E-Learning Resources

Book Reviews, BurpMitt, Cooking in the CIA, Mingling in the CIA, Mission: Stand Down, Mommy Thinks She's a Monster, Mommy's Gone Mad!, Single in the CIA

I’ve been trying to think of ways I could help someone during this time…. Then it dawned on me that I have taken dozens, if not hundreds, of classes online over the years.  I’ve compiled a list of resources for online learning – from resources for teachers and parents to use with homeschooling, to adult-themed subjects – from great sources. 

Futurelearn.com – This is a great place to find free classes on just about anything you can imagine.  They offer a diverse selection of courses from leading universities and cultural institutions from around the world. These are delivered one step at a time, and are accessible on mobile, tablet and desktop.  They have hundreds of partners from around the world. These include many of the best UK and international universities, as well as institutions with a huge archive of cultural and educational material, such as the British Council, the British Library, the British Museum, and the National Film and Television School. They also work with a range of internationally renowned organizations – from professional bodies such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), to businesses like the BBC and Marks & Spencer, to the UK Government.  I have taken everything from a class on Infant CPR given by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to World War 1: A History in 100 Stories, to one I’m currently taking on Rome.  

Edx.org – Free college classes. I have taken everything from Harvard classes titled China’s Political and Intellectual Foundations and Buddhism and Its Scriptures to a class on The Spain of Don Quixote given by the University of Madrid, to the Medieval Icelandic Sagas given by the University of Iceland. They have just about anything you can imagine from some of the best schools in the world.

Udemy.com – They have a wide range of classes in subjects ranging from game development to mobile apps to IT certification, to marketing and business. They have Python, ethical hacking, you name it.  These have a small price usually, but I see lots of sales going at all times.  

*** Update: Udemy.com now has a free resource center. FREE classes!

Environmental education materials – bringing ecology to the classroom.
https://education.mongabay.com/

NASA/Kennedy Space Center – Initially it was announced by some media outlets that they would be having Facebook Live events, but it appears they have been canceled for now.  You can still access their online learning links though.

https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/camps-and-education/educator-resources

World Wildlife Fund- biodiversity toolkit :

https://www.worldwildlife.org/teaching-resources/toolkits/biodiversity-toolkit?utm_campaign=wild-classroom&utm_medium=email&utm_source=enews-wc&utm_content=200322-edu

World Wildlife Fund – coloring pages:

https://support.worldwildlife.org/site/SPageServer/;jsessionid=00000000.app257b?pagename=coloringgallery&utm_campaign=wild-classroom&utm_medium=email&utm_source=enews-wc&utm_content=200322-edu&NONCE_TOKEN=CDCA283F6791649566D32A5464031E1D

World Wildlife Fund – elephant toolkit:

https://www.worldwildlife.org/teaching-resources/toolkits/elephant-toolkit?utm_campaign=wild-classroom&utm_medium=email&utm_source=enews-wc&utm_content=200322-edu

World Wildlife Fund – dolphin toolkit:

https://www.worldwildlife.org/teaching-resources/toolkits/dolphin-toolkit?utm_campaign=wild-classroom&utm_medium=email&utm_source=enews-wc&utm_content=200322-edu

World Wildlife Fund – polar bear toolkit:

https://www.worldwildlife.org/teaching-resources/toolkits/polar-bear-toolkit?utm_campaign=wild-classroom&utm_medium=email&utm_source=enews-wc&utm_content=200322-edu

World Wildlife Fund – sea turtle toolkit:

https://www.worldwildlife.org/teaching-resources/toolkits/sea-turtle-toolkit?utm_campaign=wild-classroom&utm_medium=email&utm_source=enews-wc&utm_content=200322-edu

World Wildlife Fund – monarch teaching toolkit:

https://www.worldwildlife.org/teaching-resources/toolkits/monarch-toolkit?utm_campaign=wild-classroom&utm_medium=email&utm_source=enews-wc&utm_content=200322-edu

Free education resources from the Nordic countries: Here you have 40+ remote learning solutions from Estonia, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden that you are welcome to use. For kids, preschool as well as K – 12, great resources to include ones for other languages, from all over the world.  Don’t let the 99math throw you off – there are resources from ALPA Kids – a mobile application where children can learn colors, numbers, the alphabet by playing with examples of their own culture and local nature, to the Future Astronauts Program – a 12-week program with activities connected to life skills of astronauts. Consists of inspirational Space material and easy-to-introduce activities to support STEM learning. Teachers have curated NASA materials that are relevant and interesting for young children, to Finland Math and it’s digital exercise platform Eduten Playground – an excellent resource for remote teaching and learning. It’s the most popular math learning tool among Finnish teachers, and one reason is that it is very easy to assign exercises for the students, and set and track goals, to resources specifically for teachers’ management of students – I could go on and on this one has so many different resources – all the way through higher education. 

