Graduation Next Week!

Well, I finally saw it on the schedule today.

It "feels" so real : ) L

We made it!!!

Last day of class : ) L

Originally posted by Sandy

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

What does a good blog remind you of?
I tackled the task of blogging for the first time like I learn how to work a new camera or begin to work in a new software. I open it, click around, maybe type a bit, click some more and then click and click and click until the project is unrecognizable. Or, if the item is a new camera. I start turning dials and pushing buttons to see what happens. Next, I'll attempt to snap a picture, which often works for me the first time. Figuring out how to view the file is the issue.Such as it was for blogging. After about three sessions of a free for all where the technology won more often than I did, I was ready for a lesson. Do not misunderstand, my efforts were not in vain. What did I have to show for blind clicking and adding gadgets? I had a blog with some basic text, a few links, a gadget or two and even a picture.Now I am ready to see what the experts can tell me about the makings of a good blog. Until now, trying to understand what an expert may add to my understanding of a blog is a lot like convincing a person from a remote village of a third world country the blessings of air conditioning. Huh? Sure. Whatever you say...I love it when new learning reinforces old. After much research--exactly one on google search, to be exact--I found an expert on blogging. Below is his list of the basics of a great blog. Follow me closely here as I'd hate to lose you on the technical points, but do you see a similarity between what makes a great blog and what makes a great marriage? So it isn't foreign after all. Nice. Blogging is really quite simple. Plan well, be consistent, stick with it, get to the point, spice it up, don't expect the world.Rules of the Road for Bloggers1. Don't launch until the blog is properly set up.2. Pick a topic and stick with it.3. Be consistent.4. Don't leave your readers stranded.5. Get to the point.6. Spice it up.7. Don't expect the world.Blogging is definitely do-able!For more detail on blogging rules:http://www.pronetadvertising.com/articles/the-first-7-days-of-blogging.html
Posted by Sandy at 12:27 AM

1 comments:
Linda Summerlin said...
Rules of the Road for Bloggers1. Don't launch until the blog is properly set up.2. Pick a topic and stick with it.3. Be consistent.4. Don't leave your readers stranded.5. Get to the point.6. Spice it up.7. Don't expect the world.Blogging is definitely do-able!This is really good to know!When I first started I was so overwhelmed I didn't know the FIRST logical step to take. Now, after all this blogging I can understand and appreciate these steps. Thanks Sandy : ) Linda

Poem by Rudyard Kipling

following the story "Elephant's Child"

in "Just So Stories"

I keep six honest serving-men

(They taught me all I knew);

Their names are What and Why and When

And How and Where and Who.

I send them over land and sea,

I send them east and west;

But after they have worked for me,

I give them all a rest.

I let them rest from nine till five,

For I am busy then,

As well as breakfast, lunch, and tea,

For they are hungry men.

But different folk have different views;

I know a person small

She keeps ten million serving-men,

Who get no rest at all!

She sends em abroad on her own affairs,

From the second she opens her eyes

One million Hows, Two million Wheres,

And seven million Whys!

Posted by RL at 8:57 AM

1 comments:
Linda Summerlin said...
I've never seen someone STOP a person in mid-stride with poetry -- UNTIL I MET YOU : )

This is just one of the pieces of useFUL information that you grace us with...and it is fun to see that you researched it and posted it on the blog.

Using a blog forum to be able to share good poetry is fun. Fun is pretty much a word I associate with blogs because I've been using mine to post pictures and things that interest me (in hopes they might interest someone else as well).

As far as using blogs for educational purposes, well...there has to be a lot of structure there. I did my critique on some wiki lessons that used blogs to support the time-line (creation) of the lesson as it evolved.

So...maybe I can incorporate it into my curriculum...but...I'd rather "...keep six honest serving-men..." : ) Linda

Space shuttle Endeavour and its crew of seven astronauts, including Army Col. Timothy Kopra, lift off on the STS-127 mission to the International Space Station, July 15, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. (Photo by NASA/Sandra Joseph, Kevin O'Connell)

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor aircraft, participating in Northern Edge 2009, executes a supersonic flyby over the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) while the ship is under way in the Gulf of Alaska June 22, 2009. Stennis is participating in Northern Edge 2009, a joint exercise that focuses on detecting and tracking units at sea, in the air and on land. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kyle Steckler)

40th Anniversary

You KNOW I had to post this in light of the 40th anniversary of landing on the moon.

