OLDaily

Welcome to Online Learning Daily, your best source for news and commentary about learning technology, new media, and related topics.

Presentation
Convergent Discussions in the Fediverse
Stephen Downes, Jun 05, 2025, OTESSA, Toronto

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This is a workshop that introduces new open source technology that supports 'convergent' discussions in the fediverse. The session includes segments on: the fediverse and introduction to major fediverse services such as Mastodon, Bluesky, Peertube, etc.; the dynamics on online discussion including especially the characteristics of 'divergent', 'linear' and convergent discussions; and a demonstration of convergent fediverse discussion software.

[Link] [Slides] [Audio] [Video]

Presentation
Reframing Togetherness: Advances in artificial intelligence and the intersection of open learning
Stephen Downes, Jun 05, 2025, OTESSA 2025, Toronto

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Outlines some recent advances in artificial intelligence, highlighting in particular their potential to impact open education, both positively and negatively. This means far more than online instruction and adaptive learning. It means more than open content and automated assessment. In particular, focuses on how AI is shaping and will transform how we understand ourselves as interactive, purpose-based and open learning communities.

[Link] [Slides]

Four Directions Teachings
Fourdirectionsteachings.com, 2025/06/05

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Presented at OTESSA today in a session on 'digital bundles': "The goal for the project was to create an engaging site where people could experience Indigenous knowledge and philosophy and where educators could incorporate the site into their curriculum. FourDirectionsTeachings.com honors oral traditions by creating an environment where visitors are encouraged to listen with intent as each elder/ traditional teacher shares a teaching from their perspective on the richness and value of cultural traditions from their nation."

Web: [Direct Link] [This Post][Share]

Bounce: A Cross-Protocol Migration Tool
A New Social, 2025/06/05

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As Ben Werdmuller says, "It's not about one protocol; it's about the open social web as a people-centered movement. Bounce lets you move from service to service, keeping your network in the process." I still think there's a risk that Bluesky will attempt to capture users to prevent them from migration. Services like this not only ensure we can migrate, but if they're closed by Bluesky that's an early warning that the network is being closed.

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How The Heck Do QR Codes Work? (An Interactive Exploration)
Shri Khalpada, PerThirtySix, 2025/06/05

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QR codes are (admittedly to my surprise) still a thing. This article goes into some level of detail describing how QR codes work, including the divisions in the dot matrix data into things like alignment patterns, timing, data and error correction. The article in its own way also shows how QR codes can be hacked to incorporate subversive messages and display them in broad daylight.

Web: [Direct Link] [This Post][Share]

We publish six to eight or so short posts every weekday linking to the best, most interesting and most important pieces of content in the field. Read more about what we cover. We also list papers and articles by Stephen Downes and his presentations from around the world.

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