What are Interactive Case Scenarios?

... a mash up of story meets simulation

...an authentic, compelling story in which the learner is the protagonist and can learn in a safe, low risk way. 

DOIT is supporting UW faculty in creating interative case scenarios to help students learn how to respond in real life situations.

My Take Aways ( from a presentation yesterday)

Design Methodology

They used a ‘design methodology” they call the 7 C’s.  The methodology provides a structure and boundaries when creating a case scenario ( but doesn’t limit creativity)

7 C’s

•  Content
•  Context
• Characters
• Challenge
•  Choices
• Consequences
• Connections

Those of you who have worked with story will see some overlap with our five tips.

Example

Want to see an example? Check out the Education Departments Virtual internships

Interested in learning more

Check out DOIT ‘s Interactive Case Scenario website

Go To Salsa

A few people asked for the salsa recipe I use (back from taco day a few weeks ago).  I thought it was Pioneer Woman, but it's actually Mountain Mama, which seems kind of like a rip-off, but oh well.  This salsa is great and easy.

• 1- 14 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1- 10 oz can orginal Rotel
• 1/2 small onion, roughly chopped
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and smashed
• 1/2-1 jalapeno, seeded or not (depends on how spicy you like it)
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• small to medium size handful of cilantro, washed
• juice of 1 lime

Dump in blender and blend.  Enjoy!

I add a bunch of red pepper flakes, but otherwise the recipe is great as is.

http://www.mountainmamacooks.com/2012/01/quick-and-easy-blender-salsa/

Learn and Like

As part of a Human Centered Design course presented by Acumen and IDEO.org, we have been learning about the design process. AND this result we like!

A 200 page report visually summarized. 

Link to the see for yourself.

Background: How to Reinvent the School Lunch and Get Kids to Eat Better (Wired). 

Making Makhani & Oven Rice

Chicken Makhani, also known as Butter Chicken. is an awesome meal and can be done in the crock pot, too. I looked at a number of recipes and finding them similar, used this one. Oh, and I skipped the ginger garlic paste and peanut oil and it seemed to come out just fine. 

Brown rice is wonderful and healthy, but can be tricky to cook. Cook's Illustrated figured out an easy oven method that delivers perfect rice every time. Here's a link to the recipe. 

Thanks! - Rob

Cheap Food with Wiscard!

Want to eat or drink at Gordon Dining for less money?

If you pay with real cash or a credit card at Gordon you pay a 30% markup. Using Campus Cash reduces the markup to 25%.

Add Campus Cash to your Wiscard in less than 5 minutes! Here's how:
1. Have your Wiscard and a credit card ready
2. Log in to Wiscard Account Management
3. Use the Register Now link in the upper right hand corner
4. Follow the instructions to add Campus Cash
5. Use the cash at all of these places

Homegrown research questions effectiveness sweetened beverage tax

I had to admit, my first thought is...did the beverage industry pay for this? And I am curious where this data fits into the bigger picture. For me, it's a reminder that tread thoughtfully when applying tobacco best practices to obesity. I believe CPPW and CTG were a big part of building that research base .... http://www.news.wisc.edu/22659

Alice Waters comes to campus!

LINK: http://www.union.wisc.edu/wud/event.asp?event_id=24705 

Quinoa Chili from the Soup Squire

Hi all,
Here's the recipe for quinoa chili for anyone interested.  Enjoy!

Soup me in (Black Bean and Sweet Potato Black Eyed Pea)

I'd forgotten to post these recipes, so will do my best now. The Sweet Potato with Black Eyed Pea is easy! Well, they're both easy, but this one has a written recipe and everything, from Instructables.

The Black Bean Soup hasn't been written down until just now!

The secret is to cut up and caramelize lots of onions, reducing the volume by at least half in the pan. Add all your seasonings before introducing your stock and black beans. Once combined, add more cumin, salt, and pepper to taste. Cook together for at least another hour, more if you can. Finally, run it all through a blender or immersion wand to puree.

Ingredients

• 1 medium yellow onion, caramelized, per 12-15 oz. can of black beans
• 1 teaspoon cumin per 12-15 oz. can of black beans. Also add pepper, some cayenne, salt (though if using canned beans, you may not need much additional, if any. 
• Stock (chicken or veg), about 1/4 cup per can black beans.

Learning about Brain Rules

I recently watched John Medina’s Keynote at Educause Learning Initiative Annual Meeting

  Who’s John? A molecular biologist who studies how our brain learns. He wrote “Brain Rules” ( the 12 ways our brain really works.) He is a role model for translating research in to practice.

My top take aways:  

Loved his Introduction: He started out“ I am skeptical that brain science has anything to offer education”  

Why I think this was an effective way to start: Ever presented to faculty? These are people pride themselves on knowing their field. They are skeptical of anyone telling them anything....so quite clever on his part to beat them to the punch.  

