauline Beggs understands that this
background in K-12 education uniquely
positions Learnography to offer proven
learning fundamentals to the corporate
sector. According to Pauline, “CSC has
been making strides into the corporate
world for some time. We apply our extensive
experience and expertise gained in the K-12
education system as we work with clients to
service the learning needs of their audience.”
This advantage has been demonstrated
in our recent work with national and
international corporate sector organizations.
Learning is a unique intersection between
subject matter expertise, medium,
technology, tone, approach, psychology, and
so much more. These principles are universal
and dynamic. Bringing them together with
the fervor of a passionate team is where the
rubber meets the road.
Certainly the work we have done with
professional associations such as the
Canadian Society of Association Executives
requires an understanding of the business
world these organizations inhabit, but most
corporate Chief Learning Officers are looking
to develop soft skills and competencies
in their teams that are harder to quantify.
Learnography works with clients to establish
performance indicators so that learning
can be measured. As Pauline explains,
“competency-based learning is measured
using performance indicators established for
the competencies and soft skills addressed
in the course work.” As studies have
shown, human brains are far more similar
than they are different, regardless of age,
gender, culture or ability. With our extensive
experience working with the largest, most
robust and dynamic learning system in
Ontario (K-12 formal learning), Learnography
brings an exciting understanding of the
science and art of learning to adult learning
solutions.
by Kate Salmon
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TECHNOLOGY.
PRODUCTIVITY.
Technology integrations might
not always be as beneficial to
productivity as you think.
I have grown up in a society that is very dependent
on technology to assist in almost all day-to-day
tasks. So I was shocked when Rene Ziorio, Content
Development Manager at GO Productivity, told
me that, “technology integrations can be one of
the most challenging projects people will ever
implement into their organizations.” I was even
more surprised when she told me that technology
integrations often fail; they significantly decrease
organizational productivity and increase costs.
How can something so seemingly useful be so
detrimental to organizational productivity?
A common misconception is that all of your
productivity needs can be solved with shiny new
technology. Technology has the potential to
be extremely effective when it is implemented
successfully to support pre-existing processes –
especially automation technologies when it comes
to software and hardware. The challenge with the
implementation of technology is ensuring that it
enhances proven practices in your organization,
rather than re-establishing them.
It is important to recognize that although specific
technologies increase productivity for one
company, those same tools may not help yours
in the same way. Implementation of technology
should be a personalized approach, ensuring
that the styles and preferences of individuals
are complemented, not disrupted. The Harvard
Business Review offers a quick assessment to help
you determine your productivity style and find
appropriate technological tools to complement
each style.
Organizations may find that different staff
members prefer different tools, or an individual
might even discover that they prefer different
tools for different purposes, and that is ok.
Advancements in technology make it easy to
integrate many different programs all together.
There are so many ways to use technology to
enhance productivity. Remember, that it should
be used to aid your personal preferences and suit
your needs – not change them.
by Jessica Chorney
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We spoke with one of TedX’s newest speakers about leadership
trends, success stories and why leaders shouldn’t follow the
Golden Rule.
LEAD. LEARN.
We spoke with one of TedX’s newest speakers,
Patrick O’Reilly, about leadership trends
and success stories. Patrick is the CEO of
Padraig ﹘ an organization that coaches a
variety of leaders from small, medium and
multi-national companies. Patrick shared his
knowledge about the implications of following
the Golden Rule ﹘ do unto others as you
would have them do unto you ﹘ and how
it should be reframed for today’s business
leaders.
It is important to recognize that we all see
through a different lens; we’re looking at
the same things from different perspectives.
Leaders must realize that other people
aren’t making the same assumptions and
judgements about life as they are. Doing unto
others as you would have them do unto you
assumes everyone wants to be treated the
same way as you do.
Patrick argues that by using the Golden
Rule in the workplace, leaders, colleagues,
and peers are making things more difficult.
