What makes Christmas for you?

Merry Christmas from New Zealand! This year it was hot and humid.  Definitely no snow except the white stuff visible high on the peaks of the alps as we flew in on Christmas eve.  No mistletoe, no chestnuts, no open fires, no sleighs or sleigh bells or snowmen.

There was a tree, lights, roast turkey, Christmas pudding and presents under the tree.  There were carols at a midnight church service with candles and a nativity scene.  And most memorable of all there was family; grandparents, uncles, aunties and cousins. 

Christmas with family is an uncommon pleasure for us.  Like many expats we have often been far from family at Christmas. 

Click to read more ...

Distance Learning - the parent of e-learning

I recently took part in a webinar on e-learning strategies with Gihan Perera. He helps business leaders with their e-marketing and e-learning strategies and is the author of my favourite resources in this area.  Gihan drew an analogy between e-learning and distance learning, something that has been happening in Australia for decades.  Suddenly all my own experiences of distance education came flooding back.  

These included the joys and frustrations of combining the role of mum and teacher; of opening assignments and writing reports to a school system thousands of miles away.  Those memories helped me look with fresh eyes at the learning systems I am building to support expats as their organisations move them around the globe.  

The things I valued most in distance education are the things I want to build into my e-learning systems.

Many of you know that in the mid 90s, I moved with my husband and young family to Hefei in Anhui province in China.

Click to read more ...