Archive for the ‘blogging’ Category

does the solution actually solve the problem? [#blogjune post #19]

Thursday, June 19th, 2014

Post #19 – where careful analysis is considered

At work we are often asked if we can find a (technical or otherwise) solution to a particular problem. We love a challenge, so welcome the opportunity to delve into the features and functionality of our systems to see if we can improve the way we do things. We see if we can tweak settings to provide alternative approaches to activities like assessing online (including plagiarism), uploading grades, managing discussions, facilitating group work, doing peer assessment, checking class attendance, etc. Sometimes these ‘fixes’ are about making administrative tasks easier, but they are also about improving learning and teaching. 

It’s important to discover the exact issue of concern so that the correct focus is maintained during problem solving. Not understanding the problem, as well as inadequate testing, can cause further issues if you drift from the original question. Clearly articulating the current conditions and state-of-play first, then overlaying that with the problem and obstacle to overcome, and then determining the desired and hoped for outcome is a useful process. I’m suggesting that the more information the better, and some method of recording information, mapping the issues, and ensuring ongoing communication are in place so that all parties have the same understanding of the project.

We’ve had some cases where we get to a certain point and realise that we either can’t do what we want and have to compromise, or that we need to take a completely different path due to limitations of the systems we have. It’s always a great feeling when an alternative is found and implemented to everyone’s satisfaction. But then there’s always the case where there is no way to solve the problem and the status quo needs to be maintained till future opportunities make change possible.

Have you found that sometimes the solution doesn’t really address the problem?

Piping

Conduit piping

Word of the Day is: ‘flak’ – and often best avoided

clearing the mind every now and then [#blogjune post #18]

Wednesday, June 18th, 2014

Post #18 – where this writer contemplates stillness

I guess it may be the type of job I have, and to some extent they way I work – but I often find myself overwhelmed by the number of things that need to get done. A lot of demands from different quarters as well as a seemingly never ending number of emails, phone calls, and drop-ins. The phone calls & drop-ins are interesting. I have an open door and welcome people to drop in with questions and talk about what they are doing, or want to do. Sometimes though, these drop-ins & phone calls turn into extended visits or consultations. Often there is a problem to solve or a question turns out to be complex and doesn’t have an easy answer. I do appreciate these occasions, but if it’s not planned and lasts 30-40 minutes, I find there is some catching up to do. 

This leads to some frustration as all the tasks that require doing all compete for attention and I don’t know where to start with the next thing. A good friend has advised to just do the next thing, but often that can be tricky when faced with a number of priorities. Sometimes it seems that my mind just wants to escape and shut down from the demands of decision making. When I notice or realise this though, I know it’s time for a break – some time of quiet & stillness. A moment of calm is required to settle the cacophony and let things/thoughts settle and reorder themselves. Taking a 10 minute break can be useful, and I guess meditation also can do that for us. My solution is often to get out for a walk and take some fresh air. This changes the environment around me to provide different inputs and I find the distraction/s helpful. Coming back to the office and making a cup of tea make all the difference to what happens next…

How do you respond when you hear that inner call from some peace & quiet?

Moonrise

Moonrise over Corio bay

Word of the Day is ’scofflaw’ – not quite the same as a maverick, but close.

a model for ed-tech due diligence [#blogjune post #17]

Tuesday, June 17th, 2014

Post #17 – where I reflect on a re-discovered practice

I had an experience the other day that was both positive and negative.

I’ll start with the bad news. We had an opportunity to test/trial a new tool that would support student interaction in lectures. Something similar to clickers I guess, but hopefully also easier to access and work with students who might off-campus. So, a demonstration workshop was organised and we soon discovered that the tool (and integration) didn’t really work as advertised when faced with the testing we wanted to do. There was different functionality depending on device, a serious time lag between the face-to-face session and the online space, a non intuitive and clunky interface, some anomalies with the flow and process of designed activity, and a port user experience. This was enough to convince us that the tool wasn’t fit for purpose – yet. The test convinced us that we’d need to look further afield for a tool that would support what we wanted to do. 

The good news in all this was that we had an experience that we all agreed was a very useful one. A group of us collectively participated in a test/trial, using the tool in a range of environments (places, space, and devices), and with authentic learning activities. This enabled us to reflect on a range of factors that would be important to make for a good learning experience and ensure intended outcomes are achieved. This included functionality, navigation, input and response, and the leading/presentation of the activity. It was great for a group of people to actively participate, contribute and respond as the session unfolded. Different situations for individuals allowed for a range of response and gave us an excellent overview of the issues that could be expected. We also were able to try and seek alternative solutions to problems as the ‘live’ experience unfolded. While there was an atmosphere of ‘let’s try and break it’, we were also willing it to work so ensured that we gave the system the benefit of the doubt. Also useful was the record of our interactions in a text chat that captured questions and answers.

