Caddickisms

I joined Facebook almost a year ago, if I remember correctly. I joined as an exercise for work. I was hearing a lot about how Facebook and similar social networking tools could be used within a corporation as a learning and collaboration tool. I understood the theory, but I wanted to see how well it was implemented. Could I really figure out some way to bend it to fit our corporate environment? The answer, I swiftly realized, was “no.”

So my profile sat there. I checked in on it every once in a while, connected with a couple online acquaintances and colleagues, and looked at some of the applications to see if anything struck me as useful. Every once in a while I’d see something intriguing, but nothing that I wanted to spend much time with.

Connecting with a few friends from church spurred some activity. It was fun to learn a little more about their lives as they chose to summarize it in their profiles. But for the most part, I spent my free time on other projects.

Then Walt showed up.

Walt led the church youth group I was in during high school. He also has an amazing talent for keeping in touch with people. When he created the Facebook group for our old youth group members (and yes, I mean old… it’s been 20+ years, sadly), I joined. By the end of that week, I was catching up with 25 people I haven’t seen in 20 years. Then the photos showed up. Photos like this one (those are approximately 20 marshmallows in each mouth):

I haven’t laughed this hard in a long time. I’m talking to people I haven’t seen in decades, and it’s like I just spoke to them yesterday; we’re picking up right where we left off. The group is continuing to grow.

Now I have a problem. I’m spending all my time on Facebook. I’m constantly checking to see who else has joined, or what photos have been uploaded, or what comments people are making. It’s getting out of hand. I gotta step away, or I’m not going to get anything else done. The lawn’s not going to mow itself!

It’s a lot of fun, though. This is a group of people I genuinely care about and have missed (as opposed to almost everyone else I knew in high school).

Hey, Walt… thanks for the new addiction. I sincerely appreciate it. My wife would like to thank you, too… next time you see her, guard your shins.

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(Okay, there is a lot of YouTube in this post. I got a little carried away. If you’re not seeing it ’cause your IT department is lame, come back when “the man” isn’t holding you down. If your Feed Reader is lame, click on through.)

Walt Mueller pointed to the MTV Yearbook site in his blog, Learning my lines… on Friday. He picked his favorite two years and his favorite video. I thought… hey, I can do that! Guess what… I can’t. My favorite would be somewhere in the eighties probably, since that’s where I spent my teen years, where I was most closely plugged in to the current popular music, but as I went through the years online, I realized that I still don’t know at least half the songs in almost every year.

I’ve known this about myself for years, but when it comes to popular music, I was usually at least 6 months behind everyone else… and that was when I was paying attention. As I moved up through the years in the yearbook to the present, I realized I was recognizing fewer and fewer songs per year as I approached the present.

Not quite sure what to make of that. I’m hoping it’s because the MTV selections started skewing away from my tastes after VH-1 was created. (Hmmm… wonder if they have a yearbook…)

Anyway… of the ones I recognized, there were some that I loved, many I didn’t, some I related to, and some that made me nostalgic. My trip down this particular memory lane led me in a few unexpected directions.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Well, I was on the live session tonight (read about my experience with last week’s recorded session). For the most part, as I expected, the experiences were the same. There were some bumps in the data stream early on (and once later), but it got ironed out within about 15 minutes, so I was satisfied with the transmission itself. I was very worried at the beginning because the resolution was dropping significantly at times to the point where I couldn’t make out faces. They took care of that, but then there were instances where the audio and video froze and I lost part of the conversation for 5 seconds at a time. As I said, though, those issues were pretty well hammered out quickly.

I loved that they ran segments from the previous session prior to the live session, along with a countdown to the live session. Excellent reinforcement and review, and great setting of expectation.

It’s a seriously slick production, visually, and I really wouldn’t expect any less from a TV production studio. There have to be at least 3 or 4 cameras in that studio.  I have to imagine they’re using at least the same amount of production staff for this that they use for Oprah’s TV show - probably more to accommodate the internet interface.

