The Sisyphus Comments

Adult Learning – Quick Tip #5

February 12, 2007 – 18:47 pm

This is the fifth (and final) segment in a series of Quick Tips covering a wide range of adult learning principles. So if you are an inexperienced instructor, you may want to read these tips carefully and think about how you can incorporate them into your curriculum. If you are an experienced instructor, you may find yourself thinking “Oh, I forgot about that.” Of course, if you are a really experienced instructor . . . well, they are short tips so it will only take a minute or so to read them. Well let’s get started.

Unlike young children, adults come to the classroom with a large amount of intellectual baggage. They already possess huge quantities of knowledge and new knowledge has to be integrated with this previous knowledge. This requires the instructor to utilize learning methodologies that permit students to actively participate in the learning experience. If the proper methodology is utilized, both the instructor and the student can benefit from the classroom interaction. The adult learner will benefit by receiving confirming feedback on skills practice from the instructor. The instructor will benefit from the learners’ feedback about the curriculum and his in-class performance.

The key to success for an instructor is classroom management and control. The instructor must balance the presentation of new material, discussions that may end up following unrelated “rabbit trails”, sharing of relevant student experiences, and the clock. Some experts contend that instructors are best able to establish control when they conduct their classes in a manner where they may risk giving it up. The theory is that when instructors set aside their egos and accept the challenge to traditional plans and methods, they can step out of their “instructor” role and move toward the type of facilitative control that needed for effective adult learning.

The instructor’s facilitative role includes protecting minority opinions and keeping disagreements civil. In addition, the instructor must recognize and make connections between various opinions and ideas. The goal here is to the keep the sharing of ideas open and to remind the group that problems often have a variety of potential solutions. In addition to “refereeing” these ongoing debates, the instructor must be constantly alert for opportunities to integrate new knowledge and skills.

If you have found this mini training series on adult learning theory to be useful in your effort to improve your instructional skills, please take a moment to click on the Comments link below to let me know. If there is a demand for this type of course, I will consider developing additional courses in the future.

Check Out Adult Learning: Quick Tip #1
Check Out Adult Learning: Quick Tip #2
Check Out Adult Learning: Quick Tip #3
Check Out Adult Learning: Quick Tip #4

Posted in Instructor | 1 Comment »

Help Planning Your Next Vacation

February 11, 2007 – 9:12 am

I promised my wife that I would take her on a vacation to Europe this year for our 25th anniversary. I am sure that we will have a great time and walk away from the experience with memories that will last a lifetime. On the flip side, we will also have to contend with airport security and a variety of other inconveniences that come with foreign travel.

I tried to convince her to take the same amount of time and travel throughout the United States but she wouldn’t go for it. I think that we live in the greatest county on earth and most of us will never take the time to see the many wonders that we have right here in our own country.

If you agree but you could use a little help planning your U.S. vacation, I have a great website for you. Just visit SeeAmerica.org to plan your vacation. All you have to do is pick a state to learn more about the many attractions that are available there. I would venture a guess that you will find attractions in your home state that you didn’t know were there or about which you had forgotten.

Summer will be here before you know it so start planning your next vacation now.  By the way there is no passpost required!

CLICK HERE:

www.seeamerica.org

Posted in Useful Websites | No Comments »

Adult Learning: Quick Tip #4

February 10, 2007 – 5:25 am

This is the fourth segment in a series of Quick Tips covering a wide range of adult learning principles. So if you are an inexperienced instructor, you may want to read these tips carefully and think about how you can incorporate them into your curriculum. If you are an experienced instructor, you may find yourself thinking “Oh, I forgot about that.” Of course, if you are a really experienced instructor . . . well, they are short tips so it will only take a minute or so to read them. Well let’s get started.

There is an old adage amoung instructors that sums up the physical limitations of adult learners, “The mind will only absorb what the butt can endure.” This is a cute way of saying that the learning environment for adult learners must be both physically and psychologically comfortable. Remember, you are training the products of the television generation. Long lectures and periods of interminable sitting without a “commercial break” simply doesn’t cut it. In addition, adults also enjoy the opportunity to practice new skills.

From a psychological perspective, adults have something real to lose in a classroom situation. Their self-esteem and ego are on the line when they are asked to risk trying a new behavior in front of their peers. Adults may also be bringing in baggage to the classroom from their previous educational experiences and a variety of issues may impact the in-class experience of adult learners. For instance, they may have struggled in a traditional education environment or they may carry animosity about authority. Something as simple as a preoccupation with life events outside the classroom can interfere with the learning experience.

Instructors should also keep in mind that adults have expectations when they attend training and it is critical to take time early on to clarify and articulate all expectations before getting into content. The instructor can assume responsibility only for his or her own expectations, not for those of students.

