Monday, March 31, 2008

Google master plan

complete paranoia or worrying eye opener not going to pass comment !
http://masterplanthemovie.com/

I use Google extensively for the convenience and access to services it give

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Serendipity edublogs,social camp for innovation,SLF2008 all point me in direction of Charlie Leadbetter

I found this through a reminder for the social camp 4 innovation http://www.sicamp.org
on April the 4th in London and then Ewan McIntosh also mentioned it on edublogs.com. Charlie Leadbetter of forthcoming book "We think" http://www.wethinkthebook.net/book/home.aspx

It expounds the idea of mass shared creativity in a no nonsense approach

ideas take life when they are shared. That is why the web is such a potent platform for creativity and innovation.



worth a look at the first free chapters as a download on the website in a try before you buy scheme. Is this a web 1.5 business model for publishing ?? The good news he is speaking at Scottish learning Festival 2008 in September another good reason to book.

Save the Livesey Theatre goes mixed economy

A mixture of good old fashion lobbying and web 2.0 online petition and facebook group. Is facebook the new organisational tool for organising protest from students protesting about bank charges to saving cultural centres I think it is one of many that citizens are starting to use !! see the site for the campaign at
http://www.liveseymuseum.org.uk/
the idea for this blog posting came thanks to good old radio four !!

Friday, March 28, 2008

its not the cresta run but

The good old Sony Xacti gets a try out as an in sledge handicam . excuse poor technique but shows how robust the kit is ;-)))



experts sons run

Asus hits Currys.digital

Asts eeepc hits Currys in Ipswich note the price for the version without the webcam. Has the supply issue been solved !!

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Teachmeet North East London

19th May venue North East London
What is it?

TeachMeet is a chance for us to share what has and is effective, exciting and innovative technology in our schools in an informal environment.

Those of us who have attended Teachmeets before have found them to be inspirational and a great form of CPD.



Basically turn up to lurk but you must be enthusiastic or ready to present either 7minutes or the breathtaking 2 minute Nano presentation . No guarantee you will get a chance to present but its all down to chance of a virtual slot machine. Its great go one if you teach in a school context I do Monday afternoons at my sons primary .

watch Nicholas Hughes video of Teachmmet 08 @ Bett of Derek Robertson of LTS talking about gaming in education video on Youtube .

Just be there!!!!!

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Mobile 2.0

Huge thanks to Rudy De Waele of M-trends http://m-trends.org/ for sharing his presentation mobile 2.0 at Plugg conference a while ago http://plugg.eu/about-plugg

He kindly has stuck his slides on slideshare

Ipod projector

Now this is an interesting one the ViewSonic PJ258D which allows you to project straight from your ipod !! Now I wouldnt rush out and buy one but interesting device http://www.viewsonic.com/HDLife/projectors/pj258d

Friday, March 21, 2008

Floculation of facebook friends leads to loads of idea's

Spent yesterday at real life event with 25 odd people of which 40% I knew through facebook.
shout outs for Ewan, Gill,Geoff,Josie .

Discussing work arond web 2.00 . Ewan McIntosh did a great Intro (check out his blog) he used loads of cool stuff to make a interesting range of points.

One thing he showed was http://www.gapminder.org
which basically a site portraying complex stuff via animation. my favourite is here
looking at countres developmen relative to each other .


Going to blog more about the event over coming days but hey its holiday time and I've been for run blogged and its not yet 7.30.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Digitally Organised V Digitally Chaotic

Recently I was lucky enough to meet up with Gráinne Conole now Professor of e-Learning at Open University . I last worked with Grainne when I Introduced her as a Keynote on the first Virtual Learning Environments online conference arranged by Friends at DirectLearn . Grainne has a blog at
http://www.e4innovation.com

She raised the idea of some young people being digitally organised I raised the juxtaposition or paradox they are also digitally chaotic . The face they are more like to abandon a web presence and set up a new one if they forget a password than retrieve a password .

Interesting and heavyweight thinking blog .

