>/reboot

The end of an era or the beginning of a new dawn?

Which ever way you look at it – my life has changed dramatically over the past month or so.  My job at Birkenhead Sixth Form College officially ended yesterday… so what next? What indeed?

I’ve already signed-up for an MSc in Computer Science at the University of Liverpool, starting in September.  Before that, I need a job (or two).  I decided to try and set myself up in the Vintage clothes/curios market – trading on eBay.  This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time – so I might investigate about business start-up grants when I have my first (and hopefully last) Job Centre Plus interview on Monday.

I also decided to keep on with my ‘day job‘, working in Edu-Tech, and am setting-up as a Consultant Technologist – so if you want to contact me about any work you have or would like to discuss what I can do for you, simply drop me a line in whatever manner you wish.  I’m on most social sites as ‘colhawksworth’ or you can email/txt me if you already know me and I’ve given you my details.

Learner Owned Devices (slight return)

There seems to have been a lot more talk about utilizing Learner Owned Devices in F.E. (Further Education) during the last few months. I’ve been involved in enabling and engaging learners with their own technology for a number of years now and actively encourage others to do so too.

I read this interesting article yesterday and whilst I understand the angle it’s coming from – there’s a lot more to embedding LODs than meets the eye…

Firstly though, I think we need to remember ‘why’ we are doing this… it is not about saving money (though no one should actively waste money or resources) – IMHO education is not a business. We should be utilizing our learners’ devices for the right reasons.

• Learners have their own (preferred) devices, which they are already comfortable with – OK, they possibly don’t utilize all the features their devices has – but that can become part of their learning.
• Learners devices are likely to be updated more frequently than we can update our equipment – and yes, that means less cost to us.
• Learners carry their devices with them ‘most’ of the time, though I would imagine they are more likely to carry their phone than their laptop or netbook – is a phone more suited to learning than a netbook?

Now… let’s not assume that because learners are using their own devices, the university/college/ workplace, etc. will not have to buy as much equipment. What happens if learners decide NOT to use their own device? What if it is not suitable or compatible with the networked services? What if it breaks? These are all questions that need to be answered.

Whilst you’re contemplating those… add these – how far are the learners devices going to be ‘embedded’ into the institutions network? Are they going to browse the web? Integrate with the VLE? Upload & download files? Become a ‘workstation’? Again – these are all questions that require answers.

So what do we envisage for the future? Personally, I see an institution providing a varied, robust, secure core system that will allow many differing devices to connect to services. What do you mean, “we already have that?” – of course we do and that’s my point. We’re not implementing an institution-wide revolution here, what we are doing is allowing, enabling and encouraging learners to use the devices they have, to connect to services we provide. That’s it.

We still need to invest heavily in the core services, such as servers, switches, WiFi, storage, back-up systems, etc. otherwise we can’t provide the service. There are other options available to us – we could outsource all services or we could rely on free/Open Source services – both bring other hidden costs and risks into the equation.

 

Alt

 

So what is the alternative?

Just a few things to be thinking about… I’ll be expanding this blog entry over the next few weeks – so feel free to add comments.

Fidgetal Natives

If you’re in the learning technology game – you’ll no doubt have already heard of the term Digital Natives coined by Marc Prensky. Whether you agree with him or not, there is, at least, some mileage in mulling over the concept.

Having two teenage lads at home, I’ve often watched the way they interact with technology & asked questions about what they do and why they do it.  I’m not so certain that they are ‘digital natives’ in the true sense whereby they are so comfortable with technology that they know how to use everything properly and efficiently.  They have neither the interest nor the inclination in learning how to use technology properly.  And I do mean ‘learn’.  When it comes to technology… we all have to learn.  Perhaps some learn faster than others because they are interested or have better access to technology at an earlier age?

One thing I do notice is their general lack of attention span – does that make them ‘Fidgetal Natives’?  I guess that a person will give as much attention to an activity, based on how interested they are in that activity.  That’s nothing new.  So why should there be a generation of Digital Natives who are interested in technology?  The proliferation of technology in the home does mean that children grown up surrounded by technology – but does that make them interested in it or naturally adept at using it?

I think that as with any other area of life, technology is only as important as you make it.  If you’re not interested in it – fair enough, why should you be?

