Attended a training event for occupational relevance to verifier/assessor role. Excellent day - delivered with very few presentation slides. It was useful to talk to others and get their point of view but most useful to understand and clarify some key queries for A1 and V1.
Although I have taken away a large folder of many ppt slides and criteria the most valuable was to be able to have confirmation that content of V1 online was valid and relevant.
Attended on 12 Nov 08 in Wolverhampton. A half day training session yet it was quite packed with ideas and hands-on. I like the potential that a virtual world can provide however this is the second time I have gone into SL and am still a little unsure whether it needs to become more robust and capable of giving learners a good experience. If someone doesn’t comprehend the need to have high spec computer then they’ll be put off by the things that they experience. I became quickly annoyed that, due to the fact I’d jumped down too hard after flying, I was stuck under a amphitheatre and couldn’t get out. It might be enough to demotivate someone especially if working in a group and others were moving around freely.
Having said that it was great to think about flying to other countries, to engage in conversation with people of different languages - to learn languages. I do intend to contact CS for hiring some land to see if I can build a small meeting area. I intend to do this within the next 3 months. I also need to continue research to see how mobile virtual worlds are progressing.
My reflections sometime after the event. I realise I should have done this sooner as memory fades after a while. However I do consider the 2 days went well overall. I enjoy working with N as we appear to be able to decide who delivers what fairly easily the previous evening. I was pleased to see that I could have a go at Auditing as I know that N likes to deliver this slot.
We’d set up the room so that a laptop was at the back. I do think this is preferable so delegates don’t look at someone typing albeit trying to create a relevant Turningpoint quiz! From my viewpoint it appeared that very few were checking their emails all the time so perhaps we’d got the pace right.
So if I am to use Kolb’s model I should focus on 1 thing and reflect.
Experience: I delivered the Web 2.0 session.
Reflect: Gut instinct said that it went down ok. Faces looking towards the front appeared interested - I felt in control of the time to introduce the workshop. But it could have been better ….
Analyse: I had tried to really hone down time at the front introducing the session to allow time for them to play. I think the fact that I asked for anyone who had created a blog, or a wiki, etc and why/how worked well. Surprisingly few had access to or had used any Web 2.0 tools. This got many to engage. I perhaps could have shown examples on main screen however this may well have detracted from the purpose which was for them to experience and create.
Many had a go at creating a blog with positive comments about how they’ll use with staff and learners. Some got distracted on Youtube!
Action: If I deliver again I might produce a few examples of some Web 2.0 - to allow some to view such as a Facebook, My Space, Ning etc - a couple of screen shots sometimes helps people visualise before making a decision whether it’s for them.It’s making sure there’s a balance of time to show and tell and time to create. Also need to see if EduCause documents are on EG memory stick as they indicate how to use X in educational situations.
Attended Flash training for beginners, run by JISC RSC SW - David Rowe having told me well back in March 08.. Great misty journey down to get to Avon Vale Training in Chippenham. The entire day’s training was to give people the basics of Flash and we were asked to bring along our laptops loaded with Flash to practice everything being demo’d. Having played with tweens - motion tweens to be precise I was really pleased to take away a rolling pool ball once you clicked onto a button.
Even more pleased with myself to repeat it (albeit with my notes) the following day..
I now can give some appreciation that when I see a flash activity then the creator has spent a great deal of time planning the actions, colours and motions etc!
I did enjoy being a learner too. A good day’s training as part of my CPD