Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age
George Siemens hits the mark nicely with this essay describing connectivism, the Information Age's answer to consructivism, behaviorism and cognitism. Most of what he outlines in this essay is what I have been advocating in the area of learning networks, but what Siemens has done is to express the principles, not as an organization of learning, as I have, but as a learning theory proper. More...
WebCT Campus > Vista > Future?
Commentary and discussion of the recent IRRODL on WebCT's future - or lack of same. Note Scott Leslie's commentary. I might add that in the last week I have received replies from people both at Blackboard and WebCT on items I've linked to in this newsletter. But of course they don't want them posted or quoted or anything like that. While I appreciate the clarifications (and they have been in some detail) it really bothers me that they are sent in such a private back-channel fashion. More...
ACS Takes Legal Action Against Google
For crying out loud... The American Chemical Society (ACS) has filed a complaint against Google in a U.S. District Court over Google’s use of the 'Scholar' in Google Scholar. The what over what. More...
On Folly
Edd Dumbill responds to criticisms of the Semantic Web. the argument, in a sentence: "Both Shirky and Udell seem to be pretty much convinced the Semantic Web requires, from the outset, globally agreed ontologies. It seems more that they've set up a straw man. I had always envisaged that in the same way user interface and other conventions have emerged from the messy web, so would ontological conventions. Messy, but good enough." I will say, if you are building ontologies now, prior to use, you are probably making an error. More...
Podcasting for Beer
It seems like a natural match - RSS, music and beer (sounds like my weekends). "Beer company Heineken -- active as a sponsor of many music events -- has launched a podcasting show on www.heinekenmusic.com. The Heineken music events provide a constant stream of interviews, music, and life events." Commercial radio: bye. Educational podcasts are already springing up... yeah, yeah, I know, they'll never replace a professor with a blackboard. More...
New Media Research Networks Fund
Canadian Heritage has announced funding for research in new media. "Under this Fund, a group of public and private sector partners organize themselves into a network so that researchers can share knowledge, resources and facilities. This Network will develop a research program centered on a particular theme, which has relevance for the cultural sector and promotes innovation in new media or digital content interactive." A link to the application guidelines is on the site; click on the PDF version, as the HTML link simply takes you on a long aimless tour. More...
Spreading Like Wildfire
This is a great story. A student is assigned a 'compare and contrast' essay on his exist exam. He compares 'piracy' and 'stealing' music, and concludes that they are different. He is failed on grounds of content. The teacher says he is "splitting hairs". He appeals, posting his essay and the grading sheet to his website. More...
I-Names Explained
Another effort to create a distributed authentication system, this time based on the appeal of blocking spam. Downside? It'll cost $25 for your name. More...
The Use of Computer and Video Games for Learning - a Review of the Literature
Readers will find the usual caveats about the lack of research and conflicting results. Beyond these, this survey of literature related to the use of computer games (or video games; the report treats both) is a comprehensive look at the field over the last few years. More...
Issues of Interface
Summary paper describing literature on the effects interfaces on three kinds of interaction: interactions with course content, interactions with instructors, and interactions with classmates. The conclusion: interfaces matter. More...
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