Talent EDGE Learning

Talent EDGE Learning Calendar

Explore the Talent E.D.G.E. Learning Calendar to find upcoming learning events and sessions that align with your development goals--Don't forget to copy to your calendar.

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The iO Learning Management System, or LMS, is a centralized platform that gives employees easy access to learning resources, skill development, and performance support in one place. With more than 27,000 online courses, books, workshops, assessments, and AI-powered simulators, the LMS enables continuous, self-directed development that aligns learning to real-world challenges. It supports growth at every career stage by making development accessible, relevant, and actionable when and where it is needed.

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Programs and Content

Philosophy/Vision

The Mission of the Office of Talent and Organizational Development is to foster an organizational learning environment that contributes to the effectiveness of Rice employees and teams and provides them with the support, skills, and information necessary to lead and perform with excellence.

Ultimately, in partnership with Rice leadership, teams, divisions, schools, and departments, we will employ a continuum of strategies, services, and interventions to increase organizational effectiveness.

Fundamentals of Supervision Leadership Series (FOSLS)

The Fundamentals of Supervision Learning Series (FOSLS) is a six-week development program designed to help line managers build and strengthen essential supervisory skills while laying a strong foundation for leadership success. The program blends self-paced learning courses with required application tasks and the creation of an actionable development plan. Learning is reinforced through Leader Insight Forums, where experienced leaders share practical perspectives, and collaborative reflection sessions that encourage participants to connect learning to real workplace challenges. Participants gain practical strategies for engaging, developing, and growing their teams, while earning digital badges that can be recognized and shared across institutional and professional platforms.

The program emphasizes applied learning, reflection, and peer dialogue, supported by interactive Q&A and facilitated discussions. Together, these experiences are designed to promote sustained growth, strengthen supervisory effectiveness, and create measurable impact in day-to-day leadership practice.

CAISY AI Simulator

CAISY AI Simulator is an interactive, AI-powered practice environment that lets employees build skills through realistic, on-demand conversations and scenarios. It provides safe, judgment-free reps where learners can practice in over 90 critical workplace situations, receive instant feedback, and improve confidence before applying skills on the job.

Examples of how employees can use CAISY AI Simulator:

• Practice a first-time manager conversation, such as delivering feedback, setting expectations, or coaching performance.
• Rehearse difficult customer service interactions, including de-escalation, empathy, and problem resolution.
• CAISY enables learning by doing, helping employees turn knowledge into capability through realistic practice and repetition.
• Simulate leadership moments like navigating conflict, leading change, or addressing team dynamics.
• Build confidence in sensitive conversations related to DEI, well-being, cybersecurity awareness, or sales and negotiation

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Popular AI Simulations:

• Coaching an Employee through Career Development
• Socratic Questioning
• Delegating Responsibly, Not Recklessly
• Fostering Accountability
• Handling Request for a Pay Raise
• Managing Emotions During Crucial Conversations

Skill Benchmarks (Assessments)

Benchmarking framework organizes targeted learning pathways across key capability areas, enabling employees to build skills that matter most for individual growth and organizational success. Each category reflects curated content and learning standards aligned to real-world demands, helping learners gain knowledge, confidence, and performance impact. Whether an employee is advancing technical expertise, strengthening leadership capacity, improving productivity, or growing professional effectiveness, these benchmarks guide development with clarity and purpose.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (9)
Focused content to build foundational and applied skills in AI and ML concepts, tools, and implementation practices that support emerging roles and modern workflows.

Business Operations (9)
Practical courses designed to sharpen operational thinking, process improvement, and efficiency skills essential for day-to-day execution and business continuity.

Cloud (9)
Comprehensive learning paths covering cloud fundamentals, architecture, deployment models, and platform services that support scalable, resilient business systems.

Customer Service (3)
Essentials for customer-facing employees to enhance empathy, problem solving, communication, and satisfaction outcomes.

Data (50)
Extensive data literacy and analytics training, including data management, visualization, interpretation, and decision support to drive insight-based outcomes.