I must have watched it 20 times on t.v. ALL DAY yesterday : ) L

Mercedes Benz

Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?

My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.

Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,

So Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?

Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a color TV ?

Dialing For Dollars is trying to find me.

I wait for delivery each day until three,

So oh Lord, won’t you buy me a color TV ?

Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a night on the town ?

I’m counting on you, Lord, please don’t let me down.

Prove that you love me and buy the next round,

Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a night on the town ?

Everybody!Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?

My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends,

Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,

So oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?

That’s it!

LINK

http://www.educause.edu/ELI/7ThingsYouShouldKnowAboutWikis/156807

Educause ELI Website

"7 things" website info (what we've been getting to read for ITED 511) is located here AND you can download podcasts - LS

Great Art

More great art : ) LS

Happy 4th of July

Look at these...top 10 blog designs.
Some are REALLY nice, very genuine.

http://elliottback.com/wp/top-ten-best-designed-blogs/

Cape Canaveral Launch

3-2-1 and Liftoff of GOES-O
Rising above the pad's fixed service tower, a Delta IV rocket soars into the sky with the GOES-O satellite aboard. Liftoff was at 6:51 p.m. EDT from Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The first attempt to launch GOES-O, on June 26, was scrubbed due to thunderstorms. The latest Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, GOES-O was developed by NASA for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA. Each of the GOES satellites continuously provides observations of 60 percent of the Earth including the continental United States, providing weather monitoring and forecast operations as well as a continuous and reliable stream of environmental information and severe weather warnings. Once in orbit, GOES-O will be designated GOES-14, and NASA will provide on-orbit checkout and then transfer operational responsibility to NOAA. Image Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

(from NASA website)

Blog Entry #3B

Additional Blog Entry #2 of 2
http://blogs.nasa.gov/cm/blog/NASA%20EDGE%20BLOG

Ok, ok…for those who know me, this blog does not come as a complete surprise. Having been a NASA Educator at Space Camp (Huntsville, Alabama), and having lived in the Cape Canaveral area for a decade, this blog is one of my favorites (my second favorite blog is my “Art of the Day” feed).

Cutting edge technology…that is what the future holds. What better place to find out about cutting edge technology, than NASA?

Years ago, I remember reading about space travel and high-tech inventions in comic books. Star Wars, Star Trek, and all the other sci-fi movies had me thinkin’ “I can wait to get me MY communicator.” Now we have cell phones. Isn’t technology fantastic!

So whenever I read something that is cutting edge on this website (and about all of the NASA “spin-offs” that are invented because of the research and development that has to be conducted for the space program to continue), I think about those comic books and movies from years ago.

This blog keeps me thinking about the future. What will we invent next?

Blog Entry #3A

Other two (or more) blog entries (20 points)

Additional Blog Entry #1 of 2
http://www.army.com/blog/

It is important to get a feel for the “pulse” of the Army and its Soldiers by reading this blog. Everything I create (instructionally) will have to deal with this organization and its people. It is important that I keep up with the news, information, and trends (which can be accomplished by following this blog.) I want to know the “ups” and “downs” that the Soldiers are going through. I want to know how policies affect them. I want to know how the family members feel about what is going on within the Army structure. There are so many topics covered in this blog…it is a goldmine of pertinent information.

This blog also allows me to take a look inside a military organization that is filled with formal structure and tradition. As a Department of the Army Civilian, not having been of prior Army military service, this blog allows me to understand the formal structure and traditions that make up this organization. Over the past year, I have been following the structure of the Army at work, filling in gaps of information that a civilian has. Reading journals has helped me understand. This blog is a digital journal. Up to date information is available as soon as it is released to the public. I don’t have to wait for the paper version of the article. This is a much quicker way to get information.

