#NOOC Launch at USIM with a Secret Recipe!

Ultimate Ice Breaker? Making & Flying Paper Planes!

LN 02 - Writing Learning Outcomes in Creative Ways! (SlideSpeech)

From Flipped to Gamified Classroom Learning!

Baby Salma's Awesome Chat!

IMU-LS-03: How to Become a Rapid E-Learning Pro (Tom Kuhlmann)

My Auto-Conversion WISH to Delicious, Scoop.it & Co!

In Awe of Mum's Shimmering Realities!

WOW! Mum (Nadia Alsagoff), I have to admit I am totally struck by your 'Shimmering Realities' collection! As a result, I want to dedicate this post to my Mum who has inspired me to appreciate art through her passionate lifelong journey as an artist.

Although, I am not the kind of person that would spend hours in an art gallery, I do appreciate and understand the kind of work and challenges so many artists have to go through in life. Being an artist sounds great and fun, but making a living as an artist is certainly not an easy task.



SHIMMERING REALITIES
My Mum retired late last year from her day-to-day work, and has now more time to dedicate to her lifelong passion. Over the last decade or so, most of my Mum's work has been expressed in the form of abstract art, but recently she has rediscovered her passion to paint animals and nature.

Actually, this has surprised me, because her eyesight is not exactly great (and has certainly not improved over the years). Also, I am not sure how effective her current glasses are either. I can still remember an incident a few years back, when she walked head on into a street light. Another time, when I was a kid, she walked straight past me on the street without recognizing me.

Though, she could have been day dreaming on both occasions. I remember once, I cut my lip walking past a statue. It was night time, and I didn't notice that the statue or man was pointing his arm and finger towards my direction. I suppose we both are a bit clumsy (understatement)! Or perhaps it is an inherited ability to 'day dream' in potentially dangerous situations.

So, what I am really trying to say is that I am amazed and in awe that she can still paint such amazing paintings of realism. Alright, I will stop writing now, and share with you five gems from this 'Shimmering Realities' collection:




I especially love the Cheetah one. The Cheetah's eyes (of curiosity) and facial expression leaves us to our imagination to figure out its' real intention (Yummy!).

Interestingly, Mum has used Facebook to share her latest art, though it is only viewable to her friends (if I am not mistaken). Click here to check (if you are interested to discover more of her work)!

Hopefully, you enjoyed Mum's paintings, I certainly did. Thank you!

Mum, you are AMAZING in so many ways :)

The Linguistic Genius of Babies (Patricia Kuhl)

LINGUISTIC GENIUS OF BABIES

"Patricia Kuhl shares astonishing findings about how babies learn one language over another -- by listening to the humans around them and "taking statistics" on the sounds they need to know. Clever lab experiments (and brain scans) show how 6-month-old babies use sophisticated reasoning to understand their world." - Source

Of course it easier to learn a language when you are younger, especially when you are a baby. What do you do besides eating, playing, exploring, sleeping, crying and ______?

However, I don't agree with the diagram above, because I believe it is much more to it than simply getting stuck in the age thingy about learning a language. No doubt human being's ability to acquire a new language declines with age to some extent, but there are many more factors to learning a language than just the decline of the brain, which could vary dramatically from person to person, depending upon how they use it during their lifetime.

What about interest and passion to learn a language? For example, if a 30 year old dude has the interest and passion to learn a language, I am pretty sure he or she will learn a language much faster than a 3 year old kid, especially if given the same amount of time to achieve it.

Perhaps the brain power has declined, but by using learning and thinking skills acquired fused with passion and interest... No contest!

Well, that is my opinion, and I don't have a Magnetoencephalography (MEG) to prove it. Neither am I a linguist (and I am crappy at learning languages, too!), but I have met passionate people my age, or older that have a gift for learning languages really quickly. So, age might be one factor, but the interest and passion to learn fused with effective learning methods, I am pretty sure we can continue to learn new languages pretty well until we expire :)

What do you think?

A Sizzling Collection of Anatomy Games & Resources!

It is amazing how much knowledge, skills and attitudes a medical student must internalize (memorize, understand, apply and practice) before he or she can graduate, and making that learning journey a bit more engaging and exciting would surely not hurt. Personally, I would probably need brain shock therapy before even grasping the basics of Anatomy during the first semester. The language used for anatomy is way too complex for my impatient and simplifying brain to learn.

Interestingly, a pro-active IMU student (Ibnu Haniffa) shared an awesome Anatomy Arcade Games site on IMU E-Learning Facebook page recently (22/01/2011), and that just sparked me to an unexplored galaxy of great anatomy games and resources. In other words, unless you are using some of the sites coming next, why not spice up your Anatomy learning activities (or reading list) with some of the sizzling resources shared right here:

• WebAnatomy
  A collection of study aids and games from University of Minnesota for entry-level anatomy and physiology students. For example, the Anatomy Bowl multiplayer games could be used to spark the class to life learning different aspects of anatomy in a competitive, but exciting manner.
  
