This week’s We-Learn Wednesday sweets: Relaxing sounds, Google I/O, ID & LXD freebies, Inclusive ADDIE, free virtual training guide, Eduflow Academy, accessibility courses, and mental health tips!
Hey gang! It’s Wednesday, which means another We-Learn Wednesday goodies drop for everyone! Since I’ve fallen behind a bit in posting these in the last month, I’ve added an additional bonus sweet – enjoy!
If you have any resources or events you feel would be helpful to the community, be sure to contact me with the details so I can share the goodies with everyone!
Note: Clicking on the titles below will take you directly to the resources being offered. I’ve also included the links in the description, as well as other helpful links.
✨ myNoise Sound Generator
I’ve been using myNoise for quite some time now and I love it! The site offers noise and sounds to help mask the sounds you don’t want to hear. You can choose pre-made settings or create your own. It’s totally free, but please do consider donating to the creator, as they’ve put a lot of effort into this project! My favorite sound set I’ve created is Japanese Garden.
✨ Google I/O: May 11-12, 2022
Google I/O has to be one of my favorite events to attend each year! It’s absolutely free and is a great way to learn what’s new and upcoming at Google, connect with developers and other experts, and earn Google Developer profile badges and swag! Register for the event and if you’d like, take a look at the I/O 2021 Recap on YouTube.
✨ Belvista Studios Creator Hub Freebies
Kim Tuohy and the gang at Belvista Studios generously offer free ID/LXD resource lessons to folks. They range from graphic design tips, virtual workshop facilitation, project brief questions, and more.
✨ Inclusive ADDIE
Infographic source: Educause.
I like ADDIE… I’m not ashamed to say it! But I do admit that I tend to use an iterative/tricked-out version of ADDIE when building content or launching new ideas. As someone who advocates for DEI, I was ecstatic when I came across the Inclusive ADDIE model in the Educause Review! Within each part of ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation), DEI is incorporated into the INCLUSIVE framework: Introspection, Needs, Context, Lessons, Understanding, Supporting Structures, Interactions, Value, and Evolution. I also love that it aligns each stop with a letter in the word ‘inclusive’!
✨ The Virtual Trainer's Guide to Becoming a Hero
If you’ve seen Kassy LaBorie present training, give a keynote, or host a video chat, you know she is the Queen of virtual training and facilitation! This precious gem of a human is offering a wonderful free eBook: The Virtual Trainer’s Guide to Becoming a Hero. It’s a fantastic compilation of virtual training best practices.
✨ Eduflow Academy
I feel like I missed the cool kid bus by not being involved with Eduflow sooner than now! Their Eduflow Academy offers multiple courses on instructional design from ID experts. I’m currently taking their Scenario-Based Learning course being taught by Heidi Kirby. Many are free and the others are quite affordable and well worth the investment!
✨ Deque University: Digital Accessibility Courses & Accessibility Reference Library
Deque University offers extensive self-guided online courses focusing in-depth on digital accessibility. Massive bonus points: if you are disabled, they offer a scholarship for one year of free access to the entire curriculum! We need more accessibility experts and those of us who are disabled have the gift to bring our lived experiences to the table.
✨ Bonus: 10 Tips to Boost Your Mental Health
Photo source: Madison Inouye.
Life can be hard at times, gang. Stress from work, finances, family, and the world around us impacts us greatly. Anyone can experience moments when we feel as though our mental and emotional health is suffering. This brief list of 10 low-effort actions offers small but doable ways that we can elevate our moods.
Image description: On the left of a black background is the date, April 13, 2022, followed by the seven topics of this week’s resources: relaxing sounds, Google I/O, virtual training guide, Inclusive ADDIE, Eduflow Academy, ID & LXD freebies, and accessibility courses. On the right half is a pale blue light blue bulb with a plant growing inside (the logo for Bela’s website) with yellow dots surrounding it. Beneath is “We-Learn, Weekly ID, LXD, and L&D treats” along with “Bela Gaytan” and “belagaytan.com” in green, coral, and yellow colors.