--- title: Bright Lights and Big Ideas description: Insights and ideas for the Learning & Development industry. image: https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/BlogPost_LightBulb.png --- # Bright Lights and Big Ideas Posted by Alicia Raff & Liesl Christle - November 02, 2017 - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/bright-lights-and-big-ideas) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/bright-lights-and-big-ideas&title=&summary=&source=) - [**](https://twitter.com/home?status=) - [**](https://plus.google.com/share?url=https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/bright-lights-and-big-ideas) - [**](mailto:?&subject=https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/bright-lights-and-big-ideas&body=https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/bright-lights-and-big-ideas) ** ![header-picture](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/BlogPost_LightBulb.png "header-picture") ***“What a fun ride DevLearn 2017 was for the Reflection Software team! Check out what our thoughts were on the top 3 L&D topics that had everyone at DevLearn talking.”*** **![Dev Learn.jpg](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Dev%20Learn.jpg?width=919&name=Dev%20Learn.jpg)** **DevLearn 2017: Bright Lights and Big Ideas** What a fun ride DevLearn 2017 was for the Reflection Software team! This was our first year attending DevLearn since 2013, and after that long hiatus we finally made our way back to the bright lights of Las Vegas. The eLearning Guild did a fantastic job of putting on some truly enlightening sessions, and making us exhibitors feel right at home on the show floor. I always like to reflect on the conversations I had with my fellow colleagues after a conference, it helps me choose my L&D reading for the coming year and also keeps me looking ahead to the future for new and exciting content creation ideas! Here are a few of the main highlights I took away from  DevLearn 2017: **Storytelling – Not just for novels** I found myself talking quite a bit about the importance of storytelling with the attendees that dropped by the booth. More and more, learners are asking the questions, “WHY does this matter to me? How does it relate to my job? WHAT CAN POSSIBLY BE THE POINT??” Storytelling is a great avenue for the learners to take more of a stake in what they’re learning. Instead of just talking *at* the learner, give them a *reason to care*. We’ve done this in the past by creating characters and putting them in situations that relate to those who are viewing it, as well as creating ‘choose your own adventure’ trainings that put the learner *in* the story. Create the impact you want by helping the learner imagine themselves in the same situation. Tell the story!! **Mobile First and Microlearning – Snack-size learning at your fingertips** Microlearning has been quite the buzzword in the industry for a few years now. It’s the learning strategy that takes an overall content goal and divides it into short *nuggets* of information for the learner – what we at RS like to call ‘snack-size’ learning. That way it’s easier to digest (no pun intended…) and you reduce the risk of learner overload or as I like to call it, “the deer in the headlights” look. What I found interesting is the use of microlearning now being combined with mobile first designs. Mobile first means that you are developing with the mobile user in mind first, and you are anticipating your learning will primarily be viewed on mobile devices such as smartphones. Developing for mobile first requires you to think about how your content presentation and content will change. The interface, the screen landscape, size of buttons/clickspots, all of that needs to be taken into consideration! The idea that microlearning can be presented in a mobile first environment is a very exciting prospect that I think will become even more prevalent going into the coming years. It’s all about giving the learner access to content quickly no matter where they are! **Virtual and Augmented Reality – Finding new worlds right from your chair** One discussion I had with an attendee was regarding  an entire virtual reality (VR) world built to teach learners how to fix a submarine. How cool is that?! As I continued the discussions with other attendees, I found there are several factors to keep in mind when considering VR and augmented reality (AR) as options for eLearning. For instance, you have to think realistically about the equipment the learners will need in order to take the training. Do you have the budget to provide VR/AR equipment? You also have to think about your content in general, does it lend itself to this immersive creative treatment? Topics relating to product knowledge or practical application can really be enhanced through this type of treatment. One of my eLearning goals for 2018 is to create an AR prototype just to see how the process would go and determine if it’s a viable option for any of my projects! There were so many interesting and thought-provoking conversations from DevLearn that I couldn’t possibly list them all out here, but rest assured we had an awesome time and we will be returning soon for more conversation and learning. ***I'd love to continue this discussion. Please share your comments below! Happy learning!*** *** ***  ![Raff_Alicia.jpg](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Raff_Alicia.jpg?width=320&name=Raff_Alicia.jpg)  **Author: Alicia Raff, Account Manager** **Contact us at**** [info@reflectionsoftware.com](mailto:info@reflectionsoftware.com). To view all our media services, and our one-of-a-kind eLearning and Learning Management System capabilities, visit us at [www.reflectionsoftware.com. ](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com)** Topics: [eLearning](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/elearning), [training module](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/training-module), [employee development](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/employee-development), [gamification](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/gamification), [eLearning developer](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/elearning-developer), [human resources](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/human-resources) --- ### Recent Posts #### [By Alicia Seguin - April 07, 2026 How to Set Up a Learning & Development Review Process in Four Steps](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/how-to-set-up-a-learning-development-review-process-in-four-steps) [![read more](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/hubfs/IMG-TurboSodium/Sodium%20v2/blog/arrow-recent-blog-post.png "read