Hello, please follow the link below to hear a podcast about podcasting and learning.
http://dadadaddad.podbean.com/mf/web/hfmk5b/Podcasting-Episode2.mp3
This is the second podcast that I have done - it was fun to add in a bit of music.
Thank you!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Screencasting - Episode 1
Ok - so my screencasting experience has not been as smooth as I would have liked.
To make a long story short - I had A LOT of trouble uploading my screencast to another URL.
Bob helped me a lot, and provided me with some hope that I might be able to figure it all out on my own. I FINALLY was able to post my screencast...and although a bit small...here it is...WHOOO HOOO!!
Thanks...
To make a long story short - I had A LOT of trouble uploading my screencast to another URL.
Bob helped me a lot, and provided me with some hope that I might be able to figure it all out on my own. I FINALLY was able to post my screencast...and although a bit small...here it is...WHOOO HOOO!!
Thanks...
Thursday, March 18, 2010
FlickR
I went a little crazy uploading photo's onto FlickR. I have a weakness and it is photo's ... I can never decide which ones to put on because I love them all.
Honestly, I found Flickr to be less intuitive compared to Facebook and MySpace. At first I thought you could only edit photo's via isolating them from the batch. After I played around with it (created sets, etc.) I discovered that you can edit/delete pictures just by clicking them.
Once I did begin to understand the varying functions in FlickR I realized that it had a lot to offer. The slide show feature is a really nice tool.
As a learning instrument FlickR is a nice idea. I have a friend that teachers for a private school, every year they take a vacation to a new country - this year they are going to Cambodia and Vietnam. When I thought about Flickr as a learning tool, I thought that it would be nice for the class to share their experiences with friends/family as a group.
I also think that art/design instructors can use this type of site so that their students can publish their work. If they make their sites public they might receive feedback which may help them. Even if they keep their sites locked, the gallery mode is a neat concept.
Flickr has a lot to offer for more informal means of learning (in my opinion of course) however, in more formal corporate environment, I haven't really been able to come up with ideas on how it might be used...except for learners to share experiences with each other...perhaps someone will have suggestions for me???
Thanks...
Honestly, I found Flickr to be less intuitive compared to Facebook and MySpace. At first I thought you could only edit photo's via isolating them from the batch. After I played around with it (created sets, etc.) I discovered that you can edit/delete pictures just by clicking them.
Once I did begin to understand the varying functions in FlickR I realized that it had a lot to offer. The slide show feature is a really nice tool.
As a learning instrument FlickR is a nice idea. I have a friend that teachers for a private school, every year they take a vacation to a new country - this year they are going to Cambodia and Vietnam. When I thought about Flickr as a learning tool, I thought that it would be nice for the class to share their experiences with friends/family as a group.
I also think that art/design instructors can use this type of site so that their students can publish their work. If they make their sites public they might receive feedback which may help them. Even if they keep their sites locked, the gallery mode is a neat concept.
Flickr has a lot to offer for more informal means of learning (in my opinion of course) however, in more formal corporate environment, I haven't really been able to come up with ideas on how it might be used...except for learners to share experiences with each other...perhaps someone will have suggestions for me???
Thanks...
RSS Feeds and Learning
RSS Feeds are a completely new concept to me (like almost everything I've learned about over the past few weeks). I think that they hold a lot of opportunity to help faculty stay connected and to become "learned" not only in their respective discipline, but others as well.
I was impressed that RSS Feeds could be shared between collegues through Twitter. "Hey guys, check out this link/feed" From there, you just add it to your aggregator and you have the opportunity to be regulary updated (i.e. a journal or magazine).
I think that the Aggregator is an amazing technology because it helps you track your favourite information. It really does help to save time, also if you have the ability to go into it and select a link of interest, and then pass it along to a collegue without them having to wait "forever" - it saves a lot of time.
RSS Feeds are a great idea and I think that instructors/learners alike should be encouraged to subscribe to, and follow, several feeds prevelant to their course content. It will help them stay current with the information they are learning and this knowledge will add to the quality of discussion within the classroom.
Overall, I can see how RSS Feeds are considered a powerful tool to use in the classroom, they truly are another method of enhancing the resources used to expose a learner to a subject.
As for my own personal experience, I am enjoying the Aggregator (I'm using Google Reader and have found it fairly straight forward) ... I'm also feeling slightly... sophisticated ; )
Thanks...