Rambling in Bolton

Finally got round to matching up my Pecha Kucha slides from JISC RSCNW10 (June 2010), Reebok Stadium, Bolton – with the audio file that Kev recorded as I was presenting.  Sorry about the poor audio quality, the wireless mic was playing up a little.  I was also a tad nervous, because I was first up to do my presentation that day – so I tended to ramble on… and on… and on… anyone who knows me will realise I tend to do this anyway when I’m talking about educational technology… I find myself opening-up far too many trains of thought and it pours out as a stream of scouse-esque techno-babble.

Tech Talk

Well folks, after 3 or so years of long hours of unpaid endeavour, trying to push & pull staff and learners in the general direction of eLearning, mLearning, blended learning, etc. I’m moving back over to focus on my core technincal responsibilities.

Why? Well a combination of factors, including: a change to my line management at work; we also now have an eLearning Manager (who gets paid to do the role); and, I guess that austerity measures are forcing UK education establishments to get tight with their cash – I think we’re going to be forced to focus on core services rather than what some people see as expensive and unnecessary ‘extras’.

So on one side – my hand is forced by changes at work, and on the other – I feel hurt that all the work I put in, is now going to be undone.

Outcome: MindMug will become far more ‘technology for learning’ based.

where are the stairs?

Reflecting on our BECTA TEN meeting, this week (May 13th & 14th) at  Novotel St Pancras, London – Hosted by our Exemplar lead, BL Hairdressing – also in our mini-network are Academy of Training, Asphaleia, and Haddon Training.

The meeting was a great chance to catch-up and discuss what we’ve been up to since our last meeting in Darlington, for partners to give a presentation about their own ePortfolios and to look at how we’re all tackling similar issues and academic needs etc.

We also had an interesting guest presenter,  Bernard Aghedo, e-Learning Advisor at JISC RSC London.  Bernard ran through the many ways that JISC RSCs can advise and assist with video conferencing using the many free webtools available and the services JISC RSCs can offer in your area.  He gave us a live demo of Wimba, which the London RSC use – Top guy! Fun & enthusiastic

At our college, we don’t use an ePortfolio system in the sense that our WBL colleagues do – it is something we will have to develop, most probably it will be an in-house job for my software developer, though I do like the look of Mahara. Anyway -  I gave a presentation of our Moodle and described the various components (plug-ins, etc.) that we’ve been utilizing – and probably bored the pants off everyone for an hour

The hotel was really nice – although a little pricey (ours was at a reduced rate, I guess because we were using the conference facilities) Dinner was very tasty and a good veggie option then we had a few drinks and a good chance to chat a bit more informally about our tech and how we’re all looking at using technology to enhance what we’re doing with learners.

DAY 2: Col has a bad throat… it was either all that waffling about VLEs on Day 1, or the London air.

More showcasing of ePortfolios and a great demo of things that the guys from Asphaleia have been up to.  I presented a ‘quick’ 40 mins session based loosely around Macs and what you get ‘out-of-the-box’ – typically a demo of the seamless integration between applications, using FrontRow etc.

Colleagues on our mini-network are a really great bunch of people to work – we’re all getting on so well and most importantly (for me), we’re all sharing really effective practice and helping each other out – which I think, is really what it’s all about.

How could I forget…

How do I get to Reception?

Source: fdecomite

The elevators weren’t working on day 2, so getting down to breakfast was an experience.  I was escorted down in the staff elevator by a guy from the office… then I tried to walk back up the stairs to my room – but the stairs didn’t seem to go past the 4th floor (16 floors!), I eventually found a way to the 5th floor,  got my bag and tried to come back down to check-out. The elevators were still not working and I couldn’t find my way back to the stairs… I got talking to a German couple who were also looking how to get out… none of the chamber maids seemed to understand our German/Scouse English but we were eventually pointed in the direction of the staff elevator again… it wasn’t working either.  We found a set of stairs, which didn’t go down to the reception floor… and somehow ended up getting lead through the kitchens by a porter and back through the dining rooms to reception.

It kind of made me think that there are many ways to achieve an end point or outcome.  Whether it be trying to get from your hotel room to reception, or trying to find ways that technology can enhance what you’re doing.  In our BECTA TEN mini-network, we’re all working towards solving very similar business and academic problems but using different techniques, models and software solutions.

