AI Led by LERN

AI is the hottest topic of the year for class programs. You are exploring ways to use AI in your operations. And you are offering AI classes for the public and for business. AI for the field of lifelong learning programming and continuing education is being led by LERN.  LERN leaders and staff are working

Sell Your Program’s Value

   You need to sell the value of your program to your institution. The state of the field is such that lifelong learning programs can “future-proof your program”  when you both demonstrate your value to your institution and to the community.    The key to demonstrating your value is to provide numbers on your financial

Digital Marketing KPIs Determined

   While the value of your print brochure has repeatedly been measured with numbers and dollars, the area of digital marketing key performance indicators (KPIs) is just being explored.    Business, in general, has the KPIs overall. But KPIs specific to class programs have not been determined. Until now.     This past year saw cutting

First Summer Camp Survey

   The first summer camp survey for the field was conducted this spring. The results are significant.   Summer camps are in high demand and produce a lot of money for programs. Thus, LERN is recommending every program create or expand their summer youth program. That includes summer youth programs sponsored by universities, community colleges,

The New Management Style of the 21st Century

  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

Gen X vs Gen Y

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 for Emerging Online Formats

 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

Data + Data = ROI

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 Celebrate Year

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

Subject Line Tips

Here are the 3 top tips for writing creative and effective email subject lines. They come from Lisa Robertson, York Maine, and Tawana Flood, Bermuda for their presentation at the LERN Annual Conference. 1.For Subject Lines, write 6 to 10 words. 2.Subject lines that use a number get opened 17% more.If there’s a question in

 Flip Your Instructor Recruitment

 Recruiting instructors is the top concern among programmers in the field right now. Top practitioner Michael Seppi says he has more success flipping the instructor recruitment process.  Do not start with having prospective instructors fill out your application form, he advises. These days, many people are not interested in filling out a cumbersome form with

Digital Marketing KPIs

   New! A committee of top LERN leaders has been formed to develop Digital Marketing KPIs for the field of lifelong learning programming and continuing education.    Yes, there are KPIs for business and organizations. No, there are no benchmarks or standards for our unique field.    From the hundreds of KPIs professionals look at,

Do It Today

  “Ask LERN” your toughest, most immediate question. Do it today. It is FREE if you are with a LERN member organization.    Before you make a decision, check with us. We have the data and experience of programs like yours across the country. So just Ask LERN.    Email info@lern.org  Subject line: Ask LERN

The Answers: No, NO, and HECK NO!

   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

Best AI Advice

“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

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