I must admit, I’m fairly new to the whole concept.  When I first returned to UPEI in my role as E-Learning Instructional Designer, I was overwhelmed with all of the new concepts, innovations, strategies, and tools to promote learning, growth, and development. 

Coming from the Student Affairs side of campus, I spent a lot of time talking about student engagement, community-engaged learning, experiential learning, student development, blah, blah, blah.  And I had a pretty good understanding of how, why, when, and where people were learning. 

Or so I thought.

Enter a group of innovative forward-thinkers who have engaged themselves in something called a MOOC.  MOOC?  What?  Yep, that’s a Massive Open Online Course.  Uh… great.  So what’s a MOOC?  Exactly.

A MOOC is a voluntary, free, learner-centered, community-focused learning experience.  An opportunity for like-minded people to come together (virtually) to engage in dialogue, share ideas, and learn and grow together.  You, the learner, decide how much or how little you want to participate and engage.  The motivation is completely intrinsic, as are the rewards.  MOOCs give people the opportunity to build a learning network and think, reason, debate, and share with similarly-motivated people.

Of course, the MOOC I speak of can be found here: change.mooc.ca - which after 35 weeks of different topics, facilitators, and experiences, just wrapped up this past week.  I will admit to being a less-than-actively-engaged participant.  In fact, I did not attend any of the live sessions, but rather participated quite passively by watching the recordings and reading the blogs.  But now that I am MOOC-acquainted, you can bet your bottom dollar I will be engaging in the next opportunity.

Through the dialogue created over the last 35 weeks, there has been a lot of conversation about if MOOCs are changing the education game.  In fact, there has been a recent announcement that Harvard and MIT have teamed up to deliver EdX, which will deliver free, online courses from both universities starting next year.  So, is open education the wave of the future?  Is it changing the game?

I’m inclined to think no; I think it’s a whole new game.  I don’t believe that this new approach to providing open learning experiences is going to revolutionize formal learning.  But maybe it will help learners to conceptualize and become actively engaged in their learning.  Maybe it will take learners to new frontiers in their journey, exposing them to learning experiences outside of the formal classroom.  Maybe it will help institutions of higher education start think beyond semesters, contact hours, degree audits, and credits - maybe changing how we think about learning.

Maybe.

A few posts back, I mentioned that I was undertaking some projects with my newfound energy.  And just this morning, I determined what project numero uno was going to be!

I came across a great article this morning about the Toms buy-one, get-one marketing campaign.  I say marketing campaign intentionally.  I’ve always struggled with the Toms campaign - basically for every pair of shoes you (the consumer) buy, Toms will give a pair of shoes to a child in need.  Nice, right?  Not really.  Giving a child a pair of shoes doesn’t fix the problem.

The problem is that of 2.2 billion children in the world, 1 billion of them live in poverty (that’s almost every second child).

The problem is that 80% of the world lives on less than $10 a day.

The problem is that the richest 20% of the world accounts for 75% of the world income.

The problem is that we purchase a pair of shoes and expect to solve a problem.  The problem is that rather than using our resources to create fair jobs and improve the quality of life for these children, we continue to engage in charity that benefits us more than it benefits the children we are “helping”.  Toms (or any other company) could bankrupt themselves sending money and products to places in need, but this would prove to be no more sustainable or beneficial.  What we need to do is invest in these places - share resources, support small business, create jobs, and teach people to be self-sufficient.

So, my project.

I am undertaking some research to make myself a more intentional consumer.  I know I’m not going to fix all of the problems in the developing world, but I can be more intentional about where my money goes.  I can be more intentional about purchasing products that support developing capacity in communities rather than padding the pockets of the already-wealthy.  And I plan on starting at home, by buying local and supporting small businesses.

And now I’m looking at you, blog audience.  Share your resources with me - what companies/organizations are doing cool things to support building capacity?  What are your favourite causes?  How are you engaging in global citizenship?  I will post regular updates of things I’m discovering and will feature the really great ones on my Stuff I Love page!

Here are a few resources to get started:

Bracelet of Hope

Oliberte

Happy sharing!

Megan

Read the article that inspired this project here.

Read Toms One for One Movement strategy and giving report here. 

I don’t have time for a big post today, but I had to make it known…

The weekend of May 11-12, I will cross another item off my 100 before 100!

Not only is this awesome, just for the sake of being awesome, it’s awesome because I have just been asked to deliver the keynote address at the Provincial Allied Youth Conference!

