For most of the day today, I’ve been logged into the Australian Flexible Learning Framework 2006 Networks Online Event. The theme of this year’s event is ‘Tapping into Social Networking for E-Learning’…. right up my alley! 😉
From the Online Conference website:
Tapping into social networking for e-learning intends to stimulate conversations and connections that will enable you to build knowledge and gain practical skills in e-learning. Central to the conversations are exploring some of the emerging social networking technologies and pedagogies that are presenting new possibilities in the way learners interact and collaborate with others.
The first day of the conference has been great and congrats must go to the organisers! I’m actually writing this post while I listen to an interesting presentation by Marg O’Connell titled Blogging for Learning. (View her Blogger blog here)
For me, the highlight was Stephan Ridgway’s informative presentation titled Introduction to Podcasting & Vblogging in Education. Check out his impressive Wiki to access the resources he put together to support his presentation.
About half-way through the day, I snuck out for a little while to join an online meeting in Second Life. It was hosted by the SL Grad Student Group and held at the New Media Consortium Campus in Second Life. The guest speaker at today’s event was CBD Barkley (aka Alan Levine of CogDogBlog and Director, Technology Resources and Member Services for NMC).
It was great to take a seat on the virtual grass and listen to the amazing things that the New Media Consortium are doing on SL, and also to hear about the work being done by this group of Grad students – teaching all sorts of interesting subjects within the Second Life space.
CBD Barkley even took us on a tour of the new NMC virtual art gallery, which features some truly amazing works.
I’ve come away from another great day of learning in both my ‘real life’ and my ‘second life’, with lots of new ideas to follow up on and new tools and resources to explore. In particular, it has me thinking again about the types of tools we use to communicate online.
Comparing the two modes of online communication I’ve used today has been an interesting exercise. As I get more immersed in Second Life, more text-based learning environments are becoming much less appealing to me personally, and I’m really interested in looking into this further…..
So I’m wondering…… Which mode appeals to you, and why?
Hi Jo,
Thanks for visiting NMC Campus and writing/posting pictures (This is Alan / CDB) — it was kind of chaotic, but a fun meet up.
I am emailing with a few ideas to toss your way….
hey jo
completely off topic, but i was just looking at your site and saw the links to your “other” spaces.
web2 strikes again showing us a whole lot more of who the people are that we are interacting with.
43 things is really cool and i truly admire your list of wishes in your amazon wishlist.
i thought that perhaps i was the only person left who cared about the ramones AND henry rollins AND akira. 🙂
have a great day
botts
LOL botts! Don’t even get me started on my obsession with Henry… and the Ramones… and Akira 😉
I love it that Web 2.0 allows me to connect with people across both the professional and the personal… thanks for a cool comment! 😉
BTW – did you see me piping Henry into my SL space.
I’ve only been visiting SL for a short while but I’m fascinated by the educational potential of this environment.
I have just completed several floors of the Ivory Tower course on Prims – great way to learn! And there were other people to talk to and watch while I was there… trying to make a chair…
Text has it’s place but so does this – especially as PC power and bandwidth improve in homes and schools.
Visited your place in SL Jo – impressive! Hope to catch you there one day…
Thanks Roger! 😉 I’ve had lots of fun building my spots in SL… all still a work in progress of course!
Ivory Towers was a great intro for me too – but lately I’ve been attending some of the classes run by the community in SL. It’s been great fun, and I’ve learnt a lot.
Also very interesting to examine from a teaching perspective. So far, my SL ‘classroom’ experiences have been great examples of networked learning in action! 😉
Hope to meet you in SL soon! 😉
Hi Jo
we chatted briefly in the real life virtual session room Thursday. Stephan’s session was great for me too – finally got the RSS thing and have got it happening.
There is no question that the 3D environment totally outshines the flat world of 2D. I’ve loved it for three years..when I saw it in a Linux supported session room and then lost touch. Have only OS9 on my Mac and generic video card on PC-aaaaahhhh! I want to get in there…an art gallery..can’t wait. I work with indigenous young people in the Centre – perfect for creating and exploring places.
Hiya Georgina,
Thanks for visiting! 😉 Was great to very briefly meet you on Friday.
Would love to chat about your ideas for working with your students in SL – don’t forget to come visit when you finally get access! 😉
I’m contemplating making some of my virtual space available for small projects with students…. maybe there’s some opportunities for us there? 😉
Jo….
You will be remembered for dragging us kicking and screaming into the ‘real’ digital age.
I explored virtual worlds for too long back in 1996 – 2000 with Victoria Vesna over at http://vv.arts.ucla.edu/projects/1995-97.php
It looks like I’ll be digging into a new reality with you and the TALO group…..perhaps we could prepare a TALO zone on Second Life….if it isnt already being built.
Till my CC let’s me in.
LOL.. thanks Alex! Can’t wait to see you in-world.
BTW – you’ve been reading my mind or something… I spent several hours today establishing a group and assigning some land to a TALO in SL Group! More info via TALO shortly!! 😉