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Visual Thinking

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Today over @ the blog Presentation Zen, there was a link to Jamie Oliver, whose antics I have followed for some time.  To say Jamie Oliver, chef and slight comedian- is active is a gross understatement, but that’s a whole other post.

Jamie is on a new campaign….fighting obesity-something near and dear to my own heart-as I have relatives who are obese.

I bring this subject up for 2 reasons:

  • First, it’s SO extremely important…as is the whole food system in America. And as Jamie expresses, education is key!
  • Secondly, Jamie uses some visual thinking strategies [and techniques] in his TED Video Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution. Watch for his chart and wheelbarrow demonstration……you won’t be able to get these facts out of your brain.
  • Third, for the love of your children, nieces, nephews, neighbors, your own future, click yourself over to Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution and sign the petition. If for no one else, sign the petition so those poor West Virginia children, in Jamie’s video, may one day be educated enough to be able to identify simple, basic vegetables.

The wish

“I wish for your help to create a strong, sustainable movement to educate every child about food, inspire families to cook again and empower people everywhere to fight obesity.” — Jamie Oliver

PodCamp Western Mass

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Last weekend, I  attended the second annual Podcamp Western Mass. If you ever have an opportunity to attend Podcamp, the New Media Community UnConference, they are held all over, I highly recommend.  Roughly, they are people coming together and within a loose skeleton of sessions, a conference emerges covering all topics dealing with New Media.

In 2007, I traveled to Boston to attend Podcamp and late, last year to NYC to WordPress Camp-which is similar in feel yet has more structured sessions all focused on WordPress. I always walk away with my head spinning with ideas, new contacts and loads of concepts and links to research.

At Podcamp a small group of us discussed the applications of mlearning [mobile learning] and how it impacts all areas of content creation and delivery.  One of the more interesting items discussed were QR Codes. I first heard of these back in 2007 and sort of been watching how they are evolving.  To get a basic overview, of QR Codes, check Wikipedia Quick Response Codes.

Second Stop: Trent Watching- which has been a long-time favorite of mine!
Infolust appears to be along article, stay with it…it is light reading loaded lots of great trend information. Well worth the time, as this article goes into the global use of QR Codes.  Realllllly interesting.

Now, if you are still wanting to know more about QR Codes, head over to my Lab Notes Wiki and read much more!

Sunday, Sunday

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I have always dis-liked Sundays. Ever since my younger days when Sundays meant: homework day and a day usually devote of my friends [as they were doing family activities].

Often times, my mother would declare Sunday afternoons as ‘Educational Drives’. She’d pack a picnic, we’d all jump in the car and drive someplace. It was a great way to explore the area, get some family time and a picnic all in the same afternoon.

Recently, in order to attempt to get over my Sunday Symptoms I have instituted Sunday’s as a day to putz. Putzing actually has many benefits: losing oneself in their activities and allowing one’s mind to wander. I highly recommend this-if even for a few hours…..maybe even pack a picnic!