Now why is this awesome, you might ask?  Allied Youth is the program that I credit for making me the person I am today.  My six years as an AYer taught me more about myself than all 20+ years of school.  And the advisors, volunteers, and alumni that dedicate huge amounts of time to make this a rich experience for youth leaves me with a debt of gratitude I can never repay. 

But I’m going to start trying… AYers, see you in May!

Oh, where to begin?

At last update, I was celebrating my upcoming unemployment.  Weeks later (sorry about that, it’s been busy), I’m getting ready to get into my third week at my new job!

Getting ahead of myself, let me backtrack…

Until February 17th, I was the Coordinator, Experiential Learning Programs in Student Life at the University of Guelph.  I did some cool stuff there - coordinating the Peer Helper Program and YoU in Guelph, and supervising the most fantastic group of Interns at the Reception Desk.  I love, love, LOVE the students that I met and had the chance to work with - the University of Guelph attracts a different type of student.  Hyper-engaged, community-focused, and all around amazing.  (Note:  working with such students results in writing a huge number of reference letters, I’m learning!)  

Yes, I liked my job, but something wasn’t right.  It wasn’t home.  

We’ve been pretty good at creating a home and building a network wherever we go.  But something was different in Guelph.  Maybe we knew it wouldn’t be for the long term, and as a result didn’t make an effort; or maybe it was the move out of Residence Life and that built-in network that was no longer there… whatever it was, it wasn’t for us.

Then the planets aligned, things fell into place, and we decided to hit the road.  Since my last post, we’ve packed up the contents of our apartment, sent them with movers (because I complain when I have to lift things), loaded up our little Pontiac (again), and drove to PEI.  This time, for good.  Man, it felt good to cross the Confederation Bridge and not be thinking about when we would be going back.  

We arrived in PEI on Sunday, February 19th.  We celebrated Islander Day on Monday, February 20th.  I interviewed for a job at the UPEI on Tuesday, February 21st.  

And since Monday, February 27th I have been the newest E-Learning Instructional Designer at UPEI!  And it’s cool - I get the opportunity to work with Faculty across campus in developing capacity to deliver online and blended learning.  I’m learning so much, meeting great people, and really challenging myself to do things I’ve never done before.

The downside?  All of those things I wanted to get done - like unpacking and hanging pictures - not quite done.  The upside?  I go to work in the morning excited for all of the new things I have to learn, the new relationships I get to build, and that old feeling of being exactly where I belong.

So bring it on, Island summer.  Beaches, BBQs, Victoria Row, and Sunday drives.  I’ve missed you!

And to all of you we met on our travels:  We now have two spare bedrooms and can’t wait to welcome you to our Island :)

MM

We haven’t done much to spread the word yet, but we are yet again picking up and moving.  This time, back home - get ready PEI, we’re on our way!

In the summer of 2009, we decided to leave PEI and have some new experiences.  And boy, did we have new experiences!  In under three years, we will have lived in 4 different apartments in 4 different cities, and are getting ready for our 5th!

Pretty recently, Mitch was offered a position at a company in PEI.  A few other things lined up, and we took it all as a sign that we should pick up and head home.

Things I am excited about include:  the beach; seeing family whenever we want; being able to go on vacation to places other than PEI; spending less on rent for a lot more space; Churchill Arms (best curry ever); UFIT; and falling asleep listening to Bruce Frisko read the news.

But most importantly, I’m looking forward to being temporarily without employment.  Not because I’m lazy, but because I’m going to have the time to really reflect on my life; where I’ve been and where I want to go.  All too often, I feel like I get home from work and then suddenly, it’s 10pm.  I spend my days at work talking about being intentional - intentional in programming, interacting with students, and in building relationships and connections.  Then I come home and mindlessly cook and eat dinner, watch TV, surf the web.  

Starting over in PEI, without a job to fill my days, means that I can be intentional about getting back in shape (yes, I’ve let my personal health and wellness suffer over the last couple of years, and I have way too many excuses as to why), finding meaningful and satisfying work, getting engaged in the community, and refocusing on my goals.

So, gone is the Megan who sleeps in, lounges in front of the TV, and orders way too much pizza and chinese food.  Back is the Megan who is present in the moment, and intentional in thoughts, words, and actions.

And PEI?  See you soon ;)

I’ve been looking forward to this weekend for a couple of months, and it’s finally here!