  
• Anatomy Arcade Games (Ben Crossett)
  This mission was born of frustration with what he saw as a lack of truly engaging material in the area of anatomy and also a frustration as a teacher catching students wasting class time playing flash games every time they were in a computer lab. The catch phrase "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" sums up the decision he made; to investigate the potential of these "pesky" little games to invigorate the delivery of anatomical material to the teenage audience (Source). Use some of these awesome anatomy games in your class (collaborative fun!), or at least share these games with your students where relevant.
  
  
• Visible Body (3D Human Anatomy)
  Visible Body is a content and software development firm that produces award-winning interactive and visual content. Visible Body's clients include many of the world's top pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and educational publishing companies. The revolutionary Visible Body web application is a 3D human anatomy visualization and learning tool available by subscription.
  
  
• BBC Interactive Body
  A sizzling free 3D animated anatomy resource that even includes interactive games to explore the senses, organs, skeleton, muscles and the nervous system.
  
  
• Get Body Smart
  Visually learn about the human body through beautifully detailed and interactive Flash animations.
  
  
• The Virtual Sports Injury Clinic
  Covers interactive information on over 100 sports injuries.
  
  
• TeachPE
  Check out the anatomical section especially on bones, muscles, the heart, lungs and energy systems.
  
  
• Human Embryology Animations
  It explores General Embryology, Cardiovascular Embryology, Development of the Head and Neck, Gastrointestinal Embryology, Development of the Limbs, and Urinary and Reproductive Embryology. Amazing stuff!
  
  
• Think Anatomy
  Is the creation of Vanessa Ruiz, art director, medical illustrator, blogger, and all out anatomy fanatic. This great site links, categorizes and discusses the best anatomy resources on the Internet.
  
  
• Street Anatomy
  Covers the use of human anatomy in medicine, art, and design (Vanessa Ruiz again!).
  
  
• Ourselves & Our Bodies (Shambles)
  A growing collection of excellent anatomy resources worth visiting once a while to discover new anatomy learning gems.
  
  
• To be Discovered!
  If you have any other excellent (free) anatomy online resources that you want to share, please share them in the comments section, and it will be added (if appropriate). Thanks :)
  
  

Ibnu Haniffa, thank you for being a pro-active students sharing your learning discoveries, and hopefully more students (lecturers and learners) will participate in sharing their learning discoveries on IMU E-Learning Facebook (or here!).

Finally, now we should not have any excuses in making our anatomy classes (or courses) boring, because with physical anatomy tools (at the medical museum), and sizzling online resources above, we have tremendous opportunities and possibilities to engage and inspire the medical students' mind, body and soul like never before :)

One Secret Recipe to Great Memory is

Trying hard to forget it!

"The harder you try to forget something, the more likely you will remember it!"
- Zaid Ali Alsagoff

FORGET IT!

Have you noticed that when you try hard to forget something that you don't want to remember (e.g. a crappy presentation you did!), it becomes harder to forget it. It just sticks in your mind like glue....Forget! Forget! Forget! It isn't going to happen! Memorable incidents whether bad or good will stick longer (or are easier to retrieve from the memory archive).

Or you are preparing for an important exam trying really hard to remember something, and you simply can't remember anything! And then when you finally do remember it, you forgot something else! And it just continues in a stressful cycle until the end of the exam. Interestingly, within days after the exam many of those important memories are archived somewhere, nowhere to be found or retrieved anymore (unless used!). Memory or memory retrieval is a funny thing.

MALE BRAIN VS FEMALE BRAIN

Have you wondered why it is nearly impossible to win an argument with your wife (sister/girlfriend/mother/any women for that sake), especially if it's about personal, emotional, or social incidents. You will have one big point (It wasn't me!), and then she will have a few hundred small points that you can't challenge or remember. It will be like...but, but, but, but, but... Oh man, I wish I had such great memory for details. That would make my life easier (or worse)!

The secret? One word: EMOTION!

Don't believe me, watch this:

MY 32 CENTS! 

Have you wondered why subjects you enjoy to study are easier to learn and remember? What happens in your mind when you enjoy something? You keep on thinking about it! If you don't enjoy it? You think about something else!

The secret? One word: REPETITION
Things you like, you repeatedly think about in your mind.

To improve your memory you could eat healthy, exercise well, play brain games, use millions of memory techniques, and all the other who-ha prescribed by the memory gurus. I have tried them all without too much lasting success.

