Click to Visit the First-Year Wrap-Up — (Image: David Anderson)
The first year of Articulate’s E-Learning Heroes challenges has just wrapped up, and David Anderson asked us to nominate our fellow challengees for their achievements. Since that feels nearly impossible (if I nominate one person for “most humorous” I’m leaving out 20 others who were hilarious) – I’m going to focus on the participants I most appreciated and why.
Most Appreciated
Though I may be forgetting some, here’s my best shot:
Richard Watson: Richard joined us when the challenge was to create a game using my German drinking game template, so I had to like him from the start. Since then he has created a diverse and inspiring body of challenges that I admire. I always learn from him and I’m inspired by everything he produces. He’s also endlessly supportive, encouraging, and the first guy to ever put my picture on the side of a semi. Thanks Richard!
Nick Russell: Not only is Nick unfailingly supportive, but his work leaves me speechless. Once I regain my senses after seeing it I’m always stammering “How did he DO that??” Though I can only aspire to reach his level of creativity, design, technical expertise, and hilarity – I’m incredibly grateful that he’s there to inspire and encourage me and everyone else. Thank you so much, Nick.
Daniel Adeboye: Though Daniel is new to e-learning design and is currently limited to developing in PowerPoint, he fearlessly plunged himself into the challenges and instantly became an inspiration. His innovation, unfailing willingness to learn, and unflagging support and encouragement makes him a pretty great fellow challenge participant. Thank you, Daniel!
Dan Sweigert: Dan is another fearless inspiration. Whether trotting out imaginary friends or creating the most extraordinary games, he has a vision and he makes it happen. Combine that determination with his natural creativity, humor, and musical gifts and you have quite the challenge powerhouse. Thanks for everything, Dan!
Matt Guyan: Matt always comes up with fresh approaches to challenges I would never have thought of, and he shows me new things I can learn every time. His curiosity, enthusiasm, and unfailing support and encouragement are refreshing and always welcome. Thank you, Matt!
Gerard Friel: Though new to the challenges, Gerard is one of the people who encouraged me as I worked my way through the older ones. It’s a lonely road back there, and he was always kind and generous – PLUS I love his remarkable work and can’t wait to see much more from him in the challenges. Thank you, Gerard!
Charles Hamper: Charles’ entries always make me want to spend the day trying to somehow imitate the fantastic animations he’s created. They’re unfailingly elegant and look completely effortless. The fact that he then shares his secrets with us is pretty amazing. Thank you so much, Charles!
Gemma Henderson: To say Gemma has a flair for creative design and imagery is an understatement. You never know what she’ll come up with next, but you know it will be funny, beautiful, and/or strange (in the best possible way). Her work is an inspiration. Thanks, Gemma!
Ashley Chiasson: You can always count on Ashley to come up with an entry that is beautifully done, and that may or may not include a cat or duvet cover. She’s creative, clever, and always supportive of her fellow challengees. Thank you so much, Ashley!
Jeff Kortenbosch: Having now visited the farthest reaches of the challenge archives, I know that Jeff has been a dedicated and enthusiastic challenge participant throughout. His contributions have not been just his terrific work, but also his encouragement and support of others and of the challenges themselves. Thank you, Jeff!
Bruce Graham: When Bruce is able to fit a challenge into his schedule, it’s worth the wait. It’s also ironic that he’s a guy who knows good e-learning; yet his challenge entry that always makes me happy is his example of rotten e-learning. Thanks, Bruce!
Paul Alders: Paul always has terrific ideas and creates challenge entries I can learn from. He’s also enthusiastic and supportive when it comes to the challenges and his fellow participants, and somehow he brings a breath of fresh air to the proceedings. Thank you, Paul!
Montse Anderson: Montse’s technical precision and beautiful designs are always an inspiration. If ever I get organized enough to start including my color palettes with my posts (just one example of the meticulous care she takes with her designs), it will be because of her stellar example. Thank you, Montse!
Allison Nederveld: Allison’s refreshing style and carefully crafted entries are always inspiring. She’s generous with her knowledge – and her templates! – and is a wonderful fellow challenge participant. Thank you, Allison!
Dianne Hope: Dianne’s work is always surprising. Whether she’s exploring making coffee, instructional design theory, or the Outback – she has a fresh approach and beautiful style. She’s also unfailingly supportive and encouraging and it’s a pleasure to be in the challenges with her. Thank you, Dianne!
Nancy Woinoski: Nancy’s entries are invariably beautiful, creative, innovative, and often funny. They always inspire me to push myself to do more, and for that I am truly grateful. Thank you, Nancy!
Becky Fleisch Cordeiro: Whenever Becky gets a chance to create an entry, I always learn from it. She uses her expertise to come up with entries that are innovative and intriguing – plus she’s terrific at helping and encouraging the rest of us. Thank you so much, Becky!
Who’s The Winner?
As painfully obvious as this is – the winner is me and every other person who has participated. I win because I get to grow in my work and as a member of a community with people like these who are unfailing in their helpfulness and generosity. I also get to have fun creating the silliest things and having all of these nice people (and many others) be kind enough to not only look at them, but to be supportive and encouraging to create even more. Without them, and without David Anderson’s leadership, I’d never in a million years have thought of making a German drinking game or Kid vs. Cop spelling bee or a lyrical and romantic approach to filling out a passport application.
