Sorry, An Error Has Occurred January 15, 2009
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Humor, Opinion.2 comments
Some day this sort of thing won’t happen. Some day, errors won’t be an expected component of technology. Some day, we will no longer notice technology because it just works.
Some day, but not today.
Cool Web 2.0 For Beginners January 10, 2009
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos, Link Collections.add a comment
Vicki Davis, the Cool Cat Teacher, has published a nice introduction article on Web 2.0. If you are just getting started yourself, or if you know someone who is ready to get started, it is an excellent beginners guide. Resources are linked, and the article includes assignments that provide a helpful focus.
Cool Cat Teacher Blog: Basics for Beginners: What is Web 2.0?
How-To Google Reader Videos January 9, 2009
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos, Tools.add a comment
CNET News reports that there is now a Google Reader Help Videos channel on YouTube. At the time the article was first published, there were only 2 videos. At the time of this posting, there are now 3 videos. Good sign that there is more to come. See them all from the link below. The videos are hosted on YouTube, so you may have difficulty seeing the videos at school.
YouTube – GoogleReaderHelp’s Channel
Short History of the Internet January 7, 2009
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos, History.add a comment
Interesting short video on the history of the Internet. I enjoy this sort of thing, thinking that knowing where you have been may shed some light on where you are now, and possibly where you might be next. Credit to Free Technology for Teachers blog for this find. Free Technology for Teachers: The History of the Internet
History of the Internet from PICOL on Vimeo.
Creative Commons for the Educator January 4, 2009
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos, Fair Use, Link Collections, Tools.add a comment
Very nice collection of Creative Commons resources for use in the classroom on the Drape’s Takes blog. There are 4 short parts: understanding the rules, resources for using CC in your curriculum, encouraging remixing, and teaching students about CC. By way of a tweet from Angela Maiers. Twitter / Angela Maiers: Great post on creative com …
Drape’s Takes: The Educator’s Guide to the Creative Commons
The Future That Could Have Been January 2, 2009
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos, History.2 comments
Very interesting audio slideshow (digital storytelling?) about a project to invent the future from the early 1960’s. The future could have included movable cities transported by hovercraft. Actually, we could use that idea in my district where we have need for new schools in some areas, with underused schools in others. Need more capacity? Just float in a school from one part of town to another!
Predictions for 2009 January 1, 2009
Posted by Matthew Woolums in 21st-Century, History, Opinion.add a comment
I’m not sure predictions are all that helpful, but they are sort of fun to write anyway. They also give me a chance to look forward, and forward is progress, right? So here goes:
- Just like last year, smaller and portable will be more important. If laptops and other gadgets don’t get smaller and more portable, they will at least get less expensive. This is good news for the classroom, at least for the classroom that is ready to turn over some control of the learning to the learners. It won’t mean much at all to a teacher-centered classroom.
- Net Neutrality will continue to be a non-issue for most people. With the new administration coming in, Net Neutrality might actually come to pass. For those who say we don’t need any guarantees in place about accessing information in this age of information, I am glad the same argument wasn’t listened to when it came time to write the Bill of Rights. Classrooms won’t notice this issue even if it isn’t in place.
- Computer displays built into eye glasses will not be common place in the coming year. By the time virtual displays are available, which won’t be any time soon, you won’t need to wear glasses to see what is on your display.
- The coming year will be more difficult for Internet start-ups that give away their product for free. This means fewer cool new sites for our students to figure out how to use to further their own learning. It also means that the best sites will need our patronage and support. We’ll need to do a better job of spreading the word about the best tools and the best ways to use them in our classrooms.
- Smart phones will get even smarter. This one seems like a done deal.
On to 2009 to see how the predictions turn out! Let’s make it a better one than the last one.
