Edu_Rss

ActKM conference (Canberra, Australia)
I'll be presenting at the upcoming ActKM conference, to be held in Canberra on 26-27 October 2005. My topic will be "Understanding staff needs", looking at the practical needs analysis techniques that can be used to identify staff needs and... From Column Two on September 16, 2005 at 8:47 p.m..

Facets + Tags (David Weinberger)
Siderean has always allowed their customers to embed hierarchical trees within their faceted classification system (example here) when appropriate. E.g., if someone is navigating via the geography category, the system can know that SoHo is in NYC which is in... From Corante: Social Software on September 16, 2005 at 7:46 p.m..

Siderean - Trees, tags and facets
I met with Siderean's Robert Petrossian and Brad Allen a couple of days ago to hear about where the company is going. They're up to some very interesting stuff that might both spread tagging and make it more useful. Siderean says it sells navigation software, by which they mean their stuff helps users navigate big, complex sets of information. At its heart, Siderean is a faceted classification provider. [Note: If you already understand faceted classification, skip the rest of this paragraph and the next.] FC is hard to explain without a demo, but here goes: Take a set of data... From Joho the Blog on September 16, 2005 at 7:46 p.m..

Blogging for the Soul, Not the Bottom Line
Casual bloggers find therapy in online journaling; many are not so interested in posting news, political discussion or gossip. From ClickZ Stats on September 16, 2005 at 6:45 p.m..

EdTech Brainstorm #3 ,
Conversation from the crew at Ed Tech Talk. "This week's brainstorm included discussions of learning objects, differences between Elgg and Moodle, permanent digital portfolios for students, tech & time management challenges for teachers, national tech standards, first hand perspective of new media from an 11 year old podcaster." From OLDaily on September 16, 2005 at 6:45 p.m..

Identity Federation: Gartner Hints That Adoption Will Be Slow , EDUCAUSE Blogs
Interesting. "While there is high interest in identity federation, the technology is still in flux and will likely be more expensive and time-consuming to implement immediately rather than three years from now." The interest in a federation per se is shared mostly by content providers. However, web users have a very different interest - what I have called From OLDaily on September 16, 2005 at 6:45 p.m..

Consistency in Design is the Wrong Approach ,
This is the key point: "When you think about consistency, you're thinking about the product. When you're thinking about current knowledge, you're thinking about the user. They are two sides of the same coin. We've just noticed that the designers who spend more time thinking about the users are the ones that end up with more usable designs." A point with which, in the main, I agree (the danger of the approach described here is in the creation of those horrible adaptive menus in Windows applications). [ From OLDaily on September 16, 2005 at 6:45 p.m..

Semi-Structured Meta-Data Has a Posse: A Response to Gene Smith ,
It is tempting to depict Clay Skirkey's defense of tagging as setting up a false dilemma between tagging and classification, but I think his view is more that tagging forms one part of a wider picture. "Full text indexing, link analysis, trust networks, and related techniques now accomplish about 80% of what classification used to do for us." That's an image I can live with more easily than the caricature view that 'tagging will by itself replace classification'. In my view, the importance of tagging isn't large, because it has expressive limits, but that in combinatio From OLDaily on September 16, 2005 at 6:45 p.m..

MSCTC Online Writing Lab ,
One day I hope to write a resource on grammar to complement my guide to the logical fallacies. In the mean time I will content myself to linking to online grammar resources. [ From OLDaily on September 16, 2005 at 6:45 p.m..

Let Us Learn to Solve Problems , ITForum
David Jonassen forays into the uncertain and unforgiving world of online discussion as he posts this article for examination by the group at ITForum. "To blog or not to blog, that is the question this week," he writes. But, "What is ignored in all of these venues is meaningful learning, because educators are too committed to instruction and too impelled by shallow conceptions of accountability." What we should be after, he argues, is "meaningful learning" which occurs "when we have a personal problem to solve." The remainder of the paper is devoted to unfortunately terse descriptions of six el From OLDaily on September 16, 2005 at 6:45 p.m..

E-Learning 2.0
I spent the day at the Canadian Heritage Information Network engaged in a lengthy and free-wheeling discussion of the concepts surrounding E-Learning 2.0 Although the From OLDaily on September 16, 2005 at 6:45 p.m..

Changing Education
Thomas Friedman continues to make the case for change in education today in the soon to be closed New York Times opinion pages. It's about efforts in Singapore to bring high level math instruction to students. And the good news (I think) is it's all about the changes we've been talking about in this community for quite some time now: creation and sharing of content, collaboration, a shifting notion of what it means to teach. A couple of po From weblogged News on September 16, 2005 at 5:47 p.m..

Regina Open Door positions
The Regina Open Door Society (RODS) is looking for qualified individuals for the following positions: From Software Marketing Articles and Marketing Tips on September 16, 2005 at 4:46 p.m..

