I just returned from the eLearning Guild’s Annual Gathering in Boston. It was awesome! I came back inspired and equipped with some new tools to do my job better. I have many sessions and keynotes to reflect upon, but first I have a few overall experiences to describe:
I came back with a feeling of belonging. I no longer feel like I just work in a cube, desperately trying to manage 15 projects all at once with very little help in a bureaucratic and sluggish environment. I’m part of an industry. I don’t feel alone. And I feel inspired by the sense of commitment to sharing and support the training community seems to foster.
And, as I write this, I feel like I’m coming in on the middle of a conversation. But, that’s okay. I’m green – I have no trouble admitting that.
It was Tony Karrer’s session, An Introduction to New e-Learning Technologies that inspired me to start this blog. I was familiar with many of the technologies he introduced. I’m a user of Flickr and Del.icio.us, and I have kept a personal (and practically private) blog. But I never thought about the learning aspects of social networking in a formal way. I never thought about leveraging our company’s WIKI software to use in our training program. I’m so excited! It’s like I just found a way to justify my love of geeky online worlds in a professional setting. Very cool.
Tony said we should write, so I’m doing it. It will help me put my thoughts together, hopefully invite some feedback, and discover new learning opportunities.
Currently I’m putting together a one-hour brownbag presentation to describe the highlights – as I saw them – from the eLearning Guild conference to share with potentially interested co-workers.
Next, I want to put together a training about training. I think if the folks (in the offices with walls that go all the way up to the ceiling) could better understand what it takes to do what I do – maybe I could get more of the resources I need in order to do it well.
I know I’m new to this discussion, but I plan on jumping in. I welcome comments, advice, ideas, references, links, resources. etc. If I have something to offer that would help you – you are welcome to it.
Please check my About Me page and let me know you stopped by.
Cheers!
Very cool to see you starting this blog. Hope you will keep it going for a while and join in the conversation.
I was also at the eLearning Guild Annual Gathering. I agree it was awesome. I was able to meet some of the people I admire and read, Jay Cross, Clark Aldrich, Clark Quinn, Albert Ip, Stephen Downes, among many many others. The gathering as a whole was well run and the sessions were inspiring.
I have been working in corporate training for several years and am currently going out on my own to be a resource to a wider community. I would love to share ideas.
Richard
richard@learn2day.com
Welcome the Blogosphere! It’s very cool watching our little community grow as we all try to make sense out of the new technologies impacting learning.
It’s also great to be a Learning Blogger because we Jim from Unibroue supporting us. Now that you’re a blogger you are cordially invited to the next blogger beer tasting
We’ll have to ask Tony K, our fearless leader, when the next one is.
Welcome aboard!!!
Tony – Thanks so much for the comment and for visiting! I was quite excited to see your post this morning. Everyone at the office got to hear about it too!
Richard – I agree that the conference was very well put together. I was impressed. I especially liked the breakfast links. It was enough to get me up and out of bed early (while I stayed on California time at night). Thanks for your email. I found your site too. Good luck to you!
Brent – Thanks so much for your very warm welcome! Count me in on the beer tasting!
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