• Landing at Plymouth Rock
• Exploring the Americas
• Sailing around the world
• Orville and Wilbur who?
• San Francisco crumbles
• The Windy City and a famous cow
• OK, where did that crack come from?

Each of these tag lines suggest that something BIG has happened. Something did happen. There are lots of details to uncover - and as a Historian, it’s your job to find em and share them with the rest of the world.

Your assignment is to pick one of the tag lines, that you think you know NOTHING about and start collecting information. You can google the entire tag line and will find enough to get started. You have to a) write down your sources; and b) write a 2-3 page story explaining the details of the historic event.

You can listen and comment on the microlecture at VOXOPOP

Three or four months without a posting? That is pretty long for me, but since podcasting and blogging isn’t my life - I have to forgive myself for slacking off. Much has happened during this hiatus. First, I gave in to the temptation to get a smartphone (T-Mobile Dash) and unlimited data package. I am glad that I did, this allows me to have wireless and internet access everywhere I go (as long as there is T-Mobile service, usually near a Starbucks). I also got my version of CS4 Master Suite installed and am loving the complete integration, especially the Contribute plug-in to IE and Firefox. Add to this, coordinating the conversion from WebCT 4.1 to ANGEL Learning 7.3 and you should realize that I have been  a busy camper. The real topic though is American Hisyory and the latest developments in the social and political arena.

Here is the manuscript for the podcast.

Are you ready for an American History kburst?

In the course of human events, it becomes necessary to support social movements and democratic decisions because it is these that define us as a free people. Accept this as fact - in a free society, no single ideology can govern every decision. What makes this nation powerful are our choices. Add to our choices a collective voice and majority rule, and you see that FREEDOM is a reality not just a catchword to ease our fears of monarchy or oligarchy.

• 13th Amendment (1865)
• 14th Amendment (1868)
• Voting Rights Act (1965)
• Pre-Clearance
• Gerrymandering
• Multilingual Balloting
• Suffrage movement
• Fundamental right to vote

I am proud to defend the rights of my countrymen to exercise their freedom of speech and action. I am proud that no single voice is more valuable than another. In this recent election, I am proud that many people, from all communities, were empowered and energized by renewed hope that their voice would be heard and the otherwise thought impossible would become reality. In the year 2008, history will reflect a renewed interest in those values that have sustained us - not “hope” but “CHOICE”!

In order to further illustrate how micro-lectures (kbursts) are the direct result of critical content, I decided to take a previous podcast (Acting 101 - The Musical Theater) and create two different mind maps. The first map was ONLY the content that I would use in my lecture. The second map included those details that I would elaborate on to teach the topics in more details - consider these sub-topics.

In the linked PDF file [ click here - acrobat reader 9 is required to view/play/print ] you can see how main topics would be expanded to provide clarity “for the learner” … however, these are not provided in the micro-lecture. These sub-topics could simply be identified in a worksheet for the learner to begin gathering the target information.

Those items that are in “yellow” represent the extended topics that could be elaborated on during the classic lecture or become the focus of self-study for the learner. Studies in the use of mind mapping has shown that learners rarely ever pick the exact same items for their maps. This tendency could be exploited and promoted as the uniquely creative experience of every learner. While this does not encourage “group concept building” initially, it does improve the sharing of “collective ideas” after the indvidual learners have completed their assignments.

Better yet, by creating a visual map for the learner it is likely that they then would add even greater detail - additional sub-topics that were NOT included in the exptended map iteration.

Although there are many good mind mapping software applications available, I prefer to use Mindjet’s MindManager Pro. To promote this strategy with younger learners you could also use images and symbols instead of words. Actually, the use of images and symbols is appropriate for ALL learners, regardless of age.

Here is the manuscript for this podcast.

Are you ready for a Practical Theology kburst?

We are surrounded by a perpetual paradox. Great wealth coexists with widespread poverty. There is both knowledge and ignorance. But what really grieves me is that there can be so much indifference in the world and so little compassion.