more")](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/how-to-set-up-a-learning-development-review-process-in-four-steps) #### [By Liesl Christle - March 09, 2026 What L&D Can Learn From the Unique Challenges of Seasonal Hiring](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/what-ld-can-learn-from-the-unique-challenges-of-seasonal-hiring) [![read more](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/hubfs/IMG-TurboSodium/Sodium%20v2/blog/arrow-recent-blog-post.png "read more")](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/what-ld-can-learn-from-the-unique-challenges-of-seasonal-hiring) #### [By Liesl Christle - November 10, 2025 How Communities of Practice Can Build (And Sustain) a Learning Culture](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/how-communities-of-practice-can-build-and-sustain-a-learning-culture) [![read more](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/hubfs/IMG-TurboSodium/Sodium%20v2/blog/arrow-recent-blog-post.png "read more")](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/how-communities-of-practice-can-build-and-sustain-a-learning-culture) --- ### Our Reflections Stay up to date with the latest learning and development industry trends! ### Subscribe to Our Newsletter ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [eLearning (43)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/elearning) - [training and development (32)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/training-and-development) - [employee development (24)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/employee-development) - [Instructional Design (22)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/instructional-design) - [Learning Management System (LMS) (18)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/learning-management-system-lms) - [eLearning developer (14)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/elearning-developer) - [employee training (14)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/employee-training) - [Company Culture (13)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/company-culture) - [gamification (13)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/gamification) - [online training tips (13)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/online-training-tips) - [human resources (12)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/human-resources) - [training module (12)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/training-module) - [design online training (11)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/design-online-training) - [Service & Support (8)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/service-support) - [Media Services (7)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/media-services) - [Video Tips & Tricks (7)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/video-tips-tricks) - [leadership and development (7)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/leadership-and-development) - [RS News (6)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/rs-news) - [Storyline 360 (6)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/storyline-360) - [Client Partner (5)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/client-partner) - [Compliance Training (5)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/compliance-training) - [coaching (5)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/coaching) - [animation learning (4)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/animation-learning) - [corporate training trends (4)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/corporate-training-trends) - [microlearning (4)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/microlearning) - [talent management (4)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/talent-management) - [Client Spotlight (3)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/client-spotlight) - [Preventing Harassment (3)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/preventing-harassment) - [millennial training (3)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/millennial-training) - [on-the-job training (3)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/on-the-job-training) - [security (3)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/security) - [Instructor Led Training (2)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/instructor-led-training) - [Tradeshow (2)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/tradeshow) - [performance management (2)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/performance-management) - [Cognition Updates (1)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/cognition-updates) - [marketing (1)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/marketing) - [progressive development (1)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/progressive-development) - [project management (1)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/project-management) - [retail online training (1)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/retail-online-training) - [succession planning (1)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/succession-planning) [see all](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/bright-lights-and-big-ideas#) ### Blog Archive - [August 2019 (5)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/archive/2019/08) - [October 2019 (5)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/archive/2019/10) - [September 2020 (5)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/archive/2020/09) - [September 2019 (4)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/archive/2019/09) - [November 2019 (4)](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/archive/2019/11) [![Shifting Company Culture ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/462737/17e73cc0-8532-4460-8ff3-76dc347f68ee.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/462737/17e73cc0-8532-4460-8ff3-76dc347f68ee) - [**](https://www.facebook.com/pages/Reflection-Software/501192376627194) - [**](https://twitter.com/reflectionsoftw) - [**](https://linkedin.com/company/reflection-software) Stay in the know. Subscribe to our Blog! ### Let's Get in Touch! We’ve got the learning solutions. You’ve got the vision. Let’s talk about it! ### Call Us [630.270.1200](tel:6302701200) ### Email Us [info@reflectionsoftware.com](mailto:info@reflectionsoftware.com) ### Fresh from our Blog ### Get Updates from Us! [Reflection Software](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com) ©2026 [Privacy Policy](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/privacy-policy)         [Security Policy & Information](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/security-policy-information) **