{"id":3007,"date":"2021-06-02T13:05:11","date_gmt":"2021-06-02T13:05:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marendeepwell.com\/?p=3007"},"modified":"2021-06-02T13:05:43","modified_gmt":"2021-06-02T13:05:43","slug":"may-21-from-beach-to","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marendeepwell.com\/?p=3007","title":{"rendered":"May &#8217;21: Life\/work balance, creative projects and virtual team working"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Life\/work balance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Last month starting with some well-earned time off. One aim I have set myself for this year is to take work at my own pace. As a CEO I find there is always pressure, too much to be getting on with &#8211; but I am doing what I can to work at a pace that is sustainable for my life\/work balance. So some of what I enjoyed most about the last month was not being at work \ud83d\ude42 <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Another day at the beach &#8211; at one of the largest dunes in Europe <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/u1xcLpQrUs\">pic.twitter.com\/u1xcLpQrUs<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Dr Maren Deepwell (@MarenDeepwell) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MarenDeepwell\/status\/1388445739852967938?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 1, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And I am not the only one seeking a better life\/work balance&#8230; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Feels like everyone around me is taking early retirement, starting a career break or changing jobs&#8230; meanwhile I\u2019m in my 10th year as CEO of <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/A_L_T?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@A_L_T<\/a> and excited about working with one of THE BEST independent organisations around, making <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/edtech?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#edtech<\/a> a better place to be <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/altc?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#altc<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/nVJbv3k6HH\">pic.twitter.com\/nVJbv3k6HH<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Dr Maren Deepwell (@MarenDeepwell) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MarenDeepwell\/status\/1390034316051288072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 5, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Part of the plan for this year is to learn some new things&#8230; and broadcasting on the radio is one of THE most enjoyable things I have done this month. In large part this is thanks to Anne-Marie, who very patiently taught me how to do it in the simplest way (and after a YEAR of encouragement, we managed an hour on the airwaves). I loved it! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Right then <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ds106radio?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ds106radio<\/a> folk&#8230; get ready for Sunday as the one and only <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ammienoot?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@ammienoot<\/a> teaches ME how to broadcast on the airwaves&#8230; live on air. It\u2019s the tightrope learning edition of a Sunday special coming up right here on DS106 Radio. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/6qmgrwfuY1\">pic.twitter.com\/6qmgrwfuY1<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Dr Maren Deepwell (@MarenDeepwell) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MarenDeepwell\/status\/1392890639923261443?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 13, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Leading a Virtual Team<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mental Health for Virtual Teams<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/MentalHealthAwarenessWeek?src=hashtag_click\">#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek<\/a> 2021 from 10 &#8211; 16 May and, with the effects the pandemic has had on everyone&#8217;s mental health over the last 12 months, it&#8217;s more important than ever for organisations to prioritise mental health in the workplace. Here in the UK restrictions are lifting and things are getting a lit bit easier and from next week, the slow return to offices and campuses is entering a new phase. Whilst the weather is still a bit mixed we are slowly moving into a brighter time of year. I blogged about how we are checking in with mental wellbeing for virtual teams including what practical steps we take as a team and an organisation. <a href=\"https:\/\/marendeepwell.com\/?p=2985\">Read more<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Virtual Team Day<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Great start to our <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/A_L_T?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@A_L_T<\/a> team day: goodie boxes, team walk with photo competition and treats for mid morning coffee <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/altc?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#altc<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/virtualTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#virtualTeam<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/2KJRpTaipn\">pic.twitter.com\/2KJRpTaipn<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Dr Maren Deepwell (@MarenDeepwell) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MarenDeepwell\/status\/1397116937281363976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 25, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This month was our first full Team Day of the year. We blogged about what we did, why and how.