
4 minute read
DIRTYWORD the E-Learning Magazine Issue 6
Dirtyword is 1 year old! Yes, it’s been a whole year since we put issue 1 out into the wild, with no idea if there would ever be an issue 2. Yet here we are - issue 6 in hand, a special Bett Show edition at the printers for January and issue 7 already being worked on.
It’s been an awesome learning curve for our little e-learning magazine - we’ve made mistakes, we’ve gone to print with typos, we’ve infringed copyright laws and we’ve burnt through more generative AI credits than we ever thought possible. Yet we’re stil here. And the credit for that goes to you, our readers. Of course, this is a passion project for our team but even we aren’t stupid enough to keep producing a magazine that isn’t being read (Aren’t we? - Lewis). Our readership has gone from zero to around 3,000, read in over 30 countries around the world. How ace is that?
So whether you’ve been here from the start or this is your first issue, thank you for being here!
Right, what have we got for you this month then? For a start, t’is the season, so we’ve dressed up Whisper in her festive finery in a nod to the greatest Christmas movie of all time - Die Hard - to explore the security of Learning Management Systems. Don’t let Hans Gruber ruin your learning party.
Lewis sticks with the LMS theme and asks why everybody is always wanting custom reports they’ll never look at, plus, he examines the differences between synchronous and asynchronous learning.
I dig out my toys from Christmas ‘86 and liken learning a new language to transforming robots, before switching gears (see what I did there?) to explain why your creative process is better than AI’s.
Sam discusses the history and importance of typography, together with reviewing the new AI features offered up by Articulate in their Storyline and Rise products.
And this month, because it’s the season of giving, we have not 3 but 4 guest contributors, all with their own take on an AI future (as if there were any other).
Joseph Thibault asks what it means for a piece of writing to be human authored, Fiona Verity takes a teacher’s-eye-view of AI in education, Dr Asegul Hulus conducts a tongue-in-cheek interview with a couple of AI chatbots and Trevor Garrett encourages us to trust our own brains in the age of Artificial Technology.
Not only that but we’ve also sprinkled in some extra stocking-fillers, alongside the usual Client ‘Ell comic, Dr. Carl’s Surgery and this issue’s E-Learning Takeaway featuring Tetris.
Finally, if you’re heading to Bett in London on 22-24 January, head to stand FS33 to catch up with the Dirtyword team and grab a free show issue and lolly!
See you next year!Mark
Client ‘EllWhisper opens her presents.
News Roundup We reveal what’s happening in the world of e-learning to save you from trawling the web.
Human AuthoredJoseph Thibault examines the meaning behind the latest buzz phrase.
Another F@£king Pie ChartLewis Carr discusses the art of meaningful data in your LMS.
Same Fear, Different MonsterFiona Verity addresses teachers’ concerns about AI in education.
Dr. Carl’s E-Learning SurgeryGot an e-learning problem? You’ve come to the right place.
Interview With A ChatbotDr Asegul Hulus speaks with Dr Terminator Skynet and Del Spooner.
Take A Die Hard Approach To E-Learning SecurityMark Gash defends Nakatomi Tower from Hans Gruber and his crew.
Let’s Give it Up For The BrainTrevor Garret assures us that our brains are ready for new ed-tech.
More Than Meets The EyeMark Gash wonders if learning a new language could transform his brain.
Synchronous Learning vs Asynchronous LearningLewis Carr determines which way the future lies.
Moodle Joins The AI RevolutionThe LMS giant enters the ring.
Be Creative, Not GenerativeMark Gash lays out why your creative process trumps AI.
Feeling Fobbed Off Lewis Carr tackles bug diagnosis.
AI Face-OffSam Harold pits the AI tools of Articulate Storyline against Rise.
View From the TopLewis Carr tells the e-learners of today to get off his damn lawn.
E-Learning TakeawayGameboy’s Tetris teaches us how your LMS can be a Force Multiplier.