Posted 11:08 PM by George Siemens
Life Cycle of a "Big Idea" via WebWord
Accurate (and humerous)...wonder where elearning is at on the "big idea" scale....?

Posted 10:59 PM by George Siemens
Design Principles for a Distributed Learning Object Repository Network
Quote: "The model envisioned by these principles, a network model, may be contrasted with what may be called the silo model for the distribution of learning resources. In the silo model, separate repositories – one for each corporation, school district, college system or university – is envisioned. These silos are fed by publishers who, often on the basis of separate licensing agreements, distribute bundles of learning content to be stored in the silo for later use. "
Comment: "The words "learning objects" have been beaten to death over the last year...that I'm at the stage where I tune out when I hear them...however, there is still progress in this area, and Stephen Downes lists great criteria for a model. Only thing I would add as a broad concept: simplicity. More than anything else, the use of learning objects will be accelerated once it is very simple/easy to do. After all, who is sharing and using objects? The instructor...who doesn't have time to become a technologist.

Posted 10:50 PM by George Siemens
Digital Storytelling
Quote: "Technology, which has already helped spawn a class of amateur journalists through text-based weblogs and niche news sites, is about to blast into oblivion another largely artificial distinction: the gap between professional and amateur visualists.
In the past few years, the cost of creating personal documentary works has fallen so dramatically that the tools are no longer available only to a specialized class. People from all walks of life are now picking up the tools and telling their own stories, with the help of training facilities like the Center for Digital Storytelling."
Comment: As the author says "We all have a powerful story to tell"...and the art of storytelling is not as common as it once was...yet the most powerful form of communication is through stories. A story can draw in various readers on various points - sometimes even beyond what the author intended (for die-hard constructivists - stories are best tool!!). In education, this principle needs to be explored at greater depth. I don't remember the lectures my teachers have given...but I remember their stories - often at unusual (and helpful) times. A teaching focus of transmitting information in a linear (text, lecture) format can to be strengthened through the use of storytelling...especially digital storytellling in elearning.

For more information on storytelling, see: elearnspace - Storytelling

Posted 10:32 PM by George Siemens
Understanding the Privacy Space
Quote: "This research focuses on the "Privacy Space" - a loosely defined collection of software systems and online services devoted to protecting people's privacy in cyberspace. The problems related to online privacy have received a great deal of attention in the popular press, in academia, and in public policy debates. A wide variety of solutions have been devised in the attempt to bolster online privacy in the face of numerous different threats and potential abuses of information technology. While technology is never going to solve all of our problems, it is useful to illuminate what successes have taken place and what more can be done."
Comment: People who are reluctant to use the Internet often cite a lack of confidence in security and trust online as the reason. This paper (while a bit long...with tons of charts) tries to "build a framework for describing the privacy space". The concepts discussed (briefly - it's data heavy) are relevant to everyone who uses the Internet for shopping, surfing, learning.