Of Mice and Middle Years…

As I am waiting outside my child’s school a number of days ago I stumbled upon a CBC show called Search Engine. The host was discussing the topic of whether or not Net Neutrality should be a right. Net Neutrality? Huh? Well after my child jumped in the car and immediately accessed the nearest FM station, I had to explore this further. I had heard enough to learn that this show is quite interactive and develops it’s content from feedback from it’s viewers on the Search Engine site. (podcasts are available too…was going to grab one for the post, but copyright states otherwise) So I find the link for the broadcast and I find the topic.
Darcy Cassleman, a listener to Search Engine, comments on the blog..“Net Neutrality guarantees that new technologies (and new people) won’t be excluded by incumbents seeking to defend their position.” He also adds..” Tim Berners-Lee said “When I invented the Web, I didn’t have to ask anyone for permission.” [http://dig.csail.mit.edu/breadcrumbs/node/1440]

However I quickly discover it may be more than just censorship, it involves access and of course (gasp) corporate interests!
Check out this YouTube video for a much better explanation… Warning! It is from the John Daily Show!

So my journey continues to my starting point, the Search Engine broadcast. There is a movement to develop an Internet Bill of Rights to address this issue of Net Neutrality.
Then just recently, Comcast, has announced their own "P2P Bill of Rights".
I then find that Search Engine developed another broadcast entitled "Internet Bill of Rights pt.2: Comcast's bill of rights?"
O.K, where is this going (or is it already gone)? What did I miss? I can see some interesting conversations that may arise from this topic. What do you think?

Why we should!

Download Video: Posted by rachelboyd at TeacherTube.com.

Download Video: Posted by shoemap at TeacherTube.com.

I found this site called Educational World. There is a section on educational technology. Looking for input from my network of experts…here is a small sample.. Alec, Rob, Dean, Heather , Rick , and of course the rest of you out there in the ed tech blogosphere! I am on the fence at the moment. First of all the site seems very inviting to teachers, especially for those outside the realm of educational technology. My second impression is that some of the practices suggested may be somewhat archaic. I am also looking for some comments on some of the featured ed techs on the site. Recognize only one.
Thanks!

A tribute to one of the great academic thunkers of our time.

georgewathisbest.wmv

How do we educate the parents of children in our schools in relation to online awareness and safety? Should we depend on the media and corporations to educate our parents? Why not? They may have the best of intentions and more importantly the money and means to spread their message.

Please view the article here.

The fine print at the bottom: Bell Corporation and Microsoft. The article mentions “the latest research” yet in the age of hyperlinks none are cited. Note Dean Shareski’s comment on research from his post as an excellent example of the information that our parents should be reading. Blogs from esteemed academics such as these are the real backbone of tackling these issues but the reality is that 99 percent of our population will depend on these corporate sponsored articles of good intention to inform our parents.
Call me jaded but I have a personal concern over corporations that back media articles that involve education and technology. I fear agenda, misinformation and sensationalism.

Reflections of EC&I 831… as you can see, I don’t see this as an end to a journey.
What I have learned? As the saying goes, “Everything and nothing…” (In nothing I mean…wow there is so much out there, isn’t there!) Theory and philosophy, proprietary and open source, static and interactive, past and future, traditional practices vs engagement, analogue/ digital learning…Think about it, in reality there is no limitation to the imagination of the millions of content providers in publishing or programming that have developed or will dream of in the future in relation to educational technology. The courage of Dr. Couros to gather together the cutting edge minds and technologies that at first (for me) overwhelm, intrigue and then most important, the opportunity to play, learn and apply to my educational experience. Discussing issues utilizing Ustream and Skype and suddenly discovering that experts in the field of educational technology just happen to drop by to engage and offer their experience. Blogs, wikis, videos and readings that challenge dullard educational practices and open a glimpse of a world to come. Getting the opportunity to be involved in online discussions outside the class with people such as Dean Shareski to explore other educational issues. And two important words…TED talks! All melt together to a common theme that something must be done to meet the needs of our students. I may not have agreed with all that was presented, but I certainly found practicality where in many courses theory eludes practice.
To all the participants, I hope to encounter you all in the blogosphere or FTF sometime down the road. I think we all have taken something back that has changed much of what and whom we are trying to educate for the present and future.

After viewing this video, I am really embarrassed in relation to my powerpoint presentation I made in my 800 res class last year…

Lets be honest. We all have done this. You ever come up with an idea and you know if you open your mouth, someone is going to say…”Great idea, why don’t you organize/take responsibility/do it!”?
But you open your mouth anyway?
This project was developed as a possible answer to a perceived need to introduce or reinforce skills required to utilize online tools for our staff and students.
As budgets become tighter, screencast tutorials may be one answer to cheaply and effectively deliver this required instruction. However, this is not very easy to develop on a larger scale. It was one heck of a journey…one I am thinking is the beginning of more to come!

Please take a look at my project. I would really appreciate feedback. Any feedback, e-mail, post, whatever.

Click here.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video, at 24 frames per second is????? Well, it depends on the video. The video linked below is certainly worth millions!
In my opinion, video, with the right quality and direction, can change (and therefore educate) the hearts and minds of many.
I would like to introduce you to a former classmate of mine, named Jordan Epp. He works at EMAP at the U of S and is currently working on his Masters degree as well.
We took an Advanced Cinematography class together with Jay Wilson and his work, to say the least, is awe inspiring.
Please check out his site.
I would suggest selecting the Metal Piece Theatre portfolio on his site and then view the Quicktime movie Fear Itself 2005.
He has three videos on the page, so it may take a minute or two to load, but trust me, it is well worth the wait. In fact, all the content on the site is incredible.
In fact, if you don’t agree, Rob will buy you a Timmy’s.
Visit his site here.
Seriously, if you want to watch a video with not only incredible quality, but a fantastic message, take a few minutes.