Why is he skeptical?
  • We don’t know much about how the brain works. The research is new and we are still learning.
 • Academic silos are getting in the way: educators and brain researches don’t work together. They speak different languages and use different mental models. ( sound familiar?)  

What we know about how people learn: People have evolved to solve problems outdoors in a variety of weather conditions and in constant motion. ( he repeated this a couple of times)

 Based on what we do know about how people learn, if you wanted to create an environment that was the exact opposite of what supports learning...you couldn’t do better than our current classrooms. (made me wonder if this is also true about how we “provide” TA?)  

The two brain rules John shared.....

1. Exercise boosts brain power: We learn best when we are in motion. The research on this is solid. If you want to see John’s take on it: http://www.brainrules.net/exercise  

What can we do in our office to support and encourage movement? 

2. Repeat to remember If you are sharing information because you want people to remember it, you need to include repetition: at 30 seconds, at two hours...and lots more after that.

We vastly underestimate what support people need to remember new information. If we really want to apply what we know about how people learn, we would invest less of our resources in presenting and more in creating high quality resources that are easily accessible.

Most people won’t remember what we tell them...what we can do..is make it easier for them to access accurate, useful information when they need it. 

Want to learn more?
 • Brain Rules: John Medina’s book ( we have a copy in the office)
 • Brain Rules website

After-Hours Pin Access

Ann sent around the instructions (see below) for how to gain PIN access to the building after hours. (Ann's understanding is that this is means access between midnight and 7:00am.)

After hours building access:  Send an email to the following  address (access@mhub.uwpd.wisc.edu) requesting PIN/after hour access to 333 East Campus Mall. You should include your name and your access card number (this is the first six-digit number on back of your Wiscard). You should also include the four digit PIN you wish to use. You may use any numbers zero to nine, but the PIN cannot start with zero.  

PIN access to the building works for holidays in addition to after hours (midnight to 7:00am). 

A Note from the Desk of the Soup Squire

Mmm!  Mmm!  Vegan!

If you liked the Black Bean and Lentil soup...make it at home!

I didn't follow the recipe exactly...for example I put in way more chicken stock and didn't have the jar of peppers.  Experiment and enjoy!

Not one, but TWO new Administrative Assistants!

Hello there! 

I’d like to introduce myself as your other new Administrative Assistant. I've met most of you around the office this week, and I’m excited to get to know everyone better and become a part of the Clearinghouse family. As Kelli said, we’re here to make the office run smoothly and help you guys out in any way that we can. I've been known to be a Chatty Cathy so feel free to stop by my desk for a break.

A little about myself. I’m a fifth year senior (I prefer to call it a victory lap) studying History and Political Science with a concentration in global politics, and certificate in African Studies. I’m also studying women’s health and sustainable development.  I studied health and community development in Kenya last fall, which really sparked my interest in all things Africa. I’m an alumnus of Pi Beta Phi, and Alpha Phi Omega (national co-ed service fraternity). I’m hoping to use all this in my future career in global health policy and education. Who doesn't want to get paid to travel, right?

I’m a Minneapolis native (Kelli and I actually went to rival high schools), and love all things Minnesota, especially the Twins. I’m obsessed with the outdoors; Madison would be perfect if there were mountains nearby. Netflix is my best friend, and Sundays generally revolve around documentaries and binge watching new series. Music is a big part of my life, though I don’t have a musical bone in my body. And I’m generally not a human until I've had my first cup of coffee.

I was a camp counselor for six years and most of my best stories, and some gorgeous pictures, come from my home on Half Moon Lake in northern Minnesota. I was the program coordinator this past summer, which essentially was a variation of an administrative assistant.

I'm thrilled to be a member of the team here at Clearinghouse! Now that you've heard a little about me, please come by and introduce yourself!

All my best,

Steph

Kelli Kettell - Your New Administrative Assistant!

Hello everyone!

I am officially one of the new administrative assistants here to help make your life easier.  Please do not hesitate to ask me to take care of something, fetch you some coffee, tell a joke to.... the list goes on and on.  At my previous job, I was a receptionist at a law firm up on Capitol Square - so I am no stranger to administrative tasks!

I am currently a senior studying strategic communications and reporting in the School of Journalism here at UW.  A few other campus organizations I am involved in: I am Vice-President of Public Relations for the Panhellenic Association, one of six directors for a short musical production which is apart of Humorology (largest philanthropy in Wisconsin!), a proud teammate and former champ in women's intramural soccer (this year's championship game is next week, eek), and an on-campus speaker enthusiast.

