Transitions…

Some of you know I moved my website back to WordPress so that I can post more thoughts, updates, and insights.  I have the ability to post and send this out to my Twitter which can, in turn, send to Facebook.  The web address, wilsoneric.net, is still intact and is under my ownership.  The provider and the software changed. Previously I was with Stirkingly which was great but expensive.  And frankly, I miss WordPress.  Just a few run downs for you…

• Dr. Michelle Pacansky-Brock, a very good friend of mine, is on a mission to humanizing technology and eLearning.  One critical mission I am so passionate about is humanizing online learning.  A part of that is the way we approach and look at the spectrum and use less scary words.  Instead of technology, use digital!  Instead of training, use learning!  In fact my motto changes to Eric and Digital Teachings.
• As you know I am working on my PhD.  My core courses are done and I achieved a PSY CHI Honors status and post from Grand Canyon University.  I am now currently in independent study and a Doctoral Candidate.  I have a lot of work to do so.  My quantitative research is to identify the gap between CA Community College enrollment and attrition among first-year learners, specifically with distance education.  At the national level, drop-outs in Community Colleges cost taxpayers $4.3 million.  Why? What is causing the attrition (retention versus persistence)?  We know this began with Dr. Vincent Tito at the overall college level, but let’s slow this down at the first-year learner level.  In my research not only will I share some staggering numbers, but also some of the underlining causes, and share some ideas what I think will help which I have been sharing for over 12 years.  I hope to complete this by Summer 2018. (But I ain’t walking until fall or winter…not going back to 116 degrees!)
• Continue to share my love for music and art that help keep me going.  Right now I am falling in love with a 1973 classic.  As you know Neil Diamond is retiring from doing concert due to health issues.  He still plans to write and record music.  But the classic just constantly blows me away is Mr. Diamond’s soundtrack, Jonathan Livingston Seagull.    The beautiful writing, orchestration and singing still make this one of the most beautiful recordings made.  In addition, he earned Grammy Award for best Scored recording in 1973.  Today this is available on CD, and digital on Apple, Google, and others.
• Still working at Orange Coast College with an awesome team (Joe, Sue, Stephanie, and Barbara with Dr. Taylor).  Lots of changing coming for us this year so it is exciting.
• Finally, I am still teaching at Purdue Global University, formerly Kaplan University.  I am part-time faculty but after I get my Ph.D. I hope to become a full-time faculty.   One never knows.

More transitions to come.  Thank you for being patient.  Keep your eyes on my Twitter and here.  Love ya!

Eric