give learning-on-the-go a go

For a few weeks now, I am thinking about mobile learning more intensively and how I could get involved in it further. I find it so exciting that there are so many possibilities to provide exciting learning opportunities on-the-go. I started exploring possibilities within my own teacher training courses and my ideas are work-in-progress at the moment… but I am getting there.

However, I have been given the chance to present at the Success North Winter Conference about mobile learning and this is going to happen on the 11 Dec 09, here in Newcastle. I started working on the ideas, the concepts, the pedagogies, the process and structure of it all and decided to use www.prezi.com again. I have a patchwork there with ideas that I can re-use, adapt and enrich and will provide an opportunity to showcase another presentation tool. Death by powerpoint? Yes, it feels like that many times, despite the fact that I try my best to spice my presentations up and make them exciting and add interactivity. The title of this post will be the title of the workshop that I plan to offer within the conference… unless I decide to change it which is very possible. At the moment, I have to admit, that I like it a lot and actually mirrors well what will be discussed during the workshop.

Also, in the back or front of my head, or all over, I am also thinking about my next module on the MSC BOE which is customised study. I have already had the chance to discuss my idea about mobile learning with my tutor and he encouraged me to explore it further. And that is what I have started doing.

Will I be able to submit a ‘patchwork text’ as an assignment? This has to be discussed and agreed but I think it would provide a highly personalised study and research opportunity and very relevant to my work context.

… more to come…

making music in the box (Youth Music – Music is Power)

Watch Detail – Youth Music – Music is Power.

At the Sage in Gateshead. This box theme seems to follow me. Is this the reason why I couldn’t be creative? In order to be creative you need to want to, have the time and the space. I felt pressurised and couldn’t escape from the box. I wish I could…

Some of us had more fun than others…

I am just not a music person… unfortunately… despite the fact that I was learning to play the violin when I was much younger but even the my music teacher said that I don’t have a ‘musical ear’. Could this be the reason why I don’t like to make music? Because I had been told that I am rubbish at it??? It would explain a lot and be a good bad example, I hope you understand what I mean, how demotivating feedback can be and what effect it has on people.

Anyway, we got some tickets to watch some great performances in December and I am sure we will all enjoy them ;o)

family bowl

bowl, by Odysseas, Thanassis, Adam and Chrissi

Here it comes. We collected it today. We completed a family pottery course. We is the whole family. And yes, we are using it and this was the very first time ;o) Our handprints are on the outside of the bowl – for ever.

The course was really a good opportunity to be together as a family and create something together… and be messy, of course… ;o) I wish the course would be longer… but I have to say, that I am thinking of enrolling on a proper pottery course in January. Not sure where I will find the time with all the other things that I am doing at the moment. Will it be something to do, when I am really old and grey?

Our tutor was George Ormerod.

“apple pizza”

apple pizza by Chrissi

Did you ever had one? This was the second time I made apple pizza and surprise surprise I didn’t really stick to any recipe… not really a surprise if you know me… I am not very disciplined when it comes to cooking (or anything else…) always keen to try new things and experiment with mainly what I have in the house. But it worked and I did improve the second version by adding crumble at the top and some home-made rasberry jam at the bottom. I guess it tasted ok.

Yes, we, the illustrator, I (and my husband joined us too which was a big surprise for me) discussed details over the apple pizza. It was exciting and strange at the same time. The process was about discoveries and included mainly me showing things I like to the illustrator. Was it too much information? Again, I am not sure. Did it feel restrictive or prescriptive? Mmm, not sure about this one… the idea was to gain an insight into my little world. I don’t expect the book to be a representation of what I like and polarise the process and end-product. As mentioned in previous post, it is a collaborative project and it should really have things from both worlds combined and they need to be balanced something if that is possible.

For me it is important to create a joined ownership of this project, to bring out creative spirits, curiosity, experimentation and bring something unique to live. Can we achieve it?

thinking and collecting

blank canvas, by photoshop ;o)

I am seeing the illustrator tomorrow to discuss the new project. We will focus on visualising one of the mini stories and it will rain cats and dogs and grannies.

Will it work?

I have started collecting things I like. In a way it will help him (yes, it is a he) – well, hopefully it will, to get an insight into my little world and how things look like. Scary? Not really. But ever changing. Is this important to ’see’ what I ’see’? Well, I think it is.

Then again, could it be confusing at the same time? I always say that I don’t like boxes and boxed thinking and now what am I doing? Actually placing myself and the illustrator in a box, in my box… this is not really what I want to do.

However, I feel that we need to find a common starting point on this journey and then give our ideas wings. Yes, I am saying our ideas. It is not about the writer anymore, it is now working together and finding a way to interprete the text in such a way that it pleases both, as well as the reader and learner. To co-create something new and of value. And it should really go beyond creating something that pleases somebody or manybodies. It should be something exciting that gives the reader and learner wings and allows a rich, stimulating and engaging experience.

It is a blank canvas at the moment but not for long… Yes, we are going to create a learning resource/learning resources together. Yes, plural, if the experiment works ;o)

new project is taking off

Our family, by Odysseas (5)

I am really excited and feel that something really creative will start happening very soon.

We were two but now a third person is entering the pack and we can start. It is all linked to an idea, exploring possibilities, options and turn an idea into a reality.

Going through a co-creative process and a journey that will enrich us all with the added bonus of creating something that others will find useful and enjoy.

Yes, it is a collaborative book projects and the idea is to capture the process within this blog and beyond and hopefully exchange ideas and thoughts and create something special.

A brand new space

Rethymno, Crete, photo by Chrissi Nerantzi

Here I am again creating a new space for my old online home. Not sure if I have the time to start this process now, but I started it now and it is too late to look back! I am looking into the future.