Skill and attitude

1 min read

Understanding personal learning networks: Their structure, content and the networking skills needed to optimally use them. 

 "These two observations allow us to conclude that networking for networked learning is not only a skill to be developed, but also an attitude towards learning to be cultivated. The interviews confirmed that networking revolves around a complex ability of (i) recognizing and identifying the other’s qualities; and, of (ii) making (valuable) associations of these qualities with the learner’s own qualities that could take place when interacting with a contact or even in the contact’s absence. Learners have different levels of proficiency in this skill, but can also differ in the actual application of the skill, due to the attitude with which they approach learning."

Originally posted to linkblog November 13, 2014

#netlit

Crazy!

1 min read

A Convicted Felon Speaks Out about White Collar Crime 

 Came across this while searching for something related to an accounting class I'm taking. It's as crazy as Crazy Eddie!

Originally posted to linkblog October 5, 2014

Uncomfortable curiosity

1 min read

Curiosity Prepares the Brain for Better Learning - Scientific American 

 I've long posited that curiosity is the key to continual learning. This article takes a look at the mechanisms that may contribute to curiosity helping us learn things better. The end makes the interesting point that having a curious nature "is not always an agreeable experience."

Originally posted to linkblog October 2, 2014

Making mistakes

1 min read

No, your organisation really won't innovate' (Wired UK) 

 via @k1v1n - The vast majority of companies and organizations are preoccupied with reducing/eliminating errors and having predictable paths. Innovation requires the opposite - unpredictability, messiness, failure, intuition, etc.

Originally posted to linkblog September 4, 2014

How long can you volley?

1 min read

Teaching Students to Talk to Each Other: Improving the Discussion Board, 2006 

 This "old" paper came to my attention through a Tweet by Harold Rheingold. I'm glad I took the time to follow the link, as this topic resonates with me, especially since I'm currently taking online courses. In the paper, Edward J. Gallagher of Lehigh University discusses how he transformed the use of discussion boards in his class into a truly collaborative learning environment. His metaphor of friends playing racquetball, with the goal of sustaining the volley for as long as possible, is extremely useful. If boards are places where students go to post ace serves, that no one can return, then they can hardly be considered a learning tool. No, the learning takes place in the thoughtful back and forth, where each post leaves room for someone else to respond, probe, agree, disagree, expound, etc. The lessons here could equally be applied to blogs comments and social media.

Originally posted to linkblog August 29, 2014

#netlit

xsendfile

1 min read

mod_xsendfile for Apache2/Apache2.2 

 I have an older application I wrote that manages our Extension publications. Some of them are for internal use only (e.g., the editable InDesign files). I was using Coldfusion to serve the files after verifying that the user had permission to view. For some reason, a recent change (maybe to CF or Apache) caused this to really bog down the server - had to restart CF every few hours. In my search for a solution, I discovered xsendfile - an Apache module that allows me to use headers to instruct Apache to serve a file, even if it isn't normally web accessible. I'm very happy!

Originally posted to linkblog July 8, 2014

Aspen Institute report

1 min read

The Aspen Institute - TASK FORCE ON LEARNING AND THE INTERNET REPORT 

 This report from the Aspen Institute makes a compelling case for the role of learning networks, digital age literacies, and active engagement in the future of learning for school-aged children. It can easily be extrapolated to apply to learners of any age. Will this report be enough to spawn a real conversation and eventual change in the system from above? I doubt it, but it's nice to see such a comprehensive report lend credence to my ideas and motivations surrounding network literacy!

Originally posted to linkblog June 20, 2014

Hoffman on Network Literacy

1 min read

The Information Age to the Networked Age: Are You Network Literate? 

 "To be truly network literate is to always be thinking of how you can add value to the networks you’re a part of, and to make it a priority to turn connections into relationships, and relationships into alliances."

This post by Reid Hoffman highlights many of the concepts that inform the Network Literacy Community of Practice and drive my involvement.

Originally posted to linkblog June 16, 2014

#netlit

Curiosity

1 min read

Why curiosity will rule the modern world - New Statesman 

 via @extensionguy (Jim Langcuster) on Twitter comes this article on the increasing importance of curiosity on people's success in life. The one point I think is missing is that curiosity requires us to believe that we don't know the answers and that there is likely a better way to do things. If you believe that you're doing a good enough job already and know everything you need to, then by definition you will lack curiosity. Perhaps being curious requires a degree a confidence in ones person, such that you can admit how much you don't know. The balancing act is in not being so confident that you think you don't have much to learn.

Originally posted to linkblog May 28, 2014