The team at Slideshare have developed the Slidecast. Huh?! What’s that you ask? Quite simply, a Slidecast is an online Slideshow with voice-over. Here’s a picture … How can Slidecasts be useful? First, I intend to use Slidecasts in my work as a facilitator. Slidecasts will help to make the magical ‘transition‘ from workshop-land to the real-world. In other words, Slidecasts created in workshops will assist my clients to more clearly communicate (and remember) the ‘essence’ of workshop decisions.  Second, we know that Spoken Words (like a story) supported by Visual Images help us to learn better. Our brain is …

Thanks to my sister (Janette Derrick), I discovered the remarkable artistic work of Chris Jordon. I regularly use Chris’ provacative images when facilitating behaviour change workshops. I use these visual images to tap into participant’s emotions and to shine a light on the ludicrous excesses of our modern lifestyle.  Note: It is also important to shift the conversation away from the problem once the images have been presented. I use an approach called Solutions Focus and switch from problems to the benefits (as if the problems were solved) … then future perfect (the ideal future scenario) … then small steps/actions …

As facilitators, we know how powerful a group discussion on ‘assumptions’ can be. In my experience, it helps groups/people to understand each other’s perspectives … and move through Sam Kaner’s “Groan Zone”. I like to shine a light on assumptions with an activity that is both fun and active. I use ‘Activity IX’ when groups begin to struggle … fall asleep … or when it simply ‘feels right’ to throw out there. By the way, it always works and the subsequent group discussion is entirely unpredictable … so ‘let go’ of where you think it might end up. Here it is … Activity IX …

This 4 minute TED talk by Alisia Miller shines another light on the power of Web 2.0 (incl. Blogs and social networks). If you want to know what is really happening in the world … go beyond the industrialized media systems. This may also be true for education and learning. Alisia also communicates her ‘core message’ via the Visual pathway … far more powerful than words and bullet points. Geoff