Thursday, January 23, 2014

Design Thinking for Educators

In December, I was inspired by the video "How Design Thinking Can Empower Young People" created by People Serving People and discussed on Edutopia.



Today, I discovered another online resource that covers Design Thinking for Educators that includes a toolkit and interesting examples in application and practice.  It reminds us that design in this way is used for problem-solving approaches that centre on cognitive or "thinking" processes related to design. (As an aside, I wish there was a better wikipedia definition of design thinking available! Maybe that's our next collective task...).
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Tuesday, November 19, 2013

What are "Emerging Educational Technologies"?

I'm currently writing a book chapter on problems of evidence-based decision-making regarding emerging educational technologies, with Mount Royal University's Digital Initiatives Librarian, Richard Hayman, for publication in 2014.

 We've found a few definitions and discussions of Emerging Technologies in higher education, including Edna F. Einsiedel's (2009) book on Emerging Technologies: From Hindsight to Foresight. We've also explored George Veletsianos' book, Emerging Technologies in Distance Education. And, of course, there is the well-known Horizon Report's discussion of emerging ed tech and trend forecasting. We're interested in finding recent (esp. academic) discussions of emerging technologies and convergence in higher education settings, specifically.

 How do you define emerging educational technologies? Any recommended (academic) sources discussing emerging educational technologies? And, what problems of evidence do you encounter with emerging educational technologies?
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Thursday, January 24, 2013

Trends in Social Media Resources

I'm excited to be teaching another Trends in Social Media Writing course for the University of Alberta's Faculty of Extension this weekend! Using blogs as a focus example, below I've compiled what I think are great resources on the topic, including some additional links on writing tips -- if you have any suggested resources to add to this list, I'd love to hear them!

Introduction to Social Media
Basic Web 2.0 Features and Functions

Effectively Using Social Media Technologies

Promotional Writing and Ad Strategies

Technology How-To

Evaluating Your Strategies

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Thursday, January 3, 2013

Interview with Social Media Guru Andrew Symes (Part I)

I'm looking forward to teaching my Trends in Social Media Writing (for Business and Non-Profits) course again this January at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Extension.

A few months ago, I had a chance to connect with Ottawa-based Marketing Communications Consultant, Andrew Symes, about his exciting experience inside a NASA tweet-up. Andrew shares interesting insights into social media in this part 1 excerpt of the interview. Enjoy!
Interview with Andrew Symes Part I from E Smith on Vimeo.
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Monday, September 10, 2012

Old materials, new digital tech spark evolution of "open source"

I love how this short video shows the evolution of "open source" to involve old antique materials (with unique physical/material qualities) and new digital technologies. Also: I want one!
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Monday, January 30, 2012

"Slow" Jams on Social Media

I like this post about "Slow Social Media" -- I've been meaning to try This Is My Jam, and perhaps now I have good motivation. I won't give away the ending, but the three lessons are interesting.
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Sunday, January 29, 2012

Social Media Writing

After a great course this past weekend, I'm really excited to be teaching another class on Social Media Writing for the Faculty of Extension tomorrow. Again, here are a few great resources I've found on the topic, including some additional links on writing tips -- if you have any suggested resources to add to this list, please let me know!

Introduction to Social Media

Basic Web 2.0 Features & Functions

Effectively Using Social Media Technologies  

Promotional Writing and Ad Strategies
Technology How-To
    Evaluating Your Strategies

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    Saturday, January 21, 2012

    Trends in Social Media - Resources

    I'm really excited to be teaching a course on Trends in Social Media Writing (for Business and Non-Profits) for the Faculty of Extension next weekend. Here are a few great resources I've found on the topic -- if you have any suggested resources to add to this list, please let me know!

    Introduction to Social Media

    Basic Web 2.0 Features & Functions

    Effectively Using Social Media Technologies 

    Technology How-To

      Evaluating Your Strategies

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      Saturday, November 12, 2011


      Hello again, blogger and Twitter accounts. I know it's been a while since I've last posted (and, I know one of my posts last year was about not abandoning your accounts...). So, here I am, ready to renew my posting efforts! Lots has been going on...