Gotta Love the Klimt

Gotta Love the Klimt

Entry #2: Using blogs in teaching and learning (20 points)

Find a case study on using blogs in teaching and learning
URL http://cit.duke.edu/resources/getting_started/web20toolkit/tools/web20casestudies.html

Analyze the case study and describe how blogs were used in what context in detail:
Political Science Professor Brown used blogging with his class as a tool for participating in public debate during an election. He believed students would benefit from this blog by interacting with people who were actually running for office (most of the candidates had blogs of their own). Professor Brown also believed critical thinking skills were being used by the students as they engaged with the wide audience of blog readers and subject area experts. “He feels that students can best apply the theoretical aspects of his course materials in a public venue with authentic readers, and also that the public venue will encourage students to put their best work forward, showing superior analysis and critical thinking skills.”

Critique the case study:
My only concern is that politics, in American culture, is polarized. This would be a difficult class to conduct if the majority of students (and/or instructor) were predominantly of one political party. Because of group dynamics, students might be subconsciously siding with one view point (or the other) because of pressures from the group itself. Furthermore, would the student’s grade be down-graded if they were taking the side of an opposing political viewpoint? Ultimately, Professor Brown would have to be very careful to make sure all political persuasions were able to freely express their views without fear of repercussion.

Discuss how you would use blogs in similar AND different situations.
Similar situation use – This would lend itself well to a class on policy. In the Department of the Army, policies change over time. Having learners see how policies change, due to the public arena, would help them understand a bigger picture on the functioning (both short-term and long-term) of the strategies guiding Army policy.
Different situation use – This could also be expanded for learners to see how a world-view affects policy change as well. My only concerns are similar to Professor Brown’s concerns that a balanced approach be used to get all viewpoints on the table.

References:
http://eprints.qut.edu.au/13066/1/13066.pdf
http://www.answers.com/topic/blog
http://www.answers.com/topic/cyberjournal
http://www.articulate.com/downloads/Articulate_UW_Case_Study.pdf
http://cit.duke.edu/resources/getting_started/web20toolkit/tools/web20casestudies.html
http://www.higheredblogcon.com/index.php/blogs-for-learning-a-case-study/
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blog

Educational Blog #2 of 2
http://nagtad.blogspot.com/

Author: Jane Bozarth

Topic: Web 2.0 in training, Ivy Bean, and So Do Something!

Audience: Government Learning Professionals (and educators in general) “A weblog for members of the National Association for Government Training and Development (NAGTAD) members to connect with other members, develop training strategies, and discuss current topics of concern to Government Learning Professionals.”


Summary: This blog item shows you are never too old to learn to Web 2.0! (There is a 9-week challenge link http://plcmcl2-things.blogspot.com/ to get you on your way). Ivy Bean, a 104 year old woman learned some high tech things and this just goes to prove that technology improvements (user friendliness) have come a long way. Years ago, if you would have attempted to start your own blog or Twitter or text message, you would be writing code for days. Ivy Bean, our 104 year old in the story, would not have been able to accomplish anything, if that had still been the case today.

Also in this blog, they talk about social media and government:
‘"Don’t tell me it’s too hard or that your boss doesn’t know YouTube from an iPod. Those are excuses, not reasons. If YouTube is blocked where you work, get it unblocked. Write a white paper justifying why it shouldn’t be blocked. Meet with your boss about it. Meet with your boss’s boss about it. Start a blog where you talk about it. Volunteer to give a brown bag presentation to your office. Just DO something! Take the initiative and work on changing how your organization works - don’t just sit there sulking, saying, “I wish we could do social media here, but we can’t even get on Facebook so there’s no use.” Bringing social media to your organization isn’t something that happens from 9-5. It happens from 5-9, after everyone else has gone home...’ (excerpt from blog)

Unfortunately, this comment (above) is a reality for most government workers. We are blocked from so many things! How will this evolve in a government working climate? Will social networking only be 5-9, after every one else has gone home?


How this blog is relevant to my career: What is the climate at the workplace with regard to technology ESPECIALLY when your job is to create instruction that USES technology (which may or may not be blocked, by the way). This is a reality the Army group (Fellows) will have to contend with.