But I do know that when I try really hard to forget something, it usually sticks better than any other method that I have ever tried. I suppose in the process of trying hard to forget I am evoking an emotional state (e.g. angry), and by doing it repeatedly it makes it nearly impossible to forget.

In a never forgetting memory shell, make whatever you want to remember memorable by trying hard to forget it in an emotional state repeatedly.

Now, forget what you have just read! FORGET! FORGET! FORGET! FORGET!

If you can't remember, you haven't tried hard enough to forget! GET IT?

Who cares if you can remember (digital databases do a better job!), if you can't understand, apply or create some form of value from it! That makes more sense... Now I get it!

What about you? What is your secret recipe to great memory (with understanding!)?

ICE Breakers - A Fish That Barks and The Moonwalking Bear!

When the cat reaches the fishbowl, then pause the video and ask your Students/Participants (S/P) to figure out what happens next. Most likely you will get S/P's attention, and stimulate their minds to think creatively about what happens next in a competitive but enjoyable way. If you break S/P up into groups, and then give each group say 2 minutes to come up with their answer, you will get collaborative fun.



WARM UP S/P FIRST, OR THEY WILL ________!
Using short videos found on the Internet as icebreakers to stimulate thinking and help people to get familiar with each other in new situations and environments is today easier than ever, because of the millions (I mean billions!) of videos freely available on sites like YouTube.

More importantly, before you engage your S/P to learn and interact with the subject matter in a face-to-face session (or online session), it is important to warm them up first, or awaken them from their sleep (or whatever they are doing/thinking). It is obvious in sports that we need to warm our relevant muscles before playing a particular activity; otherwise the likelihood of getting injuries increases significantly. Though, strangely enough not all lecturers/educators/facilitators apply this common sense idea to learning. Let's not forget that our Brain is also a muscle that needs to warm up too, or it would probably fall asleep (not literally!), or be in another dimension beyond the subject paradigm.



AWARENESS TEST

Remember to pause after the first scene when the passes have been made, and then ask 'How many passes does the team in white make?' Most S/P will probably answer correctly, and then you ask 'Did you see the Moonwalking bear?' And unless they have already seen this video (12+ million have already on YouTube alone!), they would have ignored that particular incident. Although, this is labelled as an awareness test, it is also a great short video to warm up students' minds before getting them busy with the subject matter.



IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

This one is a classic, which I commonly use to emphasize the importance, relationship, and connection of language with understanding and thinking. Instead of being really serious about it, and making people uncomfortable when talking about such matters, you could use videos such as the one above to make a point (that probably sticks better, too).

I have watched this scene (above) from 'The Pink Panther 2' a bazillion times, but I still laugh every time I watch it. I have used this video in several workshops to indirectly encourage S/P to work on their English accents as that might hamper their communication with others (e.g. lectures and discussions), and that new accents can be learned (although it could take time).

These are just four examples of using short videos (less than 5 minutes) found on the Internet to stimulate S/P to think, and break down communication barriers. The best part is that there are thousands, if not millions of freely available videos ready to be plucked from video sharing sites.

If you have any experiences, or discovered some mind stimulating short videos to share, please share it in the comments section (That would be great!).



HOW TO DOWNLOAD VIDEOS FROM YOUTUBE?
I knew that question was coming (obviously!), and here is the answer (link below):

The Real Way to Download-Convert-Insert YouTube Videos into PowerPoint!

What about downloading and copyright? I discuss this issue a bit here.

Don't worry, be happy, and take calculated risks using short videos to stimulate thinking and breaking down communication barriers (though, please consider sensitivities to religion, culture and race).

It is amazing how fun a learning session can become by taking a few risks in the way we facilitate learning :)

Part 1 - Would Nemo Survive Using the Blue Ocean Strategy?

"Blue Ocean Strategy is a bestseller across five continents. It has been published in over 40 languages and sold over 2 million copies (since 2005). " - Source

BLUE OCEAN STRATEGY?

"Blue Ocean Strategy is a business strategy book first published in 2005 and written by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne of The Blue Ocean Strategy Institute at INSEAD, one of the top European business schools. The book illustrates the high growth and profits an organization can generate by creating new demand in an uncontested market space, or a "Blue Ocean", than by competing head-to-head with other suppliers for known customers in an existing industry." - Source

"Based on a study of 150 strategic moves spanning more than 100 years (1880 - 2000) and 30 industries, it provides us with a systematic approach to making the competition irrelevant and creating uncontested market space. " - Source


So, what is Blue Ocean Strategy exactly?

