Thoughts for another day
October 21, 2006 by Lynne Gibb
I am writing this post ACFE Provider Conference and I am feeling pretty tired but happy that everything went so well (but why wouldn’t it with Leanne organising it!) Having realised that I have only until 3rd Nov to get this project together I have been galvanised into action again! I am really happy that a couple of people have attempted to use the wiki and have been successful and that G has followed the link to the slideshow-maker and made a slideshow. That is exactly what I wanted to see happening. I really hope she can get it uploaded so I will make sure she knows I will help her if she needs it.
My next thing to do is to put together the survey for tutors to fill out so I can have it all collated by early next week. Might be stretching it a bit but I will aim for that anyway.
I think this project has been fantastic for my development in elearning as I now feel very confident in using the wiki and the blog and can almost do it in the dark! I have also been contacted by tutors who normally do not converse with me very much so that is a wonderful achievement in itself. From their comments, most appear keen to upgrade their skills in technology and those who before would not attempt it are now saying they would like to try. It seems that time is probably the problem here but I am second-guessing. I hope these things will become clear after the survey results are analysed.
Normally I am starting to feel a bit nervous about presenting the project to an audience but this time I am feeling more excited than anything else as I can see so much potential. What a great idea it was to join the Circles of ACE as I would probably be still tinkering around the edges with wikis etc. and other tutors would still be shunning technology. It was also great that I had become confident in using wikispaces before the ACFE conference as that is using wikispaces as well and I can whip straight in there and contribute. The more I think about it, the more benefits I can see!
Now that I am nearing the end of the project, I can see that there are other ways I could have done things. For one, I could have spent less time learning about wikis myself as I was adept enough after a week or so. I think this is my perfectionist nature rearing its ugly head again – I wanted the site to look really good before I asked for contributors. Perhaps I could have relaxed a bit and just let the look and feel of the front page grow and develop along with the tutors. Then I could have run the workshops earlier so there may have been more participation by them. I can see this project continuing into 2007 as the wiki is becoming a great repository of information. It is great to see L contibuting and her ideas for using wikis are very useful and great food for thought.
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Lynne, I feel that we are on the edge of a whole new stage for Coonara and for us as adult educators and community developers. It’s almost like I’ve just seen the bus roaring towards us with the future on board and it’s not going to slow down…we just need to jump onto the back and hold on. I think it is very much a case of learning as we go/ as we do it. If we try to wait till we have perfected things or even fully understood them we will be left behind. It’s exciting though isn’t it? The next thing to do is to expose everyone at Coonara to the excitement and the real need to jump on board the bus. One of the most satisfying moments of the ACFE conference for me was right at the end when there were ooos and ahhhs as Michael put our Wiki up on the screen and I saw lots and lots of people writing down the address and feeling proud and excited that this was US in cyberspace.
Leanne – I couldn’t agree more. I have been seeing this bus roaring towards us for quite a while now but as people are starting to come into the picture I am feeling a great renewal of the excitement.I think I should be taking one or two people with me to the conferences and workshops I attend just to help them see the big picture – even you as Team Leader.I guess we have to be careful though as there is so much out there in the web2 world that it can become pretty overwhelming. I think we are on the right track – just bringing people along slowly but with me staying well ahead so that we don’t get left behind and then I can catch the rest of us up without casuing too much stress.
I think people are starting to see the potential of the wiki now that they have had a play – just need to get other tutors playing who have not appeared yet. When everyone sees how easy it is to get photos into Flickr and Slide.com or bookmark with Del.icio.us etc they will find out it is fun and then maybe they will want to get on board the bus.
Well, I am excited about joining the bus. I have long been afraid of technology, but having mastered the Wiki and slide show I am excited to be joining the throng!
Hi Gaye – I am really excited to see you contributing. Thank you for persevering. I am sure you will have a lot more to contribute as we progress along this bus trip!
Thanks Lynne. I am really looking forward to the journey.