I was impressed that RSS Feeds could be shared between collegues through Twitter. "Hey guys, check out this link/feed" From there, you just add it to your aggregator and you have the opportunity to be regulary updated (i.e. a journal or magazine).
I think that the Aggregator is an amazing technology because it helps you track your favourite information. It really does help to save time, also if you have the ability to go into it and select a link of interest, and then pass it along to a collegue without them having to wait "forever" - it saves a lot of time.
RSS Feeds are a great idea and I think that instructors/learners alike should be encouraged to subscribe to, and follow, several feeds prevelant to their course content. It will help them stay current with the information they are learning and this knowledge will add to the quality of discussion within the classroom.
Overall, I can see how RSS Feeds are considered a powerful tool to use in the classroom, they truly are another method of enhancing the resources used to expose a learner to a subject.
As for my own personal experience, I am enjoying the Aggregator (I'm using Google Reader and have found it fairly straight forward) ... I'm also feeling slightly... sophisticated ; )
Thanks...
DIGG
WoW....so what are my thoughts on DIGG????
Well, DIGG is another first for me.
I think that overall, it's a great idea, but a lot of the posts I've discovered vary between "crap" and "fantastic". I did a "Digg Search" for "learning" and up popped a variety of articles... including:
Is Cocaine to Blame for Global Warming?
Why Does Glenn Beck Hate Jesus?
in all fairness, there were practical articles as well (i.e. link to the New Yorker).
However, as much as I love technology, I think that something like Digg or Delicious is difficult to suggest and use with a younger class.
It's clearly difficult to screen examples, and as an authoritative figure, I don't know how justified you can be in recommending that kids go out and randomly read these articles. I realize that on their own they would probably find these things - however, in my opinion, instructors don't need to initiate that awareness.
I think that a site like DIGG is more appropriate for an older audience. It works really well with an agreggator - There is a lot of information out there, but once you've narrowed down your search to things that really interest you ... there is a lot of potential in keeping up to date with similar posts/articles.
Overall, I like the concept of Digg - I think that I would read an article based on popularity alone - and often times I don't think that I would be let down. Digg has the ability to expose an individual to an idea or concept that they had never been aware of until they noticed that 500 other people "dug" it.
I shall continue with my Digg journey, and perhaps I will change my mind on the use for younger classrooms - however, for now, my opinion remains that I would not encourage a younger audience to search through this site.
Thanks..
Well, DIGG is another first for me.
I think that overall, it's a great idea, but a lot of the posts I've discovered vary between "crap" and "fantastic". I did a "Digg Search" for "learning" and up popped a variety of articles... including:
Is Cocaine to Blame for Global Warming?
Why Does Glenn Beck Hate Jesus?
in all fairness, there were practical articles as well (i.e. link to the New Yorker).
However, as much as I love technology, I think that something like Digg or Delicious is difficult to suggest and use with a younger class.
It's clearly difficult to screen examples, and as an authoritative figure, I don't know how justified you can be in recommending that kids go out and randomly read these articles. I realize that on their own they would probably find these things - however, in my opinion, instructors don't need to initiate that awareness.
I think that a site like DIGG is more appropriate for an older audience. It works really well with an agreggator - There is a lot of information out there, but once you've narrowed down your search to things that really interest you ... there is a lot of potential in keeping up to date with similar posts/articles.
Overall, I like the concept of Digg - I think that I would read an article based on popularity alone - and often times I don't think that I would be let down. Digg has the ability to expose an individual to an idea or concept that they had never been aware of until they noticed that 500 other people "dug" it.
I shall continue with my Digg journey, and perhaps I will change my mind on the use for younger classrooms - however, for now, my opinion remains that I would not encourage a younger audience to search through this site.
Thanks..
Thursday, March 11, 2010
The Potential of Blogging and Training
I did not realize the full potential of training and blogging until I read the chapter on blogging. Until this course I had always thought that a blog was an online diary, and I suppose it can be and is for some; However, it can also be used for so much more.
I think that facilitators who encourage their students to participate in blogs are very 'future forward', and that the overall idea of blogging as a whole is very creative.
I believe that blogging has the ability to enhance the overall quality of education provided as well as provides a different method of learning to help capture the overall learning needs of a larger population (meaning they have a blended learning experiences and those that may benefit from an online environment have that opportunity [i.e. shy student]).