"It is the simultaneous pursuit of differentiation and low-cost to create new market space. Blue Ocean Strategy seeks to make the competition irrelevant by creating a leap in value for both the company and its buyers. Blue Ocean Strategy aligns the following three propositions:

1. Value proposition
   The utility buyers receive from the product or service minus the price they pay for it.
   
   
2. Profit proposition
   The price of the offering minus the cost of producing and distributing it.
   
   
3. People proposition
   The readiness of employees to execute the new strategy with all of their energy, to the best of their abilities, and voluntarily.
   

Beyond the alignment of these three propositions, six principles drive the successful formulation and implementation of Blue Ocean Strategy." - Source

Click here to read more and learn about BOS for free.

If the BOS theory still does not make sense, this should nail it:

"Go where profits and growth are – and where the competition isn’t."
- Kim & Mauborgne (PDF)

...And what is the likelihood of that?



TWO PART SERIES
In this two part series I will explore Blue Ocean Strategy (BOS), and reflect back on a 2-day BOS workshop I attended a few weeks back (1st - 2nd December) at the UCSI Blue Ocean Strategy Regional Centre. In Part 1, I will zoom in on BOS as a theory and share some insights that might have been overlooked by the authors. In part 2, I will focus on Blue Ocean as a systematic approach to gain insight, innovate and create value, and explore some of the useful tools that we can use to visualize our own Blue Ocean, whatever that might be.

Having read the book twice (first time in 2007), read dozens of related articles, and participated in a 2-day BOS workshop, I believe I am entitled to share my honest opinions regarding this approach next. Though, I might be wrong!



RED OCEAN VS BLUE OCEAN STRATEGY

While I kind of like the Blue Ocean idea (Exotically relaxing and hypnotizing!) and most of the BOS visualization tools (explored in Part 2), I kind of find the 'Read Ocean and Blue Ocean Strategy' mambo jumbo (graphic above) and several of the case studies used in the book both misleading and a whole lot of _____ (you guess?)!

The BOS theory has already been around for a few years, and it is NOT short of criticism either, so I am not going to go on a full-blown (reinventing the wheel) shark attack. However, being fair to BOS, it has also rebutted six misconceptions about BOS (PDF) reasonable convincingly.

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

"Dramatic mix of circus arts and street entertainment." - Source

If you read the Blue Ocean Strategy (BOS) book, or listen to any consultant promoting BOS, they will for sure share with you the ultimate BOS example and pride Cirque du Soleil. No doubt the Cirque du Soleil (founder Guy Laliberté) is an inspiring, innovative and breathtaking story, but is it really a Blue Ocean?

First, Guy Laliberté never used BOS as a tool to innovate and create value. So, although it might be a Blue Ocean, it does not prove that the BOS as a theory is practical and implementable. Secondly, BOS like so many other theories often hijack success stories from a few angles (and hide others), and then absorb them into a portfolio of evidence of whatever they are trying to convince or sell.

Let's look a bit closer at the amazing Cirque du Soleil story, and explore whether it is really a Blue Ocean according to the 'Red Ocean vs Blue Ocean' framework:

• Break the Value-cost Trade-off?
  The authors would like you to believe that Cirque du Soleil grew out of the traditional circus act and then reinvented it by eliminating performing animals and star performers (cut cost), and shifted the buyer group from children (end-users of the traditional circus) to adults (purchasers of the traditional circus), drawing upon the distinctive strengths of other alternative industries, such as the theatre, Broadway shows and the opera, to offer a totally new set of utilities to more mature and higher spending customers (Source).
  
  In reality, Guy Laliberté (folk musician, busker and fire breather) never really worked with performing animals or so called star performers, and we could actually argue instead that he reinvented street entertainment by transforming a group of street performers into a "proper circus" (learning the circus act from Guy Caron). He didn't pick up the idea of telling a story from the theatre, but from the Moscow Circus method. His vision was to create a circus with neither a ring nor animals. The rationale was that the lack of both of these things draws the audience more into the performance (Source).
  
  Ironically, the book never mentions this, and the main reason is probably that these revelations would confuse their 'value-cost trade-off' idea. Yes, Cirque du Soleil enhanced the show value and entertainment as they innovated over the years, but it also made the Cirque du Soleil much more costly than most other street entertainment shows (which are often free, but you are encouraged to donate/give a token of appreciation), and that had nearly catastrophic consequences during the first few years. Did you know that Guy Laliberté or his company went nearly bankrupt several times during the first few years, and if it was not for government grants, his never-say-die attitude, connections, and bit of fortune (luck!) this amazing story would have ended in disaster, and this again was never mentioned in the BOS book. The BOS book gives us an impression as if it was a smooth ride to heaven, and that the BOS was the secret to its success. What baloney!
  
