Random Musings of an Instructional Designer

Hey all,

I’ve moved the blog to the root directory of the site.  So if you have this bookmarked or something (does anyone read this?), you’ll need to change it.

I’ve actually been blogging a lot more lately.  So if you’re still interested, go to http://effectivedesign.org/ and you’ll find the current blog.

A couple of things have “kept me from blogging” lately. One is the fact that somehow I’ve been lucky enough to be the lap dog of some spam czar, and in just the last three weeks this blog has been hit with over 150 spam comment postings. It’s killing me just to think about it. But more than that, it’s been inherent guilt that I haven’t been blogging. But really, should I feel guilty about it? I don’t really know. I do know, however, that I have been enjoying many other blogs in the recent months–some that have to do with EdTech and some that don’t. But as I’ve been reading and having my own pangs of guilt, I came across this comment from Brett Shelton over at Rhymes with Purple:

Okay, so this is the blog to apologize for the absence of previous blogs, but that’s not what blogging is supposed to be about. It’s here for when I need it, and to use it, and it just so happens that I did need it this last semester yet did not take advantage of it. A lesson to myself: do not take this for granted, I know that this helps, and I need to keep leaking the stuff here so that the rest is worthwhile. Okay. Done with self-lecture. I apologize to myself and it’s time to move on.

I’m going with Brett on this one. Could I have blogged more? Obviously. Did I? Obviously not.  Am I going to beat myself up over it? I’m thinking no.  So I’ll try to get on it more–again, some on topic with my profession, and some not, but either way, this blog is still called RANDOM MUSINGS of an Instructional Designer . . .

What a week it was in Dallas. I saw a lot of people, but I’m glad to be back at work this week. I’m worn out! Never mind the fact that Andrew (my youngest–15 months old) slept in 20 minute increments last night. Yech.

I’m enjoying the podcasting thing, but I’ve got to be honest. I see how people can really overuse it. It can be the new PowerPoint. You know what I mean: “It’s so easy that even I do it!” I did a podcast today as a guest lecture for Jennifer Summerville’s students at UNC-Wilmington on podcasting in education, and I talked about podcasting and technology for technology’s sake. I see a danger here.

A big thanks to Trey Martindale, Anne Leftwich, Chris Essex, Mark Jones, Peter Rich, Drew Polley, Preston Parker and the others who helped with the podcast recording at AECT. We have something like 40 sessions. Oh yeah, and a HUGE thanks to my major professor, David Merrill, for his interview on AECT and the field. Cool stuff.

When I got back and began working on the editing of the audio, I realized that all the files were in .wma format and Garage Band doesn’t like that. So after a search, I ran across EasyWMA, a fantastic donate-ware tool that converts .wma to .mp3 slicker than slick. I mean that program was EASY to use, and it does batch conversion!

Overall, I’d say that AECT was beneficial for me personally (I saw some old friends and attended some good sessions–as well as the whole podcasting thing–I’m glad to help and it will look good on the vitae), our grad students (good reviews and next year they’ll help with the grad student lounge), and our program at Oklahoma State University (applicants for our position and good visibility).

Biggest highlights that don’t have anything to do with the conference? Chipoltle Grill with Bruce Spitzer and the massage therapists on the last day!

Another long day at AECT, but yet it was a good one.  The first day before all the sessions really get going is a tough one for me, because if there isn’t something I really want to go to, I have a hard time just attending anything.

Well thanks Trey Martindale for solving that problem.  I’ve known Trey now for something like eight years, and he’s a guy I truly look forward to seeing every year at the conference.  So when he sees me and asks if I can help him for ten minutes, there’s no question.  Of course I will.  So Trey asks me if I’ll use one of the AECT digital recorders and record different sessions for podcasting.  Sure, no problem.  So I start helping him put batteries in them and setting the dates and times on the recorders, and before I know it, he’s turned the whole AECT podcasting thing over to me.  And then he sends an e-mail to Ward Cates (convention planner) telling him I’m in charge.  No pressure there.  So I set out to pass out eight recorders today.

I passed out six.  So far I’ve given recorders to me, Atsusi Hirumi, Tom Hergert, Scott Adams (not the Dilbert one), Bruce Spitzer, and Mark Jones.  Mark has already had to dump some audio, and they sound great.  We’ve got a total of 14 recorders, so there are eight more to assign out.  We’ll see how this goes.  I know that Susan Stansberry, John Nelson, Chris Essex, Anne Leftwich, and Trey are also carrying recorders.

I just got an e-mail that  Chris has recorded the following: Marco Torres’ Keynote for ISMF; interviews with 2 groups of parents, teachers and kids that were in ISMF; ISMF Guidelines Presentation; John Couch’s keynote for AECT. Extremely cool.
I like to kid Trey about sticking me with this, but truth be told, I’m excited about it.  I need to get more involved, and this is definitely going to do it.

Design and Development membership meeting was good–interesting.  Afterwards Trey introduced me to Anne Leftwich.  Apparently one of us (Anne or I) will be heading up the podcasting next year with the other as the lieutentant.  We haven’t decided yet.

I have two presentations tomorrow.  One I think will go really well, and the other, well, let’s just say the study didn’t go well–data corrupted, just a big we stunk it up.  That one should be interesting.

Went to lunch with Susan, Bruce, Mark, and Alan Foley.  It was an OSU lunch.  Dinner with Bruce and Mark again.  Afterwards I went to the AECT mixer, and Mark and I spent some time talking to Dr. Merrill.  He’s going to do an interview with me about AECT for the podcasts.  I’m looking forward to it.

I’m tired now.  More tomorrow.

I miss my wife and kids.
(more…)

Well, here we go. Yesterday was a pretty good day. Susan Stansberry and I gave a workshop on blogs and wikis (to see the materials click here). Thanks to all the attendees. I think we had fun and learned something.

I had dinner with two of my doc students, Mark Jones and Amy Johnson. We ate at Landry’s seafood house. It was OK, but it took FOREVER. So far, the undeniable winner goes to Bruce Spitzer for introducing me to the Chipotle Grill. Amen, brother! I got to introduce Mark and Amy to Charlie Reigeluth (who they read in last week’s class). Kind of fun . . .

I’ll try to post my thoughts on each presentation I attend.