It’s summertime, and as the song goes, the living is easy. For learning and development professionals looking to level up on the latest L&D advancements, the summer of ’24 offers plenty of reading options! Not sure where to begin? We’ve got you covered with five great books for Learning and Development professionals!
Each is packed with insights, information, and cutting-edge strategies for leveraging AI in your L&D workflow. Whether you’re looking to expand your knowledge, spark your creativity, develop new skills, or stay on top of the latest in AI, my curated summer L&D reading list offers a wealth of engaging insights appealing to a broad range of interests and technical expertise.
Book One: The CEO’s Guide to Training, eLearning & Work
If you’re looking for an authoritative resource on workplace learning and performance, Will Thalheimer’s comprehensive masterwork stands out as a top choice. Drawing from decades of training and development experience consulting with major organizations such as Navy Seals, the World Bank, the United Nations, and the Gates Foundation, the author offers invaluable insights that help learning professionals understand and adapt foundational principles, values, and research-driven best practices.
Designed for ease of reading, the author augments his chapters with in-depth notes for readers who want to explore deeper or gain further insight into the research supporting the ideas shared. The overriding objective is to help learning teams leverage training to create a competitive advantage for organizations and learners.
Learn more here.
Book Two: From Analysis to Evaluation: Tools, Tips, and Techniques for Trainers
Have you ever wondered how beneficial it would be to have a comprehensive learning guide that also offers a wide range of practical L&D tools? Wonder no more! This exceptional book by Dr. Jane Bozarth, now available in digital format, is an ideal resource for learning teams, trainers, instructional designers, and HR professionals looking to improve their L&D skills.
Over 70 useful tools include needs analysis forms, lesson plan templates, eLearning evaluations, and seat time estimators. The editable tools are easily customized for specific L&D needs and organized around the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADDIE) model. Industry leaders like Julie Dirksen, Karl Kapp, and Saul Carliner bring a wealth of expertise and experience that is sure to improve the training power of your programs.
Learn more here.
Book Three: Brain Power: Learn to Improve Your Thinking Skills
If you’re looking for brain-boosting strategies (and who isn’t?), this book fills the bill and then some! Karl Albrecht’s volume is filled with powerful insights, practical strategies, and the latest groundbreaking research on building brain power. Subjects covered include building mental strength and improving memory, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. A key feature includes practical exercises, games, and puzzles to boost mental capabilities.
The book introduces six functional thinking abilities essential to adapting, innovating, and applying creative problem-solving strategies to tackle personal and professional problems. To keep your brain sparked, it includes illustrations, games, and puzzles designed to expand and maximize your mental capabilities, from concentration to intuition.
Learn more here.
Book Four: The Worlds I See: Curiosity, Exploration, and Discovery at the Dawn of AI
This engaging book presents the trailblazing author’s fascinating and pioneering AI work in an engaging and insightful manner. And when it comes to AI, few people have more impressive credentials. Dr. Fei-Fei Li is a renowned computer scientist and professor at Stanford University, best known for her pioneering work in computer vision and artificial intelligence. Wired magazine called Dr. Fei-Fei Li “one of a tiny group of scientists―a group perhaps small enough to fit around a kitchen table―who are responsible for AI’s recent remarkable advances.”
The book traces Li’s journey from China to the U.S. and offers her perspective on AI technology’s significant potential and gathering risks. For L&D professionals, this book is a must-read for its emphasis on keeping humanity at the heart of our latest transformative technology. Not to mention that it’s on the Financial Times list of Best Books of 2023 and recommended by Barack Obama!
Learn more here.
Book Five: Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI
Author Ethan Mollick’s book, recently published in April 2024, is one of two that learning guru and Broadway producer Elliott Masie will hand out at this September’s AI and Learning event (the other being Elliott Masie’s own “Fall 2024 Guidebook to AI and Learning). In our books, that’s a very big vote of confidence in the value of this book!
This book is a timely and engaging guide to many fascinating and rapidly evolving aspects of AI, including its breathtaking potential, limitations, and ethical considerations. Of particular interest to L&D professionals are the insights and strategies for using AI collaboratively as a co-worker, coach, creative resource, and several other roles.
Learn more here.