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Technology vs Evolution

Simon Robinson — Thu, 21 May 2009 02:50:32 +0000

This doesn’t have much to do with anything. In fact “random!” may a word that shouts out in your head. Actually that’s a bit of a stretch. I could link to the steady progress of technological innovation, draw parallels with evolution then leave you with dreamy predictions about “where will we be in one hundred years let alone 1 million…” Meh!
Watching a little program on television the other day (yes, it happens!) and this guy is banging on about different animals and their tres cool (as the French would say) adaptations. Now I don’t usually get too excited about biology but we’re talking a beetle that has this little chamber in its body where it mixes two chemicals together causing a highly exothermic (lots of heat) reaction. This raises the pressure in the chamber very quickly so the chemicals then shoot out the only hole in the chamber at great velocity. Squirt! The hole is usually pointed at a predator or something else the beetle has taken a disliking to.
The best for me though was the horseshoe crab. I did not know that its blood contains copper (unlike humans which has iron) and is hence blue. The crab not being a mammal lacks an immune system so instead its blue blood coagulates very quickly on contact with bacteria (anything that’s non-sterile) of which the ocean is choc-a-block. This is extremely useful for humans as it provides a very simple way of testing solutions for sterility. The “Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) test” is used by hospitals and pharmaceuticals world wide.
Evolution beats technology hands down.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the horseshoe crab…
PBS Nature episode
The Ecological Research & Development Group (ERDG)

Empathy : can you feel it?

Simon Robinson — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 22:33:39 +0000

Disclaimer

This post may be a bit out of place but I it’s the best place to put the information at the minute. Primary purpose of this blog is to service my current organisation and it’s community in the areas of elearning and technology so maybe it’s not that “out there.” Anyway, I push on.

Intro

The overarching concept for the Year 8 Day Program this term (well next term really, we’re getting a head start) is “Community sustainability”. Our focus for today is empathy.
I feel very strongly about this stuff. I believe it to be of great importance and value. If it was a choice between educating/teaching (pick your verb) young people about a “traditional” curriculum area and this stuff (i.e. how to understand, value and appreciate your fellow human beings) I would take this stuff every time. Every time. So if it looks like I’m getting a bit passionate about things today, it’s because I am.
I have attempted to compile some online resources you may find useful to compliment the activities and discussions we’ll have today.

The resources

A keyword search

Quintura (check it out to the right) is a search engine with a difference. It presents the search visually with suggestions of other keywords around them. Have a play around and see what things you find. Share with someone.

A definition and comparison (with some other words/concepts)

Compassion & Empathy – GoodWiki

Empathy is considered a mirroring or vicarious experience of another’s emotions, whether they be sorrow or joy. Sympathy, on the other hand, is a feeling of sorrow associated specifically with the suffering or need of another. These are examples of fellow-feeling, and they require a certain degree of equality in situation or circumstances. This is in contrast to pity, which regards its object not only as suffering, but weak, and hence as inferior. Compassion is much like sympathy in that it stems from the suffering of another, but it also includes the need or desire to alleviate suffering (Eisenberg, 2002).

What do you think of the definitions? Does the comparison help? Do you agree? Post your thoughtful comments to start a discussion.
Have a read here and here for further sympathy vs empathy comparisons and links to “empathic listening”

Something audio and visual

It’s said that if you walk a mile in someone’s shoes at the very least you have their shoes. And you’re a mile away. Are their other benefits?

What, who ar why?

Simon Robinson — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:56:49 +0000

Why do you teach? Is it the subject or the students?

He mentioned that there must be teachers out there who joined the profession because they have a love or admiration of the subject matter and that the students are secondary to that motivating force. That statement intrigued me. Would there be teachers who enjoy the subject, say Science or Mathematics, and have become teachers simply to impart their knowledge and love of the subject? Where does that leave the students?

This post started as a comment on John’s post (which I subscribe to) but I sort of got some steam up and felt it was better to post here with a ping back. So here goes…

I’m not so sure about the primary school teacher hypothesis (you’ll have to go and read the post) but a question I often “go fishing with” is;
“Are you a teacher of *insert subject* or a teacher of young people?”
My hypothesis goes a bit like this.
A teacher who ties their identity to their subject matter is likely to be more threatened by change and blindly resist. A teacher who has the best interests of the young people entrusted to their care at the forefront of their minds is more likely to evaluate things on their merit and act accordingly. Who will be happier in their job?
Another angle (can you tell I have done some pondering?);
Someone asks me, “So what do you do?”
“I teach at a school?”
Now in my experience there are two common follow up questions that stereotype two paradigms.
One says, “So what do you teach?”
The other says, “Do you teach primary or secondary?”
You with me?

Terminology and acronyms

Simon Robinson — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:16:02 +0000

I have decided I don’t like the term LMS (Learning Management System.)
It just implies that its all controlled and stuff.
I feel that online learning spaces as they are currently viewed by most (i.e LMS or CMS system) is fundamentally flawed (for high school students at least.) The names themselves “Learning Management System” implies a level of control that stifles rather than encourages curiosity, exploration and ultimately powerful learning. In my opinion, customisable, personal spaces for participants that can be easily connected with others in the learning community offers more opportunity and the freedom of expression that most young (and old?) people seek. The democratic power of technology is perhaps what ultimately scares traditional educational structures. I think we need to embrace that fear (anyone read Dune by Frank Herbert?)

A profound statement

Simon Robinson — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 12:58:28 +0000

Exclusive Lifehacker Interview: Debunking The Myth of Multitasking

Dave Crenshaw: This is a bit like an amateur carpenter, who, after hitting his thumb with his hammer, curses the tool and tosses it aside. Was the pain caused by the tool, or by the lack of skill of the person using the tool?

