My Week - Christine

Started the week by arriving home from the beach - would have been nice to stay there but sometimes real life does interfere!

1st Interview
Tuesday found me at BestChance Training interviewing Nooraini. She had no idea what the project was about. Kirsty was supposed to be at the interview but she was unfortunately double booked.
So, Nooraini and I had a lovely chat. They have a wikispace but did not know what sort it was.
Wikispaces
Nooraini is the VET coordinator and she wants to create a wikispace for tutor resources. She knows nothing about wikispaces - so, another beginner for wiki training!
Interactive Whiteboards
Bestchance have interactive whiteboards so the second aim is to learn to use these and encourage use by all tutors.
I suggested that if Nooraini learnt to use the interactive whiteboard and used it at the next tutor meeting she would be demonstrating use to the tutors attending the meeting. They also have one tutor who uses intractive whiteboard so I suggested that she could ask that tutor to demonstrate how she uses the whiteboard.
Google Docs
Kirsty had included Google docs in her wish list of training. But Nooraini didn't even know what Google docs were so I don't know yet what Kirsty's intention was.

2nd Interview
Thursday morning found me at the Avenue Neighbourhood House chatting with Colleen Saunderson.
Colleen had not much idea of what was happening but Sally had given me a good idea of their needs at our regional f2f meeting so this formed a basis for our discussion.
Wikispaces
The Avenue have a wikispace but once again didn't know what sort it was. They are keen to set it up to upload assessment tasks and class resources.
Google Docs
Once again Kirsty had said that they need to learn about Google docs but Nooraini didn't know what they were.
Tools to Engage Youth
They have recently been awarded a grant to set up something for youth and would like to become familiar with tools that may be used to engage youth. I suggested some of the tools I trialled with my recent VCAL group - especially iSpringFree and possibly Jing.

3rd Interview
Thursday afternoon found me in the computer room with Jenny at Pines Learning. Pines want to set up a Cert III in business administration for blended delivery - a combination of f2f, self-paced and online.
Wikispaces
I confirmed with her that she wanted to use their private label wikispace and suggested that she have a go at creating a new wikispace. Jenny has good wiki skills but not setting up skills.
She is going to plan how she wants the wikispace to function and look.
Other Tools
I showed Jenny some of the resources that she has access to (other tutors have created)and suggested that she consider using what she has and adding to it.
Also suggested that she start with the units that she delivers.
Jing
She is keen to use Jing as a screen casting tool. I suggested that she have a go with it and let me know if she has problems.
iSpringFree
I showed her resources that I had created with iSpringFree and suggested she consider iSpringFree as a useful tool.
Ms Word Forms
I also suggested that she needs to learn to create Word forms.

Reflective Blog
I complimented Jenny on her reflective blog - she has 2 blog posts up already!! Well done, Jenny!
PS: I know Jenny well having worked with her for a number of years and know that she will succeed at this large project. I see the major problem as getting other tutors onboard.

4th Interview
This morning (Friday) found me surrounded by staff at North Ringwood Community House. 4 people attended the interview so we had a great discussion.
They want to engage staff and students with technology. Not sure if they need wiki or Moodle.
Wikispaces
They have a wikispace but are not using it much. They loved the idea of having tutor resources and class resources on wiki. But once again they did not know what sort of a wiki they had.
They want something that is VERY easy to use so I suggested wikispaces.
Multiple Choice Questions
One of them really wants to have self marking multiple choice questions to give her students every week. And had been told that Moodle will do that.
I suggested some other ways of creating multiple choice - Classmarker, Google forms, Ms Word Forms.
Promised to email some samples to her which I have done.

My Thoughts
I am glad that my interviews are done as I am really conscious of our late start with the project.
All of the e-leaders I interviewed were very uncertain of what they were required to do and some thought that I had come to tell them what to do.
When I left they all said that they were much happier so I felt as though I had set their fears to rest.
I did try to make clear to them that it was their project and I was there to make sure that it was an achievable project and that we were all there to support them.
Next step is to make sure that they are all doing their blogs!