Just Imagine Everyone in Their Underwear

I was asked to give a Presentation on the Perpetual Andragogy Wiki and Blog for our Alpha Xi Beta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. Yes, I was nervous! And of course I had some technical difficulties. A Word of Warning: When you give a Presentation, make sure to have a backup online somewhere, either in your mail or in a dropbox file.

This is not a recording of the Live Presentation. Instead, I made two short Screenrs for you and included the On This Wiki Animoto. As for that underwear thing, uh, that doesn't really work! (click on links below each clip for a larger, better view)

How Perpetual Andragogy Came to Be

The Perpetual Andragogy Wiki

What You Can Find on the Wiki

A Word About Phi Theta Kappa and Service Organizations

If you are ever invited to join Phi Theta Kappa, Do So! Some of  the many benefits, include the 5-Star Competitive Edge Program, Scholarly Discussions, and organized events where you can volunteer your time. More about Phi Theta Kappa.

If your college does not have a Phi Theta Kappa Chapter, seek out a club or organization that aligns with your interests. Every scholarship application, job application and, most recently, my  transfer application to UNLV has asked about my community, civic or volunteer activities. Schools and employers don't want people who just have good grades. They want good people that do good things that also happen to get good grades.

Remember, Saturday, October 23rd is National Make a Difference Day. It is also National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Look around your Community for some great opportunities. Here are  these two to get you started.

Make a Difference Day

Susan G. Komen for the Cure




Web 2.0 Links and References

I Need to Brush Up on my Technology
Dynamic Web Applications
Screenr
Animoto
DropBox
Building a Video Podcast Part 1 & Part 2

It's Not What You Say, But How You Say It

Do you recognize this?


"The diminutive Oompa Loompas were prey and had little hope of survival.  A mammalian quadruped would breakfast on no less than ten of them. I extended an invitation to the Oompa Loompas to reside with me away from the various dangerous indigenous species."

Hmmm, sounds vaguely familiar, but I'll bet you know it better as this:


“And the poor little Oompa Loompas were so small and helpless, they would get gobbled up right and left. A Wangdoodle would eat ten of them for breakfast and think nothing of it. And so, I said, "Come and live with me in peace and safety, away from all the Wangdoodles, and Hornswogglers, and Snozzwangers, and rotten, Vermicious Knids" (Dahl/Wilder/IMBD).

This is, of course, from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I refer to the Original with Gene Wilder.  I just love that movie!

Growing up, my Oma (granny in German) always told me "the tone makes the music." Or, it's not what you say, but how you say it.  I believed all this time that she was stressing both manners and speaking politely to people. Although this may likely be true as well, I realize now that Oma may have been much wiser than I realized.

Communication, whether it be written, oral or signed, defines us. (There's non-verbal or body language also, but more on that later) The words we use to craft a writing or speech is telling of our intellect, or lack thereof. CMC or Computer Mediated Communication brings it's own set of rules to this playing field. I know I find myself referencing the Urban Dictionary more than Webster's here lately. How about you?


If we abbreviate or acronym our words, split our infinitives or dangle our participles, are we really less intelligent? The short answer: not necessarily. This is just the way we choose to express ourselves. I mean, you wouldn't read this blog if I wrote in the style of  the first paragraph, all uppity and white paperish. That would be boring. No, instead I write pretty much like I would  speak if you were right here with me.

With these thoughts, and many more,  not to mention the demise of  the Informatics Program, I have come to the tentative decision of a Major in Communications with a Minor in Environmental Sciences. I say tentative as I have yet to meet with my Academic Advisor for my transfer to UNLV. There may be other options. (UPDATE on Major)

Speaking of  Transfer. When I first embarked upon my college career, I was very unsure of myself. I wasn't sure if I could hack college after 25 years of being out of school and I didn't know if I could make the grade, so to speak.

