Kamehameha Schools Distance Learning (KSDL) Owau

This webinar is basically an infomercial for Rapid Intake, a cloud-based software which helps you build elearning modules, without "development knowledge" (i.e., HTML5 and Flash) in your PowerPoint slides. This is particularly useful when introducing a subject, to build connections, "activate knowledge." Their selling points are: -Quick to create -Templated interactive pieces -You don't need to know special programs -You can develop on mobile technology -You can develope for mobile technology in the same module. Aside from the commercial aspect, the presenter gave an interesting demonstration of instructional design, using Dr. Merrill's First Principles of Instruction (here is a post on Merrill's theory: http://georgejoeckel.blogspot.com/2009/10/merrills-first-principles-situated-in.html ) Activation Establish a foundation and connection to knowledge before going on to new material. -Problem-based interactivity: survey, quiz, game, scenario, e...

At last week's Human Resources leadership training with Pam Chambers, the mantra of the session was "clarity leads to power." Chambers consistently reinforced the idea that good leaders clearly understand themselves and others and have the ability to clearly communicate to their team. Problems with leadership tend to occur when leaders are nebulous or unrealistic in their expectations of staff. The theme of clarity resonates with me as I often used to remind the struggling writers in my class of the following George Orwell quote: The great enemy of clear language is insincerity. When there is a gap between one's real and one's declared aims, one turns as it were instinctively to long words and exhausted idioms, like a cuttlefish spurting out ink. The first portion of Pam Chambers' session focused on helping us understand our own career values and clarifying the characteristics of groups with whom we work.  In one of the early activities, Chamb...