Stephen's Web

OLDaily

by Stephen Downes
October 8, 2007

NMC Publishes Results of Educators in Second Life Survey
Survey of educators associated with Second Life and the New Media Consortium. 100 percent of the respondents use Second Life (question 1) so this survey should be regarded in that light. That's why we see, for example, that 43 percent took a class in Second Life. And 33 percent of them own 'land' in the online environment. You need broadband to use Second Life; that's why only 1 percent use dial-up. But more interestingly, the most popular activity is 'wantering around' followed by 'meeting people'. So Second Life is still in the 'browsing' stage of use. Via Pete Johnston. Unattributed, New Media Consortium October 8, 2007 [Link] [Tags: Second Life] [Comment]

Facebook Usage
Survey of what people do when they're on Second Life. Which is, mostly, to look at people's profiles and to look at pictures. What this tells me is that people are still in the 'browse' stage of Facebook - similar to the way people used to explore home pages in the early days of the web. This means that Facebook needs to evolve, because the browsing stage will end, and if there isn't something to engage people, they'll go elsewhere. Andy Powell, eFoundations October 8, 2007 [Link] [Tags: Second Life, Books] [Comment]

FON's Wireless Revolution Starts Now
This is a remarkable story. FON is a service that allows you to "make a fraction of your Wi-Fi available as a secure public hotspot, and you get unlimited access to everyone else's Wi-Fi who's doing the same thing." Non-members ay a fee to access, and you get a cut. Now British Telecom has signed on. BT takes the resident's cut. But in return, the resident gets free access to what could be a much wider network. It's a good deal all round - except for existing wireless broadband provider. But who feels sorry for them, after they've been gouging the public for so long? Unattributed, ZD Net UK October 8, 2007 [Link] [Tags: Great Britain, Wireless, Networks] [Comment]

In a Vibrant Garden, Many Flowers Bloom: More Observations On Personal Learning Environments (PLE)
The Personal Learning Environment PLE can be viewed through various metaphors, including: shoes, second skin, intention, tower of babel, organization, wisdom of crowds or next generation. Christopher D. Sessums, Weblog October 8, 2007 [Link] [Tags: Personal Learning Environment] [Comment]

Due Diligence
The filtering argument continues. Doug Johnson links to a defense of filtering from Kurt Paccio, who argues, "not one of those who sigh or are critical of filtering decisions has their job on the line should Johnny access inappropriate content. Would those who are frustrated sit beside me in court or defend me in the court of public opinion?" Johnson responds, "If schools are relying on filters (and tech staff) alone to protect students from inappropriate content, I hope the superintendent gets canned rather than the IT director." You can tell common sense has gone out the window when Paccio asserts, "It's sad but we live in a litigious society." The problem is, justice is inaccessible. It costs too much to defend oneself, and the costs of failure are too extreme. Even if the response is reasonable, the bullies win. Paccio cannot avoid being responsible for keeping all children completely isolated from questionable content, and he must show that he is taking some action, even if the only course open to him is an unreasonable one. Doug Johnson, Blue Skunk Blog October 8, 2007 [Link] [Tags: Schools, Accessibility, Web Logs] [Comment]

Social Networks&Future Open PD
People sometimes ask me, "How do you know?" I know because this is a very common occurrence: "Having participated heavily in several social networks for educators during the last six months, I'm absolutely amazed at (1) how much I've learned from participating in such networks (see my last post, for example) and (2) how much I depend on my network now that I'm hooked." Darren Draper, Drape's Takes October 8, 2007 [Link] [Tags: Networks] [Comment]

FOWA: Enterprise Adoption of Social Software (Suw Charman)
Summary notes of this presentation from Suw Charman. The content is interesting enough, but what really makes it work is the use of lolcats as slides. Now of course this is something that would only once in a while, for effect. But the design and methodology is something that should not be quickly discounted. Stephanie Booth, Climb to the Stars October 8, 2007 [Link] [Tags: none] [Comment]

Navcon2k7, Fruit Bats, Terrigal Beach and Love Poems
What are we trying to teach when we teach? Probably one of these:
* Socialisation - the challenge of adapting the child to society
* Acculturation - the challenge of conveying the essence of a culture
* Individuation - that educational fostering of autonomy and authenticity
Artichoke writes, "Harpaz argued that we have a contradiction within schools because we have fused these three ideologies and because these ideologies helplessly contradict each other - we never progress." Which is true enough. But she notes, "The essential contradiction in Harpaz's keynote comes from an assumption that when we educate we make something happen. Causal thinking aligned to institutional practice." Which is also true. Artichoke, Website October 8, 2007 [Link] [Tags: Schools] [Comment]

 

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