samlab: self-directed, 'net-based learning

Want to start by wishing my nephew Sam "Happy Birthday"

This is a "proof of comcept" post that I'm making from my BlackBerry. Notwithstanding the typos that will inevitably find their way into the post, I'm impressed with the way that Drupal reacts to this mobile device, and believe that posting via this method would be viable for those so connected, and comfortable with texting. I don't know how often I'll post via this device, but it's nice to know that is an option.

Accessibility, or lack thereof, has always been a concern of mine in the technology integration and instructional design work I do. Too often, those of us with newer computers, and broadband connections forget that so many--particularly those in rural and remote communities--don't have the access to the f'net that so many of us take for granted.

From 2000 to 2004, I was employed as a "Training Developer" for a technology company, and spent up to 80% of my time travelling North America conducting training sessions for customers and clients. Very often, my only available connection to the 'net for these sessions, and in the hotels I was staying in, was via dialup. This experience brought into full relief for me the challenges so many face in accessing content and participating in the conversation online. It also led me to design and develop "low overhead" versions of the curricula I was developing. Even if that meant providing for CD-based versions of some of the content that was being produced for online delivery via faster (i.e., broadband) connections.

In 2001 I began an studying as an online Master of Education student at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. By the time I was completing my degree in 2005, some of the faculty were presenting content in the form of audio and video files. Unfortunately, especially with the MP3-based lectures, a sizable minority of classmates were unable to access this content due to the fact that slower connections would "time out" during the download of MP3 files. Fortunately, my "low bandwidth experience" had taught me that converting MP3 files to Windows Media Audio format would allow access to those on slower connections, and I was able to convert and upload files to allow access for colleagues. I relate this anecdote not to "blow my own horn" but as a reminder (for me as much as you dear reader) that so much of what we do in design and development of online content has "unintended consequences." Multimedia is great, but are you sure all of your intended audience will be able to access it?

It's been a while since I've had dialup-only access and it's been a good reminder that we need to stay diligent, and realistic, while developing web-based content. I, for one, am more interested in bridging than perpetuating "digital divides" with my content.

NOTE: While I do have EVDO access on my mobile device, many web applications--streaming media, and javascript-based sites, to name two--aren't accessible via my particular device. I'm also apprehensive about what type of "roaming data rates" I'm incurring while browsing via the BlackBerry >;-)

We need to bring pressure to bear on governments and the telecommunication conglomerates to ensure that ALL CITIZENS have the means to effectively engage, contribute, and participate in the conversation.

My sister has launched her website: Photos By Marlys as part of her photography business. Marlys is based in Almonte, Ontario, and specializes in maternity and newborn photography. As you'll see if you visit the link above, she does great work. If you're in the Ottawa area and having a baby, you should get in touch.

It's soon upon us: Earthcast08

Earthcast08 is hosted by Worldbridges and EdTechTalk, and the fact that the WB/ETT community has stepped up to take on the task of webcasting from around the globe over a 24-hour period. Want to send a special shoutout to Jason at Cephalopodcast and the great media (see above, and sidebar) that he's produced for the show.

Plan to join the fun--it's scheduled to run for 24 hours, so you don't really have an excuse, if you're online at all, during April 22, 2008.

Here's what Wikipedia has to say about Service Learning

Service learning is something that anyone can do with the world wide web. While it still has an formal educational connotation, anyone with an internet connection can start a service learning project with Google Groups. Content produced can be published to the web. You will need a Gmail account to get started.

Here is a post I made about a group for a charitable association here in BC.

As members of the board and executive directors learn how to use the space, they are able to share this capacity with those in their communities, and so on....

One more thing. YOUTH in your community have a HUGE role to play in teaching YOU how to use technology. Kids get it. Have them share with you what they know about technology. LISTEN.

Henry Rollins' sold-out spoken word performance in Victoria, BC. will stay with me for a while.

Three plus hours of insightful socio-political commentary, storytelling and acting was riveting. He joked about running too long, and that he had "just one more thing and I'll let you go for the next year and a half,,,," He had some neat things to say about international relations--from both a North American and more global perspective

Particularly relevant for North Americans was his exhortation to get/renew a passport and travel the world, and interact, get to know, and connect with the other 6+ billion people on the planet.

It was also moving to hear about his excitement at being asked to sing lead vocals at a Ruts reunion, and benefit for lead-guitarist Paul Fox.

He also mentioned that we would be able to find video of the performance "on the YouTubes." He told us he had heard that it wasn't bad, but hadn't seen it himself. Turns out, there are some great videos:

Just had a chance to connect with Bill Fitzgerald of funnymonkey fame. I've worked with Bill for a couple of years on a different Drupal-based projects and it's great to finally meet him face-to-face.

Have been playing with the eeepc and just posted a short video that I made with built-in webcam.

It's been way too long since I made a blog post. Figured that since I'm at Moosecamp today, the least I could/should do is make a post to this space.

I've been online for the past while, but have been hanging out in different online spaces. Twitter, in particular, has taken up a lot of my online time. What hasn't been spent there has been taken up with edtechtalk.com activity.

Looking forward to the next couple of days here at UBC -- the forestry centre is a wonderful facility -- and will be posting to Flickr and Twitter, if not this blog.

Thanks to inspiration from D'Arcy Norman, I'm participating in a year-long, Flickr-based photo experiment.

Each day of 2008 (it's a leap year, hence 366 days) participants will take and post a picture. Some are assigning a "geo-tag" that will show the location of the pictures taken.

Below is a badge of the photos that I've taken so far. As more pictures are taken, uploaded and tagged they will be automatically be added to the badge itself.

You can visit this page to see the pool of photos being contributed to the project.

Best wishes to all for a wonderful New Year. In a time when so many struggle to merely survive, it bears taking a moment for those of us who have so much to take a moment to reflect on all that we have and to ask ourselves what we can do to make the world a better place. What can you do to make a positive difference in your world?

Best wishes for a healthy, happy holiday and all the best in 2008!