I started small, taking only two classes, you know, just to get my feet wet. One of these classes was The History of Rock and Roll. I can't tell you how simultaneously thrilling and disturbing  it is to study musicians you have in your album collection. (yes, I said ALBUM ha ha)

But anyway, the point is I started at what was then a Community College. There are great advantages for the Adult Learner here. The class sizes are typically smaller and most importantly less expensive; a major factor to be sure. Yet if you wish to continue past either an Associates Degree or Vocational program, you must transfer to a Four Year Institution.

I have outlined these steps for you in a downloadable PDF on the wiki. There is also a video for you by Howcast. There may be more information added as I learn more, so check back often.



More

Why Go Back to School Now?

Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory ~ Film analysis for Communication Studies

The Perpetual Andragogy Wiki ~ Steps for Transfer to a Four Year Institution




This Blog Has a Bad Case of TMI

Too Much Information! That's what this Blog keeps getting. But I get so excited about all I've learned that I want to share it all with you. Doing this makes for a complicated 'Link Farm' where I ask you to follow the Blue Link Information Highway. Enough Already!

After four weeks in PBWorks Summer Camp (another week for tweaking and one for vacation - Yay!) I am now proud to introduce the Perpetual Andragogy Wiki.

Now, the page above is just one page. On this wiki you will find all kinds of resources for the Adult Learner, Career Changer, and a bit of Web 2.0 info. Maybe you, or someone you know, wants to go back to school; go through College by the Letters. Or your Mom, Dad or older friend would like to get online and get with it; send them to Boomers and Beyond.

Know that a wiki is an on going project. As my Professor said "...but when is a wiki ever finished." The very best part about a wiki is that YOU can contribute. Don't know a thing about wikis? Well, this is the perfect one to start on. Come on over, explore the links, try out the "Writer's Start Page" (scroll down on the first page) and request to be a writer. I'll be so glad to see you!

There are several ways to get to the Perpetual Andragogy Wiki. Click on the image above, the link at the top right, or here.

Oh, and one more thing. There are ways to access HELP all over the wiki. Go to the Writer's Start Page and watch the screenr I made for you. Give me feedback on the quick little survey below to let me know if this tutorial was helpful.

See You There! :D

Summertime and the Living is Easy

That's what I thought, anyway, when I decided to take the Summer Semester off. But three months is a long time to "Do Nothing."

I realized that it had been a full semester since I had a math class. A higher math is required and that means Pre-Calculus. I had struggled towards the end of my combined Elementary/Intermediate Algebra, so I'm doing a couple of things. First I got out my big ol' math book and just started going through the odd numbered problems (the answers are in the back) in the Intermediate Algebra section.  I also decided to give the For Dummies series a whirl.      

Pre-Calculus For Dummies Pre-Calculus Workbook For Dummies I also got Logic For Dummies because Symbolic Logic sounds daunting!

Overall I like the For Dummies series. They are written towards a specific audience - Us! We get these books because we want to learn more or learn better. My favorite line in the Introduction under Foolish Assumptions of the Pre-Cal is "We can't assume that just because we absolutely love math that you share the same enthusiasm for the subject." A word of warning: There are errors in the Pre-Calculus Workbook for Dummies. Go here to download the Errata. While you are there, you might want to look around to see if there are any corrections for other For Dummies books you may have.

I didn't stop with just the above books either. Remember the Wiki Post? I told you then I would learn more about Wikis and share with you what I've learned in future installments. I just finished the first week's assignment with my Summer Camp for PBWiki. In another three to four weeks I hope to have a Perpetual Andragogy Wiki up and running. There you will find more in-depth information for Adult Learners, Career Changers, and College as a Non-Traditional Student. AND you can contribute also. Want some info now? Go to the PBWorks Support Center. There's a great intro video also.

Now I'm not all work and no play. I'm a big proponent for giving the brain downtime. I give myself permission to "Do Nothing." Dan Bingham's article, Mad Men's Guide to Managing Creative People, gives great perspective on the Do Nothing/Brain Downtime position I advocate. 

I also believe in Field Trips; you know something Outside! I'm hoping to make it to the Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park, WA. We have a  RAIN FOREST ! In the U.S ! I gotta go. 

Photo brockzilla