• The Good Samaritan (Lk 10:25-37)
• The Widow’s Mite (Mk 12:38-44)
• Joseph of Arimathea (Jn 19:30)
• the loaves and fishes (Mt 14:13-21)

Examples of selfless acts more than illustrate the kingdom of heaven, they define its most noteworthy characteristic. Without compassion, there can be no community! Without community, there can be no body!

Compassion expressed through spontaneous and deliberate acts transcend race, age, gender and even denominational affiliation. We are all brothers and sisters.

Let’s start acting like it.

you can access this podcast via podlinez - 509.895.2545

you can call me using grandcentral.com - 651.204.3762

In this edition, I have incorporated an idea received by a colleague (Elaine Benally). If you click on the link, you can see and hear the kburst. You must have the flash plugin to view. (http://video.kburst.com)

Here is the manuscript for the podcast.

Are you ready for an Acting 101 kburst?

Say Musical Theater and people usually think about the alluring lights of broadway. Maybe they even conjur up images of Kelly, Reynolds and O’Conner singing and dancing, not in the rain - but in the middle Kelly’s living room “Good mornin!”

• Alfred P. Doolittle
• Moonface Martin
• Henry (the Old Actor)
• Ali Hakim
• Winthorp Paroo
• Vernon Hinse (Hinsey)

If your interested in the musical theater, consider the BEST parts - the Supporting Role. I have been in tens of musicals and this fact remains, the people who have the most work are the actors and actresses in the chorus. If you want a great part in helps to have two great talents - singing and an ability to make people laugh!

To get started, GOOGLE the Tony Awards.

Here is the manuscript for the podcast.

Are you ready for an American History kburst?

As I reflect upon the events surrounding the 4th of July, my memory stretches back to the Vailed Profet Parade … whose history in St. Louis reflects the evolution from elitism to realism. Study the history of this event and you will witness first hand how a large midwestern city came to grips with the devisive issues from its beginning in 1878.

• Alanzo Slayback
• annual Mechanical and Agricultural Fair
• Order of the Veiled Prophet
• Court of Love and Beauty
• Royal Quadrille
• Lalla Rhooke
• 12.22.1972
• Gena Scott
• Tom K. Smith

Shrowded in mysticism - affluence and elitism have long existed in America … as it has throughout the world. However, life and death visit upon men and women from all stations. The rich and poor. The strong and weak. The powerful and the powerless. I long for a day when independence day becomes a universal celebration of humanities victory over whatever forces are designed to separate us from one another.

The get started, GOOGLE “Fair Saint Louis”

Here is the manuscript for the podcast.

Ready for an Instructional Design kburst?

Information Foraging Theory … a hypothesis that humans, or more appropriately “informavours” forage for information much like animals forage for food. As they follow the scent of information they are either aroused or frustrated in their efforts. I realize that this was meant to explain how humans access information online. However, for those of us who are devoted to designing instruction for online learning - this has major practical implications.

• breadcrumbs
• search engine placement
• google
• cross linking
• deep web searching
• reliable information

Where there is a lack of passion regarding the subject matter, there will be an apathy for the types of information foraged. Where do we find the best on any trip? The answer is more frequently, “off of the beaten path.” Figure out how to entice the learner to follow you, then lead them to the well that never runs dry!

To get started, see if you can find the “who, what, when, where, why” about the seige of Leningrad. You might find inspiration in Billy Joel’s song “Leningrad”

Here is the manuscript for the social networking podcast.

So, are you ready for a Social Networking kburst?

Imagine all the people … living life in peace? Will we ever see the day when every idea is embraced with open arms? Or, does the world need balance … caution, hesitancy, resistance, skepticism, and denial these are actually the seeds of change. Believe it or not, in the year 1993 – I was vehemently opposed to the use of email for communication!

• online learning
• books on tape
• cooperative education
• kindergarten
• chalkboards
• cell phones

I find myself dreaming about the days just prior to the microwave and VCR(s) … these devices were going to be used to control the world! Yet they have come and gone and through repeated iterations, transformed our society. So too, has social networking – facebook, linked in, twitter, blogspot, and podbean. I have relationships with people now whom I would never had known or gotten to build a friendship with … a much richer life.