Digital Transformation (19)
Learning that equips employees to understand, lead, and contribute to organizational change driven by technology, innovation, and new business models.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (2)
Targeted content to strengthen inclusive behaviors, cultural awareness, and equitable practices across the workplace.

Infrastructure & Operations (22)
Technical learning on core systems, networking, operations management, and infrastructure that support reliable technology delivery.

Leadership Development Program powered by MIT SMR (14)
Executive-aligned leadership courses co-designed with MIT Sloan Management Review that accelerate strategic thinking, influencing, and performance leadership.

Management (31)
Practical development for new and experienced managers on planning, delegation, performance conversations, team dynamics, and decision making.

Product Management (2)
Focused insights on product discovery, planning, development cycles, and market alignment.

Productivity & Collaboration Tools (56)
Skills to use modern productivity platforms, communication tools, and collaborative technologies effectively in team environments.

Professional Improvement (28)
Foundational soft skills including communication, time management, critical thinking, resilience, and career effectiveness.

Programming (1)
Introductory coding content to support computational thinking and basic software interaction.

Project Management (15)
Structured training in project planning, execution, risk mitigation, stakeholder alignment, and delivery frameworks.

Sales & Marketing (4)
Practical skills to support customer acquisition, relationship building, branding, and performance analytics.

Security (19)
Essential cybersecurity awareness and technical controls training to protect information, systems, and organizational assets.

Skillsoft Bootcamps (4)
Immersive, cohort-based experiences that accelerate skill acquisition, hands-on practice, and career readiness in high-demand areas.

Topic Index

iO Learning offers a broad, flexible library designed to support continuous growth across technical, professional, and leadership capabilities. The platform brings together curated learning paths, hands-on practice, and real-world applications so employees can develop skills that are immediately relevant to their roles and career goals.

Topics include AI and AI Simulators, covering AI literacy, prompt engineering, business transformation, and interactive practice through CAISY AI simulations. Belonging and Well-Being focuses on diversity, equity and inclusion, unconscious bias, well-being, and leading inclusively. Business and Operations supports core organizational functions such as planning, finance, HR, compliance, process improvement, customer success, sales, and marketing.

Leadership and Supervision develops leaders at all levels through strategy, execution, team leadership, management essentials, and leadership transitions. Productivity and Collaboration builds effectiveness with digital tools, collaboration platforms, remote work, and modern workplace skills. Professional Development strengthens communication, accountability, performance, self-discovery, and career effectiveness.

The catalog also includes Project Management, with fundamentals, methods, certifications, and bootcamps, and Technology and Data Management, covering cloud, cybersecurity, architecture, administration, data engineering, and IT operations. Together, these topics give employees access to learning, practice, and growth opportunities across virtually every aspect of modern work.

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Frequently Asked Questions about iO Learning

What is iO Learning?

iO Learning is a centralized learning platform that gives employees on-demand access to courses, books, simulations, assessments, and practice tools to support continuous professional and technical development.

What types of learning are available in iO Learning?

iO Learning offers a wide range of topics including leadership and management, AI and data, project management, cybersecurity, productivity tools, professional skills, well-being, and hands-on AI simulations for real-world practice.

How does iO Learning help employees develop skills?

Employees can learn at their own pace, apply concepts through interactive simulations and practice scenarios, and build confidence through repetition before using skills in real work situations.

Is iO Learning only for technical roles?

No. iO Learning is designed for all roles and career stages, from individual contributors and first-time managers to experienced leaders and technical specialists.

Do I need manager approval to use iO Learning?

For most courses, no approval is required. Employees can access iO Learning anytime to support self-directed learning, skill building, and career development. Some additional courses may require payment, and those offerings may require manager approval before enrollment.

Can I use iO Learning to prepare for certifications or new roles?

Yes. Many learning paths support certification preparation, role transitions, and skill building for new responsibilities or career changes.

What makes iO Learning different from traditional training?

iO Learning emphasizes continuous learning and practice, combining on-demand content with simulations, assessments, and real-world scenarios rather than one-time courses.

Who do I contact if I need more information?

Please reach out to otd@rice.edu

Events and News

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