Everyone was happy with the process and outcome and we’ve committed to using a similar model next time we look at trialling a new product system. Do you do something similar?

Functional tech

Innovation in Niger – recharging torches more effectively

Word of the Day is ’transfigure’ – to change for the better…

just another day in the office [#blogjune post #16]

Monday, June 16th, 2014

Post #16 – where a sort of stream of consciousness occurs

You know, that feeling when you need to do something and don’t know where to start… What can I write today that will entertain my dear readers – something worth visiting this blog for.

The day started well enough – cold & wet! No meetings either, but then people start turning up and it starts to get noisy and you get interrupted and – the best laid plans… You know how it goes. What will I write about for #blogjune? Coffee to the rescue out of the office for a moment to catch up with colleagues quickly while off to the café & back. Then some emails before playing around with a spreadsheet to help with getting ready for Semester 2. But hang on, need to check the twitters and the yammers to see what’s happening. Oh, and some #crowdfunding projects that I’m involved with are getting close to closing, and oh so close to getting funded… Oh, and friends are in New Oleans – wonder if they’ve watched Tremé? Oh, and there’s a half season 4 to look out for, nice. But, then there’s work to do and and I need a cup of tea and by lunchtime I need some fresh air so it’s out for a quick walk before tackling the afternoon. Can I attend that meeting on Friday? Wonder what’s going to happen in the final episode of G.o.T tonight. When’s the best time to organise that demo? What will I write about for #blogjune? Don’t forget to upload the agenda and papers for that meeting. etc. etc. 

Lots of busy work and things going on in my head – sometimes I’d rather mow grass – more time to think. What about you?

Sculpture

Sculpture on the beach

Word of the Day is ‘gallinipper’ – keep them away from me!

the act of writing – art and/or craft? [#blogjune post #15]

Sunday, June 15th, 2014

Post #15 – where we realise we’re halfway through #blogjune

The past two weeks of blog writing have passed quickly even though I’ve been very aware of my commitment to write every day. I’ve appreciated the challenge of writing regular and appreciate the tag line of Stephen Downes’ blog, ‘Half an hour’ – “A place to write, half an hour, every day, just for me.” I’ve always thought it would be useful to get some of my thinking and reflection out of my head and into some form so that I can process the ideas. I haven’t been able to find a regular time to do this and initially thought that I could get up early in the day and spend that half hour writing some things down. I’ve found myself doing my writing at the end of the day rather than the beginning and that’s OK. 

Where I’m finding things difficult is in the process of writing and getting a ‘solid’ piece written. By solid I mean something that’s not a short comment, more a piece that is able to convey a significant idea and more than one hundred words. So, I’m finding that half hour is not enough time for me to write what I’d call a considered piece of writing. I’m probably a slow writer and need time to ‘craft’ the words into something I think will be worth reading.

I guess there’s some art involved in putting words together, and like using a brush to arrange paint to make a picture, I see good writing as creating a word picture for the reader to enjoy. I like to have some ’substance’ that gives some volume to the writing, and so I struggle with gathering the words together for that. Words can be like leaves scattered about l, as well as gathered together in clumps in the gutter – how can we arrange them to make some sense?

Maybe I’ll try writing some shorter posts to see if I can do that without worrying about being deep and meaningful. I guess I’ve got the rest of the month to play around with that…

autumnal ground cover

 

Autumnal ground cover

The Word of the Day is ‘beget’ – not a French bread stick. 😉

it was a dark & stormy evening [#blogjune post #14]

Saturday, June 14th, 2014

Post #14 – where following your instinct is discussed

Today was dark, grey, cold, and wet – a great day to stay inside and build Lego models, read books or watch movies… I didn’t quite get to manage those things but got some chores done and tinkered with some WordPress template themes. 

But, back to the topic – yesterday evening gave some indication as to what the weather might be today. I was watching bunches of clouds gather and swirl around on my way home and thought they looked amazing. The sun was going down and the lighting of the sky was becoming quite dramatic. I couldn’t really stop on the way and thought it might be enough to just enjoy the sight, but kept thinking that I’d like to take some photos. But no I thought, best get home…

My heart though, was telling me that I’d missed photo opportunities in the past and it would be easy to find a vantage point and take some photos. So, after some to-ing and fro-ing with myself, I did take that road less travelled and was able to watch a roiling sky for twenty minutes and capture some lovely images. It was totally worth taking the diversion and while I didn’t get rained on, actually wouldn’t have minded if I got wet. The shapes of the clouds, their changing colours and hues, and the sunset made for an enjoyable transition from work to home. 

So, when you feel that instinct encourage you to do something that you weren’t intending to, don’t over analyse it – go with the flow and see what happens. I actually can’t recall a time when I’ve regretted doing it. can you?

Stormy dusk

Gathering storm…

I didn’t expect our Word of the Day to be: ‘zedonk’, which is a product of cross-species breeding…