Thought of the moment

There is nothing so soul destroying as having to wade through a 72 slide presentation.

Augmented Reality

I am positively bouncing with excitement about the possibility of using augmented reality as a tool for teaching plant identification.  I bet you didn't expect that!

A special thank you goes to Dr Thom Cochrane for inspiring me and Bronwyn Hegarty for making it happen.

http://thomcochrane.wikispaces.com

Thought of the moment

Not feeling that social

The interesting thing about social media is that it is designed for the socially minded.  I am not that social.    I like to have my own thoughts wrapped around me, they swirl and change and make interesting patterns.  When I talk to people I can see their faces and the swirling patterns of their thoughts and ideas wrapped around them.

I am struggling with the idea of blogging, even on  a professional level.  The act of sharing my thoughts and writing into the black whole of the internet makes me feel exposed.  Reading the thoughts of others seems like some strange intrusion, like I have sneaked a peak at a diary.

This may not be rational or logical, but it is oddly real.

The Point?

Not everyone wants to share in a public forum.  Over the years we have had students become distressed because we have asked them to tell a little something about themselves and why they want to study horticulture.  For many the idea of using a blog would be helpful - it is remote and removes some aspects of social accountability.  For others, that very remoteness creates a disconnect.  Where is the information going? who can read it? what will people think of me? how will I know?  We work hard to create a safe learning environment in the classroom, and need to work just as hard to create a safe environment for flexible learning.

For some people however, the barriers will persist.

Flexible Learning Thought of the Moment

Flexible Learning Thought of the Moment

Self discipline, planning and time management are vital skills for any student wishing to undertake flexible learning.

I am already weeks behind in my study. There is always something more important or urgent to do, and the time set aside for study vaporises under the pressures of professional and personal responsibility.

I am constantly astonished by how hard some of our students work to overcome their learning barriers and achieve amazing results.

Barriers to learning

I haven't even had time to reflect, and I have already encountered my first learning barrier, technology!

I can only see half of my editing tools, leaving me to guess what the icons might be trying to tell me.  I am already frustrated, and I feel slightly stupid.  In reality, I can almost certainly get this fixed, but if I was isolated from my lecturer and fellow students, I would just turn off.