Stephen's Web

OLDaily

by Stephen Downes
February 28, 2008

Connectivism Positions
Links to an interesting back-and-forth on the question of whether connectivism is a (new) learning theory. As usual (which is an interesting comment in itself) I feel the critics have not read widely enough. "If any part of the theory were relevant it would be the recognition of the potential of networking and connecting, but these are ways of learning, the pedagogy. Otherwise, the theory does not describe how we learn, how we make the connections inside of ourselves nor does it describe what we learn." Indeed? Have we been totally silent on these issues? George Siemens, Connectivism Blog February 28, 2008 [Link] [Tags: Connectivism, Networks] [Comment]

Effortlessly and Unintentionally Causing Pain to Others
If you conduct workshops you should probably read this, along with the associated posts by Meg Tilly and Nancy White. Dave Pollard, How to Save the World February 28, 2008 [Link] [Tags: none] [Comment]

Open Science, Open Seminars
Bit by bit, we move in the right direction. And I'd be interested to hear people's views on the question: "I think it was particularly appropriate that a seminar on Open Science provided an opportunity for this initial experiment in opening up access to the talk to a wider audience. But what do you feel about this? Is the light weight approach adequate?" Brian Kelly, U.K. Web Focus February 28, 2008 [Link] [Tags: none] [Comment]

The Future of Reputation
Subtitled: Gossip, rumour and privacy on the internet. Free online book. I haven't read this, but it is being recommended. Daniel J. Solove, Website February 28, 2008 [Link] [Tags: Privacy Issues] [Comment]

An Eye-Witness Account of the Trial
people wondering what went wrong in Texas at the Blackboard patent trial will be interested to read this eyewitness account, provided by Jim Farmer. "This was not 'anything goes combat,' but rather two businesses that had a different perspectives of U.S. patent law and it applicability to their business." It probably could not have been anything otherwise in this case, where the judge warned lawyers that "those attorneys (who are 'nasty') lose more trials than those who were more respectful of witnesses."If you were interested in the trial you will want to read this. And note well: "Blackboard's SEC Form 10K filing revealed Blackboard capitalized $6.1 million of the costs of enforcing their patent only through December 31, 2007; the trial expenses could exceed $10 million." Jim Farmer, e-Literate February 28, 2008 [Link] [Tags: Patents, Copyrights, Blackboard Inc., Patents] [Comment]

iPhone U
OK, I did teach logic by telephone for seven years in the 80s and 90s. But I still have a hard time accepting 'iPhone U' - even "a combination of iPhones/iPod Touches for all students with a beefed up and more integrated version of iTunes U." Mostly because there are so many other things that could be done insteal, almost all of which are cheaper and more accessible. Michael Feldstein, e-Literate February 28, 2008 [Link] [Tags: Apple Inc., Accessibility] [Comment]

OpenPD: What&Why
Interesting short video on the subject of open professional development. Don't mind the blackouts at the start of the video - it is apparently edited that way. It settles into a more usual format after a few seconds. Features appearances from people around the world: Darren Draper, Glenn Moses, Gabriella Sellart and Robin Ellis narrate, and Sue Waters contributes via audio. There's alos a wiki. Darren Draper, Drape's Takes February 28, 2008 [Link] [Tags: Audio, Video] [Comment]

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