Monday, March 17, 2008

ALT J article examining mobile learning

Now regular readers might know I am a member of the Association of Learning Technolgists which is very worthwhile. My latest copy of ALT J there journal had this interesting piece Esra Wali ; Niall Winters; Martin Oliver from the Institute of Education, University of London, UK

Maintaining, changing and crossing contexts: an activity theoretic reinterpretation of mobile learning

well worth a read I believe they do online samples anyhow read abstract here

http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a790603532~db=all~order=page

Thanks for oe of my regular readers for prodding me to unwrap the copy of ALTJ sittng on my kitchen table from this morning.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Interesting piece on facebook and the deaf communty


Interesting site Deaf kitchen which is just that a blogger doing ASL (American Sign Language) filmed in his kitchen. Now I only do really limited BSL so ASL is a foriegn language (well it is ).

Interesting even if you dont do ASL because great example of video blogging and how good its getting quality wise and also because it made me thnk how powerful the web and specifically is as a tool for good.

http://deafkitchen.blogspot.com/2007/09/will-facebook-change-deaf-communitys.html

BCS article on mobile learning

Interesting article but it should be noted connectivity costs are tumbling and all you can eat data plans are very near !!

http://www.bcs.org/server.php?show=ConWebDoc.18035

Friday, March 14, 2008

Forget Breakfast time Derek and coleagues work made newsround

Only one thing cooler than this woud be Blue Peter

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7290000/newsid_7295800/7295823.stm

Pico projectors economist article

Great article in the economist around pico or micro projectors that will make current day projectors look like colossus(one of the first computers that filled a room) does to a modern day; Apple air or Toshiba R500 or other ultraportable

Nice article with a level of technical detail but not to much to put ley readers off!!
http://www.economist.com/search/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10789401

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Derek Robertson on the BBC radio and TV on Friday 14th March (today) talking about gaming in education

Huge heads up to Derek Robertson of the world famous team at the consolarium in Scotland .

Derek is appearing on the BBC Breakfast news and Radio Five Live tomorrow morning to talk about the large scale Nintendo project that I will be doing after the Easter Break. Full details of the times can be seen on his blog at www.hotmilkydrink.typepad.com . Although the first appearance is now at 6:20am.

view bbc news story and video clip of learners here

Derek is one of those unassuming people working with teachers technology and learners to make a difference . Derek keep up the great work. Got to add Dereks blog to my blog roll on the left !!

Google advancing the web as a platform

Google event worth a look
28-29th May San Fransisco Advancing the web as a platform

We spend a lot of time, especially within our Developer Products team,
talking about how to build applications for the web. After all, Google
was born on the web, and over time we've gained tons of experience with
AJAX and other technologies to build apps like Gmail, Google Maps,
Google Calendar and Google Docs.

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/03/google-io-advancing-web-as-platform.html

now it mention normal stuff about the web but also mentions google gears is this the much talked off google offline apps !!!


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Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Facebook collaboration is it cheating ???

Thanks to Merv Stapleton for sending this story my way .My view is that collaboration online is not so different to classmates discussing their homework face to face ?? What do you think!!

Student faces Facebook consequences

Freshman hit with 147 academic charges for online study network at Ryerson University.Ryerson student Chris Avenir is facing expulsion for taking part in a Facebook study group for one of his engineering courses.

Study groups may be a virtual trademark of the Ivory Tower - but a virtual study group has been slammed as cheating by Ryerson University.

First-year student Chris Avenir is fighting charges of academic misconduct for helping run an online chemistry study group via Facebook last term, where 146 classmates swapped tips on homework questions that counted for 10 per cent of their mark.

The computer engineering student has been charged with one count of academic misconduct for helping run the group - called Dungeons/Mastering Chemistry Solutions after the popular Ryerson basement study room engineering students dub The Dungeon - and another
146 counts, one for each classmate who used the site.

The incident has sent shock waves through student ranks, says Kim Neale, 26, the student union's advocacy co-ordinator, who will represent Avenir at the hearing.

"All these students are scared s---less now about using Facebook to talk about schoolwork, when actually it's no different than any study group working together on homework in a library," said Neale.