Students who are encouraged to create their own blogs, to research and link with others' blogs, and to participate in course blogs are being given an opportunity to maximize their learning experience because the resources they use are more involved.
The chapter mentioned that blogging can lead to an improvement in critical writing skills. I agree with this. Knowing that your work has the potential to be critiqued by an unlimited audience most likely will make one pay closer attention to the final product. As well, when reading and commenting on anothers blog, skills are learned to make comments more 'politically correct' - these skills can be transfered to many aspects of life.
Reading about how classes have had authors participate in their blogging experience (related to that book) was wonderful. As a student, knowing that the author is "listening in" would not only make the learning experience more memorable, but also more meaningful. This example really made me think about how small the world can be, about how easily we might connect with each other and share our ideas. Blogging holds vast potential in this regard.
I think that blogging can also open up opportunities in terms of feedback. An instructor has the ability to post questions and view responses. Based on answers, the instructor will be able to tell whether or not the learners have grasped the necessary meaning of the course. Also, the instructor can post questions on how to make a course better. Anybody might comment and the instructor may receive some ideas for improving the content or method of delivery.
I have learned that blogs can be either an individual experience or a group experience. It enables freedom of expression, and if done properly (thought involved) opens a world of potential in terms of communication.
The idea of blogging and training is still new to me. However, seeing how great a resource it has the potential to be, makes me believe that blogging cannot be ignored by a facilitator, it should be USED.
The internet is a wealth of resources, and I don't think I fully understood this until now. As facilitators it is our responsibility to help our learners better themselves, and in my opinion, this means making use of as many resources as possible (of course within reason). Blogging is only one of those sources of knowledge, but it is an important one and cannot be ignored.
I am happy to have read about how blogging has been used by others in their classrooms. It has given me new insight into training methodologies as well as made me think about how I might bring my instruction into the future (where it should be!)
Until next time!!
I think that facilitators who encourage their students to participate in blogs are very 'future forward', and that the overall idea of blogging as a whole is very creative.
I believe that blogging has the ability to enhance the overall quality of education provided as well as provides a different method of learning to help capture the overall learning needs of a larger population (meaning they have a blended learning experiences and those that may benefit from an online environment have that opportunity [i.e. shy student]).
Students who are encouraged to create their own blogs, to research and link with others' blogs, and to participate in course blogs are being given an opportunity to maximize their learning experience because the resources they use are more involved.
The chapter mentioned that blogging can lead to an improvement in critical writing skills. I agree with this. Knowing that your work has the potential to be critiqued by an unlimited audience most likely will make one pay closer attention to the final product. As well, when reading and commenting on anothers blog, skills are learned to make comments more 'politically correct' - these skills can be transfered to many aspects of life.
Reading about how classes have had authors participate in their blogging experience (related to that book) was wonderful. As a student, knowing that the author is "listening in" would not only make the learning experience more memorable, but also more meaningful. This example really made me think about how small the world can be, about how easily we might connect with each other and share our ideas. Blogging holds vast potential in this regard.
I think that blogging can also open up opportunities in terms of feedback. An instructor has the ability to post questions and view responses. Based on answers, the instructor will be able to tell whether or not the learners have grasped the necessary meaning of the course. Also, the instructor can post questions on how to make a course better. Anybody might comment and the instructor may receive some ideas for improving the content or method of delivery.
I have learned that blogs can be either an individual experience or a group experience. It enables freedom of expression, and if done properly (thought involved) opens a world of potential in terms of communication.
The idea of blogging and training is still new to me. However, seeing how great a resource it has the potential to be, makes me believe that blogging cannot be ignored by a facilitator, it should be USED.
The internet is a wealth of resources, and I don't think I fully understood this until now. As facilitators it is our responsibility to help our learners better themselves, and in my opinion, this means making use of as many resources as possible (of course within reason). Blogging is only one of those sources of knowledge, but it is an important one and cannot be ignored.
I am happy to have read about how blogging has been used by others in their classrooms. It has given me new insight into training methodologies as well as made me think about how I might bring my instruction into the future (where it should be!)
Until next time!!
Weblinks and Training Blogs!
