What's a Wiki?

If you're like me, your answer is something like "It's that online, unreliable reference the kids use to do their homework." Turns out a wiki is more extensive, interactive and useful than I had originally thought. Common Craft's video, Wikis In Plain English, gives a nice example of how a wiki can be used as a collaborative information medium. Here is another video from sfhomeless.net on how to edit a wiki page.

How to Edit a Wiki Page from sfhomeless.net on Vimeo.

I wondered if there were any wikis (plus it was part of my wiki assignment for my Web 2.0 class) that related to Andragogy and Adult Learning. Were they reference only, or would you and I be able to contribute as well? Here's what I found.

In Wikipedia 

• Andragogy Basic information here; the article could be expounded upon but great links
• Lifelong learning This article is most pertinent to this Adult Learner's approach to college/life
• Learning Plan This I found through a link from the Andragogy article. I'm looking forward to blogging on this and the following article
• Electronic Portfolio

Now, I have yet to, except for a small contribution to a wiki, delve into this very deeply. With this wiki assignment, I will learn more and be able to share with you how to wiki in future installments.  If you would like to learn a bit about how to edit a wiki before I get back to you, go to this Wikiversity article. Be sure to create an account otherwise your IP address is recorded until you return next time.

And an FYI ~ No I have not forgotten the rest of the installments on how to Video Podcast; I just have to get assignments and schoolwork in first. Darn those measly 168 hours in a week!

Connectivism and The Adult Learner

OK, raise your hand if you still can't program your VCR. I see a few of you out there, and I am one of them, so don't feel like the Lone Ranger. Technology is, and ever will be, growing, expanding and affecting our lives. Can any of us remember a time before ATM's, cell phones, automated gas pumps or home computers?

Exponential growth in technologies affects our education as well. My first time around at college, I used a typewriter (what's that? haha) to type my term papers. There was also this great big piece of furniture in the Library called Stacks or The Stacks that you would use to find your book. My home computer and the digital library reference that I now use is optimal. I couldn't imagine doing without either one.

The following video, The Networked Student, shows how we can all be learning now, and will all be learning in the future. The idea is presented for a 10th grade Psychology Student, but it applies to all students.

Connectivism is a Godsend for the Adult Learner only after having mastered the technologies. And how does one do that? Play with the programs/software and use the tutorials. Visit the discussion boards and ask questions. Don't be afraid of being a stupid ninny. There are undoubtedly others in the disussion forums who have the same or similar questions as you. 

Have you found a useful technology or program other than those mentioned in the video? If so, please leave them in the comments. We can all benefit from each others input and knowledge.

Building a Video Podcast Part 2

This is Part Two in the Series: How to Build a Video Podcast

In part one of this series I told you that I had looked all over for video podcasting software, and could only find the two standards; Vimeo and youtube. These will work for a quickie-cast, but I was looking for something a bit more professional.  Since that posting, I have done some research.  This book report/review is also an Assignment for my Dynamic Web Application Class. (Say hi to Professor Fightmaster when you sign up for this fabulous class! :)

I found some invaluable information in these two books; Absolute Beginners Guide to Podcasting by George Colombo & Curtis Franklin, Jr. and Podcasting and Blogging with GarageBand and iWeb by Robin Williams and John Tollett.

I chose these two books so that I could learn how to Video Podcast in two different platforms. I may use my Mac for home and school, but Windows is the norm for most workplaces. Let's start with the similarities.

• Plan your podcast. What do you want to say? Who do you want to reach? How long will your podcast be? Will you be doing a series, perpetual, one time or intermittent podcast?
• Research some other podcasts through iTunes. iTunes comes with a Mac and can also be downloaded free for Windows. 
• The Steps:  Plan, Record, Edit & Mix (Groom), Publish, Promote.

Williams and Tollett gives an easy no-geek speak illustrated step by step on how to create your podcast in GarageBand and then incorporate it into your blog page in iWeb. Though this book is a mere 158 pages and it was published in 2006, the information is still relevant.

