May 29, 2003
Commons-blog
Commons-blog (via Peter Suber). Looks like a good resource blog on a subject (open access, creative commons) that is still finding its legs...
Why We Should Share Learning Resources
I've posted a new article: Why We Should Share Learning Resources. Basic point I make is:
Foundational principle of progress: Ideas build on other ideas
To preserve this foundation, we need to promote the following freedoms for learning material:
Freedom to use any purpose
Freedom to improve and extend
Freedom to build on and make new
Comments on the article are appreciated. It's not intended to be a final draft...
Getting up to speed on wikis
Jim McGee on wikis: "Wikis are now on the radar screens of many of us grappling with using technology effectively in knowledge work."
May 28, 2003
Open Education Button
Charlie has created some buttons (at the bottom of the page) to promote Open Education. If you are interested, please select one and post on your site/blog.
Social Networks and KM
Social Networks and KM "big problem with KM is that, like the six blind men feeling different parts of the elephant, the term has come to mean many different things to different people, and hence nothing at all...Social networks can provide the essential context needed to make knowledge sharing possible, valuable, efficient and effective"
The Hottest CEO in Tech
This doesn't directly relate to elearning - The Hottest CEO in Tech - but I found it to be an enjoyable read. The article presents the experiences of a rigid/structured, management through-process-control CEO at Intuit. Apparently, the Six Sigma way hasn't caught on in software development companies. The article focuses mainly on the business benefits of increased structure...but only alludes to the impact on employee satisfaction.
May 27, 2003
Search Engines
Big Changes for Search Engines : "While search engines have improved steadily under the hood since the first days of the Web, they look and function pretty much the same as ever. But computer scientists are working on new search techniques and interfaces that could significantly alter most surfers' results pages."
Why Standards
Why Standards? via Slashdot. I agree: "Let's get back to first principles...standards have historically played two roles in our industry. The first role has been to codify what is already common practice in the industry. Such standards are attempts to capture what everyone is already doing, perhaps ironing out some minor inconsistencies along the way...This is very different from a standards effort that attempts to invent the standard from the ground up. Such a standards effort is not descriptive, but rather an attempt to invent by committee. There is no common practice to describe; instead the standards group is trying to tell everyone what they should be doing in the future."
All Internet, All The Time
Interesting - large phone service providers switching to the Internet: All Internet, All The Time
Yet another Learning Object repository
Learning Object Repository (UBC - Applied Science)
At one time, I thought eventually we would end up with one large, dominant repository for learning objects. Instructors and developers would use this central repository for adding, selling, acquiring learning objects. That view has changed. It seems that learning object repositories are more like web pages - every institution has one (or will have one)...and each will have functionality, look, and feel in keeping with the branding of the organization. This personalized, decentralized approach is probably a good thing...but some standardization is needed. If this is trend (everyone creating their own repository), then two things are needed in order for repositories to be useful to others outside of a particular institution (after all, repositories are most useful when they can connect and foster learning resource exchange between collleges/universities/schools...not just internally):
- A standard for learning object repositories. HTML is simple, flexible, effective. Yet it allows browsers to access most websites. A similar standard is needed for LORs...but it has to be simple. This standard should dictate how learning objects are exposed to tools seeking to locate/explore them. I'm not sure if RSS is the final answer...
- A search service. Google makes the Internet valuable. 4 billion pages without organization has no more value than 1000. The organization is the value. Learning objects need to be "findable" to have value.
When Silence Spells Trouble at Work
When Silence Spells Trouble at Work
Quote: "But it is time to take the gilt off silence. Our research shows that silence is not only ubiquitous and expected in organizations but extremely costly to both the firm and the individual."
Comment: An open environment, where ideas/thoughts/feelings are expressed, is difficult to create and maintain...yet it is becoming more important in today's knowledge climate. No one person can know everything. An analysis of a situation is often only complete after various "experts" have contributed to it. Again, think connections...not organizational structure....web, not hierarchy.
What You're Probably Overlooking About Open Source
What You're Probably Overlooking About Open Source ...not only cost savings...but faster development.
