Doug Peterson :: Blog

http://themobilelearner.wordpress.com/2010/08/27/the-future-of-reality-contro

This video from TED demonstrates new technology being developed where a human can interact with devices to control objects simply by thinking about them.  On the one hand, a very exciting development, especially when it comes to supporting children with physical disabilities.  On the other, I can’t help to feel how much this resembles the [...]

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheCleverSheep/~3/-YeBmkcNlrE/co-cre

In a few hours, I'll be up early in order to make the drive to York University. Once there, I'll be taking part in the ABEL Summer Institute, where I'll be leading a workshop on Creative Commons.

In keeping with the theme of ASI2010: "Creating the Future Now", I'll be working with participants in my session to co-create a Creative Commons Field Guide. If all goes according to plan, our collegial effort will highlight a number of innovative ways that teachers and students can leverage Creative Commons in the classroom.

Creative Commons is an excellent vehicle to model academic integrity, and to provide learners with raw content for their multimedia creations. I'll be using the slidedeck below to provide a rationale for using and attributing Creative Commons works, and to highlight a wide range of CC licensed exemplars.


How will we Create the Future?

During the latter half of my workshop, we'll be producing and publishing a professional development resource. If you'd like to contribute to this e-book, I invite you to follow the steps below to share your idea.

Step #1: In 140 characters or less, teachers will be asked identify a strategy, project, or idea for leveraging Creative Commons.

Step #2: Teachers will be challenged to identify a CC licensed photo that can be used to illustrate their idea. I'm encouraging the use of images by Stuck in Customs so that our resource will have a consistent look and feel.

Step #3: Participants will contribute their ideas.

During the week following the ABEL Summer Institute, I'll be condensing the ideas into a common slidedeck which will be made available as a downloadable e-book from my Slideshare account.

http://themobilelearner.wordpress.com/2010/08/10/ipods-in-education-part-14-e

True, mobile devices work well across the curriculum.  Much time as been spent in this “iPods in Education” series on uses as they relate to Language Arts or geography instruction.  This time, I’d like to branch out and look at some uses in science.  While I myself am not an expert in the field, I [...]

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheCleverSheep/~3/5yPMiLD94zo/hidden

Remember the good old days when folks used to play outside?
Geocaching is a wonderful way to remind yourself and friends and family that we're surrounded by wonderful natural places ripe for exploring. If you have access to a GPS device, you can use longitude and latitude coordinates and secret clues to locate 'hidden treasures'.




Yesterday, we used Geocaching Toolkit and an iPhone to lead us to cache locations near Springbank Park in London, Ontario. While we've gone hiking and geocaching before, I was lucky enough to capture the moments that followed my son's first geocaching 'find'.

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheCleverSheep/~3/4fYq0JU7i84/mac-mi

This week, I hosted four colleagues for a full day of hands-on learning intended to help novice geeks to get the most of their Mac computers. Contrary to traditional large group PD, this audience had the luxury of going in any of a number of directions, and could do so at a comfortable pace.

I fielded a number of queries about this informal PD through via Twitter, so here are my top 10 discoveries from a day of learning with friends:

1] You can use a large screen television as a projection device.

2] Although the operating system is simple to navigate, there are simple tricks that you may take for granted that may be greatly valued by your colleagues.

3] Small changes to System Preferences can allow any user to be more productive.

4] Individual needs are much easier to address in a small group meeting than they are in traditional PD. (I.e., A teacher with a new external hard drive invited us to explore how to use Time Machine to backup files.)

5] If you use Skitch, ctrl+shift+5 is the new ctrl+shift+4

6] Teachers can have fun with Skype by contacting folks in the same room; and you can demonstrate the power of this collaborative tool by inviting guest experts to dial in to share their expertise. Thanks @BrendaSherry, @KellyPower & @IainRobertson!

7] Delicious is a great tool to introduce teachers to the power of the hive mind.

8] Engaging in conversation within a PD session is a good thing. How else can folks teach one another and share their giddy love of learning?

9] This type of learning should be taking place on a regular basis. The consensus from participants was that we should schedule follow-up meetings. First on our next agenda: "So, What happened?"