  
• Create Uncontested Market Space?
  Seriously, what does this really mean? How do you create an uncontested market space for adult entertainment? Give us a break! Cirque du Soleil explored, innovated, and has developed (after several financial failures) over the years several amazing and unique shows that consists of a theatrical mix of circus arts and street entertainment. You could have 10 other groups use similar Blue Ocean Strategies and they would have failed, unless they had people like Guy Laliberté to make it happen.
  
  The idea of creating an uncontested market space is an illusion, unless we simply define it as an uncontested market space, which is easy as the authors have provided no real measure (like so much else!) to prove this. That probably did not make much sense either, but then again the idea of creating an uncontested market space (perhaps on Mars!) in the 21st century, unless for an extremely short period, is highly unlikely. But, we should never stop dreaming. Anything is possible!
  
  
• Make the Competition Irrelevant?
  Very few companies and products throughout history have made competition irrelevant (e.g. Microsoft Office could be an example, but that cost millions, if not billions of dollars in research and development), and if they have made competition irrelevant, it has only been for short periods. But then again, can competition ever be irrelevant? Even the iPhone (Vs Blackberry Vs Android) has relevant competition, although it has been a tremendous success.
  
  If there is no competition in sight, perhaps the market is not worth embracing anyway. In short, I would argue that there is no harm with contested competition. For example, the iPhone entered a read ocean competitive smart-phone market (which had bad products!), but through its exceptional user experience and iTunes Eco-system it has managed to capture a healthy market share. As for the Cirque du Soleil story, they are not the first acrobatic story show to pop-up. The Chinese dragon show has been around for centuries. Also, Cirque du Soleil will always have relevant competition from other amazing traveling shows and acts (and other forms of adult entertainment!), but as long as their shows are unique, attractive and entertaining, they will amplify their reputation and attract an increasing global demand.
  
  
• Create and Capture New Demand?
  Perhaps on Mars or Pluto (the Moon is more likely)! There is and has always been a demand for new forms of adult entertainment (or ways of being entertained), and Cirque du Soleil has been successful in capturing this universal demand with their amazing shows (not necessarily because of their strategy!).
  
  
• Align the whole system of a firm's activities in pursuit of differentiation and low cost?
  Low cost for whom? The firm? The customer? Both? This idea has confused me until today. When I first read the book, I got the impression that Blue Ocean was about enhancing the customer value and at the same time lowering the product/service cost. But after attending the workshop, and scrutinizing some of the case studies, I get the impression that the lowering cost aspect, refers mostly to the firm, and not necessarily to the customer.
  
  If we go back to the Cirque du Soleil case, we see a pursuit of differentiation and lower implementation cost if we compare to the traditional circus act. But, that is rather misleading, because we could have and perhaps should have compared it to street performances, which it really originated from. And if we did, it would be differentiation, but at a higher cost. Moreover, had Cirque du Soleil used performing animals and star performers, it would have certainly gone bankrupt, because it nearly went bankrupt without them several times. Though, kudos to Cirque du Soleil for hiring over the years many amazing street performers, and providing them a healthy and stable living income beyond what they would have probably got from performing on the streets.
  

WHAT IS YOUR POINT?
Having said all this, we could go BLUE arguing whether Cirque du Soleil is really a Blue Ocean or not. No point wasting any more time on this issue, though please challenge me on all accounts (can always update my post).

Having always been attracted to business improvement books, or books that explore creativity and business value innovations (attracted to the stories rather than the formulas!), I see a common trend and pattern in many of the books I have read, which is the manipulation of past and existing success stories to prove their ideas and frameworks for ultimate success. In other words, they will look through their narrow lenses and highlight what fits their theory, and then hide does aspects that do not fit.

The secret to sustained success lies in the marketing strategy (BOS misses this point)! No, it lies in strong ethical practices (BOS misses this point)! No, the secret to success is strategic execution (RIP)! No, it lies in the strategy itself. BOS claims based on its research that the strategic move, and not the company or the industry, is the right unit of analysis for explaining the creation of blue oceans and sustained high performance...bla, bla (p. 10). They are all right in their own lenses.

Though, I would argue that all of the above mentioned ideas, do not really highlight the real essence of companies that have had sustained success over time, which is exceptional leaders working with amazingly talented people. What would Apple today be without Steve Jobs, or Air Asia without Tony Fernandes?

Exceptional leaders have the ability to visualize (ideas), inspire, empower, and attract talented people to work for them, and as importantly they have the ability to continuously attract the world attention needed (or hire people that can!) to make it a sustained success. So, if you want a real strategy that really works, hire exceptional leaders and talented people with the right attitude (to your needs). Even if you don't have a great strategy, these people will most likely do a better job on strategy development than any consultant, or consultancy firm out there.

You are wrong! Maybe, I am!