Overall, all of the “good and bad” points I mentioned in my last post are still valid, except the audio for the commercials, which were included in the stream - and only at the very top of the show, instead of sprinkled throughout as in the recorded session - so there was no volume incongruity.

I was disappointed that there was no back channel chat, though it can be distracting.

The interface for asking a question was imposing. You had to enter your full name, full address, email address, and phone number - all required. There was no “email” link that I saw, so it’s very possible that the producers would call you to ask your question on the phone (a possibility with which I was uncomfortable). That’s one way to cut down on the questions you get, which I suppose would be important for an audience of this size.

Oprah did plug a follow-up XM radio show immediately after the session for members with access to that. That’s pretty cool that they are extending the conversation that way, but really, as I said before, why not promote the online interactive pieces? They’re more widely available and easier to participate in.

I did spend some time on the discussion board today as well, in the Aha! section. There was certainly plenty of participation. Much of it was on point, too. There was some noise, and arguments flared up here and there, but with a topic this controversial that’s to be expected. I haven’t gotten out to the blog yet. It should be interesting to see how that’s being run.

Overall, looking at this experience from the perspective of a corporate training professional focused on online delivery, it has been an interesting ride so far. I’m picking up some ideas for how I’d like to run a program internally that I hadn’t thought through previously. The online workbook is an “aha” experience for me, for example. Don’t know why I didn’t think of that before. There are obviously some things I’m not going to be able to do - the multiple cameras and nice studio, for example (heck, even live streaming video is out of my reach at the moment) - but there are also things I think our team can do better. Structuring the sessions and moderating the discussion forums come to mind.

Technorati Tags: Oprah, A New Earth, Eckhart Tolle, distance learning, e-learning, online

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I’m currently watching the recorded version of Oprah’s first session of her “class” on A New Earth, which is about “new spirituality”. For the purposes of this post, however, the topic is irrelevant. What I’m interested in is how it’s being pulled off as an example of a massive, live, online facilitated event.

This is, I believe, the single largest event of its kind (Oprah says there are over 700,000 people connected to the course), and it’s being run by people who undoubtedly have the resources to pull it off, so it will be interesting to see how it goes.

I had to download a proprietary player, which isn’t unusual for this kind of event. When I tried to get into the event (late, because I had some other commitments) for the live broadcast, everything launched, except the video/audio. Later I found out that was a common issue, because they ran into issues with so many people simultaneously trying to access the ‘class’. Nice to know the huge boys (not just the big boys) have the same problems we all do.

So I gave up.

Now I’ve gone back and am watching the recorded version in preparation for part 2, which begins tonight. I’m actually glad I got blocked out, because now I get to contrast the live vs recorded experience. As for the recorded experience:

The good

• I’m getting no problems with the video or audio. Very smooth. Very clean. (I’m running through a cable modem, and the player reports I’m getting 706kpbs.)
• The integration of Skype video phones is nice, and done very cleanly. (There’s a whole production staff making that integration happen, I’m sure, but the technology is out there and available.)
• The presentation style is obviously interview, call-in show style, which is pretty engaging, though it’s still a presentation and not an interactive format (well, there are punctuations of interactivity for individuals, but not group-wide interaction). Still, I can understand doing that for an initial session. It doesn’t hurt that the presenter is an extremely talented and experienced interviewer (Oprah).
• Nice integration of the callers’ inputs - Skype phone, phone, and email (though it’s funny that there was apparently a problem with getting an email to Oprah’s private screen at one point).
• Extra-session activities: this is where the whole thing really gets exciting. Behind the “Talk with Others” link on the player, you get to a page that points you to discussion boards, a course-focused blog, and a way to find local reading groups. There are even links to specific discussions (Favorite Quotes, and Aha! Moments, specifically) to really focus your involvement for those who aren’t comfortable just browsing through aimlessly. This is such an important part of the experience - this is where the interaction and personal investment pays off, and likely where the most actual learning occurs. Providing these tiered ways to get involved (watching, reading, commenting, discussing) is what is going to make this a success.
• Workbooks and exercises: Questions are presented, suggestions for ways to apply the concepts are given, and there is a place for you to respond and record your thoughts privately, in addition to the public outlets. It’s a directed study-guide. So important.