May 26, 2003
Encyclopedia of educational technology
Excellent resource: Encylodpedia of Educational Technology (via Ed Tech Dev)
Discussion forums and blogs
Difference between weblogs and discussion forums. Biggest difference I've notice: blogs have a natural filtering process. Good ideas spread as they are filtered through various blogs.
Change Management 101
The adoption of elearning, knowledge management, communities of practice, etc. is fundamentally a change management issue. Here's a nice resource: Change Management 101
May 25, 2003
Conferencing on the Web
Conferencing on the Web is a great resource page of software for discussions on the web. Came across it via Jay's post on ICOHERE.
Technology search sites
I came across this search site via Techno-News Blog: TechDictionary. Here's a few others:
Explaining collective intelligence to non-specialists
Explaining collective intelligence to non-specialists: "Collective intelligence is not a new idea and concept. It is the oldest human social organization where individual decide to mutualize their knowledge, know-how and experience in order to generate a higher individual and collective benefit than if they remained alone."
PDAs done?
Farewell to handhelds
Quote: "The combination of GPS, Java, push-to-talk, and ease of use makes it hard not to consider a handset over a handheld."
Comment: This is a significant trend...cell phones have penetrated consumer life styles far deeper than PDAs have...It's always easier to get users to adapt to new functionality with an existing product...as compared to getting them to use an entirely new product. Interestingly, Microsoft's operating system doesn't have the same strangle hold in the cell phone market that it has in existing computing markets.
May 24, 2003
Anticipating a post-Web, post-PC world
Anticipating a post-Web, post-PC world (via Jay): "Companies now worry less about how fast their computers run and more about how well they work together. People no longer wonder whether something is available online, but rather how to find and make use of it."
Information Obesity
Information Obesity: "Someone who spends hours sorting emails and getting distracted by unimportant details may be suffering from information overload..."
May 22, 2003
Relationships and Compromise
Relationships and Compromise graphic of eight principles of good relationships translates well to elearning.
A Tale of Two Online Communities
A Tale of Two Online Communities offers basic suggestions for creating successful online communities. Building communities is an important task for any online facilitator. Vibrant communities produce effective, long-term learning.
Models Come Alive
Models Come Alive: "Science has been using models for hundreds of years. Typically, science takes all this data from reality and tries to find the simplest possible representation of it; it tries to compress the data down into some very elegant description, which we call a model or a hypothesis. Games pretty much turn the crank the other way."
Measuring Elearning
The Measure of Success: "There is no longer a question as to whether e-learning is a winning technology, but whether it can produce winning results at your company."
May 21, 2003
Why Open Source Stifles Innovation
...and now for something completely different: Why Open Source Stifles Innovation (free subscription required) via b.cognosco. Every perspective has its opposite...
Augmented Social Network
Augmented Social Network: building trust into the next-generation Internet (.pdf)
Quote: "Could the next generation of online communications strengthen civil society by being better at connecting people to others with whom they share affinities, so they can more effectively exchange information and self-organize?"
Comment: Note in particular the principles of implementation listed on page 72: open standards, interoperability, inclusivity, respect for privacy, decentralization...
"Now what do I do?"
David Carter-Tod reflects on blogging: "Now what do I do?" . His post stirs up thoughts I've had recently on the balance between this forum and my own views/interests/experiences. I keep this blog primarily to share my thoughts/experiences and resources I encounter that related to technology and learning. Lately, I've felt the need to create another (anonymous?) blog where I can spew views/thoughts that are more personal. Sometimes, when commenting on issues...I'm inclined to suppess beliefs/opinions that are too personal (largely because I don't think readers are here for that reason).
May 20, 2003
Grid Computing
Clay Shirky on Grid Computing: "We have historically overestimated the value of connecting machines to one another, and underestimated the value of connecting people..."
The Scope
"The Scope is a glanceable notification summarizer. We have designed this simple information visualization tool to help unify notifications and reduce distractions for the user, thus avoiding notification overload."
Part of the rapidly growing trend of visualization tools for information, social networks, ideas, etc. Adoption seems slow - too much unlike what we are used to...but as people try it, the benefits will convince...
Cetis - Pedagogy
Good list of presentations from the Cetis Pedagogy Forum launch meeting in April.