PART 2?
Although, I find all the exotic buzz words (that can easily be manipulated) and the Red/Blue ocean framework from BOS a load of ____ (the real Blue Ocean!), they do have some interesting tools we can use to acquire useful insights and help us create value innovations. Your results using these tools might not turn out to be real Blue Oceans according to their immeasurable and exotic framework, but nevertheless the tools are worth a try.

So, what about the Nemo puzzle? That will be explored in part 2 (if I can cook up an answer!), and I will also reveal the ultimate secret to success, which is...

Part 2 - Simplify Blue Ocean & Make Consultants __________!

Part 3 - ZaidLearn's Blue Ocean Strategy for 2011

Forget Photoshop, PowerPoint 2010 Rocks for AHA-G!

BEING ATTACKED! HELP!

First, I must make it clear (once and for all!) that I do not work for Microsoft (or get paid in any way by them!), and I am also NO GREAT SUPPORTER of Microsoft products in general, including Microsoft Office 2010. However, I will admit that I have been using PowerPoint ever since I got into e-learning, and have interestingly never stopped loving it, especially in mashing up graphics (Although, PowerPoint can be frustrating at times).

Secondly, no doubt Photoshop fanatics are going to scream foul and use long-winded scientific methods to illustrate all the things that it can do, which PowerPoint can't do. True! But, most educators are not graphic designers, and want to simply develop cool/relevant graphics to spice up, or enhance their websites (e.g. blog), or presentations quickly (EFFICIENCY)! Also, it takes time to master Photoshop (basics), while in PowerPoint you can learn some amazing stuff within seconds.

Thirdly, Apple fanatics are going to say, "What about Keynote?" Yes, of course Keynote is 10 times better than any other presentation tool on planet Earth! But, unless it is so disruptively good that it gives me genuine reasons for me to convert to Keynote instead, well...FORGET IT!

However, I am always open to change, so you never know. For example, I did use Nokia phones for 10 years, but when the iPhone came along, I said Adios Amigo to Nokia. In terms of mobile learning experience (iPhone Vs. Nokia), it was NO CONTEST! Every time I play with a Nokia phone these days, it makes me wonder... What happened? Hopefully, Nokia wakes up, because Finland kind of depends on it being successful. Anyway, my wife bought a Nokia phone yesterday, so it can't being doing that bad. So, if Keynote can do what iPhone did to Nokia, then why not?

Alright, enough defending... Let's attack!



THANKS, TOM!

First, I would like to thank Tom Kuhlmann for inspiring me to explore PowerPoint as a tool itself to create or mash-up graphics using Clipart (ungroup & group) and images. My first Clipart mash-up in PowerPoint (2007):

Tom Kuhlmann not only inspired me, he also shared my first Clipart mash-up in his post entitled: 3 Sure-Fire Ways to Make Your E-Learning Graphics Sizzle (Great tips, so please read it, too!)

If you notice the image above carefully, you will see my old ZaidLearn header/banner (September, 2007), which was terrible. Anyway, my current blog header is better (I think), and it was developed 95% using PowerPoint (Cropping was done in Microsoft Paint). So, in addition to PowerPoint, I have to admit that I still use Microsoft Paint (cropping) and Notepad (cleaning up hidden PowerPoint/Word/HTML scripts!) a lot, as they empower me to do certain things more efficiently.



THE SPARK!
It was actually Erkki Pung (an awesome designer from Estonia) who kind of sparked me to write this post, as he asked (through e-mail) if I could cook up a short story (for his homepage) about the designing process in e-learning.

That got me thinking, and then I thought, why not write about something that is practical and that basically anyone with the tool in their hand could do, and that got me thinking about how I create graphics for my blog using PowerPoint. Yeah! Why not share my secret graphic design process (oh boy!). As the graphic design process is not overly complex and rather fun, I believe anyone with a few tips can do it.

Besides Photoshop (and PowerPoint) there are tons of other graphic visualization tools that we can use to sizzle photo effects (PhotoFunia), word clouds (Wordle), diagrams (Gliffy), cartoons (ToonDoo), cartoonish animations (GoAnimate & xtranormal), 3D models (Sculptris), etc. In short, we are certainly not limited by choice. Actually, we are overloaded, and many are still clueless (including me!) of all the amazing possibilities we have at our disposal to create attractive, stimulating, and relevant visual learning/thinking triggers, which I call AHA-Graphics or AHA-G (Nothing to do with A-HA...That Norwegian group!).

AHA-G?
When we talk about AHA-G, we are focusing on creating graphics that sparks the reader, or viewer to think about something relevant to what we want to say or write. If the graphic looks out of this world and is attractive is a bonus, but that is not the main objective of an AHA-G. In a way, an AHA-G wants to shock, click, inspire, and make you laugh, all at the same time. If we can shock (emotional engagement), click (Aha, I got it!), inspire (motivate interest), and make you laugh (Haha!)...Now that is a great AHA-G.

