On the "MOOC" Prowl: A "newflash" 4 the Day

It has been a busy few days on the MOOC Front.  As I write this, I am also listening to the Google Hangout that was hosted by Rebecca Riccio which was quite insightful on the role of non-profits and what we should all be aware of:

On the MOOC Trail: Brief Thoughts

As I reflected upon a week-end of collaboration, I saw this which I got this morning over E-Mail:

“The larger the island of knowledge,
the longer the shoreline of wonder.”

—Ralph W. Stockman

It was  an insightful week as I collaborated closely with my team @ NovoEd on our Experience with teams.  I continue to be ever more amazed as to my daily visits and how over 12,000 people are active at any one time working away on the insightful course that Babson has sponsored: Lead Like an Entrepreneur.      I have also been amazed by our team as we can together from France, Spain, Germany , Pakistan and the United States to collaborate and discuss our Elevator Pitches and put together the project that was quite insightful on Teamwork.   It has been quite a journey so far!!!

I have also continued to be amazed by the edX course sponsored by the Learning By Giving Foundation.    The Hard Work is ahead in providing Evaluations of Nominated Organizations.   I am keeping my fingers crossed for my nominated organization:  Boy Scouts of America Orange County Council.  For me, it was quite insightful in that it was actually the first time I had experienced writing a Grant Request and I was frankly shocked when my nomination was accepted.    Maybe a sign of better things to come.

I am ever so cognizant of Stockman's admonition as I continue onward with this journey and other projects before me.   It is bound to be ever more interesting.   

Embracing the Art of the Possible As Education Evolves: A Thought 4 the Week-End

On the "Daily Grind" : Brief Daily Thoughts

The Adventure @ NovoEd continues.    I finished an Elevator Pitch for my peers to review and have continued my collaborative effort with my team.   It is just beautiful that we're spread all over the World.

The evolution (or revolution) on Education is ever more and it is forced by the changes in the internet Spreadheaded by Google.   I have been a direct beneficiary of this very evolution as I have launched outsiders and the channels and developed the content as I have.     One of the very pioneers spoke @ a hangout by Google that I had the good fortune to attend and reflected upon it.

I can't help but wonder where it all goes as I continue with my Quarterly MOOC adventure & Professional Development Efforts

Hey Mike — Thanks for your interest in the Hangout with Vint Cerf. If you got a chance to watch, I'm sure you'll agree that it was pretty awesome. We hope to do more stuff like this in the future, so check out this video of some of the Hangout highlights and share it with your friends to let them know what they missed! There are so many great moments from the Hangout — from ideas on how to protect a free and open Internet to thoughts on who the "brother" of the Internet might be. Check out the video now and then share it with your friends: https://takeaction.withgoogle.com/Vint-Hangout-Highlight-Reel Until next time, Derek Slater Google Inc. P.S. If a short highlight reel isn't enough for you, you can watch the whole Hangout here. We hope to do more events like this in the future, so stay tuned!

The Daily Challenges on the Education Front: Brief Thoughts On The Evolution & A "Daily Diary" On My MOOC Experience

I began the evening making the rounds on the "Social Grid" working away.    As I have continued to make headway on my quarterly Professional Development Work in NovoEd & edX, I continue to reflect upon the evolution of the "Virtual Education Model" and how I can continue to adjust to stay relevant.

I worked on both classes today as I finished Lesson 2 on The Learning For Giving Class on edX and gear up for the Peer Review Process that is due by May 2.   I have submitted my Grant Application--having nominated the Orange County Council-Boy Scouts of America.  It was a challenging experience in that it was the actual first time I had ever worked on a Grant Application.   This was as I finished Module 2 in NovoEd's "Lead like an Entrepreneur"  by submitting an Elevator Pitch for an idea I've had for some time.

As I have tended to these two projects,  what  I saw on TED was quite insightful on the evolution of teaching.   Please click here to watch the TED clip.    Education continues to evolve.    Will we have what it takes to really be as engaging though?

On My "Virtual Mad Dash" w/MOOCS: Brief Thoughts 4 The Day

As I have been able to "breath", I have been tending to a course I'm working on at edX and one at NovoEd.  Both are fun, challenging and at the same time at times tough to keep up!!

The one @ NovoEd is one that I continue to be fascinated about with its' focus on Enterpeneship.   Whenever I have been on the NovoEd Campus, I have been blown away by the active students online at any one time.   The average number of students have been over 12,000 students every time I've been "on Campus".      The next few days and weeks will be quite challenging with the upcoming projects.  It is bound to be exciting.

Beyond the adventure @ NovoEd, there is the on-going adventure @ edX with the Learning by Giving Foundation Class.   I have just started Lesson 2 on the criteria developed--and have nominated an organization that I hope is given due consideration.   I will be keeping fingers and toes crossed.

Onward :-)

On the "Virtual Road" Today @ GovLoop's Innovation Summit: Your Field Guide to Building Resilient Communities

I am participating in this session today which is another example on how Education and Professional Development continues to be ever so transformational:  Your Field Guide to Building Resilient Communities

On the "MOOC" Front: Brief Thoughts As A New Week is @ Hand

One of the more recent adventures I have undertaken is to continue my on-going Professional Development Work by enrolling in a number of MOOCS available through Canvass, NovoEd & EdX.    As I write this, I am rushing to get a few pressing announcements finished off.   I will be commenting on it over the ensuing days and weeks.

As I gear up, I reflected upon the role of Educators and this from Zig Ziglar epitomized it all: 

"True joy comes when you inspire, encourage and guide someone on a path that benefits him or her."