So much to learn ... about elearning

I am enjoying the challenges of learning about the exciting new world of electronic communications and technology. It is overwhelming and exciting, interesting, challenging and daunting. There is so much there - elearning, eportfolios, different social networking tools, like Facebook, and different ways to communicate. I want to follow up finding out about Skype - I'm not exactly sure what it is, but I think it has something to do with the tiny camera at the top of my laptop that keeps winking at me!.

I have discovered wordle - it is cool and some web sites have fantastic examples of the way it can be used. I was really impressed with Rodd Lucier . Rodd is a teacher and has amazing and innovative ideas about engaging people in different ways of communication.

Rodd got me thinking - when do we stop being a learner? There is always something new going on - a new discovery or a new way of looking at something from the past. Or there is a new way to communicate and a new way to share information with other people.

I have been doing some training at work - introducing a model of strengths coaching and learning about Positive Psychology. I have found a fun sounding website called Authentic Happiness and taken a few of the on-line quizzes. While I am normally sceptical about the merits of an on-line quiz, I enjoyed these quizzes, especially the quiz about signature strengths. I learned that my greatest strength (according to the quiz) is my love of learning. This really resonated for me and it helped me to make sense of why I get bored and seek out new things, new experiences and new adventures. It was one of those aha moments for me and helps me to understand that I need to plan my future around variety and new adventures, rather than being stuck in a routine which won't sustain my interest.

It is fun to be a teacher and a learner. There is much for me to learn and I am enjoying exploring the bewildering world of elearning.

Helen

A bit about me

I am a Social Worker and a PhD candidate at La Trobe University. I have commenced my PhD, studying part time this year, and I am plodding along, while trying to balance a home renovation and full time work. I enjoy being busy and I love to learn new things, so I am always interested in hearing about and trying something new.

I went along to the Reflective Practice conference in Rotorua, NZ in September 2008. There were lots of new ideas there - a visit to a country that I have always wanted to visit and an opportunity to find out about how a conference works and what is involved in presentating a paper or a poster. I was surprised at the diversity of topics presented, from really interesting to quite ‘out there’. I was really looking forward Sarah’s presentation about Blogging - I had some basic ideas about an on-line blog but I don’t think I had actually seen one before. I was captivated with Sarah’s enthusiasm and energy, and her bubbly, humorous presentation style. I was drawn to her simple, basic approach which gave me confidence that this was something that I might be able to do to.

My previous studies have included a Master of Professional Practice (Development) at La Trobe University - the focus of this was Critical Reflection and I studied with two amazing teachers - Jan Fook and Fiona Gardner. So this has found me meandering along a pathway of critical reflection and I am exploring the ways that people learn to be reflective, and their experiences of practicing using different reflection tools and methods.

I have used a reflective journal for some time now, and I am interested in seeing and feeling how an on-line journal complements or distracts from my written notes. But more of that another day.

cheers

Helen

Welcome

Hello world. This is my first post and the first exciting step into the world of blogging and letting people see what I am thinking and feeling. I'm a bit nervous, and also excited. Anyway - here we go.

Helen