Tata Interactive Systems (TIS) has held the latest in its worldwide series of 'Tata Interactive Learning Forums' — in New York (on September 28) and in Chicago (on October 2).

The Tata Interactive Learning Forum (TLF), now in its third year, is where thought leaders and decision makers in the training and education industry from across the globe come together to gain new perspectives on learning, share success strategies, as well as network informally with other industry leaders. Attendance at these events is strictly by invitation. Traditionally, the US TLF has focused on higher education and corporate training.

Topics under discussion included:

• Performance support: connecting knowledge, performance and technology
• The learning ecology matrix: learning for the 21st century organisation
• Making online learning more engaging
• The future for corporate universities

Delegates also heard case studies, including those from Northwest Airlines and the Caterpillar University.

Speakers in the 'Corporate' track included: Carol Silk, CLO of NewYork Presbyterian Hospital; Corinne Miller, Director of Training at Motorola University; Steven Smith, Manager of Strategy and Technical Projects at Northwest Airlines, and Gary Dickelman, President and CEO EPSScentral and Faculty, George Mason University. In the 'Education' track, the speakers included Craig Swenson, Provost of Western Governors University; Jeff Schultz of McGraw-Hill Higher Education Online, and Kip Becker, Chairman of the Department of Administrative Sciences at Boston University.

"As technological and economic changes continue to redefine the dynamics of learning, there are more questions than there are answers," commented Manoj Kutty, TIS's worldwide president of sales and marketing. "

This TLF addressed some of these critical issues, including:

• Is just-in-time training possible?
• What are the challenges posed by an increasingly diverse workplace?
• How do you meet growing compliance challenges in the global environment?
• Is learning innovation the key to success?
• What will the changing demographics and outsourcing trends mean for higher education?"

"At TIS, we believe that learning is an on-going process and it is this passion that finds expression in the TLF," Kutty added. "Our spirit flows from this belief and is embodied in the slogan: 'Interact. Innovate. Inspire.'"

TLF delegates were also given free access to a half-day workshop which examined multiplayer simulation products which were new to the US market. In particular, they examined the TOPSIM product suite — which models real industries and simulates complex corporate decision-making scenarios to help people make better decisions. Those participating in the workshop particularly commended that the opportunity for hands-on experience of the TOPSIM software was exceptionally valuable.

TIS plans to hold a variant of the TLF solely focused on learning disabilities — called the Tata Interactive Learning Disabilities Forum (TLDF) later this year. For updates on forthcoming TLF events, please visit www.tatainteractive.com.