Saturday, January 22, 2011

Ted Talks - Ze Frank's Web Playroom

"On the web, a new "Friend" may be just a click away, but true connection is harder to find and express. Ze Frank presents a medley of zany Internet toys that require deep participation -- and reward it with something more nourishing. You're invited, if you promise you'll share."




I took a look at a different perspective in social networking as presented by Ze Frank. Ze presents a wide range of collaboration via the Internet which allows people all over the globe to socially interact on special topics that they can choose from. Ze introduces a topic and acts as the moderator for the cases he presents; however anyone can accomplish this on their own. The main requirement for people who are interested is to participate in the activities.
The technologies and capabilities delivered and broadcasted allow for a different type of social networking. Facebook for example allows individuals to interact through posts of words, photos & videos and shared links much like what Ze is showing the audience. However what is proposed in the Internet Playroom is an added ability to “socialize” interactively without everyone knowing who you are.
“The Internet is first and foremost a communication technology, with the potential to change peoples’ social interaction.” (Shklovski, Kiesler & Kraut 2006) There is a belief that there are physiological, sociological and medical benefits for people and patients to interact in a forum that presents no form of criticality or negative judgment that is often experienced in a face to face social setting. The Internet provides more individuality as an equal without common social barriers and social class challenges that would inhibit interaction behaviors.

The interaction innovation delivered by Ze allows us that ability to further research similar technologies that are prevalent in this class. The CS855 Futuring of technology so far includes 2nd life, blogging, and the use of social media resources that allow the delivery of collaboration at a different level.

Two question- points to take away from this discussion:

1.      What other benefits can be realized by people or businesses through the social collaboration and interaction using the Internet?
2.      What additional capabilities can be developed and delivered to encourage social interaction for people, patients and businesses?

References:

Shklovski, I., Kiesler, S., & Kraut, R. (2006). The Internet and social interaction. In M. B. Kraut & S. Kiesler (Eds.), Computers, phones, and the Internet (pp. 251-264). New York: Oxford University Press.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

2010 Horizon Report

My Thoughts on a Few Topics - I looked at a few of the topics for last year’s report and have picked out a couple of items to blog about that caught my interest. One is specific to an identified trend in using technology and the other is a key shift in the availability of educational resources using technology to distribute them. Enjoy!

Technology Trends 
One of the trends discussed in the 2010 Horizon Report identifies the relationship of the traditional education deliverer to that of certification bodies. It appears that certification bodies are beginning to provide credentials to professionals through a specific body of knowledge for career minded professionals that don’t have the time or necessarily want to plow through a degree program. As a professional in my career field, and a hiring manager in my company, I can agree that I look at specific certification criteria on a resume before I even look at the degrees that are held by the individual. The US Government looks at these similar credentials as well and implements policy affecting certification in the hiring process or in developing contracts that articulate qualified personnel that supply a service.
As an educator as well, I can see where traditional universities are beginning to roll certification courses into a degree program to make themselves more marketable. Those that are doing this in my opinion are smart and will set the standard of success for students trying to get ahead.
Education and Technology
In the technologies area of the 2010 Horizon Report, I was interested in the short discussion regarding the availability to more open source educational content. As a conservative person, I believe that everyone should earn or pay for the things that they want. When the topic turns to education, I am just the opposite. I believe that we have a moral responsibility as a human race to educate those that desire knowledge to make the world a better place.
Neither social nor economic status should drive the ability to reach available resources to educate the populace. The movement in the report describes a shift in the way universities are using technology to provide more access to open source educational materials which will not only provide a distributed capability for learning, but allow demographical contributions to bodies of knowledge that may be restricted by resources. If the open source availability of research and educational materials allows better collaboration between people, then eventually all that want to grow intellectually will be able to. The next challenge would be to figure out an effective way to provide e-access to everyone!
My Opinion, Just Saying...........