"That's the worst part; it's creating this culture of fear, where if I post a question about physics homework on my friend's wall (a Facebook bulletin board) and ask if anyone has any ideas how to approach this - and my prof sees this, am I cheating?" said Neale, who has used Facebook study groups herself.

Ryerson's academic misconduct policy, which is being updated, defines it as "any deliberate activity to gain academic advantage, including actions that have a negative effect on the integrity of the learning environment."

Yet students argue Facebook groups are simply the new study hall for the wired generation.

Avenir said he joined the Facebook group last fall to get help with some of the questions the professor would give students
http://onlinesocialnetworks.blogspot.com/2008/03/facebook-new-study-hall-for-wired.html



Monday, March 10, 2008

MOMO cracking night leads to revelation of over the airways

Great night at my first ever mobile monday. looking at mobile apps for londoners majoring on stuff around transport. The great revaltion was the BBC backed over the air event. Its basecamp v hackaday v mobile plug fest if your interested in mobile youve got to be there !!!

Over the Air is a special event being organised by Mobile
Monday London, hosted by Imperial College and supported by the BBC. 48 hours of mobile and wireless development by and for the leading lights in the industry.


Some people are calling it Hackday for mobile but they’re quite different. Over the Air
is focused squarely on the mobile and wireless platforms. These
platforms are quite specialised and tend not to be very open to the
casual bedroom developer or for the busy professional. Over the Air
will be that chance many of us have wanted to try, play, experiment in
this new interesting sector. Not only that, a chance to learn from our
peers and industry leaders across the many platforms. Be it Android,
Series 60, OSX, Java, compact .net, etc, there all welcome to join the over the air party. So I look forward to seeing you

http://overtheair.org/blog/



Saturday, March 08, 2008

Its about the learning stupid

Now interesting posting interesting Graham was on the bill at the Learning lab when I did a slot "its not about the device stupid " ;-) it wasnt original anyhow !!

read the piece unusually I've printed it out!!!! to read while away for the weekend and will post a comment to the forum.
reads Abraham's post at http://www.handheldlearning.co.uk/content/view/45/1/

what do you think post it on the forum and also me blog whatever takes your fancy. Interesting post Graham


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BBC iplayer works on ipod touch

Just luanched and yes it works brilliantly on my home wifi !!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/

more devices specific plers to come now software to download but nice icon for touches desktop if you bookmark it !!!


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Google Calendar sync with outlook and vice versa

now google kept this quite but read the blog posting on official google blog
.
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/03/google-calendar-sync.html

this statement says it all

because now I can access my calendar at home or on my laptop, on Google Calendar or in Outlook. When I add an event to the Outlook calendar on my laptop, Google Calendar Sync syncs it to my Google Calendar -- and since I also have Google Calendar Sync running on my desktop, the event then syncs from Google Calendar to Outlook calendar on my desktop. All of my calendar views are always up to date, and I can choose whichever one I want to use.


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Thursday, March 06, 2008

twitter in simple terms

now I don't twitter on a regular basis but like this video explanation of it. I missed Jaiku ;-( and now google has bought it its closed to new members

report on mobile trends in the USA

Well I have had many a debate about differences in mobile trends behaviour in Europe and those around the world. I have rightly or wrongly always had the opinion that North America and specifically the US was a bit behind us due to variety of factors.

  • complex networks
  • role of free local calls etc etc
This report seems I think to support that view. What is really interesting is data across demographic andf other groups worth a read . Anyone know similar report for UK or Europe ??

It's American only but may be of interest to those who've not seen
this research report.

*Pew press release http://www.pewinternet.org/press_release.asp?r=300
*Pew brief note http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/244/report_display.asp
*Report itself (PDF)
http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Mobile.Data.Access.pdf

From the press release:
* 58% of adult Americans have used a cell phone or personal digital assistant (PDA) to do at least one of ten mobile non-voice data activities, such as texting, emailing, taking a picture, looking for
maps or directions, or recording video.
* 41% of adult Americans have logged onto the internet on the go, that is, away from home or work either with a wireless laptop connection or a handheld device.
Overall, 62% of adult Americans have either accessed the internet with a wireless connection away from home or work or used a non-voice data application using their cell phone or PDA.