      A couple of things that I've been following lately in the world of e-Learning. One is the article from the National Post, "Students Give E-Learning a Grade of Incomplete." It seems that the jury is still out on what all is going on in the world of e-learning -- particularly regarding notions of digital natives, popularized by Marc Prensky in 2001. Reading the full report on e-learning in higher education in Canada (see: The state of e-learning in Canadian universities, 2011: If students are digital natives, why don’t theylike e-learning?) gives us a chance to begin to see some of the perplexities and complexities of e-learning today. Unsurprisingly, students like some ed tech things sometimes, and dislike other technology innovations at other times -- it's all about context, and the teaching and learning purposes for which the technologies are being used.

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      Saturday, September 25, 2010

      Google Chrome Experiment with Arcade Fire

      On a recent road trip, I became entranced by the new Arcade Fire album, The Suburbs.  After listening to the creative and evocative tracks, I was even more excited to see the song "We Used to Wait" brought to life in Chris Milk's Google Chrome experiment, The Wilderness Downtown.
      Photo credit: The Wilderness Downtown
      The Globe and Mail's article on the experiment, "Plug in your postal code and pull out a hankie" aptly describes the nostalgia and sense of awe one gets from seeing her neighbourhood in the video.

      While the Google Chrome experiment's use of many browser pop-ups can prove somewhat annoying and un-user-friendly, it's still worth catching out this interactive online music video.
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      Sunday, September 12, 2010

      Handling Bad Press

      In my Blogging for Business and Non-Profits course this weekend, there was some discussion about how to handle bad press.  Air Canada recently faced fierce Twitter rage with this story:
      Photo credit: the Globe and Mail
      I think that this Globe and Mail article on the 5 Social Media Lessons for Air Canada shows the importance of making your social media timely and relevant, especially when facing "Twitter rage" from your customers.

      Rule number one: don't abandon your Twitter or other social media account.
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      Friday, September 10, 2010

      Blogging for Business Resources

      I'm really excited to be teaching a course on Blogging for Business and Non-Profits for the Faculty of Extension this weekend.

      Here are a few great resources I've found on the topic:

      Introduction to Blogs
      Basic Web 2.0 Features & Functions
      Effectively Using Blog Technologies 
      Blog Technology How-To
      Evaluating Your Blog
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      Thursday, June 3, 2010

      iPad circa 1988

      The buzz surrounding Apple's iPad continues to grow, especially since it's become available in Canada this week. Reportedly, Apple's surpassed the 2 million mark in iPad sales. But is this really the "game-changer" people are touting it to be?


      Photo credit: Rego on Creative Commons

      It's amazing to think back to the roots of the tablet -- it's worth reading Harry McCracken's post on "The iPad. Of 2000. As Envisioned in 1988," in which he compares what some keen, contest-winning students in the late 80s told Apple a tablet launched in the year 2000 should do.

      This Youtube video on Project 2000 (1988) from Apple is worth revisiting:


      After reading McCraken's article, I can't help but still ponder whether the iPad is truly the "game-changer" that many imagine it to be. Sure, it looks cool -- the large screen is certainly a great asset for eBooks and eReading, amongst other things.

      But, in 2010, long after the y2K mark, does the iPad really deliver on the tablet promise?
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      Tuesday, March 16, 2010

      Video: The End of Publishing (?)


      Worth watching and very creative -- too much said here might give it all away, but I recommend taking a look.
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      Thursday, March 4, 2010

      Dancing with a Machine

      Here's a little something that might spark reflection on creativity and technology for the week's end:


      Can you imagine the concept map that went behind the plans for this machine? Doesn't it make you think of a life-sized version of the game mouse trap (did you play that game as a kid?)?

      The WIRED article How OK Go’s Amazing Rube Goldberg Machine Was Built is interesting too, and points out that this was done in a single, unbroken shot. There are also some interesting points about YouTube and the music label's views on this kind of online distribution.
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      Friday, February 12, 2010

      Study Bus?


