Ewan McIntosh - Edublogger
Do our children snack on the media? Are they snacking on education? In fact the history of snacking is very long - back to the 19th Century.
Have we always had short attention spans and always had a snack culture? Possibly, but Ewan thinks something has changed. Ewan showed the cup-stacking video. The mum just didn't get it! The children do - and they are reaching a worldwide audience. Also showed a one-man band type video to show the creative possibilities.
{Rats. My machine crashed and I lost some of what I’d typed in.}
We tend to ban the collaborative tools in school but allow the insular, individual uses. In the “real world” it’s about social networking and collaboration. Wigitised not webified. Our pupils don’t care about lost IDs etc. They have sites that they use for a while and then drop and move on.
Is life a list? A look at Bebo pages suggests no? Inventing by imposing shape on nature or discovering by revealing. Ewan prefers discovery.
Technorati Tags: ScotLearnFest07, SLF07, In the Wild, Ewan McIntosh, DavidDMuir, EdCompBlog
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
In the Wild - Pat Kane
Pat Kane - Pat Kane (author and musician and...)
Part of the etymology of happiness is hap as in happenstance.
What are we teaching children to do in schools, compared with what they are doing with technology elsewhere? In schools we try to stop them using the tools they take for granted elsewhere. The reality of today's technology world is that it is confusing - yes, but the technology world our children inhabit is global and exciting!
What is happening in our society? Politicians are keen to build a sense of national identity and so all are talking about some form of national service but Pat thinks this is going about it the wrong way.
{Pat is really interesting and speaks intelligently but I'm finding it hard to follow his train of thought... I'll try and grab bits as they pass.}
Internet has grown out of contradictory roots:
ARPANET, the American military, the cold war and the nuclear threat <---> Tim Berners-Lee and the world wide web to allow people to share stuff.
Young people downloading with a careless disregard for musical property rights <---> Young people with a real passion for live music who discuss and share everything from an event.
Young people are looking for team, agency and purpose (in the way that say shipbuilding did). Is society/politics offering this? Pat says no but thinks artistry could. {Including the "artistry of care" Eh? - DM} Look for Michel Bauwens on Google: We regard what is truly plentiful as scarce [i.e. information] and what is truly scarce as plentiful [i.e. the environment]. Information does not need to be managed and controlled.
What we have is information, the possibility to choose and an unprecedented personal autonomy.
Technorati Tags: ScotLearnFet07, SLF07, In the Wild, Pat Kane, DavidDMuir, EdCompBlog
Part of the etymology of happiness is hap as in happenstance.
What are we teaching children to do in schools, compared with what they are doing with technology elsewhere? In schools we try to stop them using the tools they take for granted elsewhere. The reality of today's technology world is that it is confusing - yes, but the technology world our children inhabit is global and exciting!
What is happening in our society? Politicians are keen to build a sense of national identity and so all are talking about some form of national service but Pat thinks this is going about it the wrong way.
{Pat is really interesting and speaks intelligently but I'm finding it hard to follow his train of thought... I'll try and grab bits as they pass.}
Internet has grown out of contradictory roots:
ARPANET, the American military, the cold war and the nuclear threat <---> Tim Berners-Lee and the world wide web to allow people to share stuff.
Young people downloading with a careless disregard for musical property rights <---> Young people with a real passion for live music who discuss and share everything from an event.
Young people are looking for team, agency and purpose (in the way that say shipbuilding did). Is society/politics offering this? Pat says no but thinks artistry could. {Including the "artistry of care" Eh? - DM} Look for Michel Bauwens on Google: We regard what is truly plentiful as scarce [i.e. information] and what is truly scarce as plentiful [i.e. the environment]. Information does not need to be managed and controlled.
What we have is information, the possibility to choose and an unprecedented personal autonomy.
Technorati Tags: ScotLearnFet07, SLF07, In the Wild, Pat Kane, DavidDMuir, EdCompBlog
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In the Wild - Carol Craig
Carol Craig – Chief Executive of the Centre for Confidence and Well Being
Are we too interested in what's wrong with people than what's right? Seligman's book - Authentic Happiness explores aspects of happiness and well-being.
Pleasure. First level: Most people associate money with happiness but once basic needs are met, more money does not bring more happiness. We can get on a hedonic treadmill (spelling?). It was as a taxi driver described it, "I am a monster of my own making."