We must stop to think about how others
might interpret situations based on their
past experiences, state of mind, personality,
behaviour, etc. It is important to understand
where others are coming from and open your
mind to different perspectives as a leader. If
you can understand someone’s perspective
and adapt to that, follow through for that
individual becomes intuitive.
Patrick’s take on the Golden Rule is to treat
others the way they want to be treated.
But the big caveat there is that you have to
understand others in order to do this. You
have to get to know them. You have to pay
attention. To be a great leader, you must lead
each individual person on the team, rather
than trying to lead the team as whole.
If you’re a peer and you’re working with your
colleagues, work with each colleague as an
individual and understand where they are
coming from. You can’t assume that everyone
is like you. This approach may not come
naturally but it’s this kind of progressive
forward thinking that will completely change
our world.
by Jessica Chorney
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At Learnography, we believe effective learning is not a one-time event. To achieve
deep learning, a continuous process to support, reinforce, and validate learning is
immensely important. We also understand that busy professionals value ongoing
professional development but have a hard time fitting it into their schedules.
Ongoing learning and busy learners scream opportunity.
In today’s hyper-connected world, there are endless technologies to lever
for ongoing bite-sized learning on demand. So is technology the solution?
Learnography’s Design Director Lina Perrone explains, “the reality is [that]
technology is not a quick fix. It is important to think about how to engage your
learner so that they are not only consuming the material but actually applying it
thereafter; there needs to be an integrated engagement strategy.” This suggests
there is no magic bullet to perfect learning in today’s knowledge economy. We
agree. Learning, today more so than ever before, is an art and a science.
Learning in the 21st
century requires a balance between all the elements that
make a great learning experience. From technology to culture, from strategy to
solution, learners need a dynamic approach that will truly be engaging.
Learning should be smartly built, efficiently delivered, beautifully designed,
and strategically integrated into an individual’s normal patterns and today that
includes digital, connected and online experiences.
by Jessica Chorney
DIGITAL. LEARNING.
We practice what we preach. Discover SPECS,
a dynamic approach to learning project management.
SPECS
eLearning in the 21st
Century – inspire deep learning
opportunities for today’s busy professionals.
20 21
Free Project Management Course

22 23
With the recent release of new Ontario Ministry of
Education curriculum documents, Anita has been
hard at work updating the Trillium List of approved
textbooks. She says,“It is exciting to see so many
new resources being developed and submitted for
evaluation. Students should find these resources
relevant and engaging.”
Since 2002, CSC has provided project management
services to the Ontario Ministry of Education for the
evaluation of textbooks to be used in Ontario schools.
Using quality assurance grids—containing standards
which measure curriculum correlation, balance
and inclusivity, content, methodology, assessment
strategies, and format—we conduct a rigorous
evaluation process on learning resources submitted for
approval as textbooks in the province of Ontario.
We recommend textbooks to the Ministry of Education
and then post them on the web-based Trillium List.
We conduct a follow-up with a Ministry of Education
personnel to discuss our rationale and to point out
current trends in resource development.
A multitude of resources have been submitted for
evaluation this year. At the elementary level, the
focus was on French as a Second Language (FSL),
Social Studies, History, and Geography. At the
secondary level, the focus was on FSL, Health and
Physical Education, Canadian and World Studies,
and Social Sciences and Humanities. This year’s
new textbooks support the Ontario curriculum and
reflect the pedagogical approach. For example, FSL
resources focus on teaching students to use language
in meaningful ways in authentic contexts. Resources
supporting History, Geography, Social Sciences, and
the Humanities emphasize inquiry-based learning. All
of these textbooks support the development of critical
and creative thinking in contexts which are relevant to
students’ lives.
This year was also the first time we have evaluated
books by a growing number of publishers submitting
from out of province. It was encouraging to see
smaller publishers in other parts of Canada submitting
resources for evaluation and use in Ontario. We are so
excited for further participation from other Canadian
publishers in the future.
