Evolving an Integral Ecology of Mind

Following some of my recent articles and posts I have been involved in some sidebar discussions about the complexities and subtlties in and theory of learning. More...

PeopleSoft Acquires Teamscape
I don't want to turn OLDaily into a listing of mergers and acquisitions, but having predicted a spate of them for this summer, I want to take at least a little time to gloat about being right. More...

Attendee-Centered Conference Design
This item contains just a flavour of what should be a larger work. The author hints at some user-hostile conference design strategies, such as the fixed mic and the deferred question period. I could name so many more. Little things, like the need for signs. More...

How Academic Librarians Can Influence Students' Web-Based Information Choices
Useful paper on students' information needs written from the context of providing improved library services. This essay is a little odd, though, in that the recommendations do not address the students' needs. More...

Distance Learning in Pakistan

Background to the previous article. This item looks at the state of distance learning in Pakistan. More...

Pakistan's Virtual University: Where It Stands and How It Can Improve
Some tough but necessary criticism of Pakistan's online course design and delivery, including a critique of the writing and page design. It also looks at language issues (the courses are delivered in English, but English is poorly understood by many students) and instructional issues. More...

Spreading the Word
We'll no doubt find publishers complaining that this is illegal too. The Free Book program involves leaving copies of books in public places with the intent that they be found and read. A sticker on the book identifies it as a free book, and readers can register the found book on the Free Book website. More...

The Influence of Culture on Usability
It's almost refreshing to read an essay in which the thesis being tested is found to be unconfirmed by the evidence. But this is what happens in this essay. The proposal that cultural differences translate into usability differences is put to the test. More...

The Rosetta Project
Ambitious and very worthwhile project to create a permanent archive of the world's languages. The archive currently stands at 1,255 different languages. The resulting archive will be publicly available in three different media: a micro-etched nickel disk with 2,000 year life expectancy; a single volume monumental reference book; and through this growing online archive. More...

Textbook Publishers Learn to Avoid Messing With Texas
I have stated any number of times that there is a social purpose to education over and above a merely economic purpose. This article describing the influence of conservative groups in Texas over the selection and content of textboks is ample illustration of that point. More...