This tickled my fancy somewhat. Mr Crenshaw was responding to the suggestion of avoiding technology to improve attention and focus but neatly responds to blockers that are commonly encountered in education systems. It can even be applied individually in the classroom if you think about it. In fact I resolve to trot it out next time someone whines to me about having to use a different operating system or an updated application (we have just moved to the latest iteration of Office and the ribbon is causing some anxiety…)

Intellectual property

Simon Robinson — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 12:48:18 +0000

Speaking about the issues around a recent cease and desist letter sent by Craigslist, Jason Calacanis on TWiT 155 expressed an opinion about how the ‘new generation’ (also referred to by another panellist as the ‘entitlement generation’) perceive intellectual property, ownership, copyright etc. It goes along the lines of, “If it’s technically achievable then it’s allowable” citing Napster as an example. I admit in my recent experience I do see that slipper fitting quite often.
He went on to say that the ‘new generation’ needs to understand the difference between fair use and being fair which is where YouTube is at the moment with Viacom and a couple of other companies.
If you’re checking it out it’s around the 22 minute mark.
It highlights, underlines and puts a circle around an action item : we should be educating our students about Creative Commons, licensing and copyright.
At least it’s a conscious, informed choice then and not just ignorance.

Technology Mastery Day 2 reset

Simon Robinson — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 07:22:03 +0000

Big day. Thank you to all presenters who once again did a great job of putting together some interesting and relevant things for people.
Huge thank you to participants in my workshop that assured me I didn’t talk too much. I don’t believe you but thanks all the same! Had an issue with QuickTime plugin for IE7. In the pre-workshop post I embedded my slides as a QT movie with active links to websites I was going to talk about. It was supposed to make it easier for participants but it ended up being a bit of a pain. If people are still having issues contact IT support.
I have reviewed my material and retagged bookmarks in del.icio.us with “techmastery” to make them easier for people to locate. They can be viewed here. Remember, get your friends onto delicious and “share the love”.
For those wishing to review anything we covered I can’t recommend Atomic Learning enough. Great tutorials there. If you can’t remember the username and password drop me an email.
Everyone requested a copy of the “Online research workflow” so here it is in several “flavours” depending on your preference…
Inspiration v8
online-research-steps pdf with notes
online-research-steps MSWord with notes

I was very excited when one of the participants from the workshop met me on the stairs and squealed “I used del.icio.us! Someone wanted a website, I had it bookmarked and there it was!”
Super sweet.
If I have forgotten anything or there is any other feedback don’t hesitate to leave a comment.

Technology Mastery Day 2

Simon Robinson — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 13:27:11 +0000

The presentation slides from the workshop can be viewed below. Follow along during the workshop as there are active links on the slides which will take you to the sites being discussed. Hopefully that will save you a lot of pain. You’ll need QuickTime to view it.

Download

Solving problems

Simon Robinson — Thu, 08 May 2008 12:59:12 +0000

When the wireless network drops out what do you do? You work with what you’ve got. That’s what you do.

I was working with a group of students the other day and we lost the wireless connection making it impossible to submit documents online or email attachments (which is what they needed to do.) In the past that has usually meant me having to give explicit instructions on what to do next. I was very pleased to notice this was not going to be the case this time. A few of them grabbed memory sticks a couple of others found available desktop machines (they were cabled) and with combinations of both, completed their documents and got them to where they needed to be (my inbox)

Sometimes you see cracks in the brick wall. You know, the one we beat our heads against…

Could we start again please?

Simon Robinson — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:46:38 +0000

Had a session with some staff the other day and I think it went a bit over the top. On reflection I introduced way too many things too quickly and missed the target. Well that’s how it felt anyway. I forgot to emphasise the regular “run of the mill” applications that people may wish to know more about or even streamlining current processes (e.g. how you deal with mail) to become more effective. In other words I didn’t keep the main thing the main thing (stupid!) [Thanks must go to DLU here for the timely reminders I rightly received in this area]

If you were at the session, feel free to leave a comment below with your impressions. I’m happy to be told otherwise.
In an effort to make up for the confusion I have caused I will review…

RSS as the “new way” to get information from the web
Social bookmarking to turbocharge your bookmarks and “share the link-love”
Google Docs for collaboration and peace of mind

A couple of people created delicious accounts and a few created blog accounts (thanks Edublogs) which I’m excited about. Unfortunately, with the large group we couldn’t have the in depth conversations with everyone as we would have liked but I will endeavour to pursue some of that one on one. Again I have to thank DLU for generously lending her expertise to assist. (Don’t forget the MyClasses page that DLU created last session.)

I have embedded the Common Craft “in Plain English” videos below so people can watch them again. These guys do some seriously useful stuff and I think are on the money with the explanations. I have also included some links to Atomic Learning (I can’t pimp the site enough really,) where there are short video tutorials on how to get a delicous or Google account, and explanations of RSS and RSS readers. If you can’t remember the school password shoot me an or ask around. For obvious reasons it can’t be published here.

RSS in plain english

Go here to view the Atomic Learning tutorial and learn more about it

Go here to view the Atomic Learning tutorial introducing RSS using IE7

Go here to view the Atomic Learning tutorial about using RSS feeds in IE7

Social bookmarking (with Del.icio.us) in plain english

Go here to view the Atomic Learning tutorial and sign up

Google Docs in plain english

Go here to view the Atomic Learning tutorials and sign up

I think I’ll get people to subscribe to the RSS feed of this blog as a learning activity. It would encompass most of the things discussed already. Should have done that the first time really…