Here’s to Connecticut’s computer science faculty for advocating reason in the Julie Amero case. Hard to believe that their suggestion–an “independent investigation” of the case (people can figure out what happened in the classroom)–hasn’t already come to pass.
Category Archives: New Media
Internet Time
The lastest on weblogging from Colin McEnro in the Hartford Courant makes this often made case
. . . the blogosphere does not merely resemble the American frontier. It is the frontier. The blogosphere is Deadwood, where you earn your rep by what you can do, not by your class and family connections that mattered so much back in Boston. In Deadwood, the language is vulgar and combatants are quick to go for their guns. The lowliest man can rise to be mayor.
I would suggest that it’s time to move on. I would argue that the tiered nature of the system proves its maturity. I’d like to hear a few new ideas.
On another note, I hadn’t realized the extent to which the 2008 elections had worked their way into a frenzy. I heard Wolf the other day explaining the Primary system, a system he will simply have to explain again and again and again, I would assume (this is why perpetual elections are good for business). I have absolutely no interest in the 2008 election, however, and have no wish to “learn” about the candidates. But for the national press, this is easy stuff. No need to put a lot of thought into filling that 24 hours. The script’s already written.
Technology and Context
Alec Couros leaves me a nice note and asserts this:
We must help students to understand what is worth reading, how to find the relevant voices in the huge raving river of information, and then be able to engage in conversations with what they have learned, and who they have learned from.
I agree that a great deal of critical power is important to solving infoglut. Software like Feeddemon helps.
But I would suggest that the habit of change and critical powers are relational in a new media world.
Specifically, let’s take Shakespeare on as an example. Online search tools provide effective drills into Macbeth. Additional software such as Diigo and Tinderbox provide analytical tools, as would a pencil and notebook.
The new media thinker must, however, be aware of the tool. Both Macbeth and the tools used in engagement must be evaluated deeply, just as I must evaluate a router in carpentry work. A router is, conceptually, an opportunity to create.
My goal is always this: to teach people in a particular course to teach themselves (and to beat me at my own game).
Read/Write Web and Learning
Mark Bernstein turns us on to Hypertext 07 and to opportunities for hypertext artists. Another of his posts lead me to Weblogg-ed and Couros, a digital literacies weblog.
All of these issues reflect tight subjects of mine, especially the integration of tech into teaching and learning. My emphasis has always been on what I would call a natural integration of technology into practice and into life, lines that are often hard to trace, given that technology accompanies us and emerges around us. In school I never thought about chalk or blackboards as technology until I had to spell words in front of people in a class room or had a presentation thwarted by a plug. I’d never really thought about school as technology until I learned about its shaping over time.
I’ve seen many examples of overload on people in educational setting and I’ve come to think that overload is typically the result of forced use of technology. If I create a game environment that teaches, how much of this kind of load could a student take if all her/his courses expected deep immersion in a learning environment.
Will people soon be overloaded with the read/write web, or is one of the keys to new media literacy: knowing what to cut out of one’s field of view?
Smart Themes
This richKubrick theme is really smart.
New Media Weblog
The Tunxis New Media Comm weblog is now up and running at a temporary home. It’s the latest in WordPress technology, complete with widgets powering the sidebar information. There’s more to be done. The future should see a customized presentation but for now our own modifications should work.
Now to the widgets. I’m fairly comfortable modifying css and php code but would rather not. So, the new widget scheme is handy enough. The ability to configure a sidebar quickly will reduce the time for admin to work with people less familiar with the rear-end of the still complex world of weblog setup and management.
P.S.
We’ve found another use for the rotisserie. Keeps the kitchen warm.
Text Message Novel
John Timmons sends along this notice on text message novels
His messages, and the replies — roughly 1,000 altogether — are listed in chronological order in the 332-page novel written by Finnish author Hannu Luntiala. The texts are rife with grammatical errors and abbreviations commonly used in regular SMS traffic.
Opening Second Life
Susan Gibb sends this link to if:Book’s snip of Linden Lab’s announcement opening its Second Life’s code to the public. Exciting stuff.
Capped
Capped at Dreaming Methods.
There were many layers of illusion here.
Legos and Games
LucasArts’ LEGO Star Wars II is turning out to be an addictive experience. Played a lot this weekend with Jordan in 2play and the levels flew by. The game is heavily goal driven, fast, and fluid, even with LEGO characters driving the action.
The ability to play through episodes IV, V, and IV is a powerful draw. And it leads to a few issues for critique. How do the films influence the game goals? How does the game manifest drama? Why were some elements of the films changed for the game play experience, and how might the game inform future work with interactive film?