Of course, adults bring a great deal of life experience into the classroom. Adult students can be an invaluable asset if they are acknowledged, tapped and used. There is much knowledge to be gained through a dialogue with their respected peers. Instructors can help facilitate this exchange of idea by concentrating on the use of open-ended questions to draw out relevant student knowledge and experience.

Check Out Adult Learning: Quick Tip #1
Check Out Adult Learning: Quick Tip #2
Check Out Adult Learning: Quick Tip #3
Check Out Adult Learning: Quick Tip #5

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CanadaCops.com – Policing With An International Flavor

February 9, 2007 – 10:34 am

Those of you who are regular CopCAST listeners know that my co-host, Mack Pettigrew, is a sergeant with the Ontario Provincial Police.

Mack has been working really hard to build a new website call CanadaCops.com. In addition to having some really interesting content about our neighbors from the north, Mack has also started a blog. He has some great opinion and information articles on the blog already and he adds to it regularly. Take a moment to visit both the website and the blog to get a feel for policing Canadian style.

Posted in Useful Websites | No Comments »

Adult Learning: Quick Tip #3

February 7, 2007 – 18:27 pm

This is the third segment in a series of Quick Tips covering a wide range of adult learning principles. So if you are an inexperienced instructor, you may want to read these tips carefully and think about how you can incorporate them into your curriculum. If you are an experienced instructor, you may find yourself thinking “Oh, I forgot about that.”  Of course, if you are a really experienced instructor . . . well, they are short tips so it will only take a minute or so to read them. Well let’s get started.

Adults tend to come into training programs expecting to be treated like children and prepared to allow the instructor to take responsibility for their learning. However, when adults discover that they are capable of self-direction in their learning, as they are in their other life activities, they often experience a remarkable increase in their motivation to learn.

Many adults prefer self-directed and self-designed learning projects over group-learning experiences led by a professional. Given the opportunity to choose, adults will normally select more than one medium for learning and they also prefer to control the pace and the start/stop time of their training experience. This is consistent with the fact that most adult learners are trying to balance an number of obligations in addition to their learning goals. Obviously, this makes CD-ROM and on-line training sytems excellent options for adult learners. Additionally, other nonhuman media such as books, programmed instruction and television have become popular with adults.

As you will recall from Quick #1, adults tend to prefer single concept, single-theory courses that focus heavily on the application of a concept that is relevant to problems that they are facing. So, regardless of media, straightforward how-to instruction is the preferred content orientation. Adults are highly motivated to learn because they see the value of learning in terms of advancement, salary, success in the workplace and in life. Adults cite a need for application and how-to information as the primary motivation for beginning a learning project.

Of course, self-direction does not necessarily mean isolation. Studies of self-directed learning indicate that self-directed projects involve an average of 10 other people as resources, facilitators, coaches and so forth. But even for the self-professed, self-directed learner, lectures and short seminars get positive ratings, especially when these events give the learner face-to-face, one-to-one access to an expert. Again, this type of experience tends to accelerate the learning process and help the adult learner get on the fast track to accomplishing his learning goals.

Check Out Adult Learning: Quick Tip #1
Check Out Adult Learning: Quick Tip #2
Check Out Adult Learning: Quick Tip #4
Check Out Adult Learning: Quick Tip #5

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Cell Phone Gun Demo

February 5, 2007 – 20:23 pm

This is a short video demonstration of a four shot cell phone gun. The video speaks for itself but make sure that you inspect electronic devices like cell phones, pagers, etc. to make sure they are what they appear to be.

Cell Phone Gun Video

Posted in Entry Level, General Interest, In-service | No Comments »

Adult Learning: Quick Tip #2

February 5, 2007 – 18:44 pm

This is the second segment in a series of Quick Tips covering a wide range of adult learning principles. So if you are an inexperienced instructor, you may want to read these tips carefully and think about how you can incorporate them into your curriculum. If you are an experienced instructor, you may find yourself thinking “Oh, I forgot about that.” Of course, if you are a really experienced instructor . . . well, they are short tips so it will only take a minute or so to read them. Well let’s get started.

Studies have shown that, on average, the ability to learn does not decrease significantly until around age 70. However, many adults do experience some difficulty with the skills that enhance their ability to learn. In other words, their study skills may be a little rusty and they may perform certain psychomotor activities (typing, hand-eye coordination activities, etc.) a little slower than their younger counterparts. However, adults tend to compensate for being slower in some psychomotor learning tasks by being more accurate thus reducing the number of trial-and-error attempts that are required to successfully complete a task.

