Movin’ Thick as Molasses – 1.0
I was having a de ja vu today, I thought I was at my old job things were moving so slowly. You know when you have worked so much for so long, things start to get “slow” ? Well, my computer was doing just that. Microsoft, ugh, Word was having spasms all day, I make one change, for instance to make a text bold, and the whole document turns bold! I have to un – do…I do believe I have a bug so-to-speak in my Word, or computer of such as things were at a snails pace today.
It is my own fault, I added all these images to Word, and I should be using a layout program – I know better! But once I get going I’m pretty stubborn. 
So at my previous job, I would deem most projects: The molasses project, because my boss would act as though he wanted to do the job, when in fact he didn’t and stalled as long as he could, making up his mind was not a good characteristic of this gentleman.
OK I have uploaded my Final Project 1.0 [Total Molasses Project!]
[uploaded to Moodle and my Moodle!]
I really could keep working on this for another week, but I am giving it up now to stand at some point! This has been a very exciting process, and I am looking forward to comments on it, as I know there will need to be changes and it is really just a starting point. Oh Gosh!
My best
Kristen
A piece of the pie
Burnt as I may be (I can’t even make a pizza pie!)
I am making significant progress on both my Moodle CMS, and the Instructional Design Paper. (A bit late, yes, yikes!) I have such a different perspective now from this point of view of the student. I had to burry myself into just this design process (IEEE), and my course, and pretend no one else was alive, I felt like an ostridge – But with my head stuck in the computer. (HA!)
My biggest concern is my learner’s level of computer competency. This will drive the pace of the class, ultimately. I am ready and willing to be agile and flexible, and allow the students computer literacy to keep the pace of the class.
Concerns and thoughts in this process of designing the materials are…. how broad to be, how much content – should be understood, or absorbed, given?
Meaghan and I were chatting the other day about how incredible blogs are, I am adding it to my course structure, but how much technology can they handle?
I feel as though I am over conscious of time on the computer, as my work is ALL on the computer, my job, my school, and some of my art, all of my communication. There are points where I am so overloaded with technology I can’t think anymore!
I understand I can re-visit and re-structure the class if need be, but what is realistic?
I joined a social learning art space called: Art Education 2.0, Using New Technology in Art Classrooms. I have joined Facebook, and Deviant Art, and others for training in developing VT Art Trails. The Art Education site is really exciting and lively, I have posted the videos I created in my Multimedia class, and I have received excellent comments on them, quite helpful. I am looking forward to putting out there my Capstone. The creator of the site himself, Craig Roland has added me already as a “friend” I am excited to talk with him on how he runs this space. This is getting exciting!!!!
The invisible pen
I just finished a wonderful discussion with Miss Meaghan Meachem, a MCGC graduate, who helped me asses and develop my course structure for the ped final, and my Moodle site. I have been using an invisible pen – as my friend Josh said – you’ve been working on this for weeks! I know I have, and yes, I have felt as though I’ve been writing a tome with an invisible pen! Meaghan put it lightly: Stop over thinking this! you are being to broad – narrow it way down and simplify your course. I spent a half hour or so talking out my thoughts with Meaghan on my class and its structure and objectives, I feel excited and much more on track now!
Collaboration is key, and I am a talk to think learner. I work best when I engage in verbal conversations, to “work out” my thoughts.
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I had an interview yesterday with the executive Director of Manchester and the mountains regional chamber of commerce. They are looking for part time work, and we were meeting to discuss a possible opportunity. After much thought about our meeting, which was very positive – The director fairly clearly explained the job, and that he really has no understanding of technology, and they really need someone like myself to help them get on track. It is truly amazing to me, to think that someone in a position of Ex Director of a Chamber of Commerce that he doesn’t understand: Technology IS the future. He made it clear that he struggles with technology, and has a limited knowledge and competency. Why does not he realize that technology IS the future, and that he needs to get his knowledge and understanding of technology up to speed because we live in a culture that is completely immersed with it, and to succeed and contribute to the community technology IS the answer!
He was so focused on this one little part: creating this newsletter. I don’t think he sees the big picture. He’s never heard of Open Source and the possibilities that are on the plate before him…they could grow the Chamber to where it should already be growing to…
So my conversation with him veered towards re-designing their processes, (here we go again process process process) to streamline them to align with their goals which are to serve the community.
He was essentially sweeping all the ideas under the rug thinking that they simply could not afford the cost of this new re-structure with technology. I see the opportunity like a golden egg! The most powerful and efficient way to inform the community, and streamline the business is to use technology.