 

 Colombo and Franklin go into a little more depth. Section IV, Day to Day Issues You'll Face as Podcaster, Chapter 13 deals with Generating Income with your Podcast. In this chapter you will find the Four Basic Revenue Models; The Associate/Affiliate Model, Donations, The Sponsorship Model, and Distribution to Paid Subscribers. 
 
Something that both Podcasting and Blogging with Garage Band and iWeb and Absolute Beginner's Guide to Podcasting address is Bandwidth. With a mobilme subscription for $99 per year you get 20GB of combined email and file storage and 200GB of monthly data transfer.  Colombo and Franklin list  Libsyn, among others,  in their Resources for Podcasters, (p 212).

In GarageBand and iTunes the file format is automatically MP3. If you are using Audicity, as suggested by Colombo and Franklin to create your podcast, you will need an MP3 enocoder like winLame. The Appendices in this book are worth the price alone. Here you will find a list for each: Audio Software for Podcasters, Pod-catching (Aggregator) Software, Audio Equipment Manufacturers, Podcasting Directories, Online Resources for Podcasters, The Podcasting Community Online, and Web Hosting and RSS Feed Software and Services.

Yeah, but you said you were going to tell us how to build a Video Podcast. And so I will.

With a Mac all I need is a digital camera, iMovie and space on my iDisk. According to Williams and Tollett "A video podcast is basically a standard audio podcast with video added" (p 152). I create the video in iMovie and then send it to GarageBand. Colombo and Franklin suggest "Wrapping Your Podcast in a Good Website" (p194). Photos, slide-shows, and an accompanying video clip that you have uploaded to either youtube or Vimeo makes the visit more inviting.

OK, I'm off to create my first Video Podcast. I'll have it here for you in Part 3 of the Series: Building a Video Podcast.

Some Helpful Sites I Found

Public Domain Music 

How To Create a Podcast With Mixcraft 3

How to Podcast

My Podcasting Pipeline

Girls Gone Wild

That's what most people think of when they hear Spring Break. But at this time in my life I would much rather settle for a Lady's Life of Leisure. Seems that other plans await me though. Spring Break entails planning the garden, having the air conditioning serviced, and preparing the house for the long hot shut in days of Summer.

I was curious about the origins of Spring Break and found a site or two of interest.  It seems this tradition, originally associated with Easter, was seen by out predecessors as a time for renewal. Trips to the beach for some; healing, restorative springs and spas for others.

 Photo courtesy of Dennis Wong under Creative Commons License

Ahhh; spa time! Now I'm not one to go somewhere and have people touching all over me, (I don't know, call me pedestrian),  'spa' is  more a rejuvenation of the mind and spirit; something to make my soul sing. I can read a book that's not a text, catch a show, or movie, go for a hike, and listen to lots of music.

What does this have to do with Andragogy? Everything, really. With age comes experience. At this point in our lives we have learned that if we don't take care of ourselves, replenish and recharge, then we are no good for ourselves, our loved ones, or our studies.

Well, what are you waiting for? Go do something you love! See ya in a week or so.

*Just to let you know - I will have the rest of "Building a Video Podcast" posted here in a few days.

Life Stream

This is my Life Stream ~ I call the Headwaters "Knowledge"

I am now in my fifth semester of classes. In my first semester I only had two classes; "just to get my feet wet." I also took two classes during summer session. It was time to evaluate my goals, do an Academic appraisal of my courses and degrees and further research what the future held for my chosen career as a Librarian.
 

The Academic Pool I had dipped my feet in felt just fine, so I took the plunge; but not before consulting with a counselor. I told her of my desire to be a Librarian and my interest in Informatics, specifically Social Informatics. My counselor worked up an Articulation Worksheet for a Bachelor of Science in Informatics accompanied by an Articulation Worksheet for  what works out to be an Associates Degree in Public Administration. 

