I tried out Animoto with pictures I took on First Night. The free version only allows 30 sec. but the effects are pretty cool. I also recorded parade music of the drums and crowd noises. Happy New Year 2008.

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On July 25th the Austin ASTD Instructional Design SIG members heard a presentation by Dr. James Caras, President of Sapling Systems on "Characteristics of e-learning 2.0." Sapling Systems has developed their own sophisticated Flash-based authoring tools for math and science courses. You can learn more here at the company web site.

He coined his own term for e-learning 2.0 by calling it "we-learning" which has the following desirable characteristics:

• simple authoring tools that incorporate symbols and activities that are as good as, and hopefully better, than existing teaching methods
  
• engaging interactivity with rich media
  
• convergence - available on all OS and mobile devices
• promotes sharing and collaboration to develop new content and peer review of learning efforts
  
• transparency to promote trust
• measurement of learning new knowledge; tracking progress gains
  
• promotes effective and efficient learning
• mentors struggling learners by incorporating intelligent feedback, tutoring, and adaptive testing.
  

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I read earlier about Vox's request for design input on what to include on the Austin city scape design. I remember people asking for UT tower, the capitol, and the bats, which have been included. Well done!

I'm very proud to use this design for the city I have called home for 25 years! My how quickly time passes.

I also just joined the new Austin Vox group to meet fellow voxers.

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How did you pick your Vox name? Does it mean something? 
Submitted by LeendaDLL.  

So I was sitting and staring at the profile screen when into my head popped "Learning Man" because I was thinking of "Burning Man" and the desert festival with all the art and sculptures. Learning Man inspires me with the possibility of " to be on fire for continuous learning that renews my life." So I'm trying this blog service out as a hub for self-paced learning and reflection.

Here is a new learning hub or portfolio tool I just found. One can create self-paced reading courses and sign up for those created by others. Brilliant! Its called MindPicnic

What related elearning or instructional designer user names would you recommend?

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Back in June 2002, which feels a lot longer than four years ago, I recorded a panel of the smartest instructional design professionals of Austin: Debby Kalk, Liz Strand, Mary Haskett, and Joel Hobbs. Each of them either founded or was a senior employee in one of Austin's multimedia businesses during the 90's. That evening they shared their accumulated business smarts about being a contract or independent instructional designer. Topics included practical concerns such as what factors to consider in bidding a project and how to get paid promptly by corporate clients. The conversation was lively, fun, and enlightening. It was 'a been there, done that' conversation full of tips for success that are still useful today.

To listen to the whole presentation in the correct sequence, follow the file name numbers.You could also jump around  because each segment was sort of topical.

There were only about 15 of us there that evening at the Far West Library Branch for this ASTD Instructional Design Special Interest Group meeting, but I know many more will enjoy this recording so I offer all seven segments here for your enjoyment. For current ASTD news and ID SIG calendar schedules, go to the Austin ASTD web site.

Astd1_jun52002

Astd2_jun52002

Astd3_jun52002

Astd4_jun52002

Astd5_jun52002

Astd6_jun52002

Astd7_jun52002

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