I saw Chris Guillebeau speak recently, the author of The Art of Non-Conformity. He thinks instead of looking for efficiency we should be looking for adventure. I agree and as an adventure seeker when it comes to learning and development here's my 10 point take on how a conventional trainer stacks up … [Read more...] about The art of being an unconventional trainer (with a nod to Chris Guillebeau)
'Don't fake it – you gotta feel it' Mr. B. to his PS 22 Chorus at the Oscars
Mr B is the phenomenal teacher and conductor of PS22 Chorus, the choir that's taken Youtube by storm. A recent Time Magazine article describes them as having a tendency to skip traditional chorus tunes in favor of exuberant renditions of pop songs. Mr B recently gathered his charges, from … [Read more...] about 'Don't fake it – you gotta feel it' Mr. B. to his PS 22 Chorus at the Oscars
Learning about learning with tuiles
I recently wrote about an example of what not to do if you want your learners to feel included and your content to be accessible. It had to do with differentiated learning and not being told upfront what that meant. Harumph! (e.g. I'm tired, it's the end of a long day and you, the presenter, have … [Read more...] about Learning about learning with tuiles
I've returned to high school, a harumphing bad example of access/inclusion
I'm back in school. High school that is. A few evenings ago I found myself perched on a somewhat tottering chair, holding handouts in one hand and a cookie in the other. I was peering over my reading glasses at the figure in the distance, the principal, as he spoke into the darkened room to a … [Read more...] about I've returned to high school, a harumphing bad example of access/inclusion
Confessions of an introverted trainer
I adore being a learning and development specialist.  Being with people. Lots of people. Different and diverse people. And with them, creating a process that unfurls the heads of confusing question marks into tall and proud exclamation marks. I get it! I never thought of it like that. That's … [Read more...] about Confessions of an introverted trainer
Top 100 Tools for Learning in 2010
Since 2007 Jane Hart, of the Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies, has been putting together an annual list of top learning tools. The completed 2010 list is at the end of this post and the emerging 2011 list is here. I tried out a couple that were new to me; Glogster, for making … [Read more...] about Top 100 Tools for Learning in 2010
Where's your off switch?
When I was doing some training for the United Nations in East Africa a while back, some friends and I got together one night at a house to watch a movie and make cookies. The cookie dough never made it to the oven (a destination few cookie dough batches in my world meet) and the movie was … [Read more...] about Where's your off switch?
The blind leading the blind … literally
Remember the old joke about 3 blind men describing an elephant? One man, holding the tail, describes it entirely differently than another man who is touching its truck, which is yet again different from the man touching its tusk. Perspective. It can be a potential killer. Limited perspective … [Read more...] about The blind leading the blind … literally
10 tips for trainers part two: avoiding hairy, naked guys
This is part two of 10 tips for trainers. See part one here. It's my gift to you the day after my birthday. I figured as I don't have to wait until Christmas to open gifts why should you. 6.  Avoid the hairy, naked guy; part A when we're stressed our brains aren't primed for objective … [Read more...] about 10 tips for trainers part two: avoiding hairy, naked guys
10 tips for trainers part one: bumblebee butts & booty
It's my birthday tomorrow and as tomorrow's not a usual day for posting I thought I'd give you a gift today. Ever since I hit the earth some 4+ decades ago I've not had to wait for Christmas to open gifts so I thought I'd share the bounty with you, my dear blog reader, with you. Thanks for your … [Read more...] about 10 tips for trainers part one: bumblebee butts & booty
Are you ‘Educating for a Change?’
Educating for a change is one of my all time favourite books. It’s a lovely blend of: 1.   Explaining what popular education is and why it’s important 2.   Example activities that you can use to effect change As a learning and development specialist do you know what your pedagogy is? Pedagogy … [Read more...] about Are you ‘Educating for a Change?’
How you get kids to wash their hands can tell you a lot about effecting change
Washing hands prevents sickness, prevents spreading disease. Washing your hands properly can reduce your chances of death, yes death, by up to 35%. Nothing new there. Smoking kills. The World Health Organization says that 4.2 million people died prematurely in 2000 from smoking. Smoking stinks, … [Read more...] about How you get kids to wash their hands can tell you a lot about effecting change
