Training & Development : Australia : Natural Consulting s

03Feb 2010 by Melanie Wass No Comments

Email and SMS Language

Shorthand has been around since before the days of Pitman I’m sure, and every generation seems to invent its own language. Lately in my training sessions I’ve noted an increase in younger delegates texting away during sessions (that’s another topic!). I’ve noticed they use short codes the same as the ones in Email, Chat programs, Forums, SMS’s and other space and attention is at a premium. If, like me, you’ve felt like a dinosaur because you couldn't work out what that abbreviated language meant, then here is a post that should enlighten you. <G> Grinning <J> Joking <L> Laughing <S> Smiling <Y> Yawning AAMOF As A Matter Of Fact AFAIC As Far As I Can... ASAP As Soon As Possible BBFN Bye Bye For Now BFN Bye For…

14Jan 2010 by Melanie Wass No Comments

Technology … love it!

Learning Tools & Tips

There are some exciting new web applications floating around cyberspace these days. Here are a few I've been exploring lately: Dokeos.com- an e-learning tool that is open source (ie free and collaboratively built). It looks very comprehensive having used the online demo. At some point I may download it and see how it works under the hood. An easy solution to play with. I found Moodle complex to get going but that was when I looked at it in the early days so it may be more user-friendly now. I've also looked at LAMS and that seems great too but again not easy to use for the average-joey. Dokeo looks easy to use - I just haven’t spent enough time to work out how to put the content together yet!…

13Nov 2009 by Melanie Wass No Comments

Using Powerpoint Better

Learning

Death by PowerPoint View more documents from Alexei Kapterev. Have to say I, like many trainers, am guilty of using ppt as a prompt as much as a learning tool. Alexai and others serve to remind us that less can be more. It’s quick to knock up a ppt presentation. It’s more time consuming to put together a learner-focussed package using PowerPoint. Expediency isn’t everything. I’ll make a commitment to making my slide presentations more learner focussed next year.

03Feb 2009 by Melanie Wass No Comments

Live and learn

Learning

Live life as if you will die tomorrow, learn, as if you will live forever Mahatma Gandhi In these times of negativity, it is easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Under threat, our natural tendency is to withdraw, go quiet, protect. It's like hiding from the dragon until it has passed. That's no way to live if the dragon takes up residence nearby for a while! In times of threat a better response may be to continue to live life fully, continue business fully, keep working fully ... just in a different way. One that is less expensive, more productive and just as beneficial if not moreso. Just as importantly is to use the time to learn so you are better positioned when the threat…

28Jan 2009 by Melanie Wass No Comments

Action Learning

Learning

Wow! Dr Michael Marquardt is an undisputed king of Action Learning. Recently he took a group of us through the process and theory behind conducting Action Learning and it was brilliant. I learned even more about the technique and found my skills grew over the time we spent together. Action Learning is a deceptively simple technique that is way more than just asking questions. It comprises a methodology which underpins the learning content and application of the learning. When do you use Action Learning? Ideally when there is a problem to solve which has some immediacy or import. What's so special about it? It's real-time learning and skill enhancement. The use of a Coach through the process is critical to ensure the session doesn't turn into a general discussion or…