To create AHA-Gs, I mostly (92.5%) use PowerPoint, because I still find it the most user-friendly and efficient tool around. Actually, besides using PowerPoint to create cool graphics, animations, and diagrams, you can even trim videos and do some really spectacular things with PowerPoint 2010, which I will illustrate later in this post.

My 5 Favorite AHA-G features in PowerPoint 2010 are:

1. Remove Background
   
2. Artistic Effects
3. Picture Styles
   
4. Picture Effects
   
5. Trim Video (Not exactly an AHA-G effect, but I love it!)
   

If you are lost, let's watch me play around with some of the cool PowerPoint 2010 features:

Oops, I forgot to show you how to create quickly a text bubble, group images (and Clipart), and finally save an AHA-G as a picture (JPG or PNG). This happens when you don't use a script (outline). Anyway, here is part 2, including the missed AHA-G(ems):

Here are some more great examples of using PowerPoint to create graphics that sizzle:

• Create comic book characters in PowerPoint
  
• Create a re-usable animated hand animation
  
• How to easily extend a photo's background for PowerPoint
• Visual surprise and slicing image effects in PowerPoint
• PowerPoint tip to create hand holding cards
• Add an easy photo-corner effect to images
  
• Creating the perspective floor effect in PowerPoint using 3-D Rotation

Click here for even more PowerPoint screencast tutorials.



DESIGN PROCESS
If you are wondering how the AHA-G design process works for me, here is brief description:

• STEP 1 - Visualization
  When I am exploring a topic (upcoming article) in my head, I like to let the story (idea) linger in my head for at least 4-5 days before I begin writing (Something I learned from Einstein, I think!). To support the story, I also try to visualize an AHA-G I would like to include to spark the creative thinking cells even more. The end product always looks very different from what I originally thought, which I find truly exciting and inspiring. It is like Forest Gump's mum famous quote, "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." AHA-Gs should be a visualized fusion of the expected and unexpected. So, if it can shock, click, inspire and even make you laugh , now that is in AHA-G worth spending perhaps 1-2 hours to mash-up. Usually, it takes me around 30 minutes to develop the main AHA-G for each article. Most time is spent finding images and moving them around to reach my AHA-G moment.
  
  
• STEP 2 - Find Images to Mash-up
  So, this is where you are going to break the copyright law...NOT! Personally, I mostly use Clipart, Pictures (from Microsoft), and Google Image search. So, I might be breaking the law quite often frankly, and I might one day be sued by Yoda and Mr. Bean. But, sometimes we need to take risks to inspire people to think (Don't quote me on that!). If you are looking for images to infuse into your AHA-Gs that will not get you into trouble, this post by Tom Kuhlmann has a pretty good collection of free (or cheap) image repositories to pluck from.
  
  
• STEP 3 - Add Text Bubble(s)
  The problem of just mashing-up a bunch of images into an AHA-G, is that readers might miss the point unless your master piece is very direct and clear. To minimize that and amplify your message or point, I like to add one, two or three text bubbles. And you can create some sizzling fonts and bubbles in PowerPoint within seconds (Try doing that in Photoshop!). Interestingly, what I originality wanted to say is sometimes adapted or contextualized to the images discovered, and other times it is the other way around. For example, I might have some idea about a text bubble, but then when I find an awesome image, it might trigger a totally different text bubble, which is kind of cool! So, let the mind do the talking and be flexible, because you never know what pops-up. However, if you feel that text bubbles is not necessary, then skip it.
  
  Anyway, the AHA-G is just the support act, supporting the main event; your article and message. Meaning, sometimes people need to read the whole article to understand why this AHA-G is like that. Aha, now it makes sense. Awesome!
  
  
• STEP 4 - Crop & Save
  When you have finished your AHA-G master piece, it is time to crop (and resize if necessary) it. First, you need to group all the images and Clipart included, and then you right-click and 'Save as Picture' (All can be done in PowerPoint). I like to save it in JPG format, because it becomes light and easy (to view), however if you want it too look more crisp (pixel wise), then you might want to save it in PNG format (size will increase, though!). I used to crop and save it in JPG format using Microsoft Paint, but since you can do all this in PowerPoint, then why bother?
  
  
• STEP 5 - Upload & Review
  Finally, you are ready to upload your AHA-G to your blog or site (unless it is for a presentation), and review how it fits into the big picture. If you feel it is saucy and sizzling, then your AHA-G is done. If not, then edit and upload again until you feel great about it. Sometimes, if your AHA-G turns out to be really offensive religiously, sexually, culturally, racially, etc. then you should rethink and redo. Well, that is what I would do!
  

