A momentary pause in the madness. This is the kind of work pace I like. Plenty to do, but not in a frantic way. Right on.
Lots of Software Trai ning
Finishing up a big project update for a large financial institution. Updating 19 courses (which I wrote last year). Little design work. Much juggling.
Wrapping up software training for another client. Built six courses. Many lessons learned. Courses way too big, but some cool features that I really like.
Starting a new project for another company. Small scale, help demos. More just-in-time performance support tools; "hey, how do I do that?"
Most Awesome Project Ever
This project kicks ass, if I do say so myself. It's fun to work on AND the client really likes our work. We're creating an orientation program for a national sorority. Multi-generational learning experience. Game-like program. You take a tour of the house to learn about the organization. Click on objects to learn more. Mini-games (sometimes a multiple choice question disguised as a game through clever graphics) embedded throughout. Earn charms for a charm bracelet by successfully completing a little quiz in each room of the house. My graphic designer is completely outdoing herself.
Professional Development
Reading The Adult Learner by Malcolm Knowles, et al. Boning up on Behaviorism and Cognitivism, etc. It's a definitive classic, so why not. Unfortunately, it's slow reading. My brain has a hard time these days parsing dense theory.
Twitter. I'm a convert. @cammybean
Pleasure Reading
Easter Parade by Richard Yates. I've been told it's not as devastating as Revolutionary Road. Thankfully. Don't think I could handle that right now.
[Sidebar: This, Tony Karrer, is why schools still need to teach good writing. Kids shouldn't be taught to skim read, until they can really read. Likewise with writing. Bulleted lists have their place, but please, give us more Shakespeare and Yates or the world will be a sadder place.
(Yes, I'm an English major who writes mostly text bullets instead of novels. But still. )]
What are you working on? Care to share?
7 comments:
So I'm curious: what drove you to revisit theory? And what 'a-has' are you getting now that you can view it all with the eyes of a veteran?
Cammy, I'm glad to hear you so revved up.
I tried several times to finish Knowles when the book was new. Kept thinking of Dorothy Parker: "The book fills a well-needed gap."
I liked Peter Block's Flawless Consulting, except for the title. I think you'd enjoy it. More than Knowles, anyway.
Cammy - great post and wonderful to hear that you are working on a fun project.
I don't think I suggested that kids be taught to skim before they are taught to read. I'd even say that teaching skim and writing for skimmers could be done later in a students lives 7+
@ Jane -- In theory, I'm not against theory. In fact, when I first started blogging, I was wrangling with the notion of getting an 'informal degree' in instructional design. I'm still of that mindset. I think good IDs should know the theories. Unfortunately, life has been getting in the way of my informal degree intentions, but my brain has started to resurface of late and I'm back on board.
@ Dave -- As always, you come back with a great book referral.
@ Tony -- Re-reading your post (which I'm sure I skimmed), I see that no, you didn't suggest that children be taught to skim read before they are taught to read. But I meant "really read." To read a complex text and understand the subtle nuances of the language. That's a languishing skill. And although I don't completely disagree that we all need these skills, mine was more of a general lament. If we focus our kids so much on the skills of the business world, what will we lose? What literary genius?
Cammy--I KNEW we were soul sisters! :-) I just finished The Easter Parade and a bio of Richard Yates after reading Revolutionary Road. Now I'm reading Cold Spring Harbor. Awesome writer, but as a bipolar alcoholic, Yates was not a happy camper. Still, what a writer.
Neat post Cammy - i will have to write a "what am i doing / working on" post this weekend I think!
Sue, we're waiting for that post!
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