The Teaching Box – Why Do I Blog

Teaching, Education, Training, Technology – These are all words that you find on TheTeachingBox.com.  I use them throughout my articles, reviews and rants.  Why?

Well I guess the story  does go back a long way to a post that I wrote initially when I started The Teaching Box (I update and re-post it once in a while).  What Is The Teaching Box?

I have always been interested in learning, and as an engineer I like to investigate and start at first principles.

If I had to describe my Blogging style I would classify it as Tony Robbins meets the Four Hour Workweek.

Tony Robbins is the original Guru of Self Improvement through Modeling.  I read Awaken the Giant Within long before it was cool.  The Tony Robbins concept of Modeling Success is the background for many of the copycats we see today on the internet.

My boss recommended the Four Hour Workweek to me.  I found many of the concepts that Tim Ferris wrote about to be common sense, yet he put them together in a book and has made quite a career.  The ways to self promote and become an “Expert” have been valuable.

My Method –

In order to promote my blog I have been studying a lot of  “Internet Marketers”.   So many of them are pushing fairly useless information (Sign up for my “System” and you will make $1,000,000,000 in a month).  I am not interested in becoming an Internet Marketer or Multilevel Marketer, or whatever they call them now in the information age.  Actually I have a good job as an engineer.  TheTeachingBox.com is a hobby.  The blog and website give me a chance to practice my writing skills and have fun with my two favorite topics Education and Technology.

The Niche  –

So even though I am not selling anything through my website I have utilized many of the networking skills and tips from these internet marketing gurus.  I did spend some time thinking about my domain name, and the Niche I would serve.

There are too Many Technology based blogs out there already, and too many Education Topic Blogs as well.  I decided to combine them together and use Technology in Education as my theme.  I then proceeded to market and self promote myself as taught by Tim Ferris.

Getting the Word Out -

Guest Blogging -
I have guest posted at websites as well as visited and comment on many others.
Basicstopro.com
Mochaquest.com

Reviews -
Many of my posts review specific software I like, and I have even done a software review for a product called SpellQuizzer.

Twitter -
Yes I did take the plunge.  It is a fun community, and I now have over 1000 followers.

Facebook -
I already had a Facebook account, I joined the Networked Blogs and I post my new blog updates into my Facebook page.

Social Media in general has been a blast.  Through Facebook, Twitter and Guest Blogging I have established some really cool relationships. All of these ways of interacting have helped me create and promote my brand at TheTeachingBox.com

What it is all about -

In the end the internet is about communication and information.  I love learning, education and technology, so I am at home.  The Teaching Box is a place to establish relationships and help others share in my Fun!

What is it all about for you?

-Loren

P.S.
A shout out to my Friend Sheree at Web20empire.com for the inspiration to write this post.  (She really “gets it”)

I am doing some guest Blogging this week .  Helping others and networking.

I have an article up at Blog Basics to Blog Pro (http://www.basicstopro.com)

The article is:  What is a FavIcon and Why You Should Have One

I walk through the basics of what a FavIcon is, and how to go about creating your own custom FavIcon for your website.  I don’t go through all of the details.  I have to give the student a small amount  of homework.  I provide an overview and some internet resources to help get people started in their quest for a FavIcon.

Stop by Blog Basics to Blog Pro and check out my post as well as the rest of the site.  Good information for all Bloggers.

-Loren

The Future of Education – What does it look like?

My readers and friends know that I am a part time educator as well as a technology geek.  I came upon this online tool and found it interesting because it satisfies both of my passions, education and technology.

While I was doing Graduate work in the area of Post Secondary Education I participated in many discussions about how to teach.  A large part of the challenge of teaching is connecting with the students and building the relationships.  As a Post Secondary Educator I am teaching young people who are NOT part of my generation.  I need to understand their worldview in order to make my teaching style and methods effective.

The people at KnowledgeWorks Foundation have put together a wonderful interactive tool they have called the Map of Future Forces Affecting Education.  If you are at all interested in the challenges facing the future of educating the next generation you MUST check this out.

In some ways this tool is relevant to everyone.  We are all educators.  One does not need to be standing in front of a classroom, or leading an online discussion group to be considered a teacher.  Yes, we have trained professionals among us to do the heavy lifting, but in this digital age we are all helping to educate.

The Map of Future Forces Affecting Education is an intuitive tool the foundation put together to help people understand what components will shape the future of education looking forward from 2006 to 2016.  I will state up front that I do not agree with all of the Trends, Dilemmas and Hotspots that are presented.  Nevertheless I do find them all interesting.

The basic concept behind the Future Forces Affecting Education and how to navigate the online tool can be explored through this short video presentation.

I challenge you to take a look at this tool and the concepts provided.  I realize that predicting the future is just that “a prediction“.  If we could see clearly into the future life would be pretty boring.  This project by the Knowledge Works Foundation is a collaborative work that helps us think and prepare for the future.

Now Go Forth and explore!  Leave me some comments about your thoughts on the interactive tool and how effective you think the technology is.  I am also interested in your thoughts about the content.  What forces would you add to this list?

-Loren
http://www.theteachingbox.com

Add Cool Visitor Statistics to Your Blog – With ClustrMaps

Visitors to your Blog Come from all over the world.  I realize this, but didn’t really comprehend it until I installed the ClustrMaps widget to my blog.  http://www.clustrmaps.com

Upon visiting the site you do need to register an account.  You put in your website address, e-mail address, and they immediately send you a password.  Go back and log in to the Admin area.

Installation -
Adding the graphic was simple, as it is straight HTML code.  My blog is Word press, and the Recommended HTML code worked fine.  Just copy and paste it to your sidebar.  If you have a traditional web page it should install just as easily.  The widget will begin collecting data immediately and you will begin to see red dots from around the world.  Just click the widget graphic to be taken to the ClustrMaps web page for the collected stats.  It is called a clustr (intentionally spelled wrong) because the dots increase in size as you get more visitors from a specific location.

Administration -
The Admin area has a statistics tab that will give you a snapshot of your visitor stats, but it seems to be the same one you get when you click on the graphic embedded in your website.  Not much else is available, just to change your password or personal details.

Final Thoughts -
I only experimented with the free version, they have a Pro Version available, but I didn’t look into it.  Overall ClustrMaps (the free version) won’t change your world.  They aren’t collecting any more sophisticated data than many of the other statistical programs out there.  It is just a cool graphical way for you and your visitors to see who visits your website.    I rate ClustrMaps an A for ease of installation and compatibility.

I have it installed in my sidebar so you can click and see an example of the stats you get.  It is so simple to get and install I recommend that you give it a try, and let me know what you think.  What do you use or recommend?

-Loren
http://www.theteachingbox.com

Guest Blogging at MochaQuest.com

I have a guest post up at Mochaquest.com.

The post is a little review/ how to on encrypting your flash drive.  I have a large part of my digital life on my flash drive.  You had better protect your data in preparation for the day you will lose your flash drive.  You don’t want all those documents and pictures falling into the wrong hands.

Protect the Valuable Data on your Flash Drive

One exception on encryption is the use of the Flash Padlock by Corsair (Pictured above).   I have one of the 4GB versions.  It is ultra secure.  You set your combination and must enter it before inserting it into the USB port.  If you lose your combination there is NO retrieval, but you can register your PIN on their website Just in case you forget it.

The really cool thing about this device is that it is totally platform independent and will work on Windows/Mac OS/Linux.

Stop by Mochaquest.com and take a look.

-Loren