Intro for Chris
Hello everyone. I’m very happy to be back in a MET course after taking a semester off. My second son was born at Christmas and I am am only now emerging from the six month fog of caring for a toddler and newborn. But I am ready now, and this will be my seventh MET course.
I currently work as an eLearning Developer in the health care sector (Alberta Health Services in Calgary) designing courses for clinical applications. I have also worked as an Instructional Designer for colleges, but probably most relevant to this course, I ran a private business in web based test preparation (IELTS) for two years. As a one-man company I had to learn, in a very short time, about finances, marketing, web development, and sales. Greatest professional learning experience of my career, albeit an exhausting endeavour! 
gillian 7:55 am on May 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Chris,
So which was more challenging? the last 6 months of child care or being a “one-man company”? It sounds like you have a great background for this course. I admit that I am jealous and maybe a little intimidated :).
gillian
chrisaitken 7:06 am on May 9, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Parenting has been more challenging. There is more predictability with a small business!
gregcamp 8:36 am on May 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Chris,
Sounds like you have a very interesting background. Outside of teaching I am part of a junior oil and gas company and have a 19 month old son and a second baby boy coming in July. I think things are about to get busy busy busy. Any advice???
Cheers,
Greg
chrisaitken 7:05 am on May 9, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Advice? – Learn to be satisfied with 3-4hrs of sleep a night!
dubiend 8:29 pm on May 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hey Chris,
Do you know Steven Siebold? He’s with AHS and we took a course together last semester. I got to learn a lot about the AHS because we did a project on it. You guys have great stuff going on!
Danielle
chrisaitken 6:59 am on May 9, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Yes I know Stephen, although I don’t work with him directly. I’ll pass on your regards.
Danielle 2:16 am on May 9, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Chris,
Welcome back! I am super curious to know more about the web based IELTS prep and how you managed it. Did it only last 2 years due to the exhaustion it caused you? Looking forward to hearing more and learning from your experience!
Danielle
chrisaitken 7:03 am on May 9, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Danielle. I suppose if it were making me millions I would still be doing it! Basically, I had a one year old son at home and I could never see him so I decided I needed something more 9 to 5ish for a while.
Ronna Hoglund 7:32 am on May 12, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Chris,
I remember those exhausting days of looking after babies and got reminded just last night. I spent 6 hours in Emerg with my 17 y/o son who cut his hand very badly. I can’t remember the last time he needed “Mommy” for that amount of time:)
I look forward to having you aboard – sounds like you might be our “go to” student.
Ronna