May 19, 2003
Developing a knowledge capture system based on sharable and self documenting learning objects
Developing a knowledge capture system based on sharable and self documenting learning objects via Stephen
Quote: "Today's organizations have well developed systems for capturing financial data and producing reliable and accurate information. An area that is often overlooked is the importance of knowledge held by individuals associated with the organization. This is also true in an educational setting, where learners can often contribute real-world and personal experiences."
Comment: I agree with the main premise of this article - learners should have the ability to add (or annotate) existing course content. When dealing with adult learners, an instructor is usually not the authoritative dispenser of knowledge...but rather a facilitator for discussion and learning. Often, in this model, the work/discussion of learners can improve future offerings of the course. One concern - making the learner-created resources useful for other learners involves: a) a time consuming editorial process to determine what goes into the system or b) some form of valuation of the content, and c) a search engine (more information alone won't help learners).
Organizational learning
Organizational Learning is No Accident makes an important point: effective learning requires time to reflect...and our "right now" form of communication (email, IM, etc.) doesn't allow reflection time...making it difficult for people and organizations to change (time being an important component to acclimate to changes).
Wikis in business
Ross Mayfield links to an article in NY Times: Wikis in Business:
"The most distinctive characteristic of a wiki is that anyone in the group (or for public wiki sites on the Internet, anyone who visits) can edit, modify or even delete material on the pages. Such a free-form collaborative process can be messy and chaotic, and it requires a commitment to the group that may not sit well with some egos."
May 18, 2003
New Brand of Journalism
An excellent, simple concept: A new brand of journalism is taking root in South Korea. Again, power shifted from centralized to decentralized...
May 17, 2003
Copy protection is a crime
Copy Protection Is a Crime
Quote: "We're screwed. Not because we MP3 cowboys and cowgirls will not have to pay for content we've been "stealing." No, we're screwed because we're undercutting the basis of our shared intellectual and creative lives. For us to talk, argue, try out ideas, tear down and build up thoughts, assimilate and appropriate concepts - heck, just to be together in public - we have to grant all sorts of leeway. That's how ideas breed, how cultures get built. If any public space needs plenty of light, air, and room to play, it's the marketplace of ideas. "
Comment: This short article expresses a very important idea: the climate for innovation/idea generation is loose and flexible. Absolute control is tyranny. Unfortunately, the latitude that we call "fair use" in copyright law is being eliminated...Copyright law has moved well beyond preserving a content creators' right to earn from her/his creation...to creating a business model that challenges (and seems to constantly be winning) the notion of cyber-freedom. Any effective system of copyright has to balance two components: the content creator...and the content user. Current DRM is all about the content creator (or owner)...how long can an industry survive if it is at war with its customers?
Open Education
We've changed the platform for Open Education (from PostNuke to Drupal). With Drupal, every new user automatically has his/her own blog...Work Groups can be syndicated individually (same with specific categories)...chat and discussion forums are available...and the community book (like a wiki) also looks promising.
Here's a series of syndication links: (if you're new to syndication, download a news aggregator like SharpReader...and copy/paste these URLs into the aggregator)
- Main Site: Open Education
- All Work Groups
- Advocacy Work Group
- External Relations Work Group
- Learning Objects Work Group
- Open Standards Work Group
- Software Work Group
- Templates Work Group
- User Experience Work Group
- Web Site Work Group
One Big Wiki
One Big Wiki (via Jay Cross)...large listing of wikis.
May 16, 2003
New blog - eLearning Forum
New blog: eLearning Forum. Quite a few links posted from the May 16 eLearning Forum.
elearning forum
eLearning Forum's session on Informal Learning resources:
- Live Notes
- Guy Dickinson's Notes
- Presentation notes. Check out Ross' presentation in particular.
Instructional design
Instructional Design for Flow in Online Learning
Quote: "This tutorial describes how the instructional design of an online course can facilitate an optimal learning experience for the student."
Teaching online resources
carvingCode provides a great list of resources relating to teaching online
Why Wiki Works Not
Why Wiki Works Not...a candid evaluation of limitations of wikis. We need a similar list for blogging.
Are you ready for social software?
Are you ready for social software?
Quote: "It's the opposite of project-oriented collaboration tools that places people into groups. Social software supports the desire of individuals to be pulled into groups to achieve goals. And it's coming your way."
