Truth be told, I never was a big fan of Apple products. Oh sure, through courtship and then marriage I inherited a Mac Classic II as well as a Power PC, but for whatever reason, I never found myself 100% enthralled with its UI, feel, etc. Maybe it was Clarisworks. Most likely it was the Microsoft machine. But, over the past several years, my personal opinion of Apple has changed with the introduction of iPods, iPhones and iPads into our household. (we’re not quite there yet with a MacBook, but it looks to be inevitable) Through this evolution, I’ve begun to acquire an appreciation for the psyche of Apple users. Plenty has been written about the cult following of their brand and products, but I’m
social Archive
Like you, I have followed with horror the events unfolding in Northern Japan, near the East Coast of Honshu, as a result of the 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami. To the thousands of individuals affected, you have my deepest sympathies, my unwavering hopes for a full recovery, and my sincere support. (however small it may be) I myself live in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (with three wee ones) and know all too well that what happened in Japan could easily happen in my own backyard. In fact, over three hundred years ago, the M9 Cascadia Megathrust Earthquake of January 26, 1700 did just that. As Japan begins the long process of rebuilding, I took a moment to stop and reflect. Not only taking the time
In the February edition of CLO Magazine, I had the opportunity to write an editorial entitled “Time’s Up – Learning Will Forever Be Part Formal, Part Informal and Part Social”. Suffice to say I’ve caused a bit of a stir in the Kirkpatrick camp. Specifically, I received an email from Wendy Kirkpatrick, Manager of Kirkpatrick Partners. It’s evident she took umbrage with the editorial. You compared the model to a cockroach. I found this both unprofessional and offensive. Comparing the Kirkpatrick Four Levels model to the cockroach was actually a compliment. Why is it that the cockroach can’t shake its bad reputation? Surviving 350 million years should be thought of as positive, and for the Kirkpatrick’s, the model has filled similar boots. It wasn’t unprofessional
Originally posted to Chief Learning Officer Magazine, February 2011 Edition. Reprinted here with permission. (original link here) By Dan Pontefract The magnetic vortex known as the Four Levels of Evaluation, utilized pervasively and at times blindly within the learning industry, has run its course and is in need of an update, if not a replacement. Since 1959, over 50 years ago, learning professionals en masse and across the planet have employed the Kirkpatrick Model as the sole basis of evaluation. There have been challengers and pretenders, but the juggernaut framework known for the stages of Reaction, Learning, Behaviour and Results has remained steadfast through the years. The problem? Like the cockroach at 350 million years old, the Four Levels of Evaluation model has stood the test of