The bad

• Commercials. Don’t put commercials in my classes. It makes it feel even more like a TV show.
• Lack of audio control (or consistency of audio) for the commercials. I have my computer’s audio turned up because of some other audio programs I use. I turned the volume down on the course player to an acceptable level. When the commercials come on, there are no controls, and the audio jumps back to default levels. The first time that happened it almost blew my ears off.
• Not mentioning the “extra session” materials during the session (except for one off-handed mention of the discussion boards). An orientation to the overall structure of the course, not just the presentation, would have been a great add to the first session. That’s a lost opportunity that could have helped involve those who are a little less internet savvy. Tell me how to get involved and make the most of the experience!
• Along the same lines - the lack of an agenda hurt as well. I’d like to see an agenda for the overall class (i.e., topics for each of the 10 sessions), as well as an agenda for each session. How long is the setup/intro? How long are we going to have for Q&A?
• The lack of live interactive moments: polls, for example, would have been of tremendous use in this session. There may be ways to get more interactivity that aren’t obvious in the recorded session (back-room chats, for example), but I’ll have to wait to see if they do that tonight.

Those are my thoughts on the recorded experience. We’ll see how it differs from the live experience I (hopefully) have tonight.

Technorati Tags: Oprah, A New Earth, Eckhart Tolle, distance learning, e-learning, online

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How Sticky Is Membership on Facebook? Just Try Breaking Free - New York Times (You may need a free account to read that article)

Okay, I’m on Facebook. I have a love/hate relationship with Social Networking sites. I see the benefit they could offer (though I don’t think it’s truly being realized), but I also see huge opportunities for abuse in multiple areas, including security.

There have been commercials lately, targeted at teens, mostly, that warn about the permanancy of things you post online; once you put them out there, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to fully take them down. This is another example of the same principle.

The network is still trying to find a way to monetize its popularity, mostly by allowing marketers access to its wealth of demographic and behavioral information. The retention of old accounts on Facebook’s servers seems like another effort to hold onto — and provide its ad partners with — as much demographic information as possible.

“The thing they offer advertisers is that they can connect to groups of people. I can see why they wouldn’t want to throw away anyone’s information, but there’s a conflict with privacy,” said Alan Burlison, 46, a British software engineer who succeeded in deleting his account only after he complained in the British press, to the country’s Information Commissioner’s Office and to the TRUSTe organization, an online privacy network that has certified Facebook.

While I sympathize that the Facebook wants to get some profit out of their business, and they’re certainly entitled to it, there is NO excuse for them refusing to delete my personal data if I specifically request it to be deleted. Throw up any number of confirmations and warnings you want, but when I get to the end of that string, do it. While I’m on the system, do your best to make money off me (ethically, of course, and with full disclosure of methods), but if I want out, I want out of it all. I’m not signing up to be a member for life.

I’ve been hesitant to truly use my Facebook account, and this just reinforces that feeling.

Technorati Tags: social networking, facebook, invasion of privacy, bad business practices

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A few posts back, we got into a bit of a discussion that significantly hinged on fair use. I mentioned that I had a fair use reference but didn’t have it handy. Here it is:

And here’s something similar but shorter (though not as good):

Neither really change the argument we were having much, but I thought I’d at least follow through with my reference.

Plus, they’re just fun to watch!

Technorati Tags: fair use, disney, youtube

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Afternoons with Amit: How to watch TV online…legally

See, that’s the kicker - doing it legally. Anyone can find illegal TV. Given the option, though, I’d much rather support the companies creating these shows by going the legal route. If that means I have to put up with four 30-second commercials, I’m okay with that. Just don’t skimp on the quality, and make it easy to navigate.