Comment: Simplicity is perhaps the biggest benefit of social software. I've used various "groupware" tools for collaboration and group work...but the learning curve is steep. Simple, social tools like instant messaging, blogs, wikis, etc. are very easy to start with...and when it comes to large scale adoption - ease of use is probably the greatest criteria.
May 14, 2003
Reflective and Self-organized learning
Personal Webpublishing as a reflective conversational tool for self-organized learning
Quote: "This paper suggests that personal Webpublishing technologies and practices can be conceptualized as a reflective conversational learning tool for self-organized learning. Beyond the examination of the theoretical basis for such a claim, initial ideas for specific learning environment designs on the basis of a "conversational framework" are presented."
Comment: I've just skimmed this article...printed it for detailed reading tomorrow. The most difficult aspect of writing a good article/paper is getting a "fresh concept" - one that is relevant to current happenings in the field...but goes beyond simply rehashing existing dialogue - it must extend it. Sebastian's got a winner here...
Open Anarchy/Closed Dictatorship
Open Anarchy or Closed Dictatorship
Check out the provocative questions...and ensuing discussion hosted by Dave Munger of Commontext. (Great title...I certainly prefer open anarchy as a concept...:)):
How do students and teachers get access to the materials they need?
Current collaborative efforts to create teaching material
What motivates teachers to share?
How is quality controlled in collaborative texts?
Weblogs and KM
Weblogs and KM
Excellent posting by Jim McGee on various ways to capture and share knowledge. See also his earlier post: Weblogs in Learning Settings
Informal Learning
Informal Learning - the other 80%
Quote: "This paper addresses how organizations, particularly business organizations, can get more done. Workers who know more get more accomplished. People who are well connected make greater contributions than those who are not. Employees and partners with more capacity to learn are more versatile in adapting to future conditions. The people who create the most value are those who know the right people, the right stuff, and the right things to do."
Comment: A must read article by Jay Cross in preparation for the eLearning Forum on Friday, May 16 (where I'll be doing a remote presentation on blogging, communities of practice, and open education).
Back to 19th Century
Back to the 19th Century?
I've seen several article recently with a similar theme: information technology is maturing, so it will now begin to follow a path similar to major industries in the past century (or two) - basically, from novelty to commodity. The author of this post disagrees, stating (without much explanation) that "The Economist makes it sound like information technology is going to be boring. I think that the outlook is downright interesting."
Migrating to Linux
Migrating to Linux via Emegic
Quote: "This site gives you the nuts and bolts view of how to get things going in Linux in the shortest amount of time. No need to wade through lots of documentation."
May 13, 2003
No one standard will suit all...
No one standard will suit all
Quote: "Yet the overriding message of day one was remarkably clear: there is no one standard to rule them all, nor will there ever be. However seductive the vision of universal interoperability may be, each and every community has its own needs and wants that need to be addressed."
May 12, 2003
Brain Development
Reading and Brain Development
Comment: Intriguing thoughts relating to the Chaos Theory principle of "initial conditions"...and the subsequent long-term impacts. Uses the illustration of a difference in vocabulary (150 vs. 300 words) at age 2.
Thanks for the (Corporate) Memories
Thanks for the (Corporate) Memories
Quote: "When employees leave, they take vital knowledge with them. Without a process in place to capture that knowledge and transfer it to their successors, it winds up lost forever. As a result, those who follow them in the job take a longer time to get up to speed, important discoveries and insights disappear, and the company's ability to act quickly and intelligently is crippled."
Comment: A surprisingly common-sense article (it seems that if someone writes a knowledge management article, there is a requirement to divorce the concepts from reality...:)). Best advice: start small...use communities of practice.
Fostering Systemic Creativity
Leadership: Fostering Systemic Creativity
Quote: "Our idea of management had to change from one of command and control, which closes down creative thought in the ranks, to one of coaching, which opens it up. Our leaders learned as a body to listen to and appreciate the ideas of the people in this company."
Comment: We need (urgently) similar attitude shifts in education.
