Group items tagged

DIY for after high school. Dropping out of college or not going at all is viewed as an alternative track for those who don't want to accrue massive debt and want to create the next "app" or online company.

Blog site named "e-Literate" catchy, no? (Wish I had thought of it! But maybe we can use e-literacy for the foundations course?) This blog post written by Michael Feldstein, one of multiple bloggers on this site, quotes extensively from a New Republic article written by Kevin Carey. What I think is interesting for us is how we must add value (coaching, badging, mentoring, etc.) as private providers of learning to what most people could do on a DIY basis if they had all the skills--technological, contextual, and others--to proceed on their own. Excerpt: "Other providers might take advantage of the fast-growing body of open educational resources-free online courses, videos, lectures, and syllabi-and add value primarily through mentoring, designing course sequences, and assessing learning."

Essay written by Heather Kenyon for the Tampa Bay Times, 2.13.13, on the shortage of people with the desired IT skills. Found this via the Encore LinkedIn group. What I find particularly interesting is the employers' desire for critical thinking, communication skills, and "professional curiosity" mentioned below. Nowhere here does it mention the middle aged or older worker; I guess they might have the critical thinking, communication, and curiosity, but not be able to master the IT skills through PD and DIY learning? Excerpt "Topping IT employers' wish lists were candidates who have at least 3-5 years of relevant work experience, bachelor's degrees and capabilities that go beyond the latest technical competencies to show an aptitude for continuous learning and multiple skill acquisition. These include critical thinking and communication skills as well as professional curiosity, which employers seem to find in short supply in the available talent pool. "

Alice's wonderful blog, from September 30, 2013, commenting on DIY learning conversation in CPsquare. Excerpt: "Emilie Doolittle summarizes some related research in a blog post, showing that social networks can improve collaborative efforts, reduce costs, help people get just-in-time help, speed decision making, and retain employees. Does your organization treat knowledge as a thing and learning as a pre-planned and isolated activity? If so, you might experiment by thoughtfully connected some networks, and watch to see what happens."

Very nice blog post by clmooc on how to use Twitter, Google+ community, and Google Hangouts with Mashable guide/video links on how to do each. Great for DIY online learners.

Marcin Jakubowski speaks to open source development of farm hardware that can be replicated by others at low cost. "Newly relevant DIY maker culture"

Great post by Beth Kanter on infographs, rationale for using them to array and understand data, how to construct them, and tools that can help simplify the process. Feb. 27. 2013

Incredible website that I discovered in the PLP Lite community today about PLNs. Need to explore in full. 2.20.13

Today's Tampa Bay Times, May 7, 2012 on free online learning. Names at least three different places to learn online: Khan Academy, TED, Academic EArth, and Instructables.

People love to learn by examining visual representations of data. That's been proven time and time again by the popularity of both infographics and Pinterest. So what if you could make your own infographics? What would you make it of? It's actually easier than you think... even if you have zero design skills whatsoever.

How some traditional jobs have become extinct or evolved into other services or for the need for additional and new skills.

Good quick study of how jobs change. Quote from intro: An overload of "DIY" and virtual everything may lead consumers to value skilled laborers as the new "big thing." Just remember that quality work is always in style and value will never be obsolete.

Adafruit was founded in 2005 by MIT engineer, Limor "Ladyada" Fried. Her goal was to create the best place online for learning electronics and making the best designed products for makers of all ages and skill levels. Over the last 6 years Adafruit has grown to over 45 employees in the heart of NYC. Adafruit has expanded offerings to include tools, equipment and electronics that Limor personally selects, tests and approves before going in to the Adafruit store. Limor was the first female engineer on the cover of WIRED magazine and was recently awarded Entrepreneur magazine's Entrepreneur of the year.

Someone my London cousin suggested we look at. She is quite something and has grown a very successful company. She is the first woman engineer featured on the cover of WIRED. Her site is interesting, and she awards badges for acquiring skills.

This blog post may be a before/after moment for me 5/2018. The question: "Which feeling/experience/state do you look back on fondly? Which one engages you, challenges you, makes you the best version of yourself?"