To get started, take some time and reflect on when you played the role of the skeptic.

试想，大家和平的生活。 会有的时候，每一个想法是接受呢？ 请问世界需要阴阳 … 谨慎，犹豫不决，阻力，持怀疑态度，和拒绝这些其实都是从种子，其中的变化能够继续增长。相信或不，在1993年的-我是强烈反对使用电子邮件 网上学习，书籍，录音机，合作教育，幼稚园，粉笔板，手机 我梦想约天前，微波和录影。 这些都是发明来控制世界。 他们并不坏，他们改变了我们的社会。 社会网络是不断变化的社会。 我见过一个美丽的女子在广州！ 生活是好的。 您应尽量记住的时候，你持怀疑态度。

Here is the manuscript for this episode.

Are you ready for a Speech Communication kburst?

Listening, speaking, reading and writing really does express developmental communication. With so many educators devoted to the art of lecturing - you would think that there would be more academic emphasis placed on listening! Did you hear what I just said, or did you simply understand the words that I used.

• Intention
• Syntax
• Stress
• Modulation
• Accentuation
• Context

I know we all want to be heard, not just a sound in the sea of sounds. So, if you want to “hear what I hear” you are going to have to focus.

To get started, GOOGLE “active listening”

I wanted to take an opportunity to elaborate on the idea of micro-instruction, micro-lectures, 60 second lectures, instructional moments, teachable moments, knowledge bursts and the like.

Observing the world around you … can you see the vast amounts of information which are easily accessible. I am not talking about just blogs, tweets, podcasts, wikis … I am talking about sources like printed books that are completely search able online!

Whether you approve of or disapprove of GOOGLE, it is difficult to ignore their contribution to deep web searching. books.google.com allows you to search through both old and new books. Completely search able books? Ask any doctoral student how invaluable being able to find the occurrence of any single concept or catch phrase in a collection of over one million books is … and I am sure that they will all tell you the same.

I can’t succeed without it!

Not only is the volume of information exponentially increasing, but the discovery of new information is so rapid, the use of traditional publishing is barely able to keep up with the demand. Journals and periodicals are beginning to experience the same strain.

So, rising out of the need to provoke learning and incite curiosity is the micro-lecture. Embedded references, like the vernacular, always relevant - but always being redefined, refined, or simply reiterated - become the raw material that must be handled and worked by the learner.

Example … Instead of telling you all of the details … I will treat you as a motivated and capable learner. I must!

• Watergate
• Conspiracy Theory
• Abuse of Power
• The Tapes
• Senate Hearings
• Resignation

Now you know what you are looking for, go … like a treasure hunt … and bring back those juicy morels of detail, so that you can share them with the group. The rewards will be given to those who are willing to explore and find the real gems … but there is plenty of “fools gold” to be had.

Hundreds of books have been written on these topics, so, even in 16 weeks of lectures, can I truly exhaust these subjects … no, but I can and I must create an interest in subjects that will far extend beyond a single semester.

here’s my challenge … see how this can transform teaching and learning in YOUR classroom.

Here is a manuscript from the Applied Statistics podcast.

Ready for an Applied Statistics kburst?

The need to succeed is often driven by the ability to both describe and predict or infer the occurrence of some measurable phenomena. The source of this information can be anything, from anywhere, collected by anyone. However, if this information is to be used to make critical decisions, and it should, the source should be carefully scrutinized. Garbage in - garbage out!

• frequency
• standard deviation
• distribution
• probability
• permutations
• t-test
• ANOVA
• regression analysis
• validity

You can manipulate data to prove your point, but if your smart - you will work diligently to “fail to prove your hypothesis” … called the NULL hypothesis. How? Shhhhh - you want your research to try to prove the opposite of what you REALLY want!

To get started, GOOGLE “Taguchi Methods”

Here is a manuscript from the World History podcast.

Ready for a World History kburst?

