Month: July 2009

Green is for listening? The trauma of windows volume control..

Michael ChalkLeave a commentclassroom, how to, technology

So Tina, one of our amazing English teachers at PRACE, comes in with our box of headsets, “Same question i ask you every Monday.. green is for listening?” This is one of the things that used to drive me crazy when we were running our Can You Hear Us? projects.. (No, not Tina.. the computers!!) (Beware: Rant Approaching.) Most of the windows/pc boxes have a colour coding for the audio sockets (green for listening, pink for speaking), but many headsets use a different colour code for their plugs (orange or Read More …

Victorian e-learning innovations: mid-year sessions

Michael ChalkLeave a commentace, e-learning

i’ve just listened to the mid-year presentations for the Victorian e-learning innovations.. As well as our own “flexivet” project (flexible delivery in ACE), here are my highlights from all the interesting projects out there.. Lynne Gibb presents: Coonara Community House using collaborative wiki, flip camera and mp3 players to build up resources for learning cultural diversity. Martin Bride from OnTrack in the Wimmera region: delivering literacy at a distance via wiki, with volunteer literacy tutors (Certificate of General Education for Adults (CGEA). A hugely challenging idea, given how difficult it Read More …

Psst.. knowledge-worker? You have mad skills?

Michael Chalk2 Commentse-learning, professional development

Nancy White was spurred into action by Tony Karrer’s “big question” of the month: what skills do knowledge-workers (or “learning professionals”) need (as we head into the teenies). But Tony was disappointed that Nancy listed only 4 “meta skills”: self-awareness, generosity, humility, and willingness to risk. .. because Tony was looking for the technical details, the actual “how do i learn” skills. So Nancy wrote a second version, this time elaborating on the abilities to: scan and filter (manage the “river of information”), connect with other people, synthesise the streams Read More …

How stylish and strategic are you?

Michael ChalkLeave a commente-learning, how to

Most people enjoy getting some feedback on their inner “nature”.. some better idea of who they are in different contexts. Surely this is why horoscopes are so popular, as well as identity quizzes (huge on Facebook – eg “Which Buffy character are you?“). A symptom of our Western cultural heritage where self-knowledge is not explicitly taught, leaving people hungry for any basic clues to who they might be. For any kind of structured learning, self-knowledge can be vital to your effectiveness. i know that i learn best when i have Read More …

Running out of room? Try multiple desktops

Michael ChalkLeave a commenttechnology

Here’s an interesting idea.. if you’re running a dozen apps, from web to word, audio, visual and social networking.. and you need some thinking space.. you could: a) close some apps, walk away from the computer and take a break, or b) try a virtual multiple desktop program. Linux has always had this built in.. (along with their far superior “Start menu”) but i’ve never been busy enough in Linux to use it. i was browsing through this list of “40 awesome apps” which are all tiny downloads (2mb or Read More …

"Workrave" – a welcome interruption

Michael ChalkLeave a commenttechnology

i’ve just been interrupted at work again!! .. by a terrific little app called “Workrave”, which lets me know when i’ve been sitting Staring at the Screen for Too Long. After installing the program, you decide how often you want to take breaks, whether you want micro-breaks or just regular ones .. and what’s your time limit for the whole day. You can skip or postpone if you’re really busy, or you can sit back and do the recommended exercises for good office health. Honestly i prefer to be interrupted Read More …