Monthly Archives: September 2011

But is it any good? Creating e-learning that’s effective and engaging at the same time.

Posted on September 30, 2011 by

Creating a successful learning experience is not as easy as you might hope. It’s easy to create something that ticks all the boxes in terms of covering key learning, but which is as dull as ditchwater. Similarly, you can create … Continue reading →

Posted in Creative, Design, E-Learning, Effectiveness, Instructional Design, Learning, Quality Assurance | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The hazards of social media. How to use Google+ without hitting your head.

Posted on September 29, 2011 by

I’ve only been on a submarine once, but i remember it well because of the bump. When i first climbed down through the hatch, it was a totally alien environment. Grey, smelling of diesel, pipes everywhere, metal, cold, cramped, muffled … Continue reading →

Posted in Community of Practice, Control, Edgelands, Formal Spaces, Google, Informal Spaces, Learning, Navigation, Privacy | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Technology facilitates learning, but it’s only part of the answer.

Posted on September 28, 2011 by

It’s an ongoing frustration to me that organisations procure technology that they think will solve problems that are, essentially, around learning design. It’s like thinking that buying a beautiful and expensive pen will make you a great writer, or by … Continue reading →

Posted in Learning, Learning Methodology, Learning Technology | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Leaving the mainstream. How the iPad became uncool.

Posted on September 27, 2011 by

Speaking to a friend today who told me she’d been banned from getting an iPad by her girlfriend as it was too ‘corporate’ and uncool. What? How did this happen? Is it true? If so, my last ditch grasp on … Continue reading →

Posted in Creative, Culture, Design, Identity, Innovation, iPad, iPad 2, Learning Design, Learning Technology | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Taking footsteps out of learning. What to do next?

Posted on September 26, 2011 by

I’m balanced in that precarious place where i feel inspired and energised by the learning and relationships that i forged at the conference last week, but am running up against the familiar friction of being ‘back at work’. It’s always … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Collaboration, Engagement, Footsteps, Introspection, Learning, Learning Journey, Learning Technology, Momentum | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Becoming a better craftsman. Sharing ideas and building foundations.

Posted on September 23, 2011 by

I’m having an unusual experience this week. The chance to spend two days with a small group of experts sharing ideas, learning new things and reflecting on the things i already know (or thought i knew). It’s rare in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Collaboration, Community, Community of Practice, Creative, Learning, Networking, Sharing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Social learning in the formal space. Combining technology with desire.

Posted on September 22, 2011 by

We tend to be highly engaged with social media in social spaces. They have a narrative, stream of consciousness feeling to them, often more reportage than considered opinion. The act of authoring and creation is every bit as important as … Continue reading →

Posted in Engagement, Formal Spaces, Informal Spaces, Instructional Design, Learning Design, Learning Technology, Social Learning, Social Media | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Do you recognise yourself in that old photo? How learning changes who we are.

Posted on September 21, 2011 by

I saw a photo this morning of two old university friends. Funny how i easily recognised them, although tinged with the realisation that they were all grown up. They looked like adults, complete with children! When you grow older alongside … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Learning, Reflection, Study, Teaching | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

What’s the point of a good book? Can you learn from books or is experience the only way to go?

Posted on September 20, 2011 by

In a weak piece of writing, i’m asking an obvious question here. The answer is that both have value. But, to avoid an overly short response, it’s worth investigating further. Writing captures information, it takes a snapshot of a view, … Continue reading →

Posted in Book, Experience, Knowledge, Learning, Words, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Getting better, getting worse. The cycle of learning and teaching.

Posted on September 19, 2011 by

Something struck me this weekend, about how to get worse at something gracefully. When we are young, we tend to try to perfect things. To be better, faster, stronger, but this is a path that cannot last forever. As we … Continue reading →

Posted in Age, Learning, Teaching | Tagged , , | Leave a comment