Instructors should also keep in mind that adults tend to take errors personally and are more likely to let them affect self-esteem. A pat on the back and a word of encouragement will go a long way with an adult learner who is struggling with a new skill. You may also have to push the adult learner to take risks since they tend to apply tried-and-true solutions in order to avoid the embarrassment of making an error.

Things also get even more risky when you are conducting values-based training courses such as cultural diversity. It is very important that the curriculum designer know whether the concepts or ideas that are going to be presented will be in concert or in conflict with the learner.

This is not to say that some instruction might not be intentionally designed to be in conflict with the learner in order to effect change in belief and value systems. Programs simply need to be designed to accept viewpoints from people in different life stages and with different value “sets.” However, concepts that challenge students’ value systems needs to be “anchored” or explained from more than one value set and appeal to more than one developmental life stage. Here again, if an instructor chooses to “jump into the deep end of the pool” and conduct values-based training that challenges the students’ belief systems, he better be prepared for a spirited discussion.

Check Out Adult Learning: Quick Tip #1
Check Out Adult Learning: Quick Tip #3
Check Out Adult Learning: Quick Tip #4
Check Out Adult Learning: Quick Tip #5

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Trusted First Aid Information

February 4, 2007 – 22:59 pm

I know it is a little early to be concerned about tick bites but I wanted to post the following information as an example of the type of information you can find at this website.

Some ticks transmit bacteria that cause illnesses such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Your risk of contracting one of these diseases depends on what part of the United States you live in, how much time you spend in wooded areas and how well you protect yourself.

If you’ve received a tick bite:

1. move the tick promptly and carefully. Use tweezers to grasp the tick near its head or mouth and pull gently to remove the whole tick without crushing it.
2. If possible, seal the tick in a jar and keep it for a week or two. Your doctor may want to see the tick if you develop symptoms of illness after a tick bite.
3. Use soap and water to wash your hands and the area around the tick bite after handling the tick.
4. Call your doctor if you aren’t able to completely remove the tick.

See your doctor if you develop:

• A rash
• A fever
• Muscle aches
• Joint pain and inflammation
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Flu-like symptoms

If possible, bring the tick with you to your doctor’s appointment.

Call 911 or your local emergency number if you develop:

• A severe headache
• Difficulty breathing
• Paralysis
• Chest pain or heart palpitations

If you find this type of information useful, visit the Mayo Clinic’s First Aid Guide. This is a fantastic site with great information from a trusted organization. Take a few minutes to look around the site and don’t forget to bookmark it so that you can find it quickly when you need it.

CLICK HERE:

MayoClinic.com

Posted in General Interest | No Comments »

Makes a Father Proud

February 4, 2007 – 15:33 pm

After five years of dedicated study at the University of Virginia and tens of thousands of dollars, any father would be proud to have his son appear on a nationally televisioned basketball game. My son and his friends were really excited about attending the UVA – Duke game. The one on the left with the orange hair holding up the sign is my son.

Posted in General Interest | 2 Comments »

Adult Learning: Quick Tip #1

February 3, 2007 – 14:40 pm

This is the first segment in a series of Quick Tips covering a wide range of adult learning principles. So if you are an inexperienced instructor, you may want to read these tips carefully and think about how you can incorporate them into your curriculum. If you are an experienced instructor, you may find yourself thinking “Oh, I forgot about that.” Of course, if you are a really experienced instructor . . . well, they are short tips so it will only take a minute or so to read them. Well let’s get started.

Adult students can be a challenge in the classroom. Adult learners tend to be less interested in, and as such less enthusiastic, about survey-style courses. They tend to prefer single concept, single-theory courses that focus heavily on the application of a concept that is relevant to problems that they are facing. In fact, this tendency increases with with older students. The good news is that most criminal justice training is very subject focused and specific.

Curriculum designers should keep in mind that adults need to be able to integrate new ideas with what they already know if they are going to retain – and use – the new information. Instructors should strive to integrate student experiences into the presentation. Keep in mind that if you present information that conflicts sharply with what your students already hold to be true, and thus cause them to re-evaluate the old material, they will integrate the new material more slowly. In addition, information that has little “conceptual overlap” with what they already know will also be acquired a little more slowly.

In addition, although the current educational trend is to actively involve your students in the learning process, instructors should proceed cautiously. Fast-paced, complex or unusual learning tasks can actually interfere with the learning of the concepts or data you intended to teach or illustrate, particularly with older students. The lesson is here is clear. As any politician will tell you, it is very important to know your audience.

