Thursday 7 June 2007

Google Checkout Integration

I had some difficulties with integrating with my shopping cart software with Google Checkout. With PayPal it was easy — I just got my program to modify the code for one of the 'Buy Now' buttons. Unfortunately, the Google Checkout button code is encrypted which means I would have to produce a different button for every one of my items.

So I tried using Google's API sample code, but the test URL was not recognised and the live code produced an error. I gave up on trying the sandbox (test area) and concentrated on getting the live code to work. After delving deeper into the Developers' Handbook, I have managed to sort the problem out:

The samples Google give are for a US shopping basket but as my account is in Pounds stirling the orders were rejected. The US Dollar is the default currency so the code to define the currency was not included in the sample. I managed to solve the problem by two lines of code. Please see my article on Google Checkout Intergation for more information and code examples.

Wednesday 16 May 2007

Nochex Problem

When I first started an online shop, I accepted both Nochex and PayPal on my website. I used Nochex as my main payment service provider because customers didn't have to join Nochex to make a payment and Nochex also accepted debit cards. When PayPal introduced these features and when eBay bought PayPal, I decided to make PayPal my main provider. I still accepted Nochex for those people who preferred Nochex, but very few payments were made with Nochex.

Recently, I tried to log into my Nochex account only to find that my account had been suspended due to inactivity. As it is Nochex's (security) policy not to send notification, I have no idea of how long the account had been suspended and how many customers I have lost.

You can't re-activate the account online — you have to download and print a two-page form, answer security questions, provide two original (?) proofs of identity (they don't return these so they recommend you send photocopies!) and a cancelled cheque or paying-in slip - and then post it to them. It took two weeks and two emails after they received this documentation to get my account reactivated. Nochex do not have a customer service number.

When I finally gained access to my account, I discovered that Nochex had charged me a £20 dormant account fee - again without any warning or notification. I have now closed my account and will no longer be accepting Nochex on my website.

Thursday 26 April 2007

Stress Manager

The latest anecdote to be added to our Gold Membership Area - 'Stress Manager' - is ideal for using as an 'interest getter' in a stress management course.

Wednesday 25 April 2007

Rebel Foot (draft)

While sitting where you are at your desk in front of your computer, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.

NOW, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with you right hand...

Your foot will change direction!.

There's nothing you can do about it!.

I told you that you can't outsmart your foot!!!

Accelerated Learning (draft)

I am working on an article about accelerated learning — see draft below — so I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has any experiences or opinions on this technique.



[I'll be writing an introduction to be inserted here]

I had some reservations about using accelerated learning techniques until I used it to help teach a dozen theories of motivation and leadership.

The lesson included a videotape which described all 12 theories in 40 minutes, obviously too much to take in at one go. I had already split up the tape with discussions about the theories and I also had 'stills' from the video on display. Despite this it was still apparent that the students had little confidence that they could remember the theories. I decided it might be worthwhile using the 'catch ball' technique.

Instead of using 'pose then pounce' or 'pounce then pose' techniques, I tried asking the question as I threw the ball to a student ('throw and pose' technique). Throwing the ball is not a gimmick: the idea is to distract the student's conscious attention so that the answer can surface from the subconscious. Suitable balls for this exercise are either sponge balls or balls that have been constructed from strands of rubber in the fashion of a pompom.

After showing the video I called a coffee break to allow the students to relax and to give some time for assimilation. When they returned I named one of the theories and threw the ball to one of the students. Immediately the student explained what the theory meant. The ball was thrown from student to student, each student explaining one theory and naming another. To our amazement all the theories were accurately recalled. [I will also be describing how music was used in this experiment.]

Some of the techniques described above were first developed in 1956 at the University of Sofia by the Bulgarian psychologist Dr Georgi Lozanov. Colin Rose developed many of the Accelerated Learning techniques and pioneered how to apply the method for students, teachers and language learners.

However the method is certainly not the work of just one person. Dozens of universities, research psychologists and professional educators have contributed to produce this unique way of learning and presenting new information.

The techniques, for example, incorporate the work of Dr Howard Gardner of Harvard University on Multiple Intelligences (see his book Multiple Intelligences), of Arthur Costa from UCLA and others on learning styles and of Nobel prize winners Roger Sperry and Robert Ornstein on the brain.

What Colin Rose has done is to synthesise the work of over 100 key educational researchers and create a simple model of learning that makes effective learning a skill within the reach of everyone.

Colin Rose's book Accelerated Learning describes these techniques in more detail.