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

So what was the killer question last night at the theatre of dreams

Well the young people are the stars and Sir Alex sort of said so

http://www.radiowaves.co.uk/story.aspx?lngStoryID=14350

Great question Shane and your radiowaves collaborators !! Nervous indeed Shane you didnt look it to me !!!

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Ronaldo's number

In answer to the killer questions his number 1
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7272570.stm

Radiowaves supporter reporter near the kick off !!

Well if you have the chance what would you ask Sir Alex Ferguson . Well over 70 young fans have doe just that.

My favourites
  • who your favourite non sporting hero! (Mines Shackleton BTW)
  • Can I have Chrstiano Ronaldo's number
actually joking aside some really good questions that so called professional Journalists wouldn't ask so go on and have a look at
http://radiowaves.co.uk/story.aspx?lngStoryID=14350#Comment

win draw or lose the supporter reporters are the stars !!


Apple Ipod touch

well I've finally coughed up £12.99 (13 quid) for the software upgrade to my ipod touch .


Google Maps simply amazing
Mail That integrates totally with gmail (stunning)
Notes that's OK and email from function is good
Weather really useful shame its from a yahoo type site I personally like the BBC
Stock rates (no interest)

is it worth the money yes reading and composing mail offline is excellent but Apple maybe give it as a free upgrade for all us recent and not so recent Apple converts .



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Medium sized roll out of eepc in Austrailian School

A reader of my blog asked about large scale roll out of eepc this isnt a huge scale but maybe worth watching. The roll out of 130 devices.
http://www.crn.com.au/News/71335,asus-sells-eee-pc-to-all-hallows-school.aspx

Monday, March 03, 2008

9 inch screen asus eeepc

Now can this be true 9 inch eeepc launched 12gb storage and rumoured

  • screen resolution of 1024 x 600
  • WiMax (cant be true can it ?)
other devices are available and more of this genre are coming !!!

read post at http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/03/hands-on-with-the-9-inch-eee-pc

Saturday, March 01, 2008

Young Radiowaves Reporters go backstage at the Theatre of Dreams….!

Even of my regular readers who is a City fan will forgive me this post. Radiowaves again in the thick of things doing great stuff but yet again "The young people are the stars. Note the web adress for young fans to pose questions comment on the piece . I will get some photo from the event If I can and post them later. My question is Sir Alex whats the score line going to be!!!! What an opportunity for the reporters and what a great project!!! Live reporting stressful or what !!!

Monday 3rd March

VENUE: Manchester United Football Club, Sir Matt Busby Way, Manchester,

On Tuesday 4th March, Manchester United Football Club will play Olympic Lyonnaise (Lyon) in the last sixteen of the Champions league. It promises to be a tight match with both teams having everything to play for…..

20 young people from Manchester will be the envy of football fans world-wide, as they take up the chance of a lifetime to report live from this match and interview Sir Alex Ferguson and players at the pre/post- match press conferences.

The youngsters are all part of a ground-breaking new project, aptly named Supporter to Reporter- an innovative scheme aimed at improving self-confidence amongst young people- part of the Government’s Aim Higher initiative.
Radiowaves.co.uk/supporter

The students (from schools across Manchester) are to be given the unique opportunity to experience the excitement of a live match at Manchester United Football Club as they take on the role of sports journalist for the day..

The ‘Radiowaves Reporters’ will be capturing all the action for millions of football fans across the globe and broadcasting it on an award-winning internet podcasting site run entirely by young people. Some of them will even be providing ‘live’ commentary on the fixture!

Other young sports fans are invited to get involved and are being encouraged to log on to the Radiowaves website and leave their own interview questions for Sir Alex Ferguson as well as comments and advice…..
Radiowaves.co.uk/askalex

The young people are all under sixteen and from a variety of different backgrounds. They are incredibly excited about their role in this event but are also well aware of the responsibilities involved.

Radiowaves, in partnership with Manchester United Football Club has provided the youngsters with professional standard media facilities and equipment and is on hand to give guidance and encouragement throughout the project.. The Radiowaves Reporters are to be given unprecedented media access and full press accreditation. Radiowaves.co.uk/supporter