Check Out Adult Learning: Quick Tip #2
Check Out Adult Learning: Quick Tip #3
Check Out Adult Learning: Quick Tip #4
Check Out Adult Learning: Quick Tip #5

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Blocking Spam On Your WordPress Blog

February 3, 2007 – 11:41 am

I know this article is a little like “inside baseball” for many of my readers since most of you probably do not maintain your own blog. I have been blogging for quite some time now and I usually don’t have a problem expressing my opinion or coming up with new ideas for blog articles. In fact, since The Sisyphus Comments is just a compilation of things that interest me, blogging is pretty easy for me.

However, the one thing with which I really do have a problem is spam. That’s right, blog administrators also have to deal with spammers. The problem is basically the same as the problem you experience in your e-mail inbox except ours comes in the form of comment or trackback spam. I actually had to migrate to a new blogging program because the spam became unmanageable on my old software program. Fortunately, I chose WordPress for my new program and they have a very active support community that constantly battles the spammers. I use WordPress for both The Sisyphus Comments and the CopCAST sites.

If you are using WordPress, there are three critical plugins that you need in order to control the amount of spam that you receive. The first plugin is Automatic Kismet, or Akismet for short, ships as part of your initial WordPress installation. All you have to do is go into the plugins section of the administrator controls and activate it.

Akismet is a collaborative effort to make comment and trackback spam a non-issue. When a new comment, trackback, or pingback comes to your blog it is submitted to the Akismet web service which runs hundreds of tests on the comment and they either approve or disapprove the message

When the plugin catches something as spam it saves it in the database for 15 days in case you want to check it out manually and then automattically deletes it. In the unlikely event something gets incorrectly identified as spam you can correct it and it submits the “false positive” back to Akismet for analysis and improvement of our system. If a spam comment happens to get through and you mark it as spam within WordPress, it does the same thing. Akismet becomes more effective the more you use it.

The second critical plugin is the Math Comment Spam Protection Plugin for WordPress (versions 1.5.2, 2.0.x and 2.1). This plugin asks the visitor making the comment to answer a simple math question. This is intended to prove that the visitor is a human being and not a spam robot.

This plugin does not require JavaScript or cookies. It uses a special encryption function; the result of the question is being passed via a hidden field. The result is being compared with the value entered by the visitor – after encrypring this value as well.

The final plugin in our WordPress anti-spam protection triad is the Simple Trackback Validation Plugin for WordPress (versions 2.0.x and 2.1). This plugin performs a simple but very effective test on all incoming trackbacks in order to stop trackback spam.

When a trackback is received, the plugin retrieves the web page located at the URL included in the trackback. If the page contains a link to your blog, the trackback is approved. But if the page does not link to your blog, the trackback is placed into the comment moderation queue (or optionally marked as spam).

Since most trackback spammers do not set up custom web pages linking to the weblogs they attack, this simple test will quickly reveal illegitimate trackbacks. Also, bloggers can be stopped abusing trackback by sending trackbacks with their blog software or webservices without having a link to the post.

Posted in Computer Advice | No Comments »

More Money Mangement Tips

February 2, 2007 – 10:42 am

There is something about the impending date of April 15th that tends to get people thinking about their money. If you could use a little help deciding how to manage your money, why not turn to the government. They sure don’t mind managing your money – just look at your pay stub.

All kidding aside, check out MyMoney.gov for some great money management tips about investing and saving your money.

There is a lot of information on the site so if you don’t know where to start, try taking the financial quiz. It will help you decide where to start.

CLICK HERE:

www.mymoney.gov

Posted in Useful Websites | No Comments »

Phil Says Spring Is Just Around The Corner

February 2, 2007 – 9:20 am

Everyone has their favorite days of the year. Since I grew up in Pennsylvania, my favorite days include Super Bowl Sunday (since the Steelers were usually playing in the game) and February 2, Groundhog Day. Usually, by this time of year, winter was beginning to wear a little thin and we were anxious to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Everyone gathered around the television on Groundhog Day, the one day of the year that we hoped the sun wouldn’t shine so Punxsutawney Phil wouldn’t see his shadow. As the legend has it, if Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter.

If you don’t know about the legend of Punxsutawney Phil and his predictions, visit the official site of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. You can see Phil’s prediction if you are lucky enough to get through to the site today. However, since you are a reader of The Sisyphus Comments, and as you know we always have the scoop – let me be the first to say no sunshine in PA today!

CLICK HERE:

www.groundhog.org

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Georgia Police Shoot Out

January 27, 2007 – 14:33 pm

This video vividly demonstrates the dangers of relaxing too soon during any situation. An incorrect assumption about the bad guys nearly costs two officers their lives.

CLICK HERE:

Georgia Police Shooting

Posted in Entry Level, In-service | No Comments »