It is a big world that we live in. While the age of civilisation is widely debated, the truth of the matter is that no original civilization exists today. People evolve. Cultures evolve. Communities evolve. Family structures evolve. If this is true, why is there such a militant attempt to hold on to the past? Security perhaps. This is however typically at the expense of other earthly cohabitants.

• Family
• Gender
• Hierarchy
• Authority
• Values
• Mores

It is human nature to want order, control, obedience … oh, and even compliance. From the smallest family to the largest government. What doesn’t work? Imperialism. Intolerance. Racial or ethnic cleansing. Genocide. Segregation. Capitalism. Socialism. Communism. All I can say is that we better figure out how to share and get along or we are headed for disaster.

To get started, GOOGLE “world cultures”

我们居住在一个大行星 人的文明的年龄是有争议的 原始的文明今天不存在 人们演变 文化演变 公共演变 家庭结构演变 为什么理想必须被保卫以军事行动? 安全在举行对传统 安全在较不重要人民的费用? 家庭 性别 阶层 当局 价值 习俗 大家想要命令、控制、守纪和服从 最小的家庭对最大的国家想要同样保证 什么失败了? 帝国主义 不宽容 种族或种族洗涤 种族灭绝 离析 资本主义 社会主义 共产主义 大家应该学会分享并且共存或我们将有一个灾害

Here is the manuscript from the ID Models podcast.

Ready for an Instructional Design kburst?

Whether you call it systematic or mechanistic, the approach to instructional design continues to be treated as a definable process which starts with step A(lpha) and ends with step Z(ezd). However one goal should remain constant - learning. Any model employed should focus on learning as the outcome and the measurement of learning through assessment and evaluation as the “proof in the pudding”

• Algo-Heuristic
• ADDIE
• ASSURE
• ARCS
• ISD
• 4C-ID

In my practice, where we have a keen understanding of our learners, I suggest the SWC model. Include information that the learner SHOULD know, then decide and introduce them to what they WILL know (this is the amount of content that EVERY participant WILL learn), and finally expose them to vast body of information that they CAN know. But, only focus your assessment on what every learn WILL know.

To get started, GOOGLE “Rapid Prototyping”

Here is the manuscript from the drama podcast.

Ready for Italian 101 kburst?

Nouns or “nomi” are typically the first words people memorize when learning the Italian language. There are four common forms of a noun recognized by the last letter of the word - masculine (o), feminine (a), singular (o or a), and plural (e or i). Additionally, words that look identical to their English counterparts are called cognates or “parole simili.”

• aborto
• albino
• ballerina
• costo
• costume
• pizza
• Romano
• sandali
• transporto
• zebra

Imagine the benefit of increasing your “vocabulario” by finding and remembering “parole familiare” - and practicing the conjugation of verbs. Well my friend you are on your way to sounding like “un Italiano naturale”

To get started, GOOGLE “false cognates”

Ready for acting 101 kburst?

Drama, most frequently associated with Greek “tragedy” has evolved from an engaging portrayal of the Gods to the re-enactment of everyday lives of people in Domestic Drama. Although Lope de Vega argued that all one needed for theater was “three boards, two actors, and one passion” … Stanislovski suggested that affective memory needed to be employed as well. He proclaimed that actors should live the part through the “exercise of the imagination, and the use of physical action.”

• Plot
• Character
• Thought
• Rhythm
• Language
• Spectacle

Take any human condition, expose the emotional underpinnings, inject lights, sounds, smells, colors, textures and make it believable or so fantastical that it’s undercurrent sweeps away even the most skeptical observer from their own pressing reality and you have drama!

To get started, GOOGLE the “Actors Studio”

Here is the manuscript from the hermeneutics podcast.

Ready for a religion kburst?

Hermeneutics can be understood as the theories applied to the interpretation of texts. In the case of Judeo-Christian religion, they are the ideas or theories that are relevant to the study of ancient biblical writings - the old testament and new testament.