Thank You!
So a HUGE “thank you” to all of you who participated and (equally importantly!) supported and encouraged all of the challenge participants. I’m excited to see what this new year of challenges (and new challenge participants) will bring!
Congratulations! Well deserved, Jackie! I can’t tell you how many times I took the German beer quiz! It is so well designed and executed. Love that one! Congratulations!
Thanks, Montse! So glad you like the drinking game. :)
All I won this year was the chance to be inspired by and learn from people like you – and I couldn’t possibly do much better than that! Many thanks. :)
Congratulations Jackie, I loved all of your submissions. I’m hoping this year I can find the time to participate.
Thanks so much, June! I hope you’ll get a chance to participate, too. Keep your eyes open for a challenge you think you might be able to knock off quickly. That’s a good way to jump in. :)
Wow…very thoughtful and we’ll written and Congrats as well…
You have been a great inspiration and encouragement for me personally, thanks so much. I look forward to another great year in the community, learning from everyone!
Keep up the awesome work.
Thanks once again Jackie!
Thanks, Daniel! You’ve obviously been an inspiration for me, too, and I appreciate it very much.
I’m looking forward to the new challenge year, too! So glad you’ll be a part of it. :)
What a wonderful and generous summing up. In fact we are all the winners, Jackie, by being part of a community graced by your presence.
Thank you so much, Nick! You are far too kind – but that’s just one of countless reasons it’s such a pleasure to share the challenges with you. :)
What a great post Jackie! You’ve hit the nail on the head, we are indeed all winners and it’s such a wonderful community.
Thank-you for all your contributions and support too, you set a terrific example :-)
Thanks, Matt! I appreciate that. We are all very lucky indeed. :)
Thanks so much Jackie! It’s a pleasure to be in the challenges with you too, and with everyone else who so generously shares their work and offers encouragement.
You’re welcome, Diane! Big thanks to you too for all you do. :)
Thanks for taking the time to share about all our great co-creators. Everyone you mentioned really deserves it as you do too. Great job everyone! Also, thanks David for inspiring us and giving us ideas from these challenges. I also have learned so much and gotten so many great ideas from the other participants. You all have really made a difference, thanks!
My pleasure, Dan! I knew I couldn’t let the year go without some much deserved thank-yous – including for David who does so much to provide us with always-intriguing challenges and an inclusive space where we can share our ideas and connect. He’s the unsung hero in all of this.
There were so many contributors it was hard to narrow them down for this post, but I seemed to naturally focus on the people who most genuinely supported others. It’s great when people share their work, but the value of thoughtfully interacting with, encouraging, and cheering others on (including outside of the challenge thread) can’t be understated. If I hadn’t been sincerely engaged and encouraged by others I don’t know if I’d have kept going, and then most of my work samples on this site wouldn’t even exist.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Dan – and for being a great fellow participant in this first challenge year!
Thanks so much for this post, Jackie! I am so glad I am following your blog because I have learned so much from you. Now I can check out your fellow “challengees” and learn from them too. One of these days, when I finally have something to share with the community, I will “pay it forward”, as you all have done… Until then, all the best and keep up the good work! – Anne
Thanks so much for your very kind words, Anne! I hope things are going well for you in Germany. (I need to get back over there sometime!)
I can see from your blog that you’ve been busy and I know how hard it can be to fit in challenges on top of everything else. I’ll be looking forward to seeing you jump into them whenever the time turns out to be right, but in the meantime I’m incredibly grateful for all of your support and encouragement. :)
Jackie!
Thank you so much for recognizing little ol’ me. I’ve been “in the wilds” of eastern Oregon and just got back. As you know, there isn’t much access to the Internet and social media out “in the bush”. I’ll be sure to show you how much I appreciate this post in a few days now that I’m back in the “saddle” here at Bridgehill corporate. :)
You are a very special person who I am honored to know. Thanks for all your motivation, insight and genuine ability to care about your fellow e-learning designers.
Richard
You’re welcome Richard – it’s well deserved – and thank you so much for all of your kind words!! That means a lot to me. Glad you made it back from the wilds and you can take shelter in the relative safety of the challenges again. :)
Jackie Jackie Jackie! (If I say your name three times, you should receive a giant hug from a over-friendly cat, promise).
Thank you for your wonderful post and mentioning me among some truly dedicated members of the community. After being AWOL for a while (ack, life gets in the way), I hope to return and provide more insight into my bizarre mind. Haha!
Well done for all your hard work, you truly have been a great e-learning pal and I congratulate you in all your endeavours!
See you on the flip side!
Gemma x
Thanks, Gemma!! I love giant hugs from overly-friendly cats. In fact, I look forward to them every day around here. :)
You’re so welcome for the mention. I’ve missed seeing you in the challenges lately, but clearly your work has made a big enough impression on me that I had no choice but to include you.
I know you’ll be back when you can. Till then – take care – and I hope to see you around again soon! :)
Jackie, thank you for your kind words. You have kept us all motivated with your generous comments throughout the challenges.
Thanks for keeping me company in the previous challenges. I’m loving being part of such an inspirational and supportive group.
Gerard
You’re welcome, Gerard – and thanks to you too! I’m so glad you’ve joined us. :)