I was talking with a friend and colleague this week, who mentioned in passing that it would be cool to have podcasts of some information controlled by a board she sits on. We talked about it and I suggested that I make a sample for her to present to the board. We are both excited about the possibilities of this new venture. It would be on a volunteer basis for me, but she thought they would be able to spend some cash on necessary software, which I would, of course, get to keep. Another win for technology! The PowerPoint (have I mentioned I love the 2007 version yet?!) is ready other than adding voice to it. I am going to put in a shameless plug for the Horton eLearning Design course, which helped me think through the process of this project, and the outcome is better for my having attended their course.
Many people will be able to benefit from this project, so I am very excited. I don't think I can wait until our next class to create a podcast. Ok, I probably can, but I don't want to!
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
MS Office 2007
Microsoft Office 2007 has some very cool features. I love the updated designs and templates, especially in PowerPoint. I was able to combine the new templates with something I learned in a Horton eLearning certificate program I took, and I'm so excited. I was surprised to learn during the program that most of their slides in their eLearning module were made in PowerPoint. I was expecting to hear that they were made in a fancy design tool, but they weren't. PowerPoint has the ability to embed logic in the slides, and a new world was opened up to me. I feel empowered to create activities that I never knew I could do. Now I just need something to create.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Des Moines
Today completed the first weekend of our class, and I left full of excitement and ideas. Then I went to a family party and "talked shop" with one of my relatives, who is an IT manager where I work. We talked eLearning, IT considerations, etc. I came home excited to do a little work before bed. I was unable to get into my computer. I don't know why. I am so frustrated with my computer. Is it so much to ask to have a computer that works? We spent a fair chunk of change on it two years ago, so it should not be falling apart yet. That is one downside to technology; it is only as effective as the tools and equipment you have to make it work. Thankfully my husband has a computer tha works, so I am able to do homework.
Today in our group reflection time, we talked more about the best practices and concerns with this course specifically and collaboration in general. As we were talking, one of our group members mentioned a collaborative effort she was involved with where numerous people were involved with putting on an event for 10,000 people. She said it was challenging, but effective. That led to a discussion of the ASTD web site redesign project. We talked about some of the challenges we have had with the design and the group started sharing ideas of what could be represented on the home page if we go with the town square idea. I got so many ideas and I now have a fairly concrete idea in my head. I need to call the designer to get these ideas on paper. The ideas that came out of that 10-15 minutes were incredible and I am pretty sure I wouldn't have come up with them on my own.
The biggest thing I took away from this weekend, aside from what I just mentioned, is a feeling of empowerment. There are applications available that make it possible to do just about anything I set my mind to do. I thought of several ways to use the technologies we used today. For example, I would like to start a blog for the students in a couple of my ongoing courses. I envision a place where I would summarize the chapter and allow the students to post questions to it, similar to a discussion forum. We haven't talked about those in class, but I am guessing that they are something like a wiki. I am looking forward to playing with this technology over the next couple months.
Today in our group reflection time, we talked more about the best practices and concerns with this course specifically and collaboration in general. As we were talking, one of our group members mentioned a collaborative effort she was involved with where numerous people were involved with putting on an event for 10,000 people. She said it was challenging, but effective. That led to a discussion of the ASTD web site redesign project. We talked about some of the challenges we have had with the design and the group started sharing ideas of what could be represented on the home page if we go with the town square idea. I got so many ideas and I now have a fairly concrete idea in my head. I need to call the designer to get these ideas on paper. The ideas that came out of that 10-15 minutes were incredible and I am pretty sure I wouldn't have come up with them on my own.
The biggest thing I took away from this weekend, aside from what I just mentioned, is a feeling of empowerment. There are applications available that make it possible to do just about anything I set my mind to do. I thought of several ways to use the technologies we used today. For example, I would like to start a blog for the students in a couple of my ongoing courses. I envision a place where I would summarize the chapter and allow the students to post questions to it, similar to a discussion forum. We haven't talked about those in class, but I am guessing that they are something like a wiki. I am looking forward to playing with this technology over the next couple months.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Wikinomics: Ch 10 Review
Just as the book talked about the perfect storm hitting the business environment, I feel my own perfect storm brewing. Preparing for this class, reading Wikinomics, taking an online eLearning design course and getting involved in a number of eLearning projects have all come together to create an excitement in me that I can't explain. I embrace this new way of thinking and communicating, and it is giving a home to the passion I have for learning.