Online Communities
Online Communities for Professional Development...extensive links and commentary on the definition, role, and process of developing online communities
May 10, 2003
RSS 1.0 LOM
Stephen Downes just posted this RSS 1.0 Modules: Learning Object Metadata on Open Education.
"The RSS-LOM Module provides translation from IEEE-LOM to RSS 1.0 to allow learning object repositories to syndicate listings and descriptions of learning objects. An RSS feed provided by a learning object repository is harvested by a metadata repository and aggregated with feeds from other learning object repositories. These aggregated feeds are then made available as a searchable resource, the links provided ultimately pointing to the learning objects provided by the original learning object repositories."
Globalizing elearning
Globalizing eLearning via ID forum
This resource is focused on designing ecommerce for international markets...but is very applicable to elearning.
May 9, 2003
WikiLog
WikiLog
I love wikis...I think they have so much potential for collaboration. Yet, I don't know if they'll really take off. When I explain blogging...people seem to get it (though they may never intend to blog on their own). When I explain wikis, I get blank stares. Something about it just doesn't compute (is it the openness? the trust? the sharing?). Not a good sign.
...but, on that note, check out What is a Wiki?
Decentralization
Decentralization - exactly right: "The Net gives local and independent content creators the ability to compete against the domainant corporate media, not by building walls but by leveling the playing field."
elearning ROI
Apparently, elearning provides huge return on investment
May 8, 2003
Innovation Tools
Innovation Tools
Interesting site with articles, resources, ideas relating to brainstorming, idea generation/capturing, and creativity. Neat.
A theory for eLearning
A theory for eLearning
Quote: "There has been much written about eLearning practice however little attention has been given to eLearning theory. After arguing that a lack of established theory will hinder further development in eLearning, this paper presents ten hypotheses for eLearning in an attempt to focus attention on the underlying principles that apply to eLearning in all situations."
Web of Trust
Web of Trust - quick review of LinkedIn - social network software.
The New Paradigm
The New Paradigm: What is a computer?
Quote: "The first step in understanding the World of Always On, then, is to accept that what you think of as "a computer" is only one paradigm for computing. Wherever you find processing, storage, input and output under software control, you have computing. Your interface may be a steering wheel, a TV remote, or the dial of your washing machine. But computing is going on all around you."
Comment: Basic point of the article is to say that computing is everywhere...and it is increasingly taking a different shape than what we currently think of...i.e. a computer on a desk.
Learning object repositories
Learning object repositories...via Learning Objects Readings (which unfortunately doesn't have RSS).
May 7, 2003
Looking ahead to new Internet strategies
Looking Ahead to New Internet Strategies
Quote: "The Internet hype is over, accompanied by deflated expectations and reduced investment. The path to strategic differentiation and profit that once seemed so promising remains elusive for most companies. In some ways the Internet is still more significant as a cultural phenomenon than as the basis for new ways of doing business."
Comment: I'm not exactly sure what I think of this article. I agree with the statement that the Internet is still largely under utilized in business (and education)...but the real question is aroused when the author states: "It is now up to companies to take advantage of the current 'quiet time' to reorient strategy and capture the Internet's value creation potential." I agree with the statement at surface value...but I'm sure the author(s) are focusing more on value as a means of making/saving more money, creating competitive edge, etc. All of these are very valuable concerns for businesses. Largely lacking in the debate is a focus on what the Internet is good for: connecting people/resources, sharing information, etc. Any vision of the future of the Internet that ignores how people are using it effectively today...is an incomplete vision.
D'Arcy Norman: Learning Object Presentation
D'Arcy Norman: Learning Object Presentation
The presentation is available as .pdf or .mov...the first section focuses on what a learning object is, the need for repositories...and then moves to CAREO specifically. The end of the presentation focuses on syndication in various environments (in a course, browser, webpage, etc.).
May 6, 2003
Lawrence Lessig Interview
I've posted an Open Education interview with Lawrence Lessig. He has a simple, but important message that he has been promoting:
May 5, 2003
How the mind makes sense in elearning
How the Mind Makes Sense in Elearning
Quote: "The human mind evolves by arranging perceptions by means of connections. Applied to learning, this means that it is important to understand how the mind makes connections, at different moments in time, and to develop tasks and learning experiences that complement the connection patterns and preferences. This paper outlines some of the categories around which adults perceive and to develop connections, and offers practical applications for online learning within the framework of those categories."