Roland Tanglao's podcast mike
Roland Tanglao's podcast mike. Roland recommends the APEX 162 . Says it's "$CAN 15 at Long and McQuade for it in Vancouver, not $US 19!" and gives the description from  Amazon.com: Musical Instruments: APEX 162.: QUOTE < From Bill Brandon: eLearning on September 16, 2005 at 1:48 p.m..

Untitled
This TV Is Strictly for the Nerds. NerdTV is a web-only interview show for geeks. It's brainy and interesting, but can it learn anything from real TV? A review by Jason Silverman. [Wired News] From Bill Brandon: eLearning on September 16, 2005 at 1:48 p.m..

Mothershare
It's a humble beginning, and it may very well be a humble end, but I wanted to let people know about a site called Mothershare. It's a wiki for mums, dads, carers, babysitters, grandparents, and hapless uncles like me who... From Monkeymagic on September 16, 2005 at 12:51 p.m..

Adobe's net profit leaps 39 percent in Q3
Dept. of Holy Smokes! Adobe's net profit leaps 39 percent in Q3. (InfoWorld) - Adobe Systems Inc. on Thursday reported its third quarter net profit rose 39 percent from a year ago on solid business execution. Bill Brandon: eLearning on September 16, 2005 at 12:47 p.m..

iPod nano positions Apple for another year on top of the MP3 player market.
iPod nano positions Apple for another year on top of the MP3 player market. Something to consider if you're into podcasting. Analysts: iPod nano solidifies Apple's dominance (MacCentral). MacCentral - When Apple Computer released the iPod nano just over a week ago, replacing the popular iPod mini, they effectively solidified their place of dominance in the MP3 player market. While the company has released From Bill Brandon: eLearning on September 16, 2005 at 12:47 p.m..

eBay becoming the market leader in pure IP based communications
eBay becoming the market leader in pure IP based communications. eBay/Skype Analyst Conference Call. Meg Whitman, Niklas Zennstrom and their teams hosted a conference call earlier today to discuss EBays acquisition of Skype. Our sister company, EarningsCast has made it available for download to your new iPod Nanno :-). Our take: Ebay is showing amazing leadership and preparedness to take risk in b From Bill Brandon: eLearning on September 16, 2005 at 12:47 p.m..

Improving RSS readers
Improving RSS readers. (Note that SearchFox is in private beta testing and is not generally available at this time.) SearchFox - Personalized RSS Reader. Company: Search FoxFounded: December 2004Launched: in Private BetaLocation: Bill Brandon: eLearning on September 16, 2005 at 12:47 p.m..

Inconsistent discussion of the term »consistency«
Jared Spool pointing out that consistency is a matter of dealing with user knowledge - not with formal variables. Unfortunatly he uses a very misleading headline for is article which is really not in line with the point he is trying to make. The headline is &ampraquo;Consistency in Design is the Wrong Approach&amplaquo; and he writes: The problem with thinking in terms of consistency is that those thoughts focus purely on the design and the user can get lost. "Is what I&ap From owrede_log on September 16, 2005 at 12:45 p.m..

Life and death in the Morial Center
Tom Matrullo points to two portraits of life in the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. The better — more vivid — is a 12 minute piece by John Burnett on All Things Considered. The Washington Post article is good but far more confined. It is horrific. I only wish it were beyond belief. It seems only the Arabian horse liposuction guy is going to be held accountable. [Tags: HurricaneKatrina]... From Joho the Blog on September 16, 2005 at 10:48 a.m..

Fifty years of Lolita
Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita was published fifty years ago yesterday, and there's an interesting article in the New York Times, Forever Young, about its history. I hadn't realized Nabokov struggled to get it published, though of course that makes sense. Anyway, an interesting look at one of my favorite books. From megnut on September 16, 2005 at 10:45 a.m..

Templeton, Power and Stewardship
John Templeton in the New Scientist (it's a pay-for read)"Science creates vast power rapidly ... [but] to invest in advancing power without investing in stewardship is folly"... From Monkeymagic on September 16, 2005 at 9:54 a.m..

The awkward squad
A little angst-ridden tale of how homebrew book-classification goes wrong. (from the GuardianOn the table at which I am writing there's a pile of disconsolate books. They are homeless. At the end of a long and weary process of rearranging... From Monkeymagic on September 16, 2005 at 8:53 a.m..

Businesses Grapple With Wireless Security - Jeremy Kirk, IDG News Service
Computers and mobile devices using wireless networks or other end points by company employees are posing increasing threats to their organizations' computer systems, although there are ways technology managers can reduce risk, according to an analyst Thur From Techno-News Blog on September 16, 2005 at 8:49 a.m..

