Connected Learning

From the QuantumShift.tv website:

” Quantum Shift TV is a 21st Century storyteller renewing the cultural values of community, care and interconnectedness through the use of leading edge technology and citizen journalism. We have been inspired by research from the Max Plank Institute in Germany confirming our belief that people are more likely to take positive action when they are seen to be doing so.

Ultimately we want to shift this culture from ‘me’ to ‘we’ through a socially responsible media business that shares the stories of those who positively impact social and environmental change on our planet.

For those who are already taking action, we will be their voice!
For those who want to act, but don’t know how, we will be their inspiration!
For those who look for corporate social responsible leadership, we will be the example!

It is time for Quantum Shift TV.”

Watch their introductory video here:

http://www.quantumshift.tv/about.php  

Google book search has recently added a new feature which allows you embed sections of your chosen book into your blog etc. Here is an embeded graphic from Oliver Twist.

And here is the same thing as embeded text from the book:

The Adventures of Oliver Twist By Charles Dickens, Chapman and Hall
OLIVER TWIST CHAPTER I TREATS OF THE PLACE WHERE OLIVER TWIST WAS BORN AND OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES ATTENDING HIS BIRTH

This has lots of applications in the language and literature classes, as well as teacher blogs for students, where critical analysis can occur.

Following up on yesterdays post, I decided NOT to stay up to 2am local time to watch Steve Jobs Special announcement nor watch the Engadget live blogging…but waited until this morning to quickly read up on what Steve had to say.

No big surprises really, however, something that interests me is how is this going to change the face of media in the classroom? More students will now have access to portable media devices which are readily affordable (not by me yet!) and play video. Will the flow on effect mean that instead of just audio pod casting, should we be moving to video pod casting more, so that students (and I think especially the commuters) can get quality things to watch in the down time of life. Being a regular commuter on both train and bus, I think the new nano will be a hit. The classics and touch will do well, but the price point and versatility of the nano will make it sell well, but the size will suit the commuter, it can sit in a pocket with no fuss and be available quickly. The touch does present an interesting issue for schools. With the inbuilt wi-fi, if we add wi-fi- access to our classrooms, we could have notes, etc available for download during the class, as well as other resources available for download.

Yet again Apple has moved the playing field and we will see how it affects our schools!

Apple (or perhaps Steve Jobs) is the master of creating expectation. Just look at the current hype over their September 5 announcement and all the hype that has associated it. Now I’m not necessarily an Apple fan-boy (I don’t even own an iPod!) but you have to respect all the messages that are included in this simple advertisement for the announcement. The image resembles the iTunes interface (could this be an iTunes related announcement?) The main image shows a person holding an iPod (could this be an iPod announcement?) The text “The beat goes on” is the final words of The Beatles final press release.

“Spring is here and Leeds play Chelsea tomorrow and Ringo and John and George and Paul are alive and well and full of hope. The world is still spinning and so are we and so are you,” read the 1970 Beatles release. “When the spinning stops — that’ll be the time to worry, not before. Until then, the Beatles are alive and well and the beat goes on, the beat goes on.”(according to Apple Insider)

(could this be an announcement about The Beatles catalogue being available on the iTunes store?)

Whatever the actual announcement at this special event, it has created a significant amount of expectation. Enough for even me to wonder what Steve will pull out of the hat. A simple postcard laden with hints…creating expectation…creating talk…keeping the product/company in peoples mind.

What can we learn from Apple today?

We talk so much about living in a open society, open source software etc etc, what about being an open educator, prepared to share your knowledge and creations for the betterment of the wider educational community and more importantly the students.

Graham over at Teaching Generation Z has developed this great badge system to add to your blog, site, etc to proclaim your open status!