Lessons Learned: Everyone seems to have a reason (justification) for pushing the technology envelope, but, in a military environment, when (and how) does technology become regulated? When is “pushing” the envelope going beyond what is necessary and lead into security issues? As technology continues to evolve, how can we protect information from misuse? This website has many talking-points that address these issues and the current trends that are guiding some of the decisions being made.

Here is a picture from one of Peggy's educational website posts...read her blog to find out more!

Educational Blog #1 of 2

Educational Blog #1 of 2
http://usacac.leavenworth.army.mil/BLOG/blogs/cgsc_student_blog/archive/2009/06/22/blended-learning-bl-ile-a-good-concept-but-continual-improvement-is-needed.aspx

Author: MAJ Gary Loucks

Topic: Blended Learning (BL) Intermediate Level Education (ILE): A Good Concept, But Continual Improvement is Needed

Audience: Military service members of all branches participating in Blended Learning at the Intermediate Level

Summary:
Warning! This blog is full of Army acronyms. Brace yourself.

This blog has an article posted that takes on the topic of “Blended Learning.” Collaboration is addressed, specifically with joint training, showing a need to connect this team effort in the inclusion of other branches of service (Navy, Air Force, and Marines).

There are suggestions for improvement. These improvements specifically address joint training and lengthening the face-to-face course time.

The ability for teamwork to successfully continue in this blended environment is at issue. This illustrates a very important point. There are some training scenarios that do not lend themselves well to a limited blended environment. The military audience and arena have to consider scenarios in a somewhat different light. Some military training scenarios, no matter how technologically infused, may not be served well unless adequate face-to-face time is considered. In this blended environment the suggestion is to allow more time for this to occur.

References and Additional Information:
b. Intermediate Level Education (ILE). ILE is a system rather than a single course. It is made up of two independent courses, ILE Common Core (ILECC) and a credentialing course that is specific to the career field of a particular student. CGSC is the proponent for the credentialing of Operations Career Field majors and has developed the Advanced Operations and Warfighting Course (AOWC). Other career fields and functional areas have developed or are in the process of developing their credentialing courses. http://usacac.army.mil/CAC2/cgsc/repository/dde_1_catalogCh1.pdf


How this blog is relevant to my career:

In particular, this blog is doing its “job.” This author has offered suggestions for improvement. This is exactly how change is brought about. People, who take the time to think about how to improve the system, SHARE this information. This is how positive changes can occur. This is the feedback element that helps decision-making. This blog is relevant to my career because I will be designing instruction for these Soldiers. I need feedback to do my job. My job, of course, is to offer the best training possible to our Soldiers. I want feedback to guide me because I don’t know off hand (because I’m not in the actual classes) what is working and what needs to change.

Lessons Learned:
Only those people who have had experience with both methods of instruction, blended and actual “resident” classroom time, can give feedback on what “works” and what needs to change for successful learning to occur.

Gotta Love This Piece of Art!

Today's "Art of the Day" is one of my favorites : ) L

This weekend I actually saw a girl with a floral tatoo similar to this ...

http://www.jamesshuggins.com/h/tek1/rememberwhen.htm

Remember When ...A Poem About Technology

A computer was something on TV
From a sci fi show of note.
A window was something you hated to clean
And ram was the cousin of goat.

Meg was the name of my girlfriend
And gig was a job for the nights.
Now they all mean different things
And that really mega bytes.

An application was for employment.
A program was a TV show.
A curser used profanity.
A keyboard was a piano.

Memory was something that you lost with age.
A CD was a bank account.
And if you had a 3 1/2" floppy
You hoped nobody found out.

Compress was something you did to the garbage
Not something you did to a file.
And if you unzipped anything in public
You'd be in jail for a while.

Log on was adding wood to the fire.
Hard drive was a long trip on the road.
A mouse pad was where a mouse lived.
And a backup happened to your commode.

Cut you did with a pocket knife.
Paste you did with glue.
A web was a spider's home.
And a virus was the flu.

--For some of us this poem makes a whole lotta sense : ) L

Hello Fellow Bloggers (and non-Fellow Bloggers)

Greetings Fellow Bloggers : ) L