Long time no Blog

Let me see: I'm just trying to get my thoughts in order. Its been a long time since I have made an entry. Here is whats been happening.

Since my last post (except for the oh shit) I have
Run several Sexuality Expression and Exploration courses. These course are of a blended format and I reckon of the things I have learned from sastartup to now -in this learnscope project; runing a blended learning course using a moodle (vetsa ) classroom has been the best for myself and the course I run thru SHineSA.

As an example let me put in a comment from one of our 'relfection' forums.

I have been thinking on and off about the guest speaker for the last week. I know words are going to fail me when I try to describe this/explain it - but I'll give it a shot. Firstly, I am still amazed by the guest's incredible bravery and integrity in speaking to the group. I can not actually comprehend the enormous inner strength and...'authenticity' is the only word I can think of (I want to say 'integrity', 'strength', 'dedication', 'bravery', 'inner light', 'compassion' and 'love' - and bravery - bravery and courage keeps coming to mind). I am also humbled and moved that the guest has chosen to speak in a way that educates, enlightens and inspires. This is extraordinary at the best of times, but given all the barriers that I can only imagine must have been/or be in place that makes it very hard to speak out, the ability to speak in such a way and be heard, and to make people genuinely comprehend what may otherwise be only foggy understanding, is remarkable. I don't think I could do it (in fact I am sure I couldn't!). I am also staggered that the guest was able to speak to a roomful of strangers, of workers, and single-handedly guide and teach. It was a significant process that is hard to word and I feel very priveledged, (emotional), and humbled to have been a part of that.I will be honest and say that I was rattled/shocked by some of the content. As a worker (and human being) part of me doesn't want to believe it gets that bad, but I know it does. As I have been thinking back on the guest's talk over the last week or so, I have had moments of frustration, disillionment and despair re: the current system(s) that just don't work. I just don't know what to do about it, but I know it has to change.Personally I want to say 'thank you' to the guest speaker. The talk heightened my awareness and drove home the importance of listening to every little thing - even the smallest words clients mention in passing are all important and can be so significant. A part of me wants to apologise, for all the times it (the system) didn't work. And I am humbled again, that the guest was able to shine so extraordinarily and be our teacher. Thank you.

As you can see this is a fantastic reflection but also has provided so much space for other students to reply and inform each other. Having a safe space for this to happen is soooo important when covering issues in sexual health and particularly topics like assault and abuse.
If you would like to see more of this you can go to www.vetsa.net.au and search for the Shinesa SE&X course. It does not require a key so you can browse if you want to. Please do NOT reply to any postings tho.

What else.... Had to go to Brisbane (I got a surf in a Byron Bay small but fun)
Have had 4 planning days.
Atended the Learnscope mid way Reporting day. For me this was great. I was re energised and also so impressed with the energy that the teams and individuals are putting into thier projects.
The hilite of the day tho was Michael Coghlan videoing a session with his mobile phone and having it posted to his blog within minutes - without touching a pc or laptop. So cool and I can see applications already for SHine.

Oh yes.. Have also run two professional development sessions for this project. One on podcasting and one on webquesting.
The podcast session was a bit of a downer because we were using odeo ( a free podcasting studio with its own recording device - -sooo easy) But at the wonderful technology school of the future the firewalls prevented using odeo. No amount of quick work by the technos would allow us to use it. Oh well. If any body wants to tell people what a podcast is the askaninja podcasting on podcasting is quite funny go to www.askaninja.com/news/2006/03/07/special-delivery-1-what-is-podcasting

Also have been lurking heaps on the edna netwroking group and on the TALO group. I feel that I am learnign lots just observing what other people are doing. Also if you like pachelbels canon go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjA5faZF1A8 and listen to this hot young guitarist play an awesome version. BUT while you are listening to him have a think about the ability to reach enough people using technology to have this guy viewed over 8 million times. Its funny , I went to this site after lurking in an edna discussion regarding teaching/facilitating and our role in all this . The discussion centered around this kid and what it means for teaching/learning and the future.

Let me seeee , oh yes I have also been busy providing information on our project to various people around the country. Stay tuned.

AND of course working on developing our monthly sexual health podcast. We are going to start doing a 'frequently asked questions' version next week. If you want to subscribe go to
http://www.odeo.com/channel/115838/view

I reckon thats all for now.