In my free-time (what's that??) I enjoy running...or maybe I should say jogging... on the lakeshore path, hanging out on the terrace with some pals, sleeping, and reading a print newspaper.

You'll rarely catch me without some sort of caffeinated drink by my side, whether it be a large coffee or a 8oz. Red Bull... and I am severely nearsighted so if I'm not wearing my glasses - beware!

I am so excited to start working in such an upbeat, positive environment with such a friendly staff.  Feel free to stop by my desk to discuss the weather, recent news, celebrity gossip, how large my glasses are, etc. at any time.  Also feel free to grab one of my business cards, because I officially have a business card (so neat!).

Thank you for all the warm welcomes,
Kelli

Warning: I am TERRIBLE with names and have been stalking the pictures on the WCH website all day!  If you are walking by, note that I am quizzing myself each time.  I am hoping I'll have them down by next week.

Contact:
608-262-9157
kakettell@uhs.wisc.edu
kelli.kettell@gmail.com

Schedule:
Monday: 8am - 4pm
Wednesday: 8am - 4pm
Friday: 12pm - 5pm

Three Links to Make Your (Phone) Life Better

Over the past few months sans administrative assistants, Rob and I have had some hard times trying to make the phones do what we want.  I came across three links that will help you become a phone whisperer:

Troubleshooting 101: Are you using a banana?

Web PhoneManager - If you get your voicemails to your e-mail (and we can set that up if you don't), you have Web PhoneManager.  But how does it work?  Check out this easy to sort through owner's manual, complete with screen shots.

Phone Shortcuts - Want to change your voice greeting?  Send a voicemail to someone else?  This card gives you the number shortcuts.  

Voice Services Knowledge Base - Have a problem with x?  Want to know how to do x?  Search by keyword in the Voice Services Knowledge Base.

MapLab-Chinatown

I'm a big fan of Wired's MapLab, and this post caught my eye.  The year: 1885; the place: San Francisco's Chinatown.  The article includes maps and explains some of the ordinances that created institutionalized racism.  Read more...

Fontella Awarded Prestigious Values in Action Trophy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 6, 2013                     CONTACT: Christy Vogt

MADISON, WI - Christy Vogt, of the Wisconsin Clearinghouse, announced today that Robert Fontella has been awarded the Values in Action trophy.  This illustrious honor is bestowed on individuals espousing the Clearinghouse values in their everyday work.  "Rob has really gone above and beyond the last few weeks picking up admin functions and learning new procedures and tasks.  He has done all of this in addition to his current job duties.  He has handled the transition with aplomb," Vogt said.

Fontella has helped maintain relationships with the Department of Family Medicine and University Health Services through his willingness to learn various administrative tasks.  Upon learning some of these tasks, Fontella was able to suggest improvements and further streamline processes.  "His insights are invaluable, and as a result of his diligence, admin tasks will be completed faster and easier in the future," Vogt said.

Co-workers of Mr. Fontella are urged to congratulate him on his achievements and this award.  For more information on the Clearinghouse values, please visit http://www.wiclearinghouse.org/about-us.html.     

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un-Tracking Changes

When it's time to share your final, clean document, here's how to remove pesky track changes.

It all starts here. Then, Check for Issues by Inspecting the Document. The steps are really easy and outlined here with nice pictures to guide you the rest of the way. Good stuff.  

Prizes at #PrevCon13

Hey guys,
I'm trying to put together some rad prizes for the Prevention Conference, but I'd love some input.  We give out three $50-80 prizes, and three $20 prizes to the top Tweeters.  I thought of a Kindle and book package for two of the bigger prizes, but I need help thinking of a third!  For the Tweeters, I was thinking either story cubes or Bananagrams.  What do y'all think?  Very open to suggestions!
Thanks!

Three Take Aways from Five Days

In the spirit of less is more, I am challenging myself to share three take aways from the 5 day Journey of Facilitation and Collaboration Training. What three things am I most likely to use? 1. The Integral Facilitation Framework-it may sound ( and look) overly academic...but I found it helpful to have a four quadrant model to refer to ( check out the image)

Some ways I will try using this model- when doing an intake for a project, when designing a meeting, and when diagnosing conflict within a group. If you want a more in depth description, check out Integral Facilitation 2. Process Tools Summary- This is a one page summary of tools you can use to: brainstorm, grouping, and rating. I will use this when planning meetings, presentations and trainings. If there is interest..maybe this could be a lunch and learn topic. 3. Diamond Model of Decision Making

From the Facilitator's Guide to Participatory Decision Making (We have this book) This image helped me to understand why participatory decision making frustrates people (including me) and where it gets stuck. The challenge is to help groups through the process to a decision. The training also provided a one page summary of Decision Making Methods. If there is interest ..participatory decision making would make another great lunch and learn.