photo release forms

I have just received the 'model release' forms. I had a bit of a rebellion as the group of learners felt the wording was far too much to take in. They wanted to take them away to study. As this was a day course they didn't want to spend precious time studying it and when the group includes learners who find that amount of text a challenge it diverts their attention from the course learning. One learner 'knocked up' a simple statement and learners signed this. This may not have fulfilled legal requirements but reflected the feelings of the learners. Can some time be spent on looking at this form and making it more appropirate for the learning situation. More than one form may be needed for different groups of learners.
sara

sony digital camera

I have a few thoughts about the sony camera. I have been careful to let the battery run down completely before I charge it - whenever possible. However this is not always possible as a fully charged battery is necessary at the beginning of a session. This is particularly important when taking audio clips using the video setting on the camera as it takes up a lot of battery power. I am now finding the camera battery is only charging about 30 per cent and therefore not allowing me to take many audio clips during a session. My own digital camera has traditional rechargeable batteries so that I can easily change batteries mid way through a session, by carrying spare batteries. I am borrowing the battery from Amanda's camera at the moment. This is just a short term solution. If more cameras are purchased I think a spare battery is necessary or cameras purchased using the traditional rechargeable batteries so spares can be easily obtained. In the meantime how do I go about getting another battery for the sony camera? Has anyone tips about camera batteries? Also the memory card is soon used up when taking audio clips. Is it possible to have another memory card? Up until now I have been just taking photos, but know am finding the audio clips an excellent way of recording summaries of individual learning at the end of a session. Everyone seems very relaxed about it - especially when they know it is just their voice. The sony camera produces a very clear recording. So these battery and memory card problems are only just arising.

Taking a different kind of class

Never one to turn down an opportunity to learn something new, I booked myself into a dyeing and weaving workshop the other day. It was not quite like the classes I'm used to - I don't think they'd heard of RARPA or Health and Safety ;-)

Rather than repeat myself here, I'll simply suggest you read about it on my Elegant Sufficiency blog if you're interested.

On a serious note, it did give me experience of learning a skill in an unknown language - not easy, but practical people have ways of communicating skills in a visual manner. Show me how and I'll try to do the same. It worked almost all of the time!

Inspired

If you haven't visited Flickr recently and looked at the amazing photos Lizzie has uploaded of both her own work and that of her learners then please do. Learners must be delighted to see their work on display like this and to receive comments from all around the world. Lizzie I would be interested to know if any of your learners are uploading photos themselves. Lizzie's Photostream can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/16492769@N04/