https://education-nation.99math.com/

Pat Flynn – Smart Passive Income: Online business toolkit. Mr. Flynn is a master of passive income.  He offers all sorts of training, lots of it free, on how to successfully work from home, how to create passive income streams that really make money, and more. Ever wondered how to set up and make money with affiliate links? This guy is a master at it.

https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/online-business-toolkit/

Graduate School USA (used to be Grad School USDA): Long ago, I took classes on HTML through Grad School USDA.  Now, it looks like it is more geared toward the federal workforce, specifically management and human resources.  And it looks like they cost a bit to take. But still might be a valuable resource for someone.

https://www.graduateschool.edu/content/online

Tonya Leigh of French Kiss Life: Ms. Leigh runs a lifestyle brand and global movement called French Kiss Life.  She teaches people how to manage their own minds and bring joie de vivre into their daily lives. She does blog posts, podcasts and YouTube videos. 

https://frenchkisslife.com/social-distancing-guide/?utm_source=email-broadcast&utm_medium=email&utm_content=social-distancing&utm_campaign=blog&inf_contact_key=ff9c6ce8f80bbcb318aa1b1ccbc9da054dfbc39d7283b2cb89d5189540b69330

My Life Suckers: A comical YouTube channel and blog run by a mom who used to be a Senior Editor for Nickelodeon’s parenting website for 6 years where she wrote about snot and ear infections.  They have put together a great blog post full of resources. Resources ranging from Khan Academy: Excellent free tutorials for all ages in math, science, computing, humanities and more. They have courses from preschool math all the way to AP Calculus to Hike Find Draw: A hiker takes you along with him as he photographs what he finds. He then chooses a photograph and teaches his audience how to sketch what he has found on his hike, there are so many different options. 

Awesome Resources for Home Learning

Yoga…

Mission: Stand Down

…Standing in formation at a beginning yoga class that one of his past girlfriends had taken him to, he was admiring the very attractive yoga instructor. The instructor moved around the room assisting the students with each new pose as it was introduced. As the instructor lightly pushed on Jay’s back to guide him into the correct posture, Jay had taken a deep breath and, as she pushed his spine into place, Jay had suddenly broken wind, very loudly. The entire room had gone silent before everyone had burst into gales of laughter. Jay and the yoga instructor had ended up dating for a year after that…

From my book, Mission: Stand Down.

A Different World…

Mission: Stand Down

…. he soon came to realize that no one was reading his cables, and he decided to stop wasting the effort.

The beauty of the park was sharply contrasted by the sight of a young teenage girl being questioned by two young men in uniform. Jay stumbled upon scenes such as these quite often, and he identified these men, who were likely only a few years older than the teenage girl, as being from the             militia. Jay supposed she was not adequately            , or had too much makeup on, and was being harassed for it.

From my book, Mission: Stand Down.

As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission from any purchases made using links in this post.

Happy New Year 2020!

Mommy's Gone Mad!

In true tired-mommy fashion, I fell asleep before I could continue on with the Mommy’s Gone Mad! listening party. But, not to worry, we can listen all year round! I hope everyone has a fun-filled, healthy, laughter-filled year!

Some background on Mommy’s Gone Mad!:

So…. I had all these songs recorded from as far back as 2013 when my first child was born.

Since that time I guess you could say that we’ve lived in some very remote locations.
One foot in the rubber room? Why yes, yes I am.

The kids and I have had fun making these songs – and they truly think these are hysterical.

Those of you who really know me know that I have a horrendous voice and zero musical talent. As any parent knows, kids love repetition (some more than others) and sometimes putting something on that a kid really likes (though it could be maddening) can give you time to do something you need to do, or give you a laugh yourself if you can find humor in the moment.

So, I made this album – the kids do backup on some of the tracks – and it will bring us laughs for life! (And a nice passive income stream which any parent can appreciate).

Mommy’s Gone Mad! is available on Spotify, Deezer, Tidal, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Napster and more! It’s everywhere! I don’t know whether to be horrified or excited…. With tracks like I See Your Boogie and Pee On The Potty, it’s sure to be relatable to anyone who spends time with small children. If it entertains just one child, or makes one frazzled parent laugh, I have done my job.

Celebrate the New Year with Mommy’s Gone Mad!

Mommy's Gone Mad!

Join us for a 2020 celebration and the release of my first album! That’s right – Mommy’s Gone Mad! has dropped!

Listen to it on Spotify, Deezer, Tidal, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Napster and more! It’s everywhere! I don’t know whether to be horrified or excited…. With tracks like I See Your Boogie and Pee On The Potty, it’s sure to be relatable to anyone who spends time with small children. If it entertains just one child, or makes one frazzled parent laugh, I have done my job.

