I used to pride myself in having the ability to connect people together with common interests and put them in touch with each other; that was of course using the older techniques of introducing them face to face at business functions, social gatherings, etc, or in more recent years by sharing email messages with them.
I now realise the power and potential of using online methods to connect not only individual people, but entire networks and groups of people - the reach of the network is huge and geographical location need not be an issue. The level of support one can achieve as the network extends can way exceed expectations.
I need to brush up on my network weaving by transferring my face-to-face skills to the online environment. I used to take every opportunity to physically go to events and functions where I knew I could meet people and 'network'. Now I need to be a more active member of the online groups, blogs and tweets, etc, by joining in when I can and by using clear subject matters and maybe hashtags to complement individual needs and streamline the connections between networks.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Blog Comments & Followers
Reading Gina Trapani's guide to web blog comments has helped me understand a bit more, and her point on know when to comment and know when to email hit a chord.
Many of the comments I read on blogs are more like two-way conversations and don't necessarily contribute to a multi user discussion and I feel I am already guilty of the same sin. I've just commented on the FO2010 blog with a question to Sarah, something that was probably more relevant to drop in an email to her.
I am planning to actively follow some of my fellow learners' blogs, but for this to work for me I have to make it a weekly activity which I think will be made easier by using the Blogger Reading List . I just don't have time to read several blogs a day.
Many of the comments I read on blogs are more like two-way conversations and don't necessarily contribute to a multi user discussion and I feel I am already guilty of the same sin. I've just commented on the FO2010 blog with a question to Sarah, something that was probably more relevant to drop in an email to her.
I am planning to actively follow some of my fellow learners' blogs, but for this to work for me I have to make it a weekly activity which I think will be made easier by using the Blogger Reading List . I just don't have time to read several blogs a day.
Skype
I've just had a play around on Skype and trying to add some of the other FO2010 learners to my contacts.
It was great to have a quick response from Jean who explained to me about using the little emotion buttons, thanks Jean, fun!
Having watched Sarah's quick YouTube video on how to set up a skype conference call, I'm keen to give that a go at some stage. It will be great to use with my work colleagues as the 3 of us are based in 3 different locations.
Just had a quick mini-conference call with Sarah and Malcolm, oh so easy, and because I don't have a webcam it helped they had their photos added to their profiles. Putting a face to a name helps me communicate better.
The next stage would be to try the skype video conference facility at some stage, but that would require investing in a webcam and since I've lost my investments in this weeks's collapse of Southern Canterbury Finance spending is off the agenda!
Its free tools only for me at the moment.
It was great to have a quick response from Jean who explained to me about using the little emotion buttons, thanks Jean, fun!
Having watched Sarah's quick YouTube video on how to set up a skype conference call, I'm keen to give that a go at some stage. It will be great to use with my work colleagues as the 3 of us are based in 3 different locations.
Just had a quick mini-conference call with Sarah and Malcolm, oh so easy, and because I don't have a webcam it helped they had their photos added to their profiles. Putting a face to a name helps me communicate better.
The next stage would be to try the skype video conference facility at some stage, but that would require investing in a webcam and since I've lost my investments in this weeks's collapse of Southern Canterbury Finance spending is off the agenda!
Its free tools only for me at the moment.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Learning to date
Here goes trying to summarise my learning to date... (I started this last week, but got distracted and had to save it instead of publish it unfinished!).
In a word 'heaps', but in the expectation of these posts being reflective I best try to reflect in a bit more detail, which immediately makes me realise how the course is designed for real participation rather than just a place for resources.
I am a relative newcomer to 'learning' in the online environment, never mind being a 'facilitator' in this same space. In retrospect it would have been great to have had more experience of being an online learner (to date I've had limited exposure to this medium) and then perhaps I would've had a better idea of the role of the online facilitator, however that said the participation and practical design of the course is lending itself to simultaneously learning both roles.
But one major lesson I've learned already from other facilitators is that as an online facilitator you are also a learner - every session I've attended so far has included the presenter and/or facilitator sharing the fact that they have learned something new.
The value of peer feedback is another lesson not to be underestimated and forums like the Google group and blogs are a great way to channel this information. However following others blogs and using the comments is still proving too much like a time consuming task so I need to work out a better system for this and find areas of common interest with the others on the course.
In a word 'heaps', but in the expectation of these posts being reflective I best try to reflect in a bit more detail, which immediately makes me realise how the course is designed for real participation rather than just a place for resources.
I am a relative newcomer to 'learning' in the online environment, never mind being a 'facilitator' in this same space. In retrospect it would have been great to have had more experience of being an online learner (to date I've had limited exposure to this medium) and then perhaps I would've had a better idea of the role of the online facilitator, however that said the participation and practical design of the course is lending itself to simultaneously learning both roles.
But one major lesson I've learned already from other facilitators is that as an online facilitator you are also a learner - every session I've attended so far has included the presenter and/or facilitator sharing the fact that they have learned something new.
The value of peer feedback is another lesson not to be underestimated and forums like the Google group and blogs are a great way to channel this information. However following others blogs and using the comments is still proving too much like a time consuming task so I need to work out a better system for this and find areas of common interest with the others on the course.
Reflecting on my efforts over the last 6 weeks:
I was overwhelmed with all the information and potential tools out there and thought 'what have I got myself in for', but completing the straight forward activities one step at a time provided the motivation to carry on. Saying that I thought adding details to the Wiki Participants page was a bit confusing.