Today I discovered a blog devoted to Dale Carnegie, it offers some neat tips on how to be "successful", some interesting links to video clips and freebies such as a "Goal setting assessment", "Weekly e-tips" and the "Golden Book".
I was impressed to find this link because in my experience, Dale Carnegie has some wonderful insight into communication. Although some of these tips are common "sensical", they can act as a reminder of positive communication for those interested in bettering their communication style.
http://blog.dalecarnegie.com/
As a trainer, being able to suggest that your learners link to such a website and explore some of those "secrets of success" means that you are able to offer a source in which might help to benefit them. I found this particular blog to be interesting and easy to scroll through, as I'm certain my learners will as well.
Another Blog concept that I discovered (and which I'm sure you are all aware of but since I'm fairly new to this 'whole blogging thing' is new to me) ... is the idea of a blog directory.
http://www.iblogbusiness.com/
Now, this concept has REALLY impressed me.
As a professional, I can go on and look through this business blog directory and find blogs/articles which interest me or that I may be needing to learn more about.
In training, sometimes you start off with very little knowledge about the subject you are being asked to design a course for. However, the fact that I can go to a business-blog directory and look it up, read about different perspectives and views ... is HUGE! It will help me form an opinion of the subject because I will have an opportunity to see what others have experienced and also what others have commented about in response to those particular experiences.
I truly believe that this site alone opens up a world of opportunity in how a person might approach learning a subject on their own. I feel a little overwhelmed by how much information is available through blogging.
I hadn't known that blogs were being used as a type of business, training, etc. forum and I find it interesting to see that industries are using this tool to help connect with external communities.
So...to conclude. I've discovered that blogs can be useful tools not only for the learners (as an additional resource) but also for the trainers (helping to train the trainer!). The blog is not limited to one way of thinking, it's open to interpretation and I think that as a learning tool - this is what's most important about it. An "observer" can come in and view more than one perspective, as well as participate in discussion if they so choose.
That's all for now!
I was impressed to find this link because in my experience, Dale Carnegie has some wonderful insight into communication. Although some of these tips are common "sensical", they can act as a reminder of positive communication for those interested in bettering their communication style.
http://blog.dalecarnegie.com/
As a trainer, being able to suggest that your learners link to such a website and explore some of those "secrets of success" means that you are able to offer a source in which might help to benefit them. I found this particular blog to be interesting and easy to scroll through, as I'm certain my learners will as well.
Another Blog concept that I discovered (and which I'm sure you are all aware of but since I'm fairly new to this 'whole blogging thing' is new to me) ... is the idea of a blog directory.
http://www.iblogbusiness.com/
Now, this concept has REALLY impressed me.
As a professional, I can go on and look through this business blog directory and find blogs/articles which interest me or that I may be needing to learn more about.
In training, sometimes you start off with very little knowledge about the subject you are being asked to design a course for. However, the fact that I can go to a business-blog directory and look it up, read about different perspectives and views ... is HUGE! It will help me form an opinion of the subject because I will have an opportunity to see what others have experienced and also what others have commented about in response to those particular experiences.
I truly believe that this site alone opens up a world of opportunity in how a person might approach learning a subject on their own. I feel a little overwhelmed by how much information is available through blogging.
I hadn't known that blogs were being used as a type of business, training, etc. forum and I find it interesting to see that industries are using this tool to help connect with external communities.
So...to conclude. I've discovered that blogs can be useful tools not only for the learners (as an additional resource) but also for the trainers (helping to train the trainer!). The blog is not limited to one way of thinking, it's open to interpretation and I think that as a learning tool - this is what's most important about it. An "observer" can come in and view more than one perspective, as well as participate in discussion if they so choose.
That's all for now!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Blogging....
WoW!
And so I have a blog. Just like that. One day I didn't - and now I do.
It's amazing that so many people can so easily sign up to share their thoughts with the world. I wonder what I will have to say now that I have the ability to say it to such a vast audience...???
Technology is amazing. Nobody can deny it.
Well, thus concludes my first experience with THE BLOG.
Ciao ciao!
And so I have a blog. Just like that. One day I didn't - and now I do.
It's amazing that so many people can so easily sign up to share their thoughts with the world. I wonder what I will have to say now that I have the ability to say it to such a vast audience...???
Technology is amazing. Nobody can deny it.
Well, thus concludes my first experience with THE BLOG.
Ciao ciao!
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