Blog Archives
Educating the Public
Healing Canadian Healthcare is a heartfelt, firsthand call to action from veteran nurse Kathleen Boucher, offering practical solutions and powerful stories to address Canada’s deepening nursing crisis. Of all your proposed solutions, which one do you believe would have the biggest immediate impact if implemented today?
I think that if all the provinces made short infomercials about the many choices nurses have in their careers, it would help educate the public. To be cost-effective and maintain consistency, the provinces could use the same infomercials across the country.
What would you say to a young person considering nursing today, in light of the system’s current challenges?
Nursing is an excellent profession with numerous choices, allowing you to find a specialty that you enjoy helping people in. The more young people who join and remain in nursing, the faster the healthcare system will improve.
What moment or experience finally pushed you to write this book after decades in the field?
An RN with whom I work, who has over ten years of experience, kept saying to me that she did not think she would last until retirement. The fact that she felt she would not last until retirement bothered me, as we need a mixture of new graduate nurses, nurses who have been in the profession for a few years, and veteran nurses to work each shift. I listened to a webinar about writing a short, punchy book. A punchy book, by definition, is a short read that requires a topic that needs to be discussed but may be controversial. Educating the public about nursing and asking Canadians to help improve nursing enrolment & retention may seem like a lofty goal. The nursing crisis is a subject that warrants discussion.
Author Links: Goodreads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Life is the Ultimate Wild Card
A Voice at the Table shares your story of overcoming adversities while growing up and learning to find your voice; it also teaches others to understand and empathize with people, encouraging self-awareness, kindness, and compassion for all. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I felt it was important to share that we all are going through something or dealing with things in life. Life is the ultimate wild card and keeps us on our toes. But, when we can be vulnerable and set egos aside we can share our challenges and learn from them. For me, I’ve been through a lot, it’s made me who I am and I wanted to share this story. Hopefully it will inspire others and motivate them to do something and not let adverse circumstances be a permanent road block.
Your book is more than a memoir; it is a call to action for leaders. What ideas were important for you to share in this book?
I’ve had the privilege and honor of being in various roles in my life, to include some leadership roles. In those roles I learned to empower all my team members to share their experiences. Whether it is in work or life itself, we can learn from more voices that share. Then together we are darn near unstoppable. We see and hear too many examples of bad leadership in the news and on social media these days. The majority of people are good and need to hear some positivity, they need to see the good out here. When we work together, regardless of political affiliation, religious beliefs, poor or rich, or the color of our skin, we can do some wonderful things. This makes an organization better and its team members. That bleeds over to our communities and little by little things improve. It’s work though and requires commitment.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
It felt good to write and let my ideas and memories flow. As a recovering perfectionist, reliving some of those moments in my mind was frustrating. I made mistakes and missed some opportunities. But, even those moments were an opportunity to learn. Being able to take a step back and look at what I was able to put together was fulfilling and rewarding. Being vulnerable and having a willingness to share the dark events in life is tough. However, if it helps someone else to share and not be a victim of past event, then rock on.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
We are all in this together and together we can do some amazing things.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
We wacky humans are all wired differently. Our life, professional and educational experiences are all different and unique to us. We may have grown up in the same neighborhood, but our households were different. We can have the same degree, but our learning process and path are unique to us. Even our day in the same office is different, though we do the same thing. This is the magic of being human; we all have our own perspective and experiences. When we give each person a voice at the table we are harnessing the power of all that wonderful experience and knowledge. Readers at all professional levels will be able to understand how best to capture this helpful information and then learn from what we’ve done to improve what we do. You can reach out and connect with Brendan on Instagram @brendankellyaar.
A Voice at the Table
A Voice at the Table is a compelling memoir by Brendan T. Kelly, exploring his challenging childhood, the adversities he faced, and his journey to finding purpose. Raised in a single-parent household marked by poverty and social stigma, Kelly recounts his experiences from childhood to adulthood, highlighting his struggles with self-doubt, self-bullying, and feeling like an outsider. This vivid and honest narrative underscores the importance of resilience and understanding one’s “why,” making it a poignant, introspective, and candid read.
Kelly’s writing is both engaging and relatable, employing a conversational tone that makes readers feel as if they are having a deep, personal conversation with him. The seamless transition from one stage of his life to another is systematic and perfectly paced, allowing readers to process their emotions and reflect on their own lives. Kelly’s vivid recounting of key moments, such as failing first grade due to a lack of focus on academics and being teased for his speech impediment, is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. His positivity and humorous approach help readers manage their overwhelming feelings, even as he discusses serious issues like mental health struggles, PTSD, and a suicide attempt. Kelly’s honesty and bravery in addressing these subjects are truly admirable.
The raw and relatable nature of Kelly’s writing makes it easy for readers to empathize with his struggles and triumphs. His story is authentic, and he skillfully balances serious moments with light anecdotes to keep readers focused on the book’s valuable takeaways. Among these takeaways are the importance of being kinder to oneself, finding one’s purpose, and appreciating the unique stories and perspectives of others. Kelly’s straightforward and unpretentious style, combined with his compassion and desire to add value to the reader, shines through in his writing.