I chose to use Blogger other than Wordpress based on the fact I had never heard of Wordpress, but I had used Blogger a few years ago to record my experiences as a volunteer in South Africa. In the meantime I have also been exposed to Wordpress through the blog my department set up: http://www.sustainable-practice.com/. So far they're pretty much of a muchness, but it's great to build my experience with both so I can be better informed to advise others.
I managed to listen to a recorded Elluminate session which gave me an idea of how it works - impressive! I thought I'd set up my computer to be able to attend the online meetings, but it wasn't until actually trying to to join in on 6th August that I realised I had a few technology issues. The IT dept at OP came to the rescue and got me up and running.
It was in the deep end then and sharing the facilitators role with Coach Carole for Nancy's session - hands-on learning. The importance of preparing a run sheet for the session in advance and having a plan B in place are fundamental to the session's success and reduces the risk of forgetting things. Some of the text language and abbreviations used in the session were new to me, so good to learn those as well as the general netiquette protocol.
Signing in as a staff member to Elluminate gives me moderator status so it was good to sign in as a guest during Greg Walker's session to see the difference.
Other online tools that I've started to 'play' around with include TweetDeck, Survey Monkey and Skype. TweetDeck was too much so I've kind of abandoned that one for the time being, and just signing into my Twitter account as normal. The jury is still out on Survey Monkey and I will have to try Sarah's recommendations of Google Forms for surveys or Echo Fon for a comparison. Skype is great and keeps calling costs down.
Hashtags and hyperlinks are appearing everywhere and seem to be standard practice for many
My online tool box is starting to bulge... Bit like my waist line! Sitting in front of a computer for too long is not doing any good for my fitness levels!!!
I've yet to investigate i-Google, how to load clips onto You Tube and still not sure whether Facebook is a medium for me or my work. Still need lots of practice with Elluminate too, but making progress.
Onwards and upwards....
Monday, August 16, 2010
Learning in Chaos
Well I survived my first role as an online facilitator, thanks to the help and support from Sarah, Coach Carole and Nancy.
To be honest it was overwhelming, although I didn't want to dare admit that at the time because I wanted to maintain some sort of professional ability throughout the session.
I have very little 'hands-on' experience of Elluminate. In fact prior to Saturday's session, I had only joined one live session and listened to a couple of recordings. So when Nancy opened it up so that all participants could have moderator/facilitator privileges I felt somewhat redundant and not needed. For me everybody was getting the chance to see what a facilitator can do without having the pressure on them to do it.
Of course in retrospect this 'free form' session probably provided me (and the other participants) with a more diverse way of learning than we would have had from a more structured session. I loved the 'show and tell' style format of everyone sharing with each other, but the chaos was hard for me to handle. I like to have a level of control - and that was something that was common between several of the other participants too.
When I'm given a role of responsibility I take it seriously and in this instance, because I didn't have much experience in actually using Elluminate, felt I couldn't contribute as much as I would've liked during the actual session. But then of course my role as a facilitator is not so much to contribute and participate myself, but to ensure others are included and that they are learning.
The planning session with Coach Carole using Skype was fundamental to my learning - her experience, recommendations and guidance were invaluable.
All in all as I explained to Sarah I would've loved to have had more time to prepare and gain more experience in Elluminate before taking on the role of facilitator, but at the same time it was a great opportunity to have hands-on learning.
To be honest it was overwhelming, although I didn't want to dare admit that at the time because I wanted to maintain some sort of professional ability throughout the session.
I have very little 'hands-on' experience of Elluminate. In fact prior to Saturday's session, I had only joined one live session and listened to a couple of recordings. So when Nancy opened it up so that all participants could have moderator/facilitator privileges I felt somewhat redundant and not needed. For me everybody was getting the chance to see what a facilitator can do without having the pressure on them to do it.
Of course in retrospect this 'free form' session probably provided me (and the other participants) with a more diverse way of learning than we would have had from a more structured session. I loved the 'show and tell' style format of everyone sharing with each other, but the chaos was hard for me to handle. I like to have a level of control - and that was something that was common between several of the other participants too.
When I'm given a role of responsibility I take it seriously and in this instance, because I didn't have much experience in actually using Elluminate, felt I couldn't contribute as much as I would've liked during the actual session. But then of course my role as a facilitator is not so much to contribute and participate myself, but to ensure others are included and that they are learning.
The planning session with Coach Carole using Skype was fundamental to my learning - her experience, recommendations and guidance were invaluable.
All in all as I explained to Sarah I would've loved to have had more time to prepare and gain more experience in Elluminate before taking on the role of facilitator, but at the same time it was a great opportunity to have hands-on learning.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Facilitating Online
Today at 10am New Zealand time will be my first attempt to co-facilitate a virtual class meeting through an Elluminate Live Session.
I'm excited and nervous, but comforted by the fact I am sharing the role with Coach Carole who so far I can say is a great mentor. Of course Sarah Stewart, the course tutor for FO2010 will be there to lend a hand too which is like a security blanket for me. And Nancy White, our presenter today, is a pro at this!
Wish me luck!
I'm excited and nervous, but comforted by the fact I am sharing the role with Coach Carole who so far I can say is a great mentor. Of course Sarah Stewart, the course tutor for FO2010 will be there to lend a hand too which is like a security blanket for me. And Nancy White, our presenter today, is a pro at this!
Wish me luck!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Technology Overload
My brain is bursting today with new technology tools that I need to integrate into my day to day work - Moodle, TweetDeck, Twitter and Blogs to name but a few.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)