Engagement. Second level - engagement: we get lost in the process of doing things. We get in the flow. We lose track of time. We get involved in things that are challenging (so we are not bored) but not too challenging (so we don't get discouraged). When in the flow, we don't feel happy - it is afterwards we feel the pleasure. (Carol claimed that teachers often experience flow.)
Purpose. Third aspect chimes with Scottish values service to others. People who are happy have meaning in their lives.
Are we too focused on ourselves as individuals? The fixation on trying to make people feel good about themselves is not doing people any favours. If I do not see myself as the centre of the universe I am better able to cope with setbacks. Choice can be paralysing rather than empowering. It is possible that trying to boost self-esteem we could be make it harder for people to be happy.
English initiative (SEAL) which seeks to teach all children (3-18) emotional well-being (for example by expressing their feelings) could store up mental and emotional problems for the future. Problem children may be too narcissistic and think of themselves as too important. Cf. confident individuals - are we going to set targets and checklists etc. in A Curriculum for Excellence? In Scotland we are working on confidence rather than happiness but the danger is that it focusses in on self instead of
We need to reconnect people with what is important in life. Positive psychology is good and is researched based but if politicians turn it into checklists and measuring the happiness of pupils it will be a disaster.
Technorati Tags: ScotLearnFest07, SLF, In the Wild, DavidDMuir, EdCompBlog
Are we too interested in what's wrong with people than what's right? Seligman's book - Authentic Happiness explores aspects of happiness and well-being.
Pleasure. First level: Most people associate money with happiness but once basic needs are met, more money does not bring more happiness. We can get on a hedonic treadmill (spelling?). It was as a taxi driver described it, "I am a monster of my own making."
Engagement. Second level - engagement: we get lost in the process of doing things. We get in the flow. We lose track of time. We get involved in things that are challenging (so we are not bored) but not too challenging (so we don't get discouraged). When in the flow, we don't feel happy - it is afterwards we feel the pleasure. (Carol claimed that teachers often experience flow.)
Purpose. Third aspect chimes with Scottish values service to others. People who are happy have meaning in their lives.
Are we too focused on ourselves as individuals? The fixation on trying to make people feel good about themselves is not doing people any favours. If I do not see myself as the centre of the universe I am better able to cope with setbacks. Choice can be paralysing rather than empowering. It is possible that trying to boost self-esteem we could be make it harder for people to be happy.
English initiative (SEAL) which seeks to teach all children (3-18) emotional well-being (for example by expressing their feelings) could store up mental and emotional problems for the future. Problem children may be too narcissistic and think of themselves as too important. Cf. confident individuals - are we going to set targets and checklists etc. in A Curriculum for Excellence? In Scotland we are working on confidence rather than happiness but the danger is that it focusses in on self instead of
We need to reconnect people with what is important in life. Positive psychology is good and is researched based but if politicians turn it into checklists and measuring the happiness of pupils it will be a disaster.
Technorati Tags: ScotLearnFest07, SLF, In the Wild, DavidDMuir, EdCompBlog
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Scottish Learning Festival
The Scottish Learning Festival is up and running... and I'm not there! :-( I'm snatching 5 minutes between a lecture and a tutorial to see what's happening. There's a good bit of activity on Twitter, photos are appearing, blog entries are being made on individual's blogs and on the Connected Live blog... and I'm looking forward to catching up in Second Life later too. The word technology may have gone from the title of the event but I'm pleased that technology is letting me see what's going on now and will allow me to follow it up later. Excellent! :-)
Technorati Tags: ScotLearnFest07, SLF07, Twitter, blogs, Flickr, EduFlickr, DavidDMuir, EdCompBlog
Technorati Tags: ScotLearnFest07, SLF07, Twitter, blogs, Flickr, EduFlickr, DavidDMuir, EdCompBlog
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Monday, September 10, 2007
TeachMeet and more
Can I start by saying I'm a bit miffed. I thoroughly enjoyed the TeachMeet at SETT last year and was looking forward to going to TeachMeet07 - 4th Edition this year. However, it clashes with the official opening of out new church halls, so I'm going to have to miss most of it! Scunner! I can stay until 6:30 and then I'll have to go (and even 6:30 is leaving it a bit late).
I'm also miffed that I'll miss the meal at Khublai Khans afterwards. The menu sounds fascinating. I think it is fairly safe to assume there's no other menu like it in Glasgow. (Fish dumplings, crocodile steaks, Mars Bar cheesecake...) Currently my plan is to text Ewan as soon as I can get away from the hall opening and see if it is worth dashing over for at least a look at the leftovers. I'm not sure if wi-fi is available at the restaurant this year but even if it isn't I'm sure someone will moblog on what the food is like as it's served. (If I were a gambling man, my money would be on Ewan to be the moblogger!)