Each year, we see more and more digital components
being introduced into textbook packages and this
year was no exception. “Many of the FSL materials we
evaluated relied heavily on multimedia, including web-
based components,” reports Anita. “We are excited to
see the integration of technology to augment student
learning and we look forward to seeing advanced
design in this area so that technology functions as a
transformative agent of change.”
At a time when educational publishing is so
challenging, it is heartening to see the number of
resources which have been submitted for evaluation
this year. Publishers should be congratulated for the
quality of their submissions and for their success in
responding to recent pedagogical trends.
by Jessica Chorney
RESOURCE. STANDARDS.
The Trillium List continues to grow and our Evaluations
Director, Anita Sherwin-Hamer has been busier than ever.
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BY THE NUMBERS
REVENUE EXPENDITURES
Development Projects
Joint Projects
Evaluation Projects
Design Projects
International Projects
Grants, Interest & Other
Staff Contracts
Development Projects
Operating Support
Joint Projects
Operating Expenses and Other
Design Projects
Evaluation Projects
International Projects
38%
28%
17%
15%
1%
1%
34%
24%
17%
11%
6%
4%
4%
0%

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LEARNOGRAPHY
RECOMMENDS
Kate Salmon, Communications Specialist:
Edutopia.org It is the freshest voice in
education, featuring new perspectives on
cutting-edge education trends.
Juliana Trichilo Cina, Solutions Director:
Ted.com If you’re looking to challenge your
thinking, venture into a new field, or just keep
your knowledge current, you will find it at TED!
Gina Melvin, Operations Director:
What the Bleep!?: Down the Rabbit Hole (2006)
This docudrama connects quantum mechanics,
human consciousness and day-to-day reality.
Watching it truly changed my outlook on life.
Ian Eatock, Solutions Coordinator:
Library and Archives Canada Ultimately, this
sits as raw data in the archives and it presents
an enormous opportunity for educators to
interpret the stories found in the archives,
and give their students something to sink
their teeth into.
Sharrukh Huda, Admin Assistant:
Youtube You can look up how to do anything
and have conversations with others.
Lina Perrone, Design Director:
I recommend going out and trying something
new and completely unrelated to your work.
Pursue something you are interested in and put
yourself in the mindset of a learner.
Danijel Margetic, Media Manager:
Lynda.com It’s a great way to learn about
new programs, and since you can sync it to all
devices you can learn everywhere - I’ve even
done courses while on the treadmill.
Yanick Constant, Billingual Project Leader:
Radio Canada It’s the French version of CBC
and keeps me up to date with French news.
Shaan Singha, Media Coordinator:
r/education Reddit feeds are constantly being
updated and I always find really cool new trends
on r/education.
Troy Fullterton, Instructional Designer:
‘The Elements of Style’ by E.B. White and
William Strunk Jr. It taught me so much about
grammar - one of the best resources out there.
Inderpreet Sidhu, Controller:
http://oshoba.org/ This is my favorite site
because the articles and sound bites help me
grow as a person. I think Osho teaches you how
to bring happiness from within.
Pauline Beggs, Development Director:
The work of Dr. Michael Fullan It has taught
me so much about learning in the 21st century,
and his findings are applicable to all systems –
K-12, post-secondary, and adult.
Anita Sherwin-Hammer, Evaluations Director:
“How Learning Works: Seven Research Based
Principles for Smart Teaching” by Susan A.
Ambrose This is an enlightening research-
based book that introduced me to new
approaches that teachers can take to facilitate
deeper learning.
Lyndsey Breslow, Senior Instructional Designer:
http://www.clomedia.com/ Offers current
articles that are really interesting and easy to
read.
Amy Coupal, CEO:
Twitter I love using Twitter to access new
resources and insights. @lollydaskal is a great
person to follow for leadership strategies and
inspiration. Twitter chats like #edchat are a
great way to gain insight into the needs and
challenges of practitioners – but you have to be
prepared to join in!
We asked our staff of expert learners to share their
favourite educational resources with you.

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What do you do and why do it for Learnography?
