Finally got started on the my new course LAK11 (Learning and Knowledge Analytics 2011) tonight. This is a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) run by some of my favourite e-learning researchers.
This is the first time I have decided to commit myself to a MOOC, in the past I have done a bit of lurking around Connectivism and Connective Knowledge CCK, run by Stephen Downes and George Siemens (who also one of the main guys who runs LAK11) but never really committed to it. Tonight I read the first of, I think, five readings (which I will blog about later). I found this paper interesting but I couldn't believe how easy it was to get distracted from it. When you know there is no exam, no incentive except your own will power, your will power can easily dessert you! I think I need to get more involved in the social element of the course to keep me interested and involved.
We all know that e-learning courses have a problem with retention - this is largely due to the lack of community and comadre felt by students in an e-learning course, but this is the first time I have experienced this first hand - its a lonely place. I know I need to reach out to my fellow students but where to start? I will keep you posted.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Year - New Start
Its January 1st 2011 - a brand new year. This is a time to think about the year that has just gone by and the new year ahead.
So what about 2010. For many 2010 was a terrible year with natural disasters in Haiti and Pakistan and a European banking crisis. Although there was plenty of doom and gloom, especially here in Ireland where 2010 left the country effectively bankrupt, there was glimmers of hope and of human spirit conquering all. I think above all else this was found in the rescue of the Chillean miners, what a great good news story that was, one that was sorely needed by the world.
For myself, this year was a real year of change. I started the year working in a start-up company in Toronto. Unfortunately the company hit cash-flow problems and I ended the year back in Ireland. In saying that I think all things happen for a reason. I got back to Ireland and found two great jobs - one working as a analyst in an open source elearning company and the other lecturing in the National College of Ireland. I learned so much in Canada and now back in Ireland I hope to use what I have learned.
I am very hopeful for 2011 - it can only get better for Ireland economically. I think we must have hit rock bottom at this stage and now its time for us to build the country up again. Personally I have lots of goals, but thats for another post.
Just to finish up by wishing you a very Happy New Year, here's hoping for a good one!
So what about 2010. For many 2010 was a terrible year with natural disasters in Haiti and Pakistan and a European banking crisis. Although there was plenty of doom and gloom, especially here in Ireland where 2010 left the country effectively bankrupt, there was glimmers of hope and of human spirit conquering all. I think above all else this was found in the rescue of the Chillean miners, what a great good news story that was, one that was sorely needed by the world.
For myself, this year was a real year of change. I started the year working in a start-up company in Toronto. Unfortunately the company hit cash-flow problems and I ended the year back in Ireland. In saying that I think all things happen for a reason. I got back to Ireland and found two great jobs - one working as a analyst in an open source elearning company and the other lecturing in the National College of Ireland. I learned so much in Canada and now back in Ireland I hope to use what I have learned.
I am very hopeful for 2011 - it can only get better for Ireland economically. I think we must have hit rock bottom at this stage and now its time for us to build the country up again. Personally I have lots of goals, but thats for another post.
Just to finish up by wishing you a very Happy New Year, here's hoping for a good one!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Area9 and LearnSmart
I have been doing a bit of consultancy work over the past few days and during this work I have been looking at e-learning and competency management tools. Much of these tools are not really what my client is looking for but I just wanted to share two of the tools I came across that might be useful to somebody.
Area9
http://www.area9learning.com/
Area9 are a Danish company specialising in simulation based e-learning. There are two domains it primarily works in - sales/customer services and device skills. These areas allow Area9 to demonstrate two completely different types of simulation learning. The sales/customer service where you must use soft-skills such as inter-personal and decision-making skills to sell or satisfy a customer need and the device analytical and operational skills where you must solve a simulated problem using device embedded software. The tools also claim to have some advance learner diagnostic tools that report on the competency level of learners. Learner diagnostics is then use to identify where and when remediation is needed for learners.
McGrawHill - LearnSmart
http://www.mhhe.com/learnsmart/index.html
LearnSmart is McGrawHill's adaptive learning platform. The system is built on three principle functions; assessment of learners knowledge, adaptation of assessments based on the learner's perceived strengths and weaknesses and personalisation of curriculum based on student knowledge and learning styles.
