Tom Kaulmann's Webinar: Don't Let the Experts Tell You PPT Sucks!

Since my husband Brent introduced me to Tom Kaulmann's blog, I've been a fan. Needless to say, when I saw a free Webinar offered by him, I immediately informed everyone else around me about the opportunity. It took me two weeks to work on this reflection post, but I'm committed to sharing some of my take-aways. :)

Christy summed up Tom's presentation already, so I'm adding onto her list.

1. Start with your own blank canvas. But before that, look at the good work others have done, Articulate Community Showcase Award Winners. A lot of these trainings begin with simple PPT presentations!


2. Using PPT may save a lot of time when developing e-Learning courses. However, be creative and focus on instructional strategies. Tom mentioned that the term, "Death by PPT," surfaced because presentations were boring and associated to PPT. But in reality, we shouldn't be focusing on the medium/technology that's boring. Instead, it is probably the content and how it's presented. Poor PowerPoint...Getting a bad rap with so many people using it.


3. There were 500+ instructional designers and/or e-Learning developers and one question that popped up was, what type of handwritten font was Tom using? A good tip is that using handwritten fonts can stand out for your learners. Here's Tom's blog on handwritten fonts. I downloaded some handwritten fonts myself.

There were so many gems in the presentation, I'd recommend that you take some time to view his archived presentation (login required).

Incentives for Hawai'i Top Teachers to Teach at Bottom Schools

Honolulu Star Advertiser Article:

Top teachers, bottom schools

The best educators will be offered bonuses to work in districts where they are needed most.

Read more: http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/hawaiinews/20100825_Top_teachers_bottom_schools.html#ixzz0xjQJT8E7

I think this is a great start to attracting good teachers into most needed areas. My only worry is that shifting good teachers around may not be beneficial for the state in the long run. I'm hoping there will be as much effort on reforms to get all teachers within our state to be highly effective.

Hawai'i Wins Race to the Top Round 2!!

Yay! More money for the education of our keiki in Hawai'i!

Education Week's K-12 Education Politics:
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2010/08/announcements_coming_on_race_t.html.

U.S. Dept. of Ed Press Release:
http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/nine-states-and-district-columbia-win-second-round-race-top-grants

Pixar University's Randy Nelson on Learning and Working in the Collaborative Age | Edutopia

Pixar University's Randy Nelson on Learning and Working in the Collaborative Age | Edutopia
Great video worth watching.

Education Week's Digital Directions: Social Networking Goes to School

Education Week's Digital Directions: Social Networking Goes to School: Social networking in schools continues to be a hot topic of discussion. The key question still seems to be, "How do we provide educators opportunities to tap into the potential benefits of social networking tools while providing a safe environment for everyone?" We know education/training is key to ensure appropriate online behavior. I think it continues to be a challenge in regards to how schools are capable of implementing the education/training component successfully (which would then allow access to social media tools) balanced by flexible IT network infrastructures that support the customization (related to protecting student privacy, etc.) and needs of each school population. This article provides great ideas on integrating social networking tools and also provides links to grant projects and PLNs that would be of interest to educators. This was the first time I heard of Project K-Nect and elementary student sites such as Webkinz and Club Penguin. Have you heard of these sites before?

Online Learning in the Race to the Top Finalists' Round 2 Applications

iNACOL created this site summarizing the online learning solutions in the Race to the Top Round 2 finalists’ applications:
http://sites.google.com/site/onlinelearningrttt/#Hawaii

I noticed that Hawai'i Virtual Learning Network is mentioned as the pathway for enrollment to online courses. Our collaboration with HVLN is going well and key for us at KSDL to continually increase access to quality culture-based curriculum for both students and teachers in the D.O.E. Skimming through the rest of the applications, I also noticed that online learning and/or virtual schooling are integrated in all applications that have been selected as finalists for Race to the Top Round 2.

5 Developing Themes at ISTE ’10

Interesting themes at ISTE. Do you agree with them?
http://www.techlearning.com/article/31550