For our last Blog we were given the directive of exploring the question of the impact on social media and our social interaction.  Are we becoming less socially interactive because of social media?  I would have to say yes and no.  I do not have a face book account, I do not have a twitter account, but I’m still connected and social. But social media has changed the way that we,as a society and as social scientist, define interaction.  Now, we must include the virtual in any discussion regarding “groups” or “being  interactive”.”  Sociologist now maintain that interactions no longer require face to face contact to be defined as such.  Now, we have broadened the definition to include interactions that happen in cyberspace.

But does this mean we are somehow losing our social edge? I would say not really.  There are still rules to interacting in cyberspace and I certainly feel just as connected talking to my family via Skype as I do receiving a card or talking to them on the phone.  And sometimes it’s just easier to interact in the virtual world, but I would not argue that this means we are less social.  I would argue that this new technology might change the way that we interact and might expand our definition of what it means to be social. But I do not believe we are becoming LESS social because of it…

We have access to so much information, we can send greetings around the world in a matter of second, we can find and reconnect with people we thought we might never see again.  This doesn’t sound like it  turning us into less social creatures, if anything–it becomes another way for us to overextend ourselves and to waste time.

Completed my first Screenr.  Not exactly sure where or why I would use this technology again, but it was an interesting process.  Also completed a collaborative Prezi–very cool…I would like to continue to explore the world of Prezi…

ButI am still struggling with where to use the technology.  Prezi is great for presentations, but I really doubt I would use it as part of an online lecture.  Screenr was cool only because I could capture audio and video, but I’m not sure when I would use it.  Perhaps to couple it with VT, but VT can do something similar. But VT can be used for online lectures, and I like that aspect of it…

This morning was one of those mornings that you kinda feel like sleep walking through.  I slept well but just couldn’t wake up.  So when it was time to go to the open house, I decided to retreat into the bathroom to finish getting dressed (away from my three year old who has yet to discover the joy of silence).  And just by chance I ran into the most amazing show:

Imagination is more important than knowledge

The show is on NPR and is called On Being…I caught the show about 5 minutes in (but the entire show is archived online–of course).  On the show were talking to Physicist James Gates.  Can I just say this guy is amazing…

So for my PLE, I would like to link to this show.  It is the perfect blend of dialogue and critical thinking and it is just downright interesting…I want my PLE to be a place full of interesting resources, a place that inspires dialogue and curiosity…

OK, so the rebuttal is done…After listening to the other side’s argument, I still do not believe they dealt with our arguments head-on…For one thing they seemed bothered that we changed the tenor of the question.  From the beginning we stated it was not a question of stupidity for us, it was a matter of asking what changes are occurring because this new technology.  This was not to argue that the end of the world was coming…But our position was to say that Google and the internet is having an effect on the kinds of creatures we are (just like every technology does).  There is nothing wrong with considering metaphysical and ontological questions as they relate to technology.  It just makes sense to question these things…To not do so would be to go quietly into that cold night…

So the exercise was an interesting one, but I only wish the actual debate would have been more robust…

OK, so we finished our VT assignment and I’ve got to say, I’m sold on the benefits of this technology.  What I love about VT is the fact that I can use my phone to record my comments.  This was a great feature to have when, during the time of the rebuttal, something strange happened with my mic and I could not hear my audio.  Because I was able to record using my phone, there was not need to freak out.  VT called and I was able to keep rolling…

VT is more interactive than the DB on Blackboard.  Although people can post links, etc to Blackboard’s DB, it is not as seamless as using VT.  I can see using this technology with my online classes in the future.

So I would say that I enjoyed this part of the class and I felt learning about this technology did benefit me…

The title of this Blog comes out of the conversation today…Today I took a webinar on Voice Thread and I’m really glad that I did.  It was amazing and helped me to appreciate the tool from an instructional standpoint.  The topic was using VT to assist learners of all types…UDL…Universal Design for Learning (a learning environment) that is based on expression, representation and engagement.

The suggestions were made that VT can be a place where learning of concepts can be demonstrated.  The suggestions were really interesting but the challenge of using VT is that VT is not ADA compliant (so work has to be done by the instructor to make sure that students who need accommodations are met).  So VT brings with it challenges having to do with accessibility…

But VT is a great place to provide students with reflection…And reflection is something that is often left out of the discussion pertaining to learning…

Talk about the embodiment of the cyborg manifesto…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnjAnvIjCUk

He is known as an eyeborg. Even though he does not really “see” the images because they are outputted onto a video recorder, his eyeborg tracks, blinks, etc.  just like a human eye.  This tool allows him (the him being Rob Spence) to conduct undercover journalism and documentary film making.  This is such an interesting idea and one that speaks to the possibilites of where technology can take us…

So the special effects he can “see” happens after the fact (so he doesn’t really have Terminator vision and so he must experience this on a screen (just like the rest of us non eyeborgs)…

Today I learned about a new piece of technology that really appeals to me as an online teacher. The program is a free program that allows people to see what you are seeing on your computer screen.  It is called Join.Me.  This program also allows the person on the other side to take over your mouse (to help the learner/student to better understand the concept at hand).

https://join.me/

http://blog.join.me/

The implications for this tool as it relates to teaching are tremendous.  Now students can discuss concepts with an instructor in real time in virtual land…This brings such a great element to holding virtual office hours…

OK, so this piece of technology is called conversation in the clouds.  Sounds poetic–right?  I’m not exactly sure how I plan to use it in the future, but I like the idea of having a conversation in the clouds.  Somehow it seems fitting right now.

So how can I use this technology?  Well it just so happens that I received information about a training happening with VT in my Owens email account just the other day.  The webinar is discussing how VT is a wonderful tool for supporting all learners with this technology.  The conversation is posited as a must for all those concerned with 21st century learning.  Hmmm…A must have.

How did we ever learn in the past without our fancy technology?

So I think I’ll attend and report back in a few weeks…