1. The Crayon Initiative: I love, love, love this idea! This man decided to do something great with all those leftover crayons you see on restaurant tables. He re-melts them and makes them into bigger crayons for little fingers and then ships them off to children who need them. How great is that!?
2. John Harbaugh: Even though I'm having a hard time getting excited for Raven's season, it's hard not to still love Coach Harbaugh. Most especially this week for his mid game interview. I'm not sure if people in Maryland saw any of this, but during last week's mid game interview, he got a bit snippy with the on-field reporter. Not very happy with the questions he was being asked, he snapped "why don't you give me a real question, then I'll answer it...?" After being chastised by fans all week for being a bit of jerk, he decided to make it up to everyone last night in his usual sarcastic way. After the very first question, by the VERY same reporter from last week, he smirked and said " Oh, I like that question." Ha!
3. Skillshare: I'm a sucker for learning new crafty endeavors and apparently clicking on sponsored posts on Twitter too. After seeing one for Skillshare this morning, I decided to see what it was all about. Basically it's Lynda.com for crafty people. Their focus is on typography, photography, cooking, crafting, even organization. I'm already in love! Now just to choose what new crafty things I want to learn...
4. "The Traveling Tea Shop" by Belinda Jones. It's one of the many, many books I bought in England. Of course, I didn't realize the book is actually based here in the states. But there is an English connection so at least there's that. It's adorable for anyone who loves sweets, travel, England and New England. Such a great book that I can't wait to finish!
5. 3 Day weekends are my most favorite thing in the whole wide world. Even though this one marks the end of Summer, it's still lovely to say "see you on Tuesday!" Happy Labor Day just a bit early!
Showing posts with label eLearning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eLearning. Show all posts
Friday, September 4, 2015
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Things You Learn
~ I learned that I still hate public speaking with every fiber of my being. But I also learned I don't suck. I just still hate it. There's too much to think about and it's just much too stressful.
~ I learned that so called "professional" speakers like to focus on rules that were pulled from 1962, including, women shouldn't have brightly colored finger nails, and men should not forget to comb the back of their hair when they're combing the front. Yes, these were 2 rules that were covered in class this week during the "Being a Good Presenter" lesson.
~ I learned that body language that I believe signals relaxed and in control actually means (in pro speak) lazy and rude, such as walking & talking with one hand in the pocket. I've seen countless speakers do it and I think it signals that the speaker is relaxed and confident. But apparently I'm wrong...
~ I learned that I speak too quickly, quietly and "click my tongue" when speaking in front of a group - actual feedback I received on my presentation, mind you.
~ I learned that there must be a secret code in regards to moving around during a presentation, because I apparently didn't walk enough, while another speaker walked too much.
~ While I'm still terrified of going in front of large groups and secretly wish I could change that, I learned that those people that become professionals at it are downright condescending to those that aren't.
~ Lastly, I learned the dudes and one dude-ette not counting me, that I work with are fantastic speakers and gave such great presentations that it was hard not to get excited for them. During one presentation, we actually made a wallet! How cool is that!? Though, super happy I didn't have to follow that one : )
~ I learned that so called "professional" speakers like to focus on rules that were pulled from 1962, including, women shouldn't have brightly colored finger nails, and men should not forget to comb the back of their hair when they're combing the front. Yes, these were 2 rules that were covered in class this week during the "Being a Good Presenter" lesson.
~ I learned that body language that I believe signals relaxed and in control actually means (in pro speak) lazy and rude, such as walking & talking with one hand in the pocket. I've seen countless speakers do it and I think it signals that the speaker is relaxed and confident. But apparently I'm wrong...
~ I learned that I speak too quickly, quietly and "click my tongue" when speaking in front of a group - actual feedback I received on my presentation, mind you.
~ I learned that there must be a secret code in regards to moving around during a presentation, because I apparently didn't walk enough, while another speaker walked too much.
~ While I'm still terrified of going in front of large groups and secretly wish I could change that, I learned that those people that become professionals at it are downright condescending to those that aren't.
~ Lastly, I learned the dudes and one dude-ette not counting me, that I work with are fantastic speakers and gave such great presentations that it was hard not to get excited for them. During one presentation, we actually made a wallet! How cool is that!? Though, super happy I didn't have to follow that one : )
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Why Me?
A few days ago, I wrote about how I would do things differently if I were in charge. At the time, I didn't even know about the biggest thing I would do differently - that would be, not forcing my employees to attend a train the trainer class they I know they're terrified to attend. I'd say that's quite close to cruel and unusual punishment, which is most definitely a Better Business Bureau violation....right?!
It sounds piddly. 4 days of getting paid to learn something new. 4 days of sitting in class with people you like learning from a great instructor. But what everyone fails to mention is that on the very last day, students are forced to present on a topic of their choice for 20 minutes, in front of their peers and are critiqued on that presentation. If that's not torture, I'm not sure what is.
Some people are fabulous at this. Some people can walk into a crowded room and turn on the charm with ease. Other people can spend a few minutes planning then give dynamic presentations with very little work. And then there's me. I will most likely spend the next 6 days fretting over the 20 minute presentation and may actually have a bit of a panic attack that morning. I HATE public speaking.
When I say hate, I mean with every fiber of my being, I loathe it. I'm socially inept in small groups, imagine throwing me in front of 10-12 people. It's like a train wreck. What's even worse is that these are computer people. They do this on a daily basis. So basically they can rehash exactly the same jargon and tech speak they use each day to pass the class with flying colors. While non-techie, creative me, will be presenting on, quite possibly baking a cake or crafting a card. I'm sure the 10 guys (I'm one of 3 girls in the class) will enjoy either of those things immensely and won't think I'm a stupid girl at all.