I'm willing to spend a couple of hours travelling and risk the wrath of kith, kin and Kirk Session so I can catch as much as possible of the TeachMeet event. What lengths are you willing to go to to get there? :-)
Technorati Tags: teachmeet07, DavidDMuir, EdCompBlog
I'm also miffed that I'll miss the meal at Khublai Khans afterwards. The menu sounds fascinating. I think it is fairly safe to assume there's no other menu like it in Glasgow. (Fish dumplings, crocodile steaks, Mars Bar cheesecake...) Currently my plan is to text Ewan as soon as I can get away from the hall opening and see if it is worth dashing over for at least a look at the leftovers. I'm not sure if wi-fi is available at the restaurant this year but even if it isn't I'm sure someone will moblog on what the food is like as it's served. (If I were a gambling man, my money would be on Ewan to be the moblogger!)
I'm willing to spend a couple of hours travelling and risk the wrath of kith, kin and Kirk Session so I can catch as much as possible of the TeachMeet event. What lengths are you willing to go to to get there? :-)
Technorati Tags: teachmeet07, DavidDMuir, EdCompBlog
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Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Teenagers Online
While preparing for a lecture, I came across a press release about a survey from MTV, Nickelodeon and Microsoft. It looks really interesting but, as yet, I've not been able to track down the original report. However, the press release from PR Newswire, a report on the Financial Times website and especially a report on PublicTechnology net give a flavour of what's in the survey.
Here are a few of the things that stood out for me:
Technorati Tags: teenagers, online, survey, Digital World, DavidDMuir, EdCompBlog
Here are a few of the things that stood out for me:
- The average 16-24 year old in the UK has 49 friends (7 close and 16 online friends they have never met), has 86 buddies on IM list and is a member of three online social networks.
- Almost all young people are using technology to enhance rather than replace face-to-face interaction.
- Their interest in technology is because of what it can do rather than what it is. Only 20% said they were "interested in technology".
Technorati Tags: teenagers, online, survey, Digital World, DavidDMuir, EdCompBlog
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Monday, September 03, 2007
If I grew a moustache for you...
If I grew a moustache for you,
Would you grow affectionate for me?
-- By Steve Turner
This seemed like a good idea at the time...
My wife the English teacher saw an article in a magazine about a campaign to raise money for male cancer research. The idea is to get sponsored while you grow a moustache during the month of September. Full details can be found on the TacheBack website.
I immediately wanted to grow a walrus style moustache but my wife vetoed that idea and started trying to talk me out of the whole TacheBack idea. So, currently I'm aiming for more of a handlebar style but am prepared to fall back to a Tom Selleck, or even a Clark Gable if necessary. :-)
I would be very grateful if you would consider sponsoring me. You can donate online though my TacheBack sponsor page. To be honest, I feel a bit silly just now with barely visible stubble, especially when people don't know what I'm up to, so a bit of sponsorship would be a great encouragement to keep going.
Thanks.
P.S. Did you notice the sponsorship links? I'll do a bigger sponsorship link here, just in case you missed it earlier. :-)
Technorati Tags: TacheBack, TacheBack07, Everyman, Cancer Research, sponsorship, DavidDMuir, EdCompBlog
Would you grow affectionate for me?
-- By Steve Turner
This seemed like a good idea at the time...
My wife the English teacher saw an article in a magazine about a campaign to raise money for male cancer research. The idea is to get sponsored while you grow a moustache during the month of September. Full details can be found on the TacheBack website.
I immediately wanted to grow a walrus style moustache but my wife vetoed that idea and started trying to talk me out of the whole TacheBack idea. So, currently I'm aiming for more of a handlebar style but am prepared to fall back to a Tom Selleck, or even a Clark Gable if necessary. :-)
I would be very grateful if you would consider sponsoring me. You can donate online though my TacheBack sponsor page. To be honest, I feel a bit silly just now with barely visible stubble, especially when people don't know what I'm up to, so a bit of sponsorship would be a great encouragement to keep going.
Thanks.
P.S. Did you notice the sponsorship links? I'll do a bigger sponsorship link here, just in case you missed it earlier. :-)
Technorati Tags: TacheBack, TacheBack07, Everyman, Cancer Research, sponsorship, DavidDMuir, EdCompBlog
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