References (things I mentioned):

• Apple iLife
• Apple iWork
• Moodle.org
• TurnItIn
• WikiSpaces
• WikiEducator
• EduTechWiki
• WordPress
• iPadio
• Slideshare
• Creative Commons
• Sheffield College – LeTTOL
• JORUM

amateur time-travel & assorted electronica

On a crisp New Years’ Day 1984, I was sitting with my friends in a public shelter learning to play 1980s electronic music on Casio keyboards [if you know Wallasey - it was on Strouds' Corner by the quarry], we were mulling things over  – as you tend to do during New Year. Space, time-travel, the after-life, etc… all the usual topics 16/17 year olds talk about (or maybe it was just us amateur time-travelers?) [have I ever mentioned my theory on the weight of light?]

I remember us thinking about how old we’d all be in the year 2000 – it seemed so far away at the time, Jeez – we’d be in our 30′s!!  Would we all have purple hair and wear silver space suits?  Would we have hover cars?  What would life be like in 2000?  Where would we be, what would we be doing?

Source: Michael Verdi

Well it came and went… forget the hype – 2000 wasn’t much different in the end was it?  Lots of physical and metaphorical fireworks – but life stayed pretty much the same.  There were a whole heap of innovations and inventions but mostly there were the usual incremental changes across the broad spectrum of technology. Oh and there was that Internet thing, but that’ll never take off.

Now there is one thing that always stands out when I think about the future and that is… buildings.  It puzzled me – how could future technology change, if we all continued to live in old houses?  I’ve always lived in Victorian or Edwardian houses; the house I live in now, is 108 years old!  I like old houses.  How do I incorporate tech in my old house?  Relatively easily of course.  Electric sockets have not changed that much, TV aerials have morphed into satellite dishes, in fact we still have TVs… not the two-way screens in Sci-Fi films.  Most of my tech is mobile and wireless – now that IS a huge innovation.

What am I trying to say? Well, the core infrastructure of our lives has not changed that much – our consumer tech has changed and it has become more throw-away, a lot of tech has inbuilt obsolescence.  Do you remember when TVs, washing machines, fridges and cookers lasted forever?  What would happen if the development of our tech suddenly had to slow down and devices had to start lasting a little longer?  Will that happen in the current world recession?  Will it happen when we start to run out of raw materials?

Excuse me whilst I use my time-machine to jump back to 1984 and carry on playing  Human League on the Casio VL-1 whilst I think about the future.

a funny thing happend on the way home from work

I eventually got round to trying to create an audio blog on my way home from work tonite.  The sound quality is not bad in parts – but there are some awful moments of heavy breathing and white-noise.  Sorry about that – it was difficult to get the microphone adjusted under my scarf.

Cellphone; life-style; advertising

I used this as an introductory item.  20 years ago, this was the technology and lifestyle being sold to us… Did the tech really ‘set us free’? Some would argue that it has been a key driver toward our 24/7 lives. We talk about blended-learning in education, what about our blended-work/life?

A very slick Ad. This is where we are, 2009… a converged device. How many more functions are there? Does the guy in the Ad actually make a call on his phone?  I used this to show the lifestyle now being sold to us – fast-paced, multitasking, social, young. Compare this to the first Ad which was aimed at an older affluent, professional (city) worker.

Interesting… what market is this Ad aimed at? Are they selling a phone or a music player?  I guess that the emphasis is on life-style rather than work – possibly because this is a Sony Ericsson device, perhaps it is modeled on the prior success of the Sony ‘Walkman’ brand.

Hangin' on the Telephone

Just been reading James Clays Blog entry on the lack of connectivity as we move around the country and more ironically, at ‘eLearning’ conferences.

I too have found that there is great variation in the quality of 3G coverage in some very surprising areas of the UK.  Whilst this can be infuriating for those frequently working out of the office, it is not actually something we can easily influence – the single driver for change is ‘profit’; it must be economically viable for the telecomms providers to increase coverage in areas of poor service.

No T-mobile signal

Photo originally uploaded by Kai Hendry

What I find more frustrating is turning up to an academic conference to find little or no WiFi connectivity – and this happens at academic institutions, not hired halls!  Does this show that universities and colleges do not actually have campus-wide WiFi, or have they not planned to incorporate a flexible system (which is what WiFi is supposed to facilitate)?

Now this is not an advert, but travelling in First Class on Virgin Trains west-coast line, gives you free WiFi access… yes, ladies & gents, boys & girls – WiFi on a moving (high-speed) train.  It is decent quality and realiable – how do they do that???