So yeah. It sucks...
It sounds piddly. 4 days of getting paid to learn something new. 4 days of sitting in class with people you like learning from a great instructor. But what everyone fails to mention is that on the very last day, students are forced to present on a topic of their choice for 20 minutes, in front of their peers and are critiqued on that presentation. If that's not torture, I'm not sure what is.
Some people are fabulous at this. Some people can walk into a crowded room and turn on the charm with ease. Other people can spend a few minutes planning then give dynamic presentations with very little work. And then there's me. I will most likely spend the next 6 days fretting over the 20 minute presentation and may actually have a bit of a panic attack that morning. I HATE public speaking.
When I say hate, I mean with every fiber of my being, I loathe it. I'm socially inept in small groups, imagine throwing me in front of 10-12 people. It's like a train wreck. What's even worse is that these are computer people. They do this on a daily basis. So basically they can rehash exactly the same jargon and tech speak they use each day to pass the class with flying colors. While non-techie, creative me, will be presenting on, quite possibly baking a cake or crafting a card. I'm sure the 10 guys (I'm one of 3 girls in the class) will enjoy either of those things immensely and won't think I'm a stupid girl at all.
So yeah. It sucks...
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
I'd Do It Differently
For the last year or so, I've been working in a field that means very little in the long run. We didn't make the world turn and quite frankly, if we were to not come in for a few days, very little would get lost in the shuffle. However, in the last month, I actually moved into my dream field. It's also not brain surgery or saving the world from hunger, but I can feel good at the end of the day that we're helping people - even if it's only teaching them something they didn't know before coming to us.
The position is perfect for me. I get to be in the training and development world. I get to see the inner workings of a training practice and I get to learn from some super smart computer-type people (of which I'm so not). I'm still stuck dealing with boring computer coursework, but it's hands-down an improvement over what I was doing.
Herein lies the problem.
With my old job, like I said, it was useless and menial (much more menial than I was led on to believe it would be). But it also had nothing to do with what I went to school for so I was stuck trudging through daily. I had nothing to add so I just did my work and collected my pay check. Soul-crushing? Yes. But now that I'm in this training world, it might be a little more frustrating. Because I have to see all sorts of things that I know I could do better. Though, because I'm an underling, I'm stuck going with the flow again.
I have visions of a creative and interactive training environment with great instructors teaching things they're passionate about and things that will change the world (at least a little bit), not how to do XYZ on a computer. I happen to know for a fact some cool ways to get involved on Twitter and Facebook. I know how to create courseware and house them online. I know how to run a sharepoint site and keep all sorts of materials organized. I'm terrible at speaking in front of people (bad news for a training pro, I know) but I know this about myself and I know to look for instructors so much better than me. I know you have to spend money to make money but I also know if you're spending more than you're making, you're never going to get anywhere. And I definitely know that the big wigs get special treatment sometimes in the business world, but catering to them so much that even after doing all the work for them, aside from actually taking the class, you now have to email the secretaries the same paperwork you emailed them so they can print it all out for the bosses, is just demeaning to say the least, to all parties involved. I know what makes a great work environment and I'd love to have the chance to shape that.
So now that I've got this awesome job, I find myself itching to find a way to do it differently. I know I can't start my own business, as the number stuff eludes me. But oh it's so frustrating to watch things you know are wrong continue daily. Ugh!
Ok, rant over for this evening. I just had to get that off my chest. Now, does anyone want to go into business together - I've all sorts of crafty, creative and non-soul crushing ideas, even if no actual business sense! : )
The position is perfect for me. I get to be in the training and development world. I get to see the inner workings of a training practice and I get to learn from some super smart computer-type people (of which I'm so not). I'm still stuck dealing with boring computer coursework, but it's hands-down an improvement over what I was doing.
Herein lies the problem.
With my old job, like I said, it was useless and menial (much more menial than I was led on to believe it would be). But it also had nothing to do with what I went to school for so I was stuck trudging through daily. I had nothing to add so I just did my work and collected my pay check. Soul-crushing? Yes. But now that I'm in this training world, it might be a little more frustrating. Because I have to see all sorts of things that I know I could do better. Though, because I'm an underling, I'm stuck going with the flow again.
I have visions of a creative and interactive training environment with great instructors teaching things they're passionate about and things that will change the world (at least a little bit), not how to do XYZ on a computer. I happen to know for a fact some cool ways to get involved on Twitter and Facebook. I know how to create courseware and house them online. I know how to run a sharepoint site and keep all sorts of materials organized. I'm terrible at speaking in front of people (bad news for a training pro, I know) but I know this about myself and I know to look for instructors so much better than me. I know you have to spend money to make money but I also know if you're spending more than you're making, you're never going to get anywhere. And I definitely know that the big wigs get special treatment sometimes in the business world, but catering to them so much that even after doing all the work for them, aside from actually taking the class, you now have to email the secretaries the same paperwork you emailed them so they can print it all out for the bosses, is just demeaning to say the least, to all parties involved. I know what makes a great work environment and I'd love to have the chance to shape that.
So now that I've got this awesome job, I find myself itching to find a way to do it differently. I know I can't start my own business, as the number stuff eludes me. But oh it's so frustrating to watch things you know are wrong continue daily. Ugh!
Ok, rant over for this evening. I just had to get that off my chest. Now, does anyone want to go into business together - I've all sorts of crafty, creative and non-soul crushing ideas, even if no actual business sense! : )
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