I am currently involved in a project to reinvent the ASTD Iowa web site. We have made a lot of progress, but we are entering the creative phase. The idea of collaboration has made its way into our design, and I am thrilled to see where it takes us. Our newest member to the redesign team, Cindi Adams, set us on a course that has infused new life into our thoughts as to where we can go. The idea is simple, but so powerful. Let the web site tell our story and be a place of collaboration, not just information. There are so many possibilities, if we just allow ourselves to grab hold of them.
I am currently involved in a project to reinvent the ASTD Iowa web site. We have made a lot of progress, but we are entering the creative phase. The idea of collaboration has made its way into our design, and I am thrilled to see where it takes us. Our newest member to the redesign team, Cindi Adams, set us on a course that has infused new life into our thoughts as to where we can go. The idea is simple, but so powerful. Let the web site tell our story and be a place of collaboration, not just information. There are so many possibilities, if we just allow ourselves to grab hold of them.
Wikinomics: Ch 9 review
Hands down, this was my favorite chapter. I even read most of the Geek Squad story twice; the first time to myself and the second time out loud to my husband. We got to have some laughs over the Geek Squad job titles, but the deeper impact has been driven home to me as a customer. I purchased a computer from one of their competitors two years ago. I have been having issues with it for the last several months. I took it to the store where I purchased it, as they have a service desk (I use that term loosely). They have had the computer three times and it still has the original problem. Even before reading this chapter, it occurred to me that I could call the Geek Squad to fix the problem. They have made a name for themselves by being really good at what they do, and they can obviously laugh at themselves. In my mind, that goes a long way!
Best Buy's leadership was smart in teaming with Geek Squad. Best Buy was notorious for having sales people who knew nothing about the products they sold, and getting them repaired was worse. I have my own experience there, as well, but that's for another day. The point is that Best Buy recognized a deficiency and collaborated outside themselves to challenge and overcome it. Isn't that the whole point of the new collaborative environment?
There were lots of ahas in this chapter, but one that really stuck out is a comment that we should look for consultancy to be the dominant contractual model for work in the near future. This is something that I have been considering myself for some time, and the current corporate environment is a scary place to be. It is going to become more of a necessity that people have transferable skills. Since many companies are reducing staff, consultants have more opportunities to provide value without being paid employees.
Best Buy's leadership was smart in teaming with Geek Squad. Best Buy was notorious for having sales people who knew nothing about the products they sold, and getting them repaired was worse. I have my own experience there, as well, but that's for another day. The point is that Best Buy recognized a deficiency and collaborated outside themselves to challenge and overcome it. Isn't that the whole point of the new collaborative environment?
There were lots of ahas in this chapter, but one that really stuck out is a comment that we should look for consultancy to be the dominant contractual model for work in the near future. This is something that I have been considering myself for some time, and the current corporate environment is a scary place to be. It is going to become more of a necessity that people have transferable skills. Since many companies are reducing staff, consultants have more opportunities to provide value without being paid employees.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Wikinomics: Ch 7 Review
The internet is about more than finding ways to make more money or get products in front of peope like never before. It can do that, yes. But it can be so much more, as highlighted in this chapter.
The main focus of chapter seven seems to be on getting involved in something bigger than yourself, especially in the service arenas. Katrinalist is just one example. In all the chaos and confusion of trying to find loved ones in a very dark time, one person turned on a light. One person saw the problem, recognized it for what it was, had a vision for what it could be and made it happen.
The main focus of chapter seven seems to be on getting involved in something bigger than yourself, especially in the service arenas. Katrinalist is just one example. In all the chaos and confusion of trying to find loved ones in a very dark time, one person turned on a light. One person saw the problem, recognized it for what it was, had a vision for what it could be and made it happen.
This has gotten me thinking about how I could use Web 2.0 technologies to improve my world. A couple examples come to mind. My children are in Bible quizzing through our church. Wouldn't it be great if we had a hosted site where kids could ask questions about what certain verses mean and get an explanation they can understand?
Also, I am involved in missions work with my church. Our denominations has missionaries throughout the world. What a great thing if we could post needs on a bulletin board and match them up with those who can provide for those needs.
One person really can make a difference!
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