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The \u2018why\u2019 of our virtual Team Days<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a distributed team we have had a blended approach to individual catch up and team get togethers for a couple of years. Due to the impact of lockdown living and working from home with family, pets and under pressure, we didn\u2019t have formal Team Days last year and instead shorter, more frequent social gatherings online. For example, we used birthdays as a prompt to have a virtual team get together, often with cake or similar treats sent by post to everyone in advance. Things have improved over the last few weeks and months and our team is now ready to come together for a full day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A full day is a lot of time, particularly in a small team with mostly part-time workers. We don\u2019t have any external commitments on the day and Out of Office messages are firmly ON. So why do we have Team Days:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>To give ourselves time to hang out together<\/li><li>To work together on something as a team<\/li><li>To have fun and focus on our social relationships<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/marendeepwell.com\/?p=2994\">Read more<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Things I really enjoyed working on<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/E1Bdc97XsAAdjh3?format=jpg&amp;name=small\" alt=\"Image\"\/><figcaption>I love the artwork for the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/A_L_T\">@A_L_T<\/a> Annual Conference this year <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/altc?src=hashtag_click\">#altc<\/a><br>created by the talented Gloria Corra, winner of the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/altc?src=hashtag_click\">#altc<\/a> student competition at London College of Communication<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Consultation on an Ethical Framework for professional practice in Learning Technology<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As part of ALT\u2019s strategic aim to strengthen recognition and representation for Learning Technology professionals from all sectors, one of the priorities Members identified for this year is to develop an ethical framework for Learning Technology. We have received a lot of of input from the working group, including many links to resources and organisations that can help inform the framework and we have worked to define a set of ethical principles which will form the core of the new framework alongside tools including for example a checklist or reflective questionnaire, to help individuals, institutions and industry to see how these principles are put into action.<strong><br><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/go.alt.ac.uk\/EthicsInput\" target=\"_blank\">http:\/\/go.alt.ac.uk\/EthicsInput<\/a><\/strong><br><strong>Deadline: 9th June 2021.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#JuneEdTechChallenge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This month I have been enjoying playing along with the #MayVinylChallenge (thanks to Simon Horrocks, who helped me discover it), which I think was set up by the Founder of Women in Vinyl, Jenn D\u2019Eugenio. As a side note,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/womeninvinyl.com\/\">Women in Vinyl<\/a>&nbsp;sounds like a great group and reminds me a lot of #FemEdTech. So\u2026 I sure I am not the only one who is looking for a bit more fun just now, and I am glad to say that fellow vinyl enthusiast and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/\">#altc blog<\/a>&nbsp;editor&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hopkinsdavid\">David Hopkins<\/a>&nbsp;is game to take inspiration from this community challenge and create our very own #altc community #JuneEdTechChallenge! <a href=\"https:\/\/marendeepwell.com\/?p=2990\">Read more<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quick links<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/bavatuesdays.com\/domains21-hope-on-the-airwaves-the-ds106radio-sunday-special\/\">Domains21: Hope on the Airwaves \u2013 the #ds106radio Sunday Special<\/a> by Jim Groom<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/marendeepwell.com\/?p=2985\">LEADING A VIRTUAL TEAM: MENTAL WELLBEING FOR VIRTUAL TEAMS <\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/marendeepwell.com\/?p=2990\">FROM #MAYVINYLCHALLENGE TO #JUNEEDTECHCHALLENGE<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/laurenhanks.com\/oerxdomains-artwork-aesthetic-admiration\/\">OERxDomains: Artwork, Aesthetic, and Admiration<\/a> by Lauren Hanks<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dontwasteyourtime.co.uk\/elearning\/juneedtechchallenge\/\">A new challenge. The #JuneEdTechChallenge<\/a> by David Hopkins<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/marendeepwell.com\/?p=2994\">LEADING A VIRTUAL TEAM: OUR TEAM DAY EXPERIENCE<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Life\/work balance Last month starting with some well-earned time off. One aim I have set myself for this year is to take work at my own pace. As a CEO I find there is always pressure, too much to be getting on with &#8211; but I am doing what I can to work at a pace that is sustainable for my life\/work balance. So some of what I enjoyed most about the last month was&#8230;<\/p>\n<div class=\"more-link-wrapper\"><a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/marendeepwell.com\/?p=3007\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">May &#8217;21: Life\/work balance, creative projects and virtual team working<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3001,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[30],"class_list":["post-3007","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-leadership","tag-altc","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/marendeepwell.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Capture.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7wa4N-Mv","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/marendeepwell.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3007","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/marendeepwell.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/marendeepwell.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marendeepwell.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marendeepwell.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3007"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/marendeepwell.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3007\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3012,"href":"https:\/\/marendeepwell.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3007\/revisions\/3012"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marendeepwell.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3001"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/marendeepwell.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3007"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marendeepwell.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3007"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marendeepwell.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3007"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}