Monday 15 November 2010

Are you blogging?

Well after a couple of years of blogging, I now feel that I am able to reflect on this and say that on the whole it has been a positive experience and a learning curve.

For the first time user, choosing a blogging service could be tricky as their are a few to choose from. However Blogger has been very simple and straight forward. Customising gadgets such as email subscription or links to You Tube could not be easier. The best part for me is that you can get an answer to a problem really quickly either through Blogger itself or from the many forums that are available to post a question to online.

So the benefits to me as an e-learning advisor incluide being able to post out information quickly and hit a lot of people at one time. Filter news to what I feel is suitable and relevant.

The downside sometimes I feel that it's a bit quiet and I would like more feedback from the audience. There is obviously the time issue but so far the time spent writing the blog is well worth the effort.

So the big question is would I use this with my leaner's? Well the answer is easy Yes!. Blogging could of helped me within a Learning Provider in so many situations these include:
  • Keeping in touch with mobile learners ( learner's within the workplace)
  • Area for the learners to talk to me outside of the classroom
  • Revision
  • Reflection
  • News items
  • Problem solving
These are just a few of the advantages can you think of any more?

Using technology to increase community engagement and development


The Learining and Skills Improvement Service are offering grants of up £5000 to community to engage to learning providers to pilot the development of technological mechanisms in order to engage with the wider community to gain an understanding of their needs and aspirations. This is not about working with existing learners, but about engaging with those who may feel that the provider ‘is not for them’ and to understand the reasons why.
The provider should have a proven history of using technology and wish to build and extend current practice in order to further their links with the community. The closing dates for applications is the 3rd of December. To find out more information go to http://www.lsis.org.uk/WorkingWithLSIS/Opportunities/funding-Opportunities/Pages/default.aspx