10] Teacher-learners are happy to share food in exchange for tech tips!

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheCleverSheep/~3/OmlJx3ZW9Xo/three-

For the fourth time, Scott McLeod is calling on bloggers to help support administrators in becoming effective school technology leaders through Leadership Day.

There are hundreds of things I'd love to share with administrators and classroom leaders, but let me boil it down to 3 R's to replace Readin', Ritin', and 'Rithmatic.

1. Take Risks
There are many things we do in school, for no other reason, than we've always done things a particular way. Consider the use of chalk; the alignment of desks in rows; the use of written tests; or the opening of the school day to fit with bus-schedules instead of the needs of growing brains.

We can continue to do things the way we've always done them, or, we can recognize the folly in some of our practices, and can strive to find better ways. In your own work as an administrator, don't be afraid to take risks and to encourage others to do the same. Two important questions to consider any day; Why? and Why not?

2. Conduct Research
Whether encouraging leaders to pilot new technologies, or asking peers to consider novel practices, work with colleagues to discover the best ways to engage today's learners. Celebrate exemplary achievements, and gather evidence to support the expansion of successful strategies.

The craft of teaching should be one of continual evolution. Through collegial discussion, educators can examine local teaching practices, and with the support of a networked leader, can share their professional learning with a global audience.

3. Build Relationships
You don't have to go it alone. Network with colleagues near and far, to keep abreast of emerging trends. Share your challenges, questions, and ideas, and learn through shared experiences. We may not be with you in person, but we'll have your back should you require resources, ideas, or other forms of support.

In modeling the collaborative skills of a 21st century educator, your experiences are sure to bring a sense of wonder to your professional life. Once you see the potential of networked learning, it will be natural for you to advocate for the modern learning needs of teachers and students alike.

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheCleverSheep/~3/PB3ucKjhsm0/social

'The Social Network' is one of those trailers that seems to work one its own as a short subject movie. At the opening, the words of the choir over the computer screen close-ups are ethereal, intimate, and sad all at the same time.

Do you yearn to fit in? Do you need a digital channel to enhance your sense of belonging? Many of the quotes within this trailer help me to understand how individuals may be inclined to value their online social connections above all else.



While hundreds of millions engage in social experiences through Facebook and other social media channels, I wonder how many will engage in online conversations about this movie, rather than experiencing it first hand with real friends? The film opens in October... How many educators will see it as a piece of media worthy of consideration?


LATE ADDITION

A number of days ago, I came across this explanation of Facebook that might be worth considering as a teaching tool, especially when it comes to privacy settings and terms of use agreements.

A Movie for Anyone On FaceBook from Casey Neistat on Vimeo.

http://themobilelearner.wordpress.com/2010/07/23/format-wars-in-the-mobile-sp

iOS or Android? Kobo, iBooks, Nook or Kindle? There are clearly format wars taking place today in the mobile space.  When it comes to operating systems, handsets, or ebook readers, everything mobile is entangled in some sort of format competition. We’ve seen this in the media space many times before. There was VHS vs. Beta [...]

http://themobilelearner.wordpress.com/2010/07/19/new-media-tools-and-cognitiv

This TED talk, presented by Clay Shirky in June 2010, discusses how digital technology has given us the ability to use our collective spare time and talents, what Shirky calls ‘cognitive suplus’, to participate in global projects and create in a global environment is ways that was never before possible.  This voluntary participation has the [...]

http://kentmanning.blogspot.com/2010/07/summer-of-75.html

I can count on one hand the few defining moments I had as a teen.

Spending the summer of 1975 as a very young 16 year old on a Sugar Plantation on the Big Island of Hawaii is one of them.

What vision and thoughtfulness my parents had back then to plunk me on a jet out of Toronto, by myself, only to land in Honolulu and be picked up by "Uncle Jack." Uncle Jack was one of my father's best friends from his days at the U. of T.'s Faculty of Forestry in the early 1950's. My dad had continued with forestry and Jack Hewetson had followed the agriculture stream. After a stint with a rubber plantation in Africa Jack managed Ka'u Sugar Company which was based in Pahala, Hawaii.