Learning Aloud

Because I work with technology, I face the constant pressure to learn new things. I suppose this pressure is there no matter what type of work you do, but I think technology changes rapidly and thus requires a special commitment to personal development.

Here is the situation — I am switching the hardware and software basis for much of the work I do. This switch requires that I develop an understanding of a new operating system (OS X) and become reasonably proficient in MYSQL and PHP. While I am doing this I should also probably learn some advanced DreamWeaver of GoLive techniques necessary to create interactive web pages using MYSQL and PHP.

My traditional approach has been to buy books — lots of books — and engage in a process of reading and experimenting. This time I have been trying something different. I have purchased access to the courses offered by an online training company (Virtual Training Company). The training consists of narrated online Quicktime videos that demonstrate how to use various software applications or how to script/program using various “languages.” I am paying $25 for unlimited access for one month. As a point of reference, approximately 8-10 hours of content are available for each topic I have mentioned. This type of learning experience may not suit everyone, but it is ideal for my goals. You can purchase the same material on CD, but the cost to buy multiple CDs for my multiple interests was prohibitive.

If you are faced with developing learning new programs or developing new programming skills, I would encourage you to take a look at this company – sample units are available for each skill area.

Wonder how hackers break into systems? Wired News provides one example.

Blogs at Harvard?
Cnet.Com reports that Harvard U. is hiring a former software developer (UserLand) to help faculty and students learn to blog.

Winer claims “blogging should be integrated into every facet of the university.”

A recent New York Times article examines the filtering issue.

Conclusion — there is no perfect filtering system.

A Benton Foundation report entitled “The Sustainability Challenge” has just surfaced. As the title implies, the report offers an analysis describing the concern that the underutilization of technology, growing budget issues in many states, and the flexibility allowed by No Child Left Behind to shift money from proposed funding categories may combine to encourage a slippage in technology commitments.

A number of useful issues and concerns are raised.
a) Budget issues – does the edtech committee understand the total array of costs that should be considered – Total Cost of Ownership
b) The disconnect between what students gain through quality educational uses of technology and what approaches are currently used to evaluate achievement
c) How we think about sustainability – is technology supposed to replace anything?

One personal irritation – I read these reports partly to identify useful primary sources. I want to access the research and documents that report writers are using to justify their claims. This paper has plenty of names and dates, but no actual citations.

Reposted from listserv:

As a new Internet-based activity in 2003, “Operation RubyThroat: The Hummingbird Project” (see http://www.rubythroat.org ) is encouraging individuals and teacher/student groups in the U.S. and Canada to participate in “Hummingbird Super-stimulus Experiment 2003.”

The experiment is an attempt to use a giant “fake” hummingbird feeder to get the attention of spring migrant Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) as they fly overhead. The idea for the experiment originally came from Gary Springer.

Guidelines for how to participate in “Hummingbird Super-stimulus Experiment 2003” are at http://www.rubythroat.org/FakeFeeder2003.html. We think this will be a fun way to get folks of all ages to learn more about migration dates and general hummingbird behavior. Results will be submitted via the Internet and posted on the Operation RubyThroat Web site. Please feel free to forward this message to friends–especially K-12 teachers–who may be interested in participating. For those in the southern U.S., it’s about time to implement; New Englanders and Canadians have a little more time.

Happy Hummingbird Watching, EDUCATION PROGRAM BILL HILTON JR. Executive Director Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History 1432 DeVinney Road, York, South Carolina 29745 USA education@hiltonpond.org, (803) 684-5852, eFax: (503) 218-0845

The “Open Source” movement has encouraged some to offer educational resources and tools for general use much in the same way that open source programmers offer programs or operating systems for common use. I have made reference to such resources (see previous post highlighting Merlot) in previous posts.

Edu-Source Canada describes itself as a repository of “learning objects” (note new vocabulary word). “A repository differs from standard web materials by providing teachers, students and parents with information that is structured and organized to facilitate the finding and use of learning materials regardless of their source location.”