A Paradigm is not neutral

It springs from one's philosophy. One believes the world is flat or round. That is one's worldview. Technology has the same distinction.
After reading George Siemen's post entitled," Technology as philosophy", including the comments, I responded thus:

@Brad,”…essence of Web 2.0 is by no means anything technological. And so schools that spend their time and energy fretting over what tools to use, instead of exploring how the technology might change the game, have already taken themselves out of the play” is the most thought provoking statement!
I would build on that to proclaim the the essence of Web 2.0 is one’s worldview, or philosophy. One uses technology according to one’s worldview in the field one finds oneself, whether that be business, marine biology, medicine, or education.

I am wondering what other people think of these ideas. Am I alone in my folly or do I share a common view?

technorati tags: eLearnspace georgesiemens technology paradigm

Photo courtesy of AMagill available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/85473033@N00/26273015 covered under an Attribution 2.0 Generic Creative Commons license.

Connecting Innovators

The Connecting Innovators: 2009 Innovation Showcase Online is coming up on May 15, 2009. The conference starts at 11:00am Australian time. Which in Durfftime (my favorite timezone) is actually Thursday at 9:00pm.
The great thing about this conference, besides being free professional development, is that one of my favorite educators is presenting!
Anne Mirtschin, Hawkesdale P12 College is presenting first on the topic of Flat Classroom Walls / 21st Century education. Anne is a commerce teacher in a small rural school near Western Victoria. She is an internationally known, innovative educator on the cutting edge. I'm sure her presentation will be top rate - don't miss it. To register for this professional development, go to http://www.trumba.com/calendarsknowledgebank?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D83629465

technorati tags: annemirtschen murcha knowledgebank connectinginnovators

Photo courtesy of Darren Hester available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/36045027@N00/2329201379 covered under a Attribution-Noncommercial 2.0 Generic Creative Commons license.

EARTHCAST09 24 Hour Webcastathon!

Earthcast is a twenty four hour webcast heard at http://earthbridges.net/live The webcast begins on April 22, 2009 at 00:00:00GMT - which is 8:00pm Tuesday where I live.
Check out the schedule of events at http://earthbridges.wikispaces.com/Earth+Day+2009 Click on the GMT times to see the time where you live.

I'm looking forward to seeing you at Earthcast'09!!

technorati tags: earthcast earthbridges ETT

Be heard on Earth Day 2009!

Earthcast is a 24 hour broadcast held on April 22, 2009. It begins on April 22, 2009 at 00:00:00 GMT, which is 8:00pm Tuesday in my time zone, and runs until 23:00:00GMT or 7:00pm Wednesday where I live. All the live action can be heard by navigating to http://earthbridges.net/live
and more information about the Earthcast is available at http://earthbridges.wikispaces.com/

technorati tags: earthcast earthbridges ETT

Another Giant Snail Race!

Hey Snail Racing fans

if you plan to watch todays Greatest RFL Giant Snail Race of all Time and space
tune into http://streams.slcn.tv/live.mov
or see them live along the road but
please try to spread out into different sims
so the snails can get through I suggest only about 10 spectators per sim.
the race starts at 2:00 and takes about 40 minutes
( Ha well with the incredible lag and everything that can go wrong it can last much longer : )

but its more fun to be one than see one.
So if you can, please race with us

�� heres the official snail cheer type /escar
race starts in superior but that sim will be full
so pick one of these sims below type the name into the map and hit search then find a spot by the road
then open the map and watch the green dots till they get close.
If you enjoy the race drop a few lindens in any relay for life koisk, there everywhere.

Ontario
Brauer
Clunn
Yelas
Butler
Munck
Chong
McFee
Whinlatter
Macclaine
Hardknott
Mowry
Selby
Mare
Brazos
Garrison
Pierce
Suisun
Buckler
Bishop
Arcata
Samoa
Quentin
Clarksburg
Hookton
Westport
Shelter
Crescent
Kaminari
Yamato
Gama
Amida
Gualala
Limantour
Montara
Hooper
Bolinas
Bodega
Davenport

technorati tags: RFL ACS PassionateRedheads SL

Photo courtesy of Glockenblume available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/40702804@N00/2232892225 & covered under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.0 license

Frame your story well...

A story has a limited amount of time to capture interest, whether that story is told through a book, a movie, a TV show, or the spoken word. The art of storytelling doesn't lose elements because the medium changes. The conveyance of the story may change but the story craft itself remains.
Think about your favorite stories. What elements are present in those stories?

• Intro
• Main Content
• Outtro

These basic elements are important to all stories. As an English teacher once said to me, say what you are going to say, say it, and say what you said. This format holds true for musical compositions, verbal stories, best-selling novels, the most recent movie.....
What else holds your interest once you have begun to experience a story? Pictures, whether seen or imagined, must be compelling enough to hold interest. Audio of some sort must consistently run throughout the story.
So if you are making a blockbuster, award-winning video, include the essentials! Make sure your video has an intro! All the great films I know have great intros and most of them are memorable tunes.
Have music throughout your story, under the narration if you want. Without a tune, you have lost my attention - what about keeping the attention of those digital natives?
Good stories involve a conflict and a resolution. Think about your favorite TV show. Every episode has a problem and a solution. The story holds your interest, at least as long as the show or you wouldn't watch it.
Give your story a satisfying ending, one that calls it to memory like that catchy tune you can't get out of your head. That's how blockbusters are made and spread - through people. Speaking of people - please use correct spelling, grammar, no cursing (or euphemisms), and the human propensity for pattern making.
You the video-maker have about 3 seconds in which to grab the attention of your audience. In those famous words - whip it good!

technorati tags: story storytelling digitalstories videos

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FlatClassrooms

What a difference a few years make! I am so impressed....
let me back up a bit. I finished organising the Sounding Board Activity my 7th graders are doing tomorrow. I realised I had better figure out when I should be judging...went looking...realised I didn't get the forms...then I went and looked at the list of judges. WOW! They are sprouting out all over!!
I started hanging out around the Horizon Project/Flatclassroom Projects in Spring 2007. I watched my 7th grade that year peer review the project wikis/videos and I was a project judge. I remember it was a lot of work!
This year I am late to the judging party. One would naturally think I am upset by this - and there one would be wrong. As I looked at the lonnnggg list of judges, my smile got bigger and bigger. I just had to help myself to more Thinmints to celebrate. Vicki and Julie - you have hit the big time!
If you don't know anything about the Flat Classrooms Projects, take a look! They are even beginning a second spring round of projects, not just one, but two! It is my hope that such projects will be found multiplying year round in every corner of the globe.
Way to go, ladies. It is an honor to hang around your projects and watch them grow!!

technorati tags: FlatClassroom Digiteen Netgened coolcatteacher VickiDavis JulieLindsay