Far More Ours Than Mine

Today I recorded my first quick release course, a course that's created in 24 hours, for lynda.com|LinkedIn. Microsoft Dynamics 365 launched on November 1, and two days later Dynamics 365 First Look is available for LinkedIn and lynda.com members. Here’s the wicked cool part: I've recorded dozens of lynda.com courses, but today, for the first time, I had a front row seat for the work that begins after my recording work ends.

My online courses are thoughtfully produced by Ian Martin. As the producer, Ian's the main point of contact for questions and issues that arise after recording. He occasionally forwards an email inquiry from other folks working on a course, but it’s mostly Ian and me, and our communication is relatively limited. Ian handles the majority of the questions -- first (and most importantly) because he knows the answers, but also, because trapping questions protects authors' time and attention. As a result, once all the movies for a course are recorded, most of my work is done and it's quiet and serene in my studio. A few weeks later I'm notified that the course has been posted in the training library and I brew a cup of coffee, open a browser, and check it out.    

There’s a different communication system for this quick release course: one email thread for everyone working on the course. Ian's running point and the recipient list includes Max, George, Pamela, Debbie, Jody, Hayley, Jeff, Cody, Christine and other editors, testers, people crafting descriptions, audio techs, proofreaders, good folks all, most of whom I have not previously met. Their day is neither serene nor quiet. It has excitement and volume. 

As the day wears on, more voices join the conversation. Eric, Lauren, Kirk, Randall, Rob, Dan, and John are asking and answering specific questions, getting all of the details right. Even after my input is no longer needed I stay online, watching intently as this growing team of specialists deftly converts a set of AVI files I recorded yesterday to today's well appointed online learning opportunity. For me, this is magic.

At 5:08 p.m. EDT I receive the email notification I've been waiting for: Microsoft Dynamics 365 First Look with Gini von Courter is now live in the training library. I click the link and there it is, complete with a cover graphic, captions, transcript, all the bells and whistles. More emails arrive expressing congratulations to the author, to the team: great job, well done all. I am always pleased when a course I recorded goes live, but on this day my joy is more informed. Today I am conscious that this course, developed and crafted for our members, is far more ours than mine -- and that it has always been so, whether I knew it or not. I'm grateful to the team at lynda.com|LinkedIn for what we create together, and to Aaron Quigley for offering me this unexpected opportunity to glimpse the magic.

Want to know more? For thousands of days of magical learning, click the Go to Learning link at the top of this page, or visit lynda.com.