Free lockdown learning.

Everyone has their own interests & learning path.

Here is a list of what I free training I was able to complete at home.

Most of these are short, digestible courses that can easily be completed in one session.  The university course can be completed at your own pace but recommended over 8 weeks.  

• USQ Micro-course “Campaigning for Change”
The University of Southern Queensland offered free Upskill courses in selected areas. This course focused on the research portion of a Change Management campaign. The online course content and suggested readings provided a broader range of behavioural and theoretical avenues to explore.

Tasked with choosing a topic I am passionate about; I was to research more about the target publics and then apply this knowledge to a set of recommendations for further research. The online learning portal, Canvas, contained the course content and this was complimented by weekly Zoom calls with the course Tutor to cover assessment questions. These were recorded and I could catch up at my convenience.

The assessments can be uploaded and marked by the tutor. This is optional.  You still have full access to the course anyway.

What I discovered while researching, is a deeper understanding of my own passion and interest in children and educators wellbeing and development. This led me to identify potential skill gaps that can be filled in supporting children’s breathing as a discrete, critical skill in self-regulation and a basis for deeper investigation and practise as an educator. 10/10 for unlocking this.

For this free university micro-course, I brushed up on research, referencing (APS6), communication and writing skills to complete the course. I lose 1 point for picking a topic that doesn’t quite exist but recommend a taster course like this for anyone who may want to brush up on study skills and research a topic of interest.

• NDIS Worker Orientation Module
This is the must-do module for anyone who works and provides respectful service for individuals living with a disability.
10/10 Do it. Enjoy the videos made. Respect the safety, rights and dignity of all people.

COVID SAFE Training
Australian government Department of Health training –

• Infection Control Training -Covid19
• Covid 19 – Indigenous Health Module 1 – Introduction to COVID-19 Emidemiology.

• AIFS Webinars – Words Matter
Australian Institute of Child and Family Studies delivered these webinars to educate on child mental health and family issues. Experts explored the safe language that must be used to support all children’s mental health.

• “Words Matter: How to use frames to effectively advance child mental health” (webinar)
  “Words Matter: Getting the language of child mental health right” (webinar)

Do it to learn about how to talk about where children may be in the metal health continuum, and what language supports this.

• Business Chicks Presents: Emma Isaacs” (webinar)
I met this legend of a woman briefly once, a long time ago when she had just taken over as chief chick. Refreshingly ego-less and genuinely interested in others, this webinar saw me purchase and read ‘Winging it’ and I can say that great inspiration can be sourced from a supportive collective of every day women.

I rate Emma Isaacs 10/10 as a quality human being.
Why do this? Women in business or women with aspirations can find support and collective wisdom- across every sector and industry.

I did some extensive research on Correct Breathing and Self-Regulation in an Early Childhood Setting. My research reference list of material for the argument that all children and educators practice conscious breathing is extensive but still limited by emerging data.  My next post will go into more detail to express this.

Paid content

I purchased this content or books to further my interest and research.

• Conscious Breathing Book (Olssen,A.) [amazon link]
• Conscious Breathing Basics Course

This is a 5-star book for me.  This book puts the science in the breath for me. It explains what many fields and theories combined do not. How to breathe consciously and correctly is a skill that I believe must be practised with children in the early years. Breathing retraining is suggested by the author also, however the simple act of breathing well is universal.

• “Winging it” (Isaac’s, E.)
  I actually laughed, cried and nodded my head in agreement. Tips to be an authentic person and a resilient, courageous and maybe take your game to a bigger court kinda Gal.
• 600 Aromatherapy Recipes (Amazon)
  I went looking into essential oils that provide breathing and respiratory benefits when diffused to either deeply calm or benefit oxygen intake.
• BreathWork Gene Smithson (Amazon)
  I am always looking for breathing techniques and training.

So what did all this achieve for me?

In reflection, I have paid very little to achieve my objective of upskilling for free. My outcome has been one of self-assessment, new learning and employable skill development. I have chowed down on alot of digital content.

Everyone has different learning goals.
For me, it has solidified a new trajectory for my passion and helped me to refine an idea I believe in. This alone has been worth it.  

What did I learn?
I learned to hone in on, research and articulate a concept relevant to a target audience.
I learned about what causes behaviour change and various behavioural strategies (in big people).
How technlogy is currently being applied to adult learning.
lnteraction with a range of technologies, including Zoom, LMS, Webinars, Canvas etc
I learned that correct breathing is not specifically taught to children in the early years when it is so important.
I learned that children’s mental health is on a continuum between unwell.
I learned more about supporting child mental health and the parental understanding about what that might mean to them.
I learned about the connection between breathing and self-regulation.
I learned about self worth and playing on a bigger field.
I learned about respecting the rights and dignity and ensuring protection for our most vulnerable.
I learned about Covid19 safety and epidemiology.

Somewhere at the tail end of it all, I also updated my annual CPR First Aid certificate.