Time now to check out OOH. or the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 edition. The site tells you "the training and education needed, earnings, expected job prospects, what workers do on the job, [and] working conditions." Here I found valuable information on the expected growth of my career as a Librarian and eventually as a Digital Archivist. It is still early enough in my college career to adjust for changes. I would be foolish to invest all this time, money, study and effort only to find no employment options upon graduation.

My Motivation to Learn, Malcolm S. Knowles' sixth principle, envelopes both intrinsic value and personal payoff. Also applicable is principle four, Readiness to Learn as my want of education is life related.  Every class I take, every bit of information I readily absorb or conversely struggle to comprehend, contributes to my future and improves me as a human being. This is my intellectual sauna and mind spa. So, what are you waiting for? Come join me in the Academic Pool.

Building a Video Podcast

This is Part One in the series: How To Build a Video Podcast

I get to learn it and so do you :)

I looked all over for a free place to put my video podcast (this isn't it. This is to compare quality and sound and torture you with German music hehhehheh) I could only find the two standards; youtube and Vimeo. Each needs an account to upload and both are free at the basic level. But how is the quality? 

Below, find the comparison of youtube (top) and Vimeo (bottom) Notice how youtube "doesn't quite fit?" I know it will if I use a different layout, but I want to dabble around some more first to see if I can make it fit. 'You will conform muwahaaaaaaaaa!" 

youtube

The Garden in June from Kathleen Ackroyd on Vimeo.

Vimeo

Don't forget to watch in large screen for both as well. Does one have better visual? Does one have better audio? Which one looks best at what size? These questions matter; especially for a Master's Thesis, job interview or client presentation.

Of course by then, you should be writing you own code and building your own presentations. But for now I will leave that to the experts (to right in bloglist) at Techie Tipz and Addicted to Code.

It's Due When?

I looked around, what did I see? Time itself was escaping me.

"Are you managing your time wisely? If the work is spread out it is not excessive, but do not let it go until the night before it is due." Professor's words startled me. I smiled and flashed my computer camera a peace sign, you know, just in case she was watching. (kidding) Seriously though, it seems that lately I have been chasing my tail. Assignments pile up, reading, study, note taking, quizzes, tests, chores, errands, home, hearth, family and pets all want a piece of me, and they want it right NOW! 

Is this an Adult Learner specific problem? No, but how I choose to resolve my time management issues does reflect in Malcolm S. Knowles' Core Adult Learning Principles Principle three: Prior Experience of the Learner; Resource and Mental Models. I know what has worked for me before; I just forgot to keep up the good habit(s).

Eternal clock by Robert van deer Steeg

In my first post, I spoke of a wonderful class called College Success. This class dedicates an entire chapter to time. The Time Monitor/Time Plan is rather extensive and very involved. It also helps "transform time into a knowable and predictable resource (Ellis).

Everybody, no matter who they are or what their station in life, has only168 hours in each week. Take away eating, sleeping, travel time and other human necessities and there's not much left. Use this worksheet to see exactly where your time is going. Keep in mind that for every Undergraduate class hour taken, (or spent in class)  two to three hours of study is required if you wish to succeed.

As simplistic as it may sound, use a Calendar. Better yet, use Google Calendar and share it with your co-workers, friends and family. Even if your family lives under the same roof, seeing your schedule in black and white lets them know just how precious your time is. Who knows, you might even get lucky and a family member may volunteer to help out with an errand or two. It's worth a try. Bonus: Set Google Calendar to send alerts to your email or phone. 

Make a To Do List. Adapt the list to your style. Do you like to make a weekly or daily list? Perhaps you even like long term planning. Whichever you choose, keep these strategies in mind: Rate each task by priority. Cross off your tasks once done - It feels GREAT! Schedule some "Me Time." You're no good to yourself or anyone else if you don't take time to breathe and/or reward yourself for all the hard work and study you have invested.

Also Useful

Becoming a Master Student by Dave Ellis Companion Site 

Study Guides and Strategies: Time Management

Now, if you'll excuse me; I think I have a paper due.