Yes, but why? February 28, 2007
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos.add a comment
The BBC is reporting that among other things, the future will bring us fragrances over the Internet. I don’t doubt that this is possible, but like a lot of other technology, why would this be important? Do I really need to know what a pizza smells like when I order it online? Would watching the Wizard of OZ be better if I can smell the poppy field? Speculation about where the future of technology will take us is important to know, but just because something can be done (and so probably will be done) doesn’t mean that it should be done. Do we really need more access to odors than we have already?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6404067.stm
High Tech Troubles February 26, 2007
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos.5 comments
InsideBayArea.com is reporting that High Tech High Bayshore will close at the end of this year. It seems remarkable that a school held up as an icon, where students all go to college, could not attract a large enough student body to meet its financial obligations. If I could design my own school it would look a lot like this one. Its demise is baffling.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_5296756?source=rss
Wikipedia 2.0? February 22, 2007
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eSchool News is reporting that Larry Sanger, a co-founder of Wikipedia, is launching an alternative free online encyclopedia that addresses some of the concerns over the reliability of the contributors. This new encyclopedia is called Citizendium. It requires contributors to register, and also includes subject matter expert editors. Citizendium is still in a pilot phase and can be reached here: http://www.citizendium.org/.
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showStoryRSS.cfm?ArticleID=6877
Decode the Web February 21, 2007
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See through the clutter with our tips for searching, browsing, and using RSS
By Sarah Milstein and Kirk McElhearn
This Macworld feature article, published in the February 2007 edition, is a simple way to break down some of the complicated Web 2.0 components into helpful bite-sized morsels with linked examples. The article covers searching, power browsing, news aggregators, bookmarks, and keyboard shortcuts.
http://www.macworld.com/2007/01/features/decode_main/index.php
Sort of sums it all up February 15, 2007
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Humor.add a comment
Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.
eSchool News online reports on ed-tech trends to watch February 15, 2007
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Written by Justin Appel, this article reviews the Horizon Report from the New Media Consortium and EDUCAUSE. All 6 trends (user-created content, social networking, mobile phones, virtual worlds, new scholarship, and massively multiplayer educational gaming) have actually been around for the last year or longer. Still, they are all definitely underutilized, or sorely misunderstood, educational technology resources.
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showStoryRSS.cfm?ArticleID=6870
Looking forwards February 10, 2007
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Don’t get too comfortable! Technology changes, get used to it. If you think you have problems working with a computer now, some people think that they have an answer by changing how you interact through the interface. To see this in action, watch a sample video of Perceptive Pixel founder Jeff Han.
Perceptive Pixel, Inc. was founded by Jeff Han in 2006 as a spinoff of the NYU Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences to develop and market the most advanced multi-touch system in the world.
http://centripetalnotion.com/2007/01/20/15:20:34/
Looking backwards February 10, 2007
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From the Big Question Wiki, the question “How doth human language evolve?” is posited. The development of language is the heart of education, and this wiki is a nice invitation to participate in a discussion about the nature of language. Especially interesting is the lively discussion that occurs below the wiki article, including additional links to more resources on the topic. The Big Question Wiki is sponsored by Wired News.
http://www.socialtext.net/wired-mag/index.cgi?how_doth_human_language_evolve
Unlearning February 10, 2007
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Edubloggers.add a comment
Will Richardson has an interesting post titled: The Steep “Unlearning Curve”, in which he explores some of the concepts we must find a way to let go of or move beyond in order to embrace new ways of teaching and learning. I was especially struck by the following: “When we can share our work with wide audiences, we need to unlearn the idea that student writing and projects are simply ways to assess what they know.” Richardson includes a list of 10 items to unlearn, and invites his readers to add their own suggestions.
http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-steep-unlearning-curve/
Technology Resources for Teaching and Learning February 8, 2007
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This article, “INTERNET RESOURCES - Using technology in teaching and learning: Resources to help you navigate a digital world” by Bryan Alexander, appearing in the February 2007 edition of the C&RL News (Association of Colleges & Research Libraries), takes a brief look at the state of technology in education. The article also includes an interesting collection of current web resources and trends. Bryan Alexander is the blog author for Infocult: Information, Culture, Policy, Education.
http://www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlpubs/crlnews/backissues2007/february07/techteachlearn.htm
ISTE drafts new NETS for students February 8, 2007
Posted by Matthew Woolums in 21st-Century, Articles/Videos.add a comment
“As technology, resources, practices, and assessments change over time, it is necessary to review and refresh the standards. Within an evolving learning landscape, a connected global community, and a context of emerging technologies, ongoing renewal activities are essential.” - ISTE | NETS Refresh
ISTE has proposed new student technology standards. They are also looking for input on the draft standards. For more information about how to provide input, visit the ISTE | NETS Refresh page:
www.iste.org/nets-refresh
To review the draft standards, here is a direct link to the PDF document:
http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/NETS_Refresh_Forum_Meetings/ISTENETS_Refreshed_S4Jan07.pdf
Boogle February 5, 2007
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Reuters is reporting that Princeton has joined up with Google to scan in all of the books of their library. Many have speculated that such an effort spells the doom of books. While this effort by Google may result in more people having access to more information, I believe that we are a long way off from a bookless world. If we do end up in a bookless world, let’s hope it is because we have come up with some better way to distribute information, and not because our access to information has been removed.