Amit puts a description of each along with his preferences, but here’s the basic list:

• Hulu - currently in private beta, but looks like a good option from NBC
• Veoh
• MSN Video
• Fox on Demand
  
• ABC
• CBS Innertube
• NBC
  

That’s it for his list. If anyone knows of other free, legal outlets for TV shows online, post a link.

Technorati Tags: free TV

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I’m pretty impressed with the CommonCraft videos. They’ve found a way to make YouTube a marketing and profit center for themselves, and a lot of their work is in the training and marketing industries. They’ve found a nice niche for themselves.

One of their recent blog entries catalogs some lessons learned in their previous year of business. I’ve pulled a few of the tips out below that I think apply to a training department - especially one that focuses on e-learning.

Simple is better. Approach an explanation by removing information instead of adding it. Remember Occam’s Razor.

Production values and ideas are often at odds. Flashy graphics and cool music are sometimes a poor replacement for a good idea. Spend time focusing on the message.

It’s not always about how it works - it’s about why anyone should care. The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference (Elie Weisel). The path to a solid explanation is making people care as a first priority.

We all need a little more levity. Unstuff your shirt and make people laugh. Look foolish. Defy convention and do not take yourself too seriously.

Think about how those tips might apply to your business. Are you focused on the ‘how’ at the expense of the ‘why’? Can you afford to inject a bit of humor? Are you all glitz and no substance? Are getting too deep into the details?

That last question really hits home for me. I’m a detail person. I have a hard time writing a short email when I’m trying to make a point, and frequently provide more detail than is really necessary. Many times I’d probably be better served to provide more high-level information and let the recipient ask for more if necessary. In the same way, I’m wondering if we sometimes provide too much detail in our training sessions? Should we instead move some of the detail into performance support tools? Obviously that’s not an across the board answer, but it’s something we should be thinking about when designing sessions, whether online or in the classroom.

Technorati Tags: instructional design, business tips, training

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Slice of SciFi News Briefs - Slice of SciFi

Watch the pilot episode of The Sarah Conner Chronicles online! Today only!

Fox will post the pilot episode of “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” exclusively on tv.Yahoo! for 24 hours beginning January 4 at 9PM PT/12AM ET. The commercial-free premiere will also feature an exclusive introduction by star Lena Headey (Sarah Connor).

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Here’s the cure to boredom! Over 200 Christmas specials on Fanpop! Yes, this includes all the old favorites you’ve come to know and love:

• A Charlie Brown Christmas…
• Frosty the Snowman…
• The Year Without a Santa Claus (the one with Heat Miser and Cold Miser - best Christmas special song ever)…

And a few you’d probably never expect to see:

• Will Vinton’s Claymation Christmas Celebration (the one with the California Raisins!)…
• Mr. Bean: Christmas Sketches…
• Justice League: Comfort & Joy Christmas Special…

And at least one most of us would like to forget:

• The Star Wars Holiday Special (starring Harvey Korman! and Boba Fett’s first appearance!)

And that’s just in the 2006 list!

The Christmas Spot - Watch 101 Classic Christmas Videos Online - Fanpop (2006)

See even more in the 2007 list (He-Man and She-Ra Christmas Special?! McHale’s Navy - The Day They Captured Santa?! Where the heck does he find this stuff?!)

There is some completely great stuff on both lists (including “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” the one with the mice and the clock, one of my all time favorites), but seriously, how can you not spend hour after hour watching the Welcome Back, Kotter Christmas episode, or Gumby’s, or Pinky and the Brain’s?

The guy that created those lists obviously has waaaaaay too much time on his hands, and I love him for it. Thanks, Greedo!!

Merry Christmas, everybody!!! 

Technorati Tags: Christmas specials, nostalgia, tv, FanPop

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