      CC attribution: image by Allie_Caufield

      When I ride the Red Arrow coach down to Calgary, I love the fact that there is wireless on-board. Now, a new initiative in Arizona is letting students study during their commute:

      Wi-Fi Turns Rowdy Bus Into Rolling Study Hall

      It's a nice change to see pictures of students quietly studying on their laptops -- many of the usual iPod/smartphone shots focus on excessive student multitasking (and I'm not saying they're always wrong...). It's refreshing to instead focus on the quiet study time that devices like laptops can foster.
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      Thursday, January 14, 2010

      Digital Curators

      Digital curating -- sifting through the pieces of our technology puzzle...


      A colleague passed along an article called "The Content Strategist as Digital Curator" by Erin Scime (December, 2009). I like the term "digital curator" for people who work with digital artifacts of all kinds, since so much of our culture is now online and/or digitized.

      There seems to be great possibility in using the curatorial process in our Information Age, when there is such a glut of online information -- it's difficult to sift through it all, but perhaps considering the value of how as well as what we curate as digital artifacts will help us make meaningful connections.
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      Sunday, January 10, 2010

      Open Access Concept Map, OERs

      Laura Briggs has posted a comphrehensive concept map illustrating connections in Open Access initiatives. I recommend checking it out.

      I'll be presenting with Richard Hayman at the upcoming Alberta Libraries Conference on Open Education Resources (OERs) and libraries -- ALC 2010 promises to have an interesting program.
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      Thursday, December 3, 2009

      Horizon Report - Where are We?

      Interesting to look at the newest predictions and recommendations from the Horizon Report. Makes me wonder exactly who is really that close to full mobile computing adoption in 2009?

      A recent email from EDUCAUSE describes the following:

      "The 2010 Horizon Report, a joint undertaking of the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI) and the New Media Consortium (NMC), is nearing completion. As you know, the annual Horizon Report identifies six technologies that will be key for teaching and learning in higher education.

      As a partner with NMC in the report's preparation, ELI would like to invite you to participate in one of the final stages--gathering examples of the technologies featured in the report. This work can be in almost any form: production or pilot programs, research projects, faculty undertakings, or evaluation/assessment projects. It can involve any of the six technologies listed below. The intent is to give readers a more concrete sense of how these technologies will play out in the context of teaching and learning in higher education.

      Here are the six areas identified for this year's report:

      * TIME-TO-ADOPTION: ONE YEAR OR LESS
      Mobile Computing
      Open Content

      * TIME-TO-ADOPTION: TWO TO THREE YEARS
      Electronic Books
      Simple Augmented Reality

      * TIME-TO-ADOPTION: FOUR TO FIVE YEARS
      Gesture-Based Computing
      Visual Data Analysis

      The time-to-adoption horizon indicates how long the advisory board feels it will be until a significant number of campuses are using each of these technologies broadly. Innovative faculty and campuses are already working in some of these areas, and this is where you come in.

      A preview of the 2010 report, containing more detail as well as the trends and challenges presented in the report, is available at http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/2010HRPreview.pdf"

      Do you think we're really that close?
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      Friday, September 4, 2009

      Copyright in Canada: New Responses

      Michael Geist, Canada's resident guru on (and, advocate for) the future of Canadian copyright law recently blogged about Project Gutenberg Canada's response that is focused on public domain issues.


      You can access the Speak Out on Copyright website by clicking on this image:

      For those in the education/e-learning community who are following the ongoing debate about copyright legislation in Canada, you might be interested in this response from the Canadian Network for Innovation in Education:

      CNIE Response to Federal Copyright
      August 2009
      See the full PDF here.

      After consulting with it's membership, CNIE's Board of Directors submitted the attached position paper to the Canadian government's electronic consultation on a future Canadian Copyright law. PLease feel free to share this position paper with your colleagues at work and within your networks so as to encourage others to share their views with the government. You can also share CNIE's position paper with your Member of Parliament. The more people who make themselves heard on the topic of a furture Canadian Copyright Law and it's impact in and on the education, library and research sectors, the more likely Canadians are to have a future Canadian Copyright law that appropriately and adequately responds to the needs of all Canadians.
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