ASTE 2011 Complete, ASTE 2012 Next!
Mar/01/2011 11:05
A week with positive-minded, excited individuals is always good for the soul. When most of them are rural Alaska teachers in for a refreher, the excitement is even grander. Over the four days of pre-conference courses and the conference itself, we shared ideas and solutions.
Moodle mavens always enjoy time together. Everyone finds a new approach or new tool and we swap. The downside? Going home feeling as if you just spent a day in front of a fire hose. You are saturated. You are titillated, You are full of good intentions and ideas. Now comes the challenge: spend some time (immediately) reviewing and trying what you learned (again, immediately!)
So if you have a new challenge in training or a mental image of something you would like to accomplish, let’s talk! Your ideas keep me stimulated to learn and try the ideas just shared.
Moodle mavens always enjoy time together. Everyone finds a new approach or new tool and we swap. The downside? Going home feeling as if you just spent a day in front of a fire hose. You are saturated. You are titillated, You are full of good intentions and ideas. Now comes the challenge: spend some time (immediately) reviewing and trying what you learned (again, immediately!)
So if you have a new challenge in training or a mental image of something you would like to accomplish, let’s talk! Your ideas keep me stimulated to learn and try the ideas just shared.
ASTE 2011
Feb/18/2011 14:14
We are preparing for the 2011 ASTE Conference to start this evening. Weekend pre-session courses are followed by several days of contributed papers, vendor exhibits on technology for training and trainers, and networking with trainers and educators. This conference is a highlight of the year - I always come away reinvigorated about consulting and training via distance.
On my list: present at the Moodle Makeover; co-present on the CyberLynx Distance Learning project, and prsent on Neuroscience and eLearning. A busy week ahead!
On my list: present at the Moodle Makeover; co-present on the CyberLynx Distance Learning project, and prsent on Neuroscience and eLearning. A busy week ahead!
Salaries in e-Learning
Feb/17/2011 13:16
According to the eLearning Guild, “e-Learning salaries worldwide grew 2.0% this past year with an overall average global e-Learning salary of $76,852. Compensation is also climbing in the United States (U.S.). The average e-Learning salary in the U.S. grew by 0.8% to $79,890.”
And the U. S. Department of Labor is updating the official job descriptions businesses use through the Onet database to reflect skills and duties in e-Learning careers. The akDLN staff were just interviewed for input for the Onet listings and received a commendation for the work.
And the U. S. Department of Labor is updating the official job descriptions businesses use through the Onet database to reflect skills and duties in e-Learning careers. The akDLN staff were just interviewed for input for the Onet listings and received a commendation for the work.
Communities
Feb/12/2011 17:24
Recently, Dick LaFever discussed “conversation as adult learning’ with the American Society for Training and Development members and guests. He offered a list of groups meeting to talk and learn, referring to these as ‘communities of practice’ or communities of interest’. These groups, which we can call “CoI” groups for short, have long been part of the Alaska Distance Learning Network.
What is the difference between a course and a community? A course has structure, a trainer, clearly written objectives, sometimes a final, and usually a certificate for completion. Its focus is on learning.
A community may have a leader or it may be self-directed. It will have a mission or purpose, and some structure or etiquette to guide what is expected of participants. Is is learning, but of an informal nature.
Two formats, same intention. That is why both are part of the Alaska Distance Learning Network (akDLN!) Contact us if we can host your course or community for you. The environment is secure and the tools to do what you want to accomplish are numerous!
What is the difference between a course and a community? A course has structure, a trainer, clearly written objectives, sometimes a final, and usually a certificate for completion. Its focus is on learning.
A community may have a leader or it may be self-directed. It will have a mission or purpose, and some structure or etiquette to guide what is expected of participants. Is is learning, but of an informal nature.
Two formats, same intention. That is why both are part of the Alaska Distance Learning Network (akDLN!) Contact us if we can host your course or community for you. The environment is secure and the tools to do what you want to accomplish are numerous!
Cha Cha Cha Changes
Nov/04/2010 11:59
Have you been using Google services in your distance delivery? They have made some MAJOR changes in the last couple of weeks and you may find your use has been, well, compromised.
Take Googe Groups for example. No longer can you add to the opening message, no longer can you upload files, no longer can you....well. I will stop there. They want you to migrate to Google sites for many of the services you offered. Even if you have the time and inclination to make the changes, the story is not complete.
I run several Google Groups for self-directed learners. They are expressing resentment about learning new navigation patterns - some have even dropped out. We have little recourse and can only say that we had a good run but if we are making changes, we are leaving Google behind.
What is your experience? Are you, too, running into difficulties? How do we go forward in a sensible manner?
Take Googe Groups for example. No longer can you add to the opening message, no longer can you upload files, no longer can you....well. I will stop there. They want you to migrate to Google sites for many of the services you offered. Even if you have the time and inclination to make the changes, the story is not complete.
I run several Google Groups for self-directed learners. They are expressing resentment about learning new navigation patterns - some have even dropped out. We have little recourse and can only say that we had a good run but if we are making changes, we are leaving Google behind.
What is your experience? Are you, too, running into difficulties? How do we go forward in a sensible manner?
Blog Bits
Sep/20/2010 22:06
Blog Bits Begins
The Alaska Distance Learning Network (akDLN) has been providing distance delivery for training and knowledge management independently since 2008, following on the experience of a grant-funded project (2003 - 2008).
This series of short documents will be published on a random schedule. Enjoy, and respond with your comments, ideas, opinions. Let’s talk!
We use Moodle as our LMS platform. Have you had experience with it? Tell us more....
