Not everything in the garden is Rosicrucian

Do you know what the Rosicrucian cipher looks like?  If you don't, I guess that you would Google it. 

The Wiki definition is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigpen_cipher and defines it as "The pigpen cipher (sometimes referred to as the masonic cipher, Freemason's cipher, or Rosicrucian cipher) is a geometric simple substitution cipher which exchanges letters for symbols which are fragments of a grid"

I have been surprised this week by how many people in the UK (13.9 million) have never used a computer, nor been Online.  This was brought into focus as my company http://www.longden.co.uk/ ran an experiential team event for 20 people, the vast majority of whom almost ran away screaming when we brought out laptops to assist the learning process.  Only one person was brave enough to use the internet to search for the Rosicrucian Cipher, which would crack the code to give the all important "key to the bar".  The team comprised "Comfortable Off Liners"

Other examples of "Off Liners" this week are:

1. A close colleague, "Gill" who still has her secretary print off his emails as she is unable/unwilling to learn how to use email.
2. A friend who has to go to the library to read her emails as she cannot get the broadband to work at home
3. Attempting to run training sessions at three local venues which had to be abandoned because the WiFi connection was not working

It strikes me that we are trying to decipher the Online code, which comprises a mix of a lack of competence and confidence along with the ability to get the technology working. As designers of blended learning we need to develop practical ways to encourage and support the "Off Liners" to be comfortable "On Liners".

This week my company http://www.longden.co.uk/ begins its quest to encourage 1000 people to become "On Liners using the easy and enjoyable e-learning modules on http://www.onlinebasics.co.uk/