Check-ins, immediate feedback, and allowing people to structure 80% of their day. These are a few of the new management strategies being developed by LERN members as part of a new management style for the 21st century.   Invented by Gen Z (born 1998-2015) managers, it has been named by LERN  “The Nurturing Management

Contrary to managers’ opinions, Gen Y is not significantly more likely to leave their current employer in the next 3 years than Gen X, their older generation. This data from a year-long survey of your students taking UGotClass courses in leadership and developing leadership skills. Around half of both Gen X and Gen Yers polled

 Confusion reigns when it comes to emerging online formats for classes.  The general public is confused by the lack of common terms and definitions.  Even programmers and class providers are confused.   For example, the term “asynchronous” is not understood at all by the general public.  The term asynchronous did not exist for the last

More new best practices and benchmarks for the field have been documented this year than ever before. Data not available anywhere else has been generated by you and your colleagues. It complements the original research conducted by your LERN staff. Top 7 Original ResearchHere’s the 7 top stories of the year. Each has a story

LERN leaders celebrated your LERN fiscal year 2026 ending June 30 with a review of the top achievements and accomplishments for the field and our 2,000+ members. Photo: New Board members, from left to right: Tawana Flood, Nicola Morgal, Katy Fagan, and Mary Staackmann. Here are some of the achievements. They are in addition to

   Here’s the top 3 questions from members about cheaper alternatives to the print brochure. The Answer: NoQuestion: Regarding a second mailing to best customers list…what about one full catalog/brochure and the second mailing is a postcard with a QR code (with text such as “Register now!”)? Paper and postage are pricey; curious about spending

“Ask AI to do something that you have not asked it to do before,” advises Dan Belhassen, the foremost authority in AI for the field of lifelong learning programming and continuing education.   Whether you are new to AI, or have used it for a year, Belhassen says to ask AI to do something new

   A new AI Certificate will be offered by UGotClass for your community starting in September, Brendan Marsello, Vice President of LERN, has announced.    The new program is “AI ChatGPT Certificate,” taught by Fortune 500 consultant Betsy Flanagan of San Francisco. It will be 3 one-month classes, with a certificate awarded.    “AI Certificate,”

  Workplace development for higher skilled, higher pay jobs is becoming a top priority for society right now.   Two workplace training events taking place this spring will address this issue. 2026 Contract Training and Workforce Development Conference   Sessions for open enrollment workforce development programs will join the advanced, latest how-to sessions on contract training this

    A number of different online formats are being developed by programs.   This is an exciting development for the field.   But institutions currently have no common names and definitions for the different emerging online formats.   As a result, the general public is confused. Programs are also confused. Summit   A one-hour online summit is being held

 The lifelong learning program in the wonderful country of Bermuda is the first program to report success with YouTube advertising for the field.    Tawana Flood, head of the program says, “Based on expert recommendations highlighting that video content is more memorable and emotionally engaging than static media. We hired the services of a local

   The first report of a targeted discount for only specific classes will set a new trend in targeted discounts for the field.   We’ve had Early-Bird Discounts in our field forever.  And forever, they have worked. In fact, any Discount works if you design it correctly.   But what’s new is Forest Hills Public Schools Community

 The top marketing area to improve for 2026. The most likely hot marketing tip to be implemented in the coming year. And the marketing tip that would have the biggest impact for programs.  These were the 3 big marketing topics practitioners responded to and set the direction for LERN practical, how-to tips for members. Top

   Programs doing community classes for the public most want to grow their older audiences in the coming year.   People in their 40s and 50s were rated the most wanted growth area by 33% of practitioners, followed by people over aga 60, which came in at 30% of programs.   The 40s and 50s age range

Some 30 member organizations have achieved Gold Club member status for 2026 with LERN. Gold Club membership is brand new and our highest level of services and benefits. You can join them. In addition to receiving all the benefits and services of both Essential membership and Premier membership, Gold Club members get: *Free consulting via

The best youth program practitioners will report on the new successes of 2025 and what they are planning for summer 2026. Join them and get their hot programs, trends, new strategies and predictions for summer 2026. It’s time to plan your Summer Camps or Kids College program for summer 2026. Two great webinar programs this

In an era of rapid change and uncertainty in lifelong learning programming, you may unexpectedly face demands seriously impacting your program. “Your unit must do more than respond – – you must anticipate,” says Dr. Travette Webster, LERN’s Chief Operating Officer. Three actions to help you anticipate: 1.Proactive planning.Design a strategic portfolio, learner-centered marketing and

Nobody gets too much recognition, says Tim Litfin of Minnetonka, Minnesota.  His community education program is ranked annually as one of the top ten in North America. Do more recognition for your volunteers, instructors, staff, advisory boards, business partners, and anyone else who helps your program be successful. “You have the opportunity to pat someone

Gen X and Gen Y have different priorities when it comes to new management concepts. The differences has implications for your own workplace, plus working with other generations and even customers. Gen Y/Millennials overwhelmingly say the most immediate and relevant new management concept is Exploring empowerment in decision making, according to an exclusive survey of

If you need an AI instructor for your community, partner with LERN to offer AI classes online. With just one registration, you can get up to 50% of the revenue. LERN’s AI instructors Betsy Flanagan and Marcus Lander are nationally known, with participants all over North America.  Flanagan consults with Silicon Valley tech companies. Lander