LearnSmart was built in co-operation with Area9. One thing I like about LearnSmart is that it allows the learner to give a confidence value (no idea, unsure, think I got it, easy!) for his or her answers which can then be used to calculate the learners competency in a given knowledge area.
Area9
http://www.area9learning.com/
Area9 are a Danish company specialising in simulation based e-learning. There are two domains it primarily works in - sales/customer services and device skills. These areas allow Area9 to demonstrate two completely different types of simulation learning. The sales/customer service where you must use soft-skills such as inter-personal and decision-making skills to sell or satisfy a customer need and the device analytical and operational skills where you must solve a simulated problem using device embedded software. The tools also claim to have some advance learner diagnostic tools that report on the competency level of learners. Learner diagnostics is then use to identify where and when remediation is needed for learners.
McGrawHill - LearnSmart
http://www.mhhe.com/learnsmart/index.html
LearnSmart is McGrawHill's adaptive learning platform. The system is built on three principle functions; assessment of learners knowledge, adaptation of assessments based on the learner's perceived strengths and weaknesses and personalisation of curriculum based on student knowledge and learning styles.
LearnSmart was built in co-operation with Area9. One thing I like about LearnSmart is that it allows the learner to give a confidence value (no idea, unsure, think I got it, easy!) for his or her answers which can then be used to calculate the learners competency in a given knowledge area.
Friday, August 6, 2010
What to do with all my time
So I seem to have all this extra time on my hands while I am "between jobs" (I hope). So I need a project to do. I have been trying to think what to do with myself while I wait for a job. So far I have come up with the following:
1)Learn iPhone development and I have been doing this, but I need to think up a good iPhone app to develop to keep my interest and so far I have come up with very little. Anyone out there got any ideas?
2)Learn Spanish - okay this seems like a good idea but I need money for classes, but I could get a start on learning Spanish using one of those tape set things - some of them are meant to be pretty good. So I headed over to my local library and I find 3 beginner Spanish kits - but they all are missing CD1 so no good - might try other libraries in my area, but seriously if you borrow that kind of stuff don't lose the first CD - the its useless for everyone else! Although I did find the site livemocha.com, which might be good as it connects you with native Spanish speakers and helps you learn that way.
3)Refresh my statistics knowledge - I have been working through Hank Ibser lecture videos on iTunes. I now realise the amount of stats I have forgotten - its a good opportunity to refresh these principles in my mind - stats is one of those subjects that its always good to have fresh in your mind, I think.
4)Drupal - It might be good to learn drupal due to its growing popularity - if I have time.
5) Java - my Java skills have gone downhill due to my lack of practice - maybe I should do a refresher course, or maybe I should take on another language, perhaps python?
There are loads of other things that I could do - but it would be good to think up a project that incorporates all of the above hmmmm. I have a habit of trying to do too many things at once. Perhaps I should concentrate on one? What would you do?
1)Learn iPhone development and I have been doing this, but I need to think up a good iPhone app to develop to keep my interest and so far I have come up with very little. Anyone out there got any ideas?
2)Learn Spanish - okay this seems like a good idea but I need money for classes, but I could get a start on learning Spanish using one of those tape set things - some of them are meant to be pretty good. So I headed over to my local library and I find 3 beginner Spanish kits - but they all are missing CD1 so no good - might try other libraries in my area, but seriously if you borrow that kind of stuff don't lose the first CD - the its useless for everyone else! Although I did find the site livemocha.com, which might be good as it connects you with native Spanish speakers and helps you learn that way.
3)Refresh my statistics knowledge - I have been working through Hank Ibser lecture videos on iTunes. I now realise the amount of stats I have forgotten - its a good opportunity to refresh these principles in my mind - stats is one of those subjects that its always good to have fresh in your mind, I think.
4)Drupal - It might be good to learn drupal due to its growing popularity - if I have time.
5) Java - my Java skills have gone downhill due to my lack of practice - maybe I should do a refresher course, or maybe I should take on another language, perhaps python?
