“I’m a Carrier . . . “

Confession: I want to be reincarnated as a stand -up comedian.

GUILTY PLEASURE:

I particularly idolize John Pinette who is one of the funnier comedians working today.  From his use of memorable phrases, such as “cherubic-like demeanor” and ” . . . but I say nay nay” to his awesome ability to make us laugh at his very skewed take on his own rotund life, I find much at which to laugh out loud.

A recent bit has John describing his unique approach to personal fitness and weight control.     In one scene, John describes how his gym visits have negatively affected trainers, “gym rats“, and other folks just trying to lose a few and tone up a little,  and ends with ”I’m a carrier.”

“Twas Brillig” . . . Thoughts on Learning Stuff

My First Thought:

If you want a clear-eyed analysis of how social media is affecting learning, read “The Twitter Trap”.   Bill Keller provides an excellent critical statement of the “dark side” of using social media.  In his article, Keller touches on the shift from learning, knowing, and being able to show that learning through recitation and computation, to what I would call “disposal knowledge, where we look up and use information without actually absorbing and retaining that knowledge..

As a social media person, I was tempted to defend our honor against this savage attack.  My only problem was that Keller is essentially right.  When the computers are down, the cash registers silent, and the heat is on, too many of us say “I can’t do anything without my computer.”

Top Ten Learning Tools . . . According to Me:)

Jane Hart is the founder of the Center For Learning Performance Technology (C4LPT), an author, blogger, and recognized expert in the field of adult learning.  She is also one of the best known thought leaders, especially when it comes to such cutting edge topics as social learning, online learning, and so on.

Every year since 2006, Jane has asked those who use learning tools to name our top ten, which she compiles into the 100 Top Learning Tools List.  This annual global survey of the state of learning tool usage is both a fascinating history and a fairly accurate predictions of things to come.   Most importantly, Jane’s Top 100 list provides a snapshot of the variety of learning tools that are available now to enhance and speed up learning in a great many ways.

Many learning tools launch and disappear without making much of a real difference.  The ones that float to the top of Jane’s list tend to be those which are “sticky”. So, without a lot more fanfare, . . .

John E. Smith’s Top Ten Learning Tools List (annotated):