But first, let me tell you about the amazing group of students I work with.

I supervise a Peer Helper team at the University of Guelph called YoU in Guelph.  The idea behind it is that student leaders (Peer Helpers) work to build relationships with Neighbourhood Groups across the city of Guelph in order to facilitate student involvement in the community.  Such a great program!  And the students involved are simply amazing.

Which brings me back to this weekend.  We have not one, but TWO major events happening.  First, Saturday.  We are doing a workshop at Hillside Inside on the perceptions people have about community.  Now, I consider myself a pretty creative person, but working with the brains behind this workshop has rocked my world.  Such creativity, passion, and depth.  Seriously, you don’t want to miss this workshop.

And Sunday - Winterfest 2012!  This is a city-wide celebration with events hosted by Neighbourhood Groups for children and families in the community.  YoU in Guelph is bringing students to seven Neighbourhood Groups to volunteer - playing games, painting faces, serving treats, and engaging in good old fashioned winter fun!  

I am very excited to be taking 10 students to Hanlon Creek NG… and, of course, get my ball hockey game face on.

Many people feel as though they work hard, but they never seem to get anywhere worthwhile.  Why is that?

Would you go on a trip without mapping out your destination?  Probably not.  So why would you live your life without setting yourself some formal goals?

Visioning and goal setting are powerful tools that can help you start thinking about your future and motivate you to turn that ideal future into reality.  By knowing where you want to go, you can start to focus your efforts.  And, as a value-added bonus, makes it really really easy for you to reflect on where you’ve been… very important, as reflection is the secret ingredient to your learning, growth, and development!

Megan’s recipe for creating delicious goals:

• Start with a blank slate.  Find the place you think the best, equipped with all of the tools you need to do some mind-mapping:  paper, pens, highlighters, post-it notes, tape recorder, computer… whatever works for you!

• Find with your vision.  Your vision is the picture that you have of what your life will look like.  Your vision will ground your goals.  (I personally find it helpful to write my vision point-form initially and refine it as I develop my goals… but whatever works for you!)

• Develop your goals.  Once you have your vision drafted, you are ready to start breaking it down to develop your goals.  I set goals for three areas of my life:  Career, Personal, and Wellness, which for me, encompasses most of my life.  You could also set goals on different areas like finances, spiritual, artistic, family.  You know you better than anyone - so define your life in a way that is most useful for you.  Write your goals in a way that is affirmative, quantifiable, concise, and in the present tense.  Start with your long-term goals, and work backwards to your shorter-term goals. 

• Create yourself some to-do lists.  Goals aren’t going to be met without work!  What do you need to do to turn your goals and vision into your reality?  Remember to make your to-do lists something you can actually do.  Big goals are good, but they should always be realistic.

• Follow through.  Find what you need to do to keep you accountable.  I chose to share my goals with everyone who visits this website.  Maybe for you it’s posting them on your fridge, or sharing your goals with your best friend, or starting your own blog!  Every day you need to make the decision to do the things that will help you reach your goal.  Sometimes that choice isn’t easy, so choose your support system with intention.

• Reflect.  Take time often to revisit your goals, reflect on your progress, and reconsider your journey. 

Need some help getting started?  Check out the amazing resources on the Lululemon site (http://www.lululemon.com/education/sixcoreconcepts)!   

Get started now!  There is no time like a new year to crush your goals!

Happy visioning!

Megan

… and with a new year, a new blogger enters the picture. 

I’ve always resisted starting a blog, it just seemed so self-important.  But recently I’ve had the opportunity to build a relationship with someone who has similar interests, philosophies, and goals as I do… and it made me hungry for more meaningful, collaborative relationships with like-minded folks.

If you are reading this now, there is a good chance you are either a member of my family, or a Facebook friend - my two strategies for shameless self-promotion.  But that’s okay, I’m very happy you are here; maybe you will find something new through my musings!

So what can you expect to find on this website?  Some of my current interests include:

• Higher Education
• Leadership
• Training and facilitation
• Social media
• Visioning and goal setting
• Gluten free cooking
• Home design
• Restorative justice
• Community engaged learning

And oh, so much more!

I’m always looking for new opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow.  So browse through my site, and let me know if we have anything in common!  I’ve love to hear your story.

And now to get started on crossing something off my 100 Before 100 list - 100 blog posts in one year!

Thanks for stopping by!

MM