WikiEducator

I've just finished a WikiEducator basic training coure. If you've never heard of WikiEducator - it is a system where educators all over the world can collaborate on the development of open educational resources. There are tens of thousands of people involved and the resources can be shared and used by anone. I've achieved Wiki Apprentice Level 2 and I'm hoping to get Level 1 when our facilitator takes a final look at my wiki page.

You can see it here... http://www.wikieducator.org/User:Alisonmead

It still needs a lot of work - but of course, I'm just a beginner!!

It's a good course (and ANYONE can do it) so I do recommend you try if, like me, you need to have wiki demystified. Go to www.wikieducator.org to find out more

I have just learned the basic skills and now I need to start using them - or losing them - if I am really going to 'know' how to use a wiki. Now, where am I ging to find time for that?

credit where it's due

Tom was in Vancouver this week ... en route to his new job in Mexico ... and we failed to meet up - very sad.

I'm thinking of Lesley and remembering my birthday party in Francistown which was arranged by dear Danielle. So here's a photo of Les, Dan & I at said event and yes, we are stuffing our faces with the most gorgeous chocolate cake made by Sally. We are actually dining on Sally's stoep - and she cooked the whole meal ... fabulous chef that she is. I seem to remember that I might have had one too many glasses of Veuve Clicquot that night!

Here's to friends...

I can't believe ...

... it has been so long since I last wrote on this blog ... and I have so much to tell you all that I don't know where to start!

I think I need to approach this in a more systematic way but here are the (very) edited highlights ...
* furniture arrived in Vancouver while I was in Solomons - John was not happy!
* mad panic when I got back to get unpacked and clear the guest room in time for Christmas
* Laurence & Aleisha came for Christmas - loads to share with you there
* we've taken up ice-skating!
* have been on snowy mountain walks
* we miss Sid and George - who are happy and healthy and still living in Francistown
* we miss our friends from Francistown - but at least Danielle and Tom are in Canada
* work at Commonwealth of Learning is exciting, challenging and frantic!
* Rwanda was accepted into the Commonwealth - yay!

Lowlights
All other news pales into insignificance against the news we received at the beginning of January that our friend Lesley had finally succumbed to the brain tumour which was diagnosed last year. Very sad for everyone who knows this remarkable family. Our love and thoughts go to Guy, Tess and Maggie - and we will always remember Les as the vibrant, funny, thoughtful, lovely person that she was. This is my favourite photo - taken of Les and I on my birthday.