First Scribbles

I've created this blog to talk about educational issues: those that exist now and those I believe we'll encounter in the near future. I guess I chose the blog title because it obviously alludes to that fundamental piece of technology still used in our traditional classrooms, but it's also a play on words--"chalk bored"--a dissatisfaction with the status quo (not the "teaching profession," which I care very much about!). This forum is an open invitation for any educators to comment on or to discuss what they are passionate about: learning, collaborating, and exploring. Welcome.

Time Magazine Person of the Year: You!

E-Learning: Do We Need a Factory University to Help Us Learn?

E-learning 2.0 By Stephen Downes, National Research Council of Canada

"E-learning as we know it has been around for ten years or so. During that time, it has emerged from being a radical idea—the effectiveness of which was yet to be proven—to something that is widely regarded as mainstream. It's the core to numerous business plans and a service offered by most colleges and universities.
And now, e-learning is evolving with the World Wide Web as a whole and it's changing to a degree significant enough to warrant a new name: E-learning 2.0." (excerpt)

A fantastic read that discusses the most democratic, connected, and engaged process of learning that has become not a "technical revolution, but a social one."

Here's the link:

http://www.elearnmag.org/subpage.cfm?section=articles&article=29-1

Learning is Chaotic

Who should be in control of learning? This segment argues that although institutions talk about "lifelong learning," the discourse is sanctioned, not spontaneous. Have a listen, especially when it comes to the Welsh guy! Entertaining and thought-provoking.

The Death of Email Attachments

Finally! One great way to get rid of multiple copies of collaborative docs that just add to the email hailstorm. Has anyone tried this yet?

The Machine Is Us/ing Us

Web 2.0 in under 5 minutes. The movement to a completely collaborative "text" environment. By Michael Wesch, Assistant Professor of Cultural Anthropology,Kansas State University.

A Vision of University Students Today

As we are in the throes of change at the elementary and high school level, at least in the progressive or able-to-afford-it schools, I wondered how technology would impact universities as our millenial kids make their way up there. Then I came upon this video and my suspicions were confirmed. Created by Professor Michael Wesch in collaboration with 200 students at Kansas State University.