There are loads of other things that I could do - but it would be good to think up a project that incorporates all of the above hmmmm. I have a habit of trying to do too many things at once. Perhaps I should concentrate on one? What would you do?
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Unemployment takes another jump
Bad bad news today - unemployment in Ireland took another jump. Another 8,500 signed on to the live register (including yours truly) last month. Whats even more shocking is that the biggest group to sign on is the "professional class".
This government really needs to get there act together. Unemployment is more than a mere symptom of economic woes. Unemployment causes stress, depression and breaks up families. It has huge social effects - especially when it goes above the 10% mark (we are now at 13.7%).
I also noted yesterday that the Irish Times carried an article to highlight a campaign by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) about educated Irish people emigrating to Canada, Oz and New Zealand. An estimated 200,000 educated Irish people are expected to leave in the next five years. Without these people there is not much hope of attaining and keeping "high-value" jobs.
Come on Mr. Cowen get your act together or get out!
This government really needs to get there act together. Unemployment is more than a mere symptom of economic woes. Unemployment causes stress, depression and breaks up families. It has huge social effects - especially when it goes above the 10% mark (we are now at 13.7%).
I also noted yesterday that the Irish Times carried an article to highlight a campaign by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) about educated Irish people emigrating to Canada, Oz and New Zealand. An estimated 200,000 educated Irish people are expected to leave in the next five years. Without these people there is not much hope of attaining and keeping "high-value" jobs.
Come on Mr. Cowen get your act together or get out!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Getting Things Done - David Allen
During my holidays I managed to read David Allens book, "Getting Things Done - The Art of Stress-Free Productivity". An interesting workshop type book that gives a practical framework to managing life's constantly overflowing inbox.
The book introduces a simple framework whereby all the "stuff" you have to deal with go into your inbox, you figure out what the next action for each item in the inbox is and based this simple, yet (according to the book) powerful decision the item is done, delegated or deferred. Sounds pretty simple and to be honest it is! I am trying to implement the system in my own work/life and so fair I have noticed a clearer head when trying to concentrate on a particular task. I don't have regular reminders in my head saying "don't forget this" or "remember to ..." and that is a great start - a clearer head allows me to be content in the actions I have choosen to do and not worry about all the things I have choosen not to do. I suppose thats the main benefit of the system, as Allen puts it you "feel fine about what you're not doing".
The book contains loads of examples of how to get the system working for you.
I am going to try and subscribe to Allen's framework religiously to see if it actually works. I even bought an inbox!
To get an idea of Allen's "Getting Things Done" framework check out - mindz.com
The book can be found on amazon at - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-Free-Productivity/dp/0142000280/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280061560&sr=8-2
The book introduces a simple framework whereby all the "stuff" you have to deal with go into your inbox, you figure out what the next action for each item in the inbox is and based this simple, yet (according to the book) powerful decision the item is done, delegated or deferred. Sounds pretty simple and to be honest it is! I am trying to implement the system in my own work/life and so fair I have noticed a clearer head when trying to concentrate on a particular task. I don't have regular reminders in my head saying "don't forget this" or "remember to ..." and that is a great start - a clearer head allows me to be content in the actions I have choosen to do and not worry about all the things I have choosen not to do. I suppose thats the main benefit of the system, as Allen puts it you "feel fine about what you're not doing".
The book contains loads of examples of how to get the system working for you.
I am going to try and subscribe to Allen's framework religiously to see if it actually works. I even bought an inbox!
To get an idea of Allen's "Getting Things Done" framework check out - mindz.com
The book can be found on amazon at - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-Free-Productivity/dp/0142000280/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280061560&sr=8-2
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Back from Travels
Haven't been around for a while been doing a bit of travelling. Got to bits of SE Asia, Australia and New Zealand. I will try and do a few blog posts about my travels and put up a few pics over the next week or so.
So today I am just committing myself back to posting AT LEAST one blog post a week. So hopefully post something this week on the book I read over my holidays - "Getting things done" by David Allen - http://tinyurl.com/3ym9jsx
So today I am just committing myself back to posting AT LEAST one blog post a week. So hopefully post something this week on the book I read over my holidays - "Getting things done" by David Allen - http://tinyurl.com/3ym9jsx
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