• Talmudim
• Midrashim
• Malbim
• Hillel

“kal wa-Chomer, chomer we-kal” or simple and complex, complex and simple. Melammed - scripture is able to explain itself through the major premise. Stated another way, there is a consistency from the beginning to the end of any given text. Hashem can not be the same yesterday, today and tomorrow if his commands are considered situational. This does pose some problems for Chritians who dismiss most of the teachings of the Torah as being irrelevant in the post-messianic era.

To get started GOOGLE “replacement theology”

Here is the manuscript from the introduction to psychology podcast.

Ready for a Psychology kburst?

An Introduction to Psychology course, like any other survey course, can be a bit overwhelming. In the broadest terms, psychology deals with the individual and what makes him/her tick … not the heart, but the brain. When studying psychology, remember that the brain is the final frontier of the human body. We do know a great deal about the brain, but it is only a small fraction to what we know about other vital organs.

• perception
• cognition
• personality
• attitude
• intelligence
• id
• ego
• super ego
• attachment
• dreams
• responses
• behavior

How does a person think? I mean, what happens when a person is thinking? Where do thoughts originate and how are they stored? From that a stimuli is introduced, the living being begins to process the information - color, sound, brightness, volume, texture - a sort of sensation-al circus. What happens next depends, to a great extent, upon past experiences. Familiarity may not breed contempt - but it sure does breed greater familiarity!

To get started, GOOGLE “Pavlov”

Here is the manuscript from the statistics - research method podcast.

Ready for a Math kburst?

If we use statistics to predict or prove or to show a relationship between one or more observable phenomena … then we must start with a hunch that such a relationship exists. Yeppers. Before I can start collecting data, I need to have an idea of what it is I hope to find or NOT find.

• values
• probability
• significance
• unbiased
• testing
• population
• size
• rate

Here is my challenge. I want to see if there is a relationship between “snoring” and the prevalance of “sleep apnea.” I have to find some acceptable measure or definition of snoring, so that no matter who examines the data, there will be universal agreement. We likewise need to find a definition of “sleep apnea.”

If you want to fully understand how statistics is helpful in unraveling this mystery, you are going to have to do some investigation into these two phenomena. Specifically, I don’t plan on telling you which, but one of these is required in making a differential diagnosis of the other. Therefore, it might be said that one usually always exists with the other, but the reverse can not be said unequivically.

To get started, GOOGLE “null hypothesis”

Ready for a History kburst?

While being the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, this prime real estate has seen more military action than Rambo. More like the Midwest than Virgin Islands, this island has always been known for its rich history, agricultural resources and the famous “blood orange” … no wonder they were so popular.

• Mt. Etna
• Palermo
• Messina
• Taormina
• Catania
• Siracusa
• Trapani
• Gela
• Augusta
• Agrigento
• Nicolosi

What is truly amazing about this island is that wherever you travel, you can still see the remnants of days gone by … I remember seeing a German garden, of obvious Swabian persuasion. But, imagine my surprise to discover that the sonnet, popularized by the Bard, was in fact birthed in the court of Frederick II.

Visiting this island is literally like visiting the nations and lands within a 5,000 mile radius … Europe, Northern Africa, Arabia, Greece, Germany, England, Italy and Spain. It is impossible to travel anywhere without seeing either Greek or Roman ruins. To discover this island is to discover European history!

To get started, GOOGLE “Cavalleria Rusticana”

Here is the manuscript for the instructional design podcast:

Ready for a Instructional Design kburst?

Imagine a discipline devoted to the science and art of creating opprotunities for optimal learning. Creating or manipulating stimuli that is both visually attractive and cognitively engaging … that is instructional design. ID(s) are devoted to exploiting whatever technologies are available for one purpose - learning.

• constructivism
• cognitivism
• developmentalism
• behaviorism
• Piaget
• Skinner
• Vygotsky
• Bandura

Think about the circumstances in which you tend to learn the easiest. Do you like it noisy or quiet? Do you like a harsh or soft lighting? Do you replay everything rapidly as it is happening or do you just take it all in and then ruminate on it later? Instructional designers consider these and other complicated questions when creating learning materials.

To get started, GOOGLE “ADDIE”