Federal and state portals improving - Dibya Sarkar, Federal Computer Week
Interactive electronic services and privacy and security statements are becoming more prevalent on U.S. federal and state government Web sites, according to a new study that Brown University conducted. "We found a lot of progress this year," said Darrell From Techno-News Blog on September 16, 2005 at 8:49 a.m..

How the web is taking off in China - Charlotte Windle, BBC
China's fifth internet summit attracted the country's most successful entrepreneurs, and a record number of international visitors. Among the foreigners were many of the largest US internet companies and venture capital firms. However, for them the keyn From Techno-News Blog on September 16, 2005 at 8:49 a.m..

Personal vs group memory
Nice spot by Will Davies which I've only just picked up. A team at Lancaster University looked at better ways for us to organise and retrieve information for shared use, and to do that the researchers investigated how couples catalogue... From Monkeymagic on September 16, 2005 at 7:53 a.m..

Learning Trends and the Learning Imperative
Stephen Downes hatte kürzlich das Vergnügen, einem Vortrag von Elliott Masie beizuwohnen und hat diesen in einer wirklich lesenswerten Form zusammengefasst. Die zentrale Botschaft: "To be involved in learning today, argues Masie, is to be involved in the process of... From www.weiterbildungsblog.de on September 16, 2005 at 7:50 a.m..

What Blogs Are: A Collaborative, Open Model For Information Exchange
I have been hearing and talking so much about blogs that for a while I stopped listening. I personally never felt in tune with those wanting to define blogs in terms of specific software-based features that allow easy publishing of content online, while adding RSS, comments and trackback ability, served generally in a web-site that displays a reverse chronological display of articles on its home page. I had enough of this craze which wanted to slot something that should not be defined not only by the use of non-technical, low-cost, one-click online publishing software but rather by the many di From Robin Good' Sharewood Tidings on September 16, 2005 at 6:50 a.m..

Dutch Treat: Personal Database
Starting in 2007, every baby born in the Netherlands will receive a Citizens Service Number and will have an electronic dossier opened in a central database. This will allow Dutch authorities to track each citizen from cradle to grave. From Wired News on September 16, 2005 at 6:45 a.m..

This TV Is Strictly for the Nerds
NerdTV is a web-only interview show for geeks. It's brainy and interesting, but can it learn anything from real TV? A review by Jason Silverman. From Wired News on September 16, 2005 at 6:45 a.m..

Tech Sniffs Out Bad Meat
The meat industry may soon be able to detect contamination on the production line, rather than waiting hours for test results, with a new infrared technology. By Prachi Patel-Predd. From Wired News on September 16, 2005 at 6:45 a.m..

China Mulls 'Gang of 15 Million'
Our sex-tech columnist wonders if the Great Firewall of China can withstand the onslaught of all those lonely young men now that they've discovered webcam chat. Commentary by Regina Lynn. From Wired News on September 16, 2005 at 6:45 a.m..

Yahoo Moves Into the Hot Zone
The web portal's decision to help Chinese authorities track down and jail a journalist could cloud new efforts to ramp up original news reporting. By Kim Zetter. From Wired News on September 16, 2005 at 6:45 a.m..

Hands On With the Revolution
The motion-sensing controller for Nintendo's new console promises to change the way video games are played. Chris Kohler tries out the Revolution in Tokyo. From Wired News on September 16, 2005 at 6:45 a.m..

Corporate Coalition Issues Upbeat Report on City Schools
The Partnership for New York City issued a progress report on Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's effort to fix the public schools, finding "a pattern of overall improvement in public education." From New York Times: Education on September 16, 2005 at 3:45 a.m..

From Yale to Cosmetology School, Americans Brush Up on History and Government
Historians are citing a cascade of data to argue that many Americans are, for all practical purposes, historically illiterate. From New York Times: Education on September 16, 2005 at 3:45 a.m..

Games and Simulations
In a new article, Ron Gross explains how to make adult learning more enjoyable, more relevant, and more powerful with games and simulations.... From Adult/Continuing Education on September 16, 2005 at 2:47 a.m..

20+ most overrated movies
The September issue of Premiere runs its list of the 20 most overrated movies of all time. Their list, which they run in alphabetical order: 2001 A Beautiful Mind American Beauty An American in Paris Chariots of Fire Chicago Clerks Easy Rider Fantasia Forrest Gump Field of Dreams Gone with the Wind Good Will Hunting Jules and Jim Monster's Ball Moonstruck Mystic River Nashville The Red Shoes The Wizard of Oz Some I totally agree with (American Beauty). Others I'd forgotten were ever considered particularly good (Moonstruck). Some I think were put there just to be controversial. I mea From Joho the Blog on September 16, 2005 at 2:45 a.m..

Bushisms: The Movie
Wimp.com has a mockumentary (by Otis Productions) about the person who writes the Bushisms. It stars Andy Dick and I think it's funny. [Tags: GeorgeBush humor]... From Joho the Blog on September 16, 2005 at 2:45 a.m..