Finally, we should not think of an AHA-G as necessarily a still image, because it could also be an animation or video, if that is the thinking/learning trigger needed. Perhaps, we should then call it AHA-V(ideo), or something like that :)

Here are some of my favorite AHA-G mash-ups:

Go Online! Go Mobile! Lost in Space!

PLENK2010

Using Twitter to Transform the Classroom!

My Most Satisfying PowerPoint Animation!

RT01- Closed Book Exams Could Even Kill George the Jungle!

Join the #moodlewish Twitter Stream!

Salman Khan Uses Microsoft Paint to Inspire Learning

University Learning = OCW + OER = FREE!

Any Free Hosted CMS or LMS? (Yes, Obama Says!)

Alright, any average graphic designer would think all this is crap, and that Photoshop is a 100 times better than PowerPoint 2010. However, if you just want to create some sizzling AHA-Gs efficiently, PowerPoint 2010 is pretty good. For the record, 9 out of 10 AHA-Gs above were created with PowerPoint 2007.

Yes, I have to admit that I used to use Photoshop to remove backgrounds from images, but in PowerPoint 2010 you have finally got that awesome feature called 'Remove Background' (big button). Now, I can convert completely and ditch Photoshop for good. This means shorter learning curve, less clicks, quicker output, and more AHA-G moments. I arrest my case!

That's it! Of course it is not the whole story, but at least you got a glimpse on how I create AHA-Gs, and that I am taking sabbatical leave from Photoshop until I am convinced otherwise :)

#icel5 Learning Stream, Here I Come! Who Cares!

WHAT?

I will be attending the 5th International Conference on e-Learning (ICEL 2010) at the Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia, 12-13 July 2010. No, I won't be presenting any paper or Keynote (I wish!!!), but instead I will be sharing my discoveries, reflections, and ideas during these two, hopefully explosively enriching, inspiring and encapsulating learning days.



HOW?
Last year, I attended an interesting e-learning conference, and used Twitter to capture my learning notes. It was an awesome and valuable learning experience! Not only did Twitter capture my learning notes, it also enabled me to spiral off to spontaneous and enriching learning conversations with others out there in the Twitter world.

So, I will hopefully be doing the same tweet thing this time around, too. But, wait a minute! Let's make it a bit more interesting...and create a Twitter hashtag for the whole conference (unofficial one!) and invite others to join this intelligent collaborative and connective learning sharing stream. What do you think?

Anyway, whatever you think, I will be learning away using the #icel5 hashtag during this conference.

If you are confused on how to use or follow the #icel5 hashtag, please watch this video tutorial:

Tools mentioned in the video tutorial:

• Twitter
• Monitter

PLEASE JOIN!
So, if you are there, and going to Twitter your own little twitter learning stream, let's join forces and have some fun with #icel5. Think about it for a second (or a minute)! Imagine, everyone out there (whoever that may be) interested to discover and learn something from this conference, can enjoy at least one inspiring #icel5 learning sharing stream contributed by you and me. I am 99% confirmed, but are you?

IF YOU ARE THERE, PLEASE JOIN... #icel5 ...

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PART II - #ICEL5 RESULTS & FINDINGS

iTunes U Services For ALL! Join the #itunesuwish...

Join the #itunesuwish twitter stream for change!

WHAT?

"...iTunes U is a free service available to qualifying two- and four-year accredited, degree-granting, public or private colleges and universities in the United States, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom. Universities and Colleges must enter into an iTunes U Service Agreement before being eligible to use the iTunes U service. Apple reserves the right to determine eligibility. (Source)"



WHAT ABOUT US?

Yes, the rest of the world!!!! Do, I need to mention another 175 countries. Why should applying for iTunes U services be discriminated based on country. It is simply insulting!!!! I took it with a pinch of insult in 2009 (explored possibilities), and hoped that eventually iTunes would open up their free services to Universities beyond those 21 countries, but until today (June 2010), nothing seem to have changed (please correct me, if I am wrong!).

But let's be positive! We are talking about iTunes U and the legend Steve Jobs here, so let's hope they will change for the better, and really carry out the democratization of expertise and learning beyond this little world of 21.

Stephen Downes, thanks for sharing...

#itunesuwish

To help them realize our frustration and learning needs (to share, too!), let's spread our wishes using social media (Blogs, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc.) to change iTunes U insulting application requirements based on country. Perhaps our crowd intelligence and initiative can speed up the process for enabling...

iTunes U services FREE for ALL!

Let's make a difference, join the #itunesuwish for change :)


Latest News

• 06/16/2010 - iTunes U Distribution Limited (Open Education News)
• 06/14/2010 - iTunes U Services For ALL! Join the #itunesuwish... (OLDaily, Stephen Downes)