I am the Chair of the Board . My responsibilities are to facilitate board member decision making
and thinking about Learnography. This includes the services we provide, potential clients, and
future steps for the organization. I have been a representative for the superintendent’s provincial
organization OPSOA and became the Chair of the Board for Learnography because I was very
excited about the kind of services that we provide: first in the education sector, and now that we’ve
branched into a lot of other client types. I have had the opportunity to learn about a lot of things
that I didn’t learn in my previous job; about the brand itself, marketing, rebranding, and different
services – it’s been so fun and engaging.
How would you describe Learnography?
Learnography sets the standard for excellence in all things associated with learning – tools,
resources, textbooks, ebooks, webcasts, etc. We hope that Learnography will also help other
organizations to identify the learning needs of their team and help to establish how and what people
can learn. I think it is important to understand how to establish learning needs to make learning
happen for anyone.
What is the value of learning in a corporate space?
My philosophy is that as long as you are alive you should always be learning. In a world that is
moving so quickly, there are opportunities to learn several times a day. Whether you’re just curious
or looking for specific new approaches for doing your job, you should always be looking for what you
can learn. If you are in a job and you’ve stopped learning then that is an indication that it’s time to
move to another job.
Tell us about a mentor that had the biggest impact on your life.
Part of the reason why I am still in education was because of the guidance I had from a consultant in
my first year of teaching. When I first started I had no formal teaching training; I went from the food
industry straight into the classroom. This consultant supported me, gave me resources, listened
to questions and dilemmas and taught me so much about teaching. She taught me what it was to
be a teacher and what it was to support other learners while still being a learner myself. I also think
that’s why I chose to become an independent educational leadership consultant myself – I am able
to support new principals through the transition to becoming a leader and help them through this
journey.
Tell us a little known and interesting fact about you.
At my age, I think that it’s interesting that I work out every day! I go to classes like Zumba that make
your mind and your body work at the same time; you have to learn the dance steps and keep to the
beat of the music while still raising your heart rate.
Q&A WITH THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD:
ARDETH STAZ
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30 31
What do you do and why do it for Learnography?
I am the CEO of Learnography. I do it because I am passionate about learning. I have always been
a keen student and been interested in working in education in an unconventional way, which my
career path has supported. Since joining Learnography in 2006, I’ve had the opportunity to learn in
my own professional capacity and also contribute to the learning of others through the work that we
do, so it’s a perfect fit for me.
How would you describe Learnography?
I would describe Learnography as a modern learning organization. We are positively impacting the
daily experiences of learners but also the long term opportunities that emerge from that.
Tell us about your career and personal growth evolution.
My career has always been about learning. I started off as a teacher and in each new role that I
have had the opportunity to take on it has been a progression that I never could have foreseen.
My career has been driven by my curiosity. I’ve also been very fortunate to work for some great
leaders and mentors who have supported and challenged me to go beyond my comfort level. This
was certainly true of Kathryn McFarlane, the previous CEO of Learnography (known as Curriculum
Services Canada under Kathryn’s tenure). I am very grateful for the gentle pushes that she gave me
to continue to develop in my roles at CSC and now Learnography.
Tell us about your most monumental learning experience.
The coaching training that I completed through the Adler Institute was so impactful. They combined
practical skills and tools with personal goals and aspirations so beautifully. I took away great tools
from my experience moving through their coaching certification process. I was also hugely impacted
in terms of who I am as a leader, how I work with teams and who I am as a person. So I don’t think
you can ask for more of a monumental learning experience than that.
What is the value of learning in a corporate space?
One of the positive shifts in thinking about corporate learning is that we don’t just think about
learning as being an event, or even of it being a series of events. Learning is a process that happens
over time. It’s very much embedded in people’s roles and when we create deep connections with
people’s work and responsibilities we have the most positive impact, not only on the corporation but
also the employees.
Q&A WITH THE CEO:
AMY COUPAL
30 31

@lrnogrphy
@CSCorganization
learnography.ca
curriculum.org

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