Many thanks to the record company Amuse, Will.i.am and all involved, for the chance to get my release – my own particular brand of lunacy, out to the public – worldwide!

Join us for a listening party – December 31st 8pm to 1am!

Giving Thanks – Let’s Celebrate!

BurpMitt, Cooking in the CIA, Mingling in the CIA, Mission: Stand Down, Mommy Thinks She's a Monster, OpsLens Media, Single in the CIA

As we get closer to the 5th year since my first book, Single in the CIA was published, I thought I would take a few minutes to say a BIG Thank You to all of you for your support and to celebrate some of the accomplishments from these past 5 years. I couldn’t have done it without all of you.

So, let’s take a look!

Since 2015, I have 7 published works: Single in the CIA, Mission: Stand Down, the Mingling in the CIA series – which consists of Observations of an Underdog, Annie, Annie Goes Overseas, and Bloud. I also have a children’s picture book, Mommy Thinks She’s a Monster.

Since becoming a published author, I have been invited to contribute to three different news outlets:

I write a series called Underground California for OpsLens. At the time of writing this I have 12 pieces with them. Here is one of my favorites: California Darkness.

Brainhackers.com focuses on brain health. Here is my favorite piece for them: The Secret to Happiness.

And then there is American Greatness. I was honored, and quite intimidated, to be accepted as a contributor for them – as they have some incredible writers. I currently have one piece for them: American Parent.

In less than 5 years I have gone from:

  •  0 to 2,849 followers on Twitter
  •  0 to 1,544 connections on Linked In
  •  0 to 15K monthly viewers on Pinterest
  • 0 to 213 likes on Facebook
  • 0 to 17 subscribers and 1,943 views on YouTube

Since the publication of my first book, I have had 2 TV appearances – Politics & Profits with Rick Amato and The Drew Berquist Show. I have also had 2 interviews with Hollywood casting directors, as well as discussions with the people at As Seen on TV.

I have invented my very own physical product and had it manufactured. It is now available on Amazon.

I have learned how to build an app, and I created one. Cooking in the CIA is available on the App Store.

What People Are Saying About My Writing:

You give of yourself in your writing. You touch hearts. It’s a rare gift Shelly.
— David Kamioner, Writer, Contributor and Author of Prisoner of the Chattering Class

No holds barred, precisely the commentary I’ve heard from others in similar situations. Thank you for who you are and being a role model for others to include our 14 year old daughter. Much appreciated.
— Anonymous Reader

I will say it took courage to do what you did. Sort of like charging a machine gun nest. After the first step it’s too late to back out.
— Frank Boccia, Author of The Crouching Beast

Thank you so much for being brave enough to show the world this view. You have done society a service with your pen!
— Anonymous Reader

And, last but not least, Single in the CIA is being adapted for TV! That’s right – you may be seeing the book that began it all on your television screens!

As you can see, I have LOTS going on, and more to come. Who knows what the next 5 years has in store, but I’m pretty sure it’s going to be big. I have fun coming up with new ideas and bringing my creations to life!

Again, I thank you all for the support. I hope everyone has a very happy holiday season. Here’s to FUN and laughter!

Cheers!
Shelly

Please stand down on pursuit of ….

Mission: Stand Down

Expecting to see only the usual download of the equivalent of junk mail in his cable queue, one short cable downloaded to his screen.

“PLEASE STAND DOWN ON PURSUIT OF ANY INFORMATION PERTAINING TO            .”

That was it; the cable contained no further explanation…

                                                                                                                                    

….He was torn between what he knew to be the right thing to do, and the desire to             avoid being called back to Headquarters, an action that would effectively end his career.

Catty Ladies…

Single in the CIA

While most of the men I encountered in the Agency were a particularly narcissistic and womanizing bunch, the women of the Agency definitely took the cake when it came to viciousness and backstabbing. It was as if destroying your fellow female colleagues was a requirement for success as a woman in the Agency. This was rarely accomplished in public view; it was most often a behind-the-scenes demolition of another woman’s reputation.

#CommissionsEarned

Important Meetings…

Single in the CIA

And so it happens, in every workplace – endless time-wasting meetings, gossip and trash-talking. But at the CIA we were supposed to be above all of that – we were the “cream of the crop”….

….they were discussing the staffing of our office, going over each employee and what their position was. Barry said that when my name was mentioned and Barry described me as “the blonde”, one of the women in the meeting then spent quite a bit of time arguing that I was not a blonde, I was a brunette. The woman making these claims was someone I had met once or twice in passing. According to Barry she was adamant that I was not a blonde, I dyed my hair, and she spent at least ten minutes arguing with him about it. Barry thought the story was funny; I was just appalled. Besides the fact that I have always had blond hair, why was this an acceptable topic of discussion in a front office meeting? I could not understand how the color of my hair was relevant to any staffing meeting in the CIA.

#CommissionsEarned