A blog hub
Charlie has some interesting (and potentially exciting) ideas about blog hubs.
Promoting one's blog
Promoting One's Blog via Roland Tanglao
This is an important concern for many bloggers. Most edubloggers blog (I think) largely for the satisfaction of the process (clarifying things for themselves, connecting with a few like-minded people, etc.)...but even then, if you're blogging...you might as well be read by as large an audience as possible...:)
IEEE - Learning Technology
Learning Technology - IEEE
IEEE publication...focused on mobile/wireless learning.
MORE THAN PERSONAL: THE IMPACT OF WEBLOGS
MORE THAN PERSONAL: THE IMPACT OF WEBLOGS
Quote: "Weblogs were like a direct channel into the heart of a discipline, expressed with the authority of those deeply involved in its inner workings."
Comment: This article does a quick, effective run through blogging, covering how they started, their original use, RSS, and their role in education. "The next educational use of blogs will be for the distribution of learning content. Blogs form an ideal medium for the distribution of professional development and other learning resources."
Extensive list of blogging related resources at the end of the article.
May 4, 2003
The world of RSS feeds
Friday Feast #42: The World of RSS Feeds via Jenny
Lots of information on RSS. Keep you going for hours!
May 3, 2003
Concept Mapping Software
Concept Mapping Software via Ed Tech Dev
Concept maps are excellent for organizing thoughts, ideas, and forming connections. I use MindManager - love it!
This site has valuable resources...examples of concept maps...theory/how to construct concept maps.
Social Software Hype or Revolution
Social Software Hype or Revolution
Good summary of the discussion on social software - some call it hype, others - a revolution. Phil Windley offers this insight on hype as a tool: "I think you'd gain a new appreciation for the immensity of the task and the role that the "hype engine" plays in educating people and getting them to move."
May 2, 2003
Into open content before it was cool...
I listened to David Wiley's radio interview last night...and looking at his Open Content site (which I believe he set up in 1998)...where he lists Open Publication License...he's been into open content before it was cool to be into open content.
I'm curious why it didn't catch on (or perhaps it did...but I hadn't heard of it until about 3 weeks ago). The idea was/is great...the person behind it (David Wiley) is well known/respected...the need exists, etc. Why, after 5 years, has the concept not taken hold in education circles? ...and what lessons can be gleaned from this?
May 1, 2003
my.OAI
my.OAI
Quote: "my.OAI is a full-featured search engine to a selected list of metadata databases from the Open Archives Initiative project."
Comment: Seems like OAI is well ahead of learning object sharing/searching...and open educational content.
Update: Stephen Downes just feature OAI
Open Source Courseware
Open Source Courseware -- Evaluation and Rating
Looks at a variety of open source LMS...and rates them. Nice resource.
New issues of e-journals
Several new issues of e-journals are available...
From Knowledge Management to Learning on Demand
From Knowledge Management to Learning on Demand
Quote: "Learning on demand is best understood in contrast to the most familiar sort of learning, scheduled or classroom based learning. While the latter leads learners through a curriculum designed to prepare them for a wide variety of possible needs, learning on demand is "the application and deployment of just the right amount of training at just the right time to those who need to possess the knowledge or learn the skill." "
Comment: Nice article addressing a concern that is often more hype than reality...at least at first glance. As Stephen notes: learning on demand is out there...it's just a matter of knowing where to look. As I've stated previously, the systems of KM, elearning, and learning on demand (or Electronic Performance Support) have in common. Elearning is the formal, EPS is the "at point of need"...KM feeds into both systems to ensure information is complete and current.
Journals, News, and Discourse
David Wiley has a new project he's working on: Journals, News, and Discourse
"So I'm thinking, given all our interests in reusability and syndication, why not crossbreed a peer-reviewed journal, blog, and a news aggregator? A peer-reviewed blog / aggregation service."
Emerging Technologies: blogs, wikis
Blogs and Wikis: Environments for On-line Collaboration
Quote: "Blogs can be highly personal, wikis are intensely collaborative."
Comment: Yes...that's the basic difference. Blogs are "mine"...wikis are "ours".