A Voice at the Table offers readers a profound look into the life of Brendan T. Kelly. It is a story of overcoming adversity, finding one’s voice, and understanding the deeper reasons behind our actions. Kelly’s honest and reflective writing provides valuable lessons on resilience, self-awareness, and the importance of self-kindness. This book is not only a compelling personal narrative but also a guide for anyone seeking to understand themselves better and live a more fulfilling life. The generosity and concern for the welfare of others that Kelly demonstrates through his unflinching honesty is truly admirable.
Pages: 177 | ASIN : B0D56WHC2V
Adopting a Learner-Centric Approach
ELEARNING GOLD shows readers the direction that education is taking and why they need to embrace eLearning and not just “live with it” because it is the future and is evolving every day. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Writing ELEARNING GOLD was crucial for me because it encapsulated my journey and learnings from over two decades in the eLearning field. When I began, there were no roadmaps for online education. My experience pioneering virtual learning schools, despite facing standards designed for traditional classrooms, highlighted elearning’s immense potential and challenges. This book is a culmination of those experiences aimed at empowering educators to navigate and excel in the evolving landscape of online education, which has become even more critical in the post-pandemic world.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted to convey the significance of adopting a learner-centric approach, the power of engaging content, and the strategic selection and use of technology in elearning. Sharing insights on navigating regulatory landscapes, effectively leveraging the features in Learning Management Systems, and fostering a culture of continuous innovation was paramount. It was essential for me to provide educators with a toolbox they could use regardless of their familiarity with technology and guide them through some of the best practices for developing and managing successful virtual learning environments.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about eLearning?
A common misconception is that elearning is merely a temporary or lesser substitute for traditional education. From my early days as a young teacher to launching virtual schools, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative potential of elearning. It’s not just an alternative; it’s a complementary mode of education that offers flexibility, accessibility, and personalized learning opportunities that traditional classrooms cannot always provide.
Where do you see the future of eLearning going, and how do you think the next generation will adapt to this technology?
The future of elearning is incredibly bright, with advancements in AI, VR, and AR making learning more immersive and personalized. My experiences, from pioneering in the early 2000s to observing the rapid deployment during the pandemic, have shown me the resilience and adaptability of both educators and learners. I believe the next generation will not only adapt but thrive, using these technologies to create innovative learning pathways that were unimaginable when I first started. This evolution inspires me to continue contributing to the field, ensuring professional learning is available to educators to help them create successful and connected virtual learning communities.
Author links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website Book | Website Author
In Annette Levesque’s new guide Elearning Gold: The Ultimate Guide for Leaders, she facilitates leaders and educators as they navigate the challenging world of distance education and training programs. Levesque, an experienced leader and education expert, offers practical insights and strategies to help you catapult your learning programs to the next level. From building and launching a virtual learning environment to creating effective policies and strategies for operational excellence, this guide is your key to success.
The Elearning Gold roadmap takes its readers on a journey of knowledge, focusing on:
*Virtual Learning Success Criteria
*Digital Age Learning Models, Including Blended Learning
*How to Increase Course Completion Rates and Learner Engagement
*Building Your Learning Community
*What Leaders Need to Know About Learning Management Systems
*Managing Academic Misconduct in your Virtual Learning Program
*How to Plan Your Virtual World Launch or Update
*The Future of AI and Chatbots in Education
Relinquish what you thought you knew as an education expert or trainer and embrace this new ideology on how to reach all learners—especially online. These strategies and techniques will help you create elearning systems and content that meet the needs of learners today and also prepares them for tomorrow.
ELEARNING GOLD – THE ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR LEADERS
ELEARNING GOLD – The Ultimate Guide for Leaders is an insightful and comprehensive resource that delves into the intricacies of eLearning for educational leaders. The book skillfully balances a professional tone with accessibility, making it a great read for seasoned educators and those new to online learning.
What stands out in this guide is its holistic approach. Levesque doesn’t just focus on the technical aspects of eLearning; she dives deep into understanding learners’ needs, the significance of engagement, and the complexities of choosing the right Learning Management Systems. The book’s structure, transitioning from defining goals to discussing future trends like AI in education, ensures a thorough understanding of the eLearning landscape.
The sections on fostering collaboration and the strategic planning of distance learning are particularly noteworthy. They offer practical advice that is immediately applicable, showcasing Levesque’s deep understanding of the field. Moreover, the discussion on regulatory landscapes is eye-opening, highlighting an often-overlooked aspect of online education.
Levesque’s style is engaging and informative, making complex topics approachable. While I enjoyed the book, I thought it could benefit from more real-world examples or case studies to bring some of the theories to life. But overall, I think ELEARNING GOLD is a valuable tool for anyone involved in virtual learning. It provides a clear roadmap for navigating the ever-evolving eLearning environment and is a testament to Levesque’s expertise in the field.
ELEARNING GOLD is particularly beneficial for educational leaders and administrators who are navigating the transition to or enhancement of eLearning platforms in their institutions. The book’s comprehensive coverage of strategic planning, understanding learner needs, and adapting to technological advancements makes it a valuable resource for those tasked with implementing and managing effective online learning environments.
Pages: 308 | ASIN : B0CCNDX3J1
LITERARY TITAN 