Doug Glynn, I don't have your official resume, but you have accumulated pages of credits among adult ed programs in Colorado. In the Peace Corps, we used to harp on the thought that if you do a job well, you won't be missed. In that sense, you won't be missed, indeed. You've left a strong foundation for implementing distance education and technology in instruction, not to mention the emphatic  messages to address workforce issues, to remain innovative, and to take risks. You championed many causes and leave a clear trail for others to follow.

Doug sharing knowledge at ULC in Cortez, CO, 2006

However, you are missed. We miss the humor and ease you brought into your contacts with us, especially when funding issues, regulations and politics weighed heavily. We miss being constantly reminded of what counts in adult education: the student and, of course, the teacher bridging the gaps! We miss the twinkle in the eyes, the casual irreverence that allowed us to retain perspective, and your promptness in responding to cries of help, if not to provide a solution, at least to listen and commiserate. Thank you!

It's a good thing you are still in Colorado and still caring what happens among adult learners. Your personal email (if you don't change it..) will be prominent in our address books, like it or not!

Colordado Hybrid Initiative (CHI) DE Retreat

Doug had a vision of putting together a retreat for instructors who wanted to start implementing distance education and using Web tools among adult students in Colorado. That was music to my ears, or my cup of tea, so to speak. We sipped on the idea and offered the Distance Education Retreat in Lakewood's QWest Learning and Technology Center, on May 22nd and 23rd.

Evaluations of the event have been very positive, despite the fact that such an event had never been offered before, that the timing was difficult (end of school year and Memorial Day weekend), and that we had to squeeze an ocean of resources into a small stream of time. Never mind. Our purpose was to expose programs to what was out there and to give each person experience in using, if not learning, the tools now available for learning on the Web. That was mightily accomplished, and we learned valuable lessons that we hope to apply during future events, when time and timing can support rather than challenge us.

Doug's fox was very foxy in Second Life, and we all took turns laughing or sighing, depending on how the technology and instructions worked.

If you want ideas on how to implement inexpensive, if not free, instruction using Web 2.0 tools, you may contact the people and programs that have taken the skills back to their learners:

Participants experienced a number of applications, services, and technologies: Elluminate, QArbon, Skype, video instruction, movie clips, You Tube, Second Life, images, sound clips, blogs, wikis, and more. Selected programs received a camcorder, headsets and Webcams, along with Elluminate and QArbon licenses to expand the way students access learning. Thanks, one and all, for your participation in all of the sessions and for modeling collaborative learning at its best!

Many, many thanks to trainers Dr. Alice Bedard-Voorhees from Colorado Mountain College, Susan Spengler from the Harrison Adult and Family Education program in Colorado Springs, and the online professionals that provided hands-on training in specific applications. Thanks also to Lisa Marie Johnson, CCCOnline, who provided insight and resources in preparing for the event. Thanks to Pam Smith, as well, for joining us at lunch and for supporting the vision of the Colorado Hybrid Initiative with funds and presence. And thank you, Doug. You've left a legacy!

The following growing resources are now available to you throughout the state at the following sites. If you teach adults in any agency or organization, please visit these, contribute to them, and enjoy the dialog! Let's start talking. We all have the same goal: to help Colorado adults become better prepared to meet their educational, occupational, and personal objectives.

• http://coloradoadulted.org/CHI - Your Website with growing information on hybrid instruction

• http://freecal.brownbearsw.com/CHI - Your interactive calendar. If you teach using Elluminate's state license, schedule your sessions here in order not to conflict with someone else. If you use the free vRoom (3-people max), you do not need to schedule your sessions. Those are free to limitless numbers of users at the same time.

• http://cohybridinitiative.blogspot.com/ - Your blog

• http://chiresources.pbwiki.com/ - Your Wiki (Please contact me to be added as a writer!)

What is Chi? In traditional Chinese culture, Qi  [here written and pronounced Chi] is an active principle forming part of any living thing. It is frequently translated as "energy flow", and is often compared to Western notions of energeia or élan vital (vitalism). The literal translation is "air" or "breath"(compare the original meaning of Latin spiritus "breathing"). (Taken from Wikipedia)

A breath of fresh, invigorating air, a creative principle, is, indeed, what the Colorado Hybrid Initiative (CHI) hopes to represent!

New Resource

Thanks again to our featured celebrity, we have links to a most intriguing free resource from BBC. Yes, the accent is there, but it is English. Your students will get used to it. The levels vary, so you will need to explore a bit to send your students to the right place.

The first link is a most basic intro to the computer. You will need to get the student to the site and open the tutorial. From then on, the student will be able to follow easily, learning to use the keyboard and mouse to follow instructions. The programs take time to load, but it's worth the wait if the student is ready.

The second link, Teaching Inspirations, has a variety of resources around words and numbers, introduced by, "Looking for inspiration for this week's class? Look no further - you can find dozens of ideas to base classes on right here. Or if you have an inspired idea you would like to add to this site, tell us about it."

The third and last link reveals a number of student stories that have been edited. Your students are invited to contribute stories. Do you remember that we all like recognition? That's one reason why blogs are so effective. Here's another way of giving students recognition - publish their stories for the world to read!

1. http://www.bbc.co.uk/computertutor/computertutorone/index.shtml

2. http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/tutors/inspirations/

3. http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/yourstories/  

Thanks, Doug!

More Gaming

In the last issue, we discussed the benefits of gaming, especially among the new generations of learners. Here's a site that I've enjoyed. My 5-year old grandson is a jigsaw puzzle freak, and he loves putting online pieces together. But these games are not just for kids. Try a few and get your adult students online. Maybe they'll get their kids online, too, if not vice-versa! What better way to teach critical thinking, spatial discrimination, strength recognition and other important life skills? Go to http://www.shockwave.com/ and enjoy!

If you like gaming, check out this blog, Mission to Learn, by Jeff Cobb. He says, "I write this blog for people who want to be more successful in finding and benefiting from online learning experiences. I also write for those seeking to create and distribute compelling online learning experiences–and perhaps make or raise money with them."  His blog has great game links at http://blog.missiontolearn.com/2008/04/learning-games-for-change/ (26 Learning Games to Change the World) Wow!

Question from the Field

Are there any good resources to learn medical terminology? There are so many words! (Patty Thomas, Cortez)

How about a game? Go to http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games_vocab_med.htm and play while you learn! In fact, learn all kinds of vocabulary at http://vocabulary.co.il/index_main.php

Think Again

Using the numbers 1 to 8, place one in each shape with one condition: the number in each square has to be the sum of its two neighboring circles.

Click Here for Answers

Thanks to Proofreader Tom Dietvorst