In another one of my classes, we spent the week discussing whether or not technology is bringing us closer together. One classmate shared his experience and it seemed all too familiar to the rest of us, including me:M* said that he is very grateful for email, cell phones, and text messaging, because it allows him to communicate with his friends at any time and from virtually anywhere in the world. Like most of, he uses the three methods to make plans to meet with his friends. There is one friend in particular with whom he meets regularly. They establish a time and place to meet via email or phone. If one of them is going to be late, they use the phone or texting to notify the other. Finally, they can enjoy their time together in piece, thanks to technology.But wait! M* also pointed out that he and his friend spend some of their time together answering phone calls or responding to text messages; essentially, they are having conversations with other people who are not physically present. Sometimes, while meeting with one friend, M* has used text messaging to coordinate a meeting with another friend. Basically, many of his meetings (and many of mine, too) are spent thinking about other people. Has technology brought us together, or has technology provided a way for us to not be alone when contacting others?Oddly enough, the latest issue of Wired Magazine (February 2008) has an essay on this subject, too, with interesting points and study results that may surprise you. I thought this article would fit in nicely with our class theme of Community.If you’ll excuse me, I am going to text Wired to see if they will pay me for these endorsements…
How a Blog Works
I read blogs. I also publish two (here is my other one). And, given the number of blogs that exist, there’s a pretty good chance that you yourself either blog or read a blog. In fact, if you are reading this right now then there is a 100% chance that you read at least one blog.That’s why I thought an article in the latest issue (February 2008) of Wired Magazine was interesting. It explains how a Blog goes from my thoughts to your eyes, with a few stops on the way! Check it out here.
Hey, Technology! Get back in your seat and be quiet!
What does ‘disruptive technology’ mean?The word ‘disruptive’ has such a negative connotation that I am interested in why the instructors would select that word for the title of this course. The definitions of disruptive all seem to center around the idea of disorder, and the image that pops into my head when I hear the word is that of a hyperactive, misbehaving child calling out and otherwise interrupting the order of an activity.It is my understanding that the instructors of this course positively view the use of technology and are seeking ways to use it (it = blogs, podcasts, email, etc.) in new ways. Basically, some forms of technology have the ability to disrupt he status quo of information sharing and community interactions. Referring back my mental image of the word ‘disruptive,’ I would assume that technology is the hyperactive child and the current state of information sharing and community interactions are the ordered activity that is being interrupted.I look forward to future disruptions. Just don’t tase my blog entries, bro!
Brandon Potter and the CI 597C Class
Hi All,My name is Brandon Rubenstein and I hail from Philadelphia. I am a self-proclaimed Philadelphia-ologist (I even made that word up!) and love almost everything having to do with The City of Brotherly Love.Other than Philadelphia, my interests involve the summer camp industry (I am the Program Director of a non-profit camp that serves deserving children from the Philly area), sports, video games, the TV shows Scrubs, The Office, Heroes, and Flight of the Conchords, and any activity that provides an outlet for my creativity — especially video production.I am taking this course because I am deeply interested in exploring innovative and creative ways of using technology to create online communities and enhance existing physical communities. The syllabus for this course could serve as a description of how I spend 85% of the time that I should be working on classwork and other responsibilities. In fact, I will need to be careful that the time I spend working on projects for this class doesn’t consume my entire week.I would describe my overall comfort level with the use of technology as equivalent to my favorite jeans and t-shirt. Although I appreciate my surroundings and nature and human interaction, I almost feel lost if I am cut off from technology for too long. I would consider myself stronger than most when it comes to technology, but I still aspire to reach the level of ‘nerd’ or ‘geek.’ Perhaps this class will help me reach new heights.Technology has a prominent role in teaching and learning. I was fortunate enough to student and assistant teach with the teacher who was named Pennsylvania’s Keystone Technology Innovator in 2003 or 2004, so I saw first hand (and used) technology in use in the classroom. We taught thematic units centered around fifth-graders developing PowerPoint presentations that required them to master a myriad of skills in the process. I also led a project where the class participated in a video-sharing project with students at a school in China. There were several other examples, and all fostered in me an understanding for the unlimited number of opportunities that technology can bring to the pedagogical process.One thing that has always bothered me about the use of technology in the pedagogical process is that many teachers simply try to use classroom practices on internet-based areas, without thinking about how the process translates across the different media. It looks like this class is on the right path, and I hope it is able to set an example for efficient and proper use of technology for teaching and learning.
Brandon Potter and the CI 597C Class
Hi All,My name is Brandon Rubenstein and I hail from Philadelphia. I am a self-proclaimed Philadelphia-ologist (I even made that word up!) and love almost everything having to do with The City of Brotherly Love.Other than Philadelphia, my interests involve the summer camp industry (I am the Program Director of a non-profit camp that serves deserving children from the Philly area), sports, video games, the TV shows Scrubs, The Office, Heroes, and Flight of the Conchords, and any activity that provides an outlet for my creativity — especially video production.I am taking this course because I am deeply interested in exploring innovative and creative ways of using technology to create online communities and enhance existing physical communities. The syllabus for this course could serve as a description of how I spend 85% of the time that I should be working on classwork and other responsibilities. In fact, I will need to be careful that the time I spend working on projects for this class doesn’t consume my entire week.I would describe my overall comfort level with the use of technology as equivalent to my favorite jeans and t-shirt. Although I appreciate my surroundings and nature and human interaction, I almost feel lost if I am cut off from technology for too long. I would consider myself stronger than most when it comes to technology, but I still aspire to reach the level of ‘nerd’ or ‘geek.’ Perhaps this class will help me reach new heights.Technology has a prominent role in teaching and learning. I was fortunate enough to student and assistant teach with the teacher who was named Pennsylvania’s Keystone Technology Innovator in 2003 or 2004, so I saw first hand (and used) technology in use in the classroom. We taught thematic units centered around fifth-graders developing PowerPoint presentations that required them to master a myriad of skills in the process. I also led a project where the class participated in a video-sharing project with students at a school in China. There were several other examples, and all fostered in me an understanding for the unlimited number of opportunities that technology can bring to the pedagogical process.One thing that has always bothered me about the use of technology in the pedagogical process is that many teachers simply try to use classroom practices on internet-based areas, without thinking about how the process translates across the different media. It looks like this class is on the right path, and I hope it is able to set an example for efficient and proper use of technology for teaching and learning.
Hey, Technology! Get back in your seat and be quiet!
What does ‘disruptive technology’ mean?The word ‘disruptive’ has such a negative connotation that I am interested in why the instructors would select that word for the title of this course. The definitions of disruptive all seem to center around the idea of disorder, and the image that pops into my head when I hear the word is that of a hyperactive, misbehaving child calling out and otherwise interrupting the order of an activity.It is my understanding that the instructors of this course positively view the use of technology and are seeking ways to use it (it = blogs, podcasts, email, etc.) in new ways. Basically, some forms of technology have the ability to disrupt he status quo of information sharing and community interactions. Referring back my mental image of the word ‘disruptive,’ I would assume that technology is the hyperactive child and the current state of information sharing and community interactions are the ordered activity that is being interrupted.I look forward to future disruptions. Just don’t tase my blog entries, bro!
Defining Community, Design, and Identity, through Disruptive Technologies
Group members: Brandon, Liz, Mike, and DonnaFirst we discussed the definition of “Disruptive Technology.” Is it about social upheaval and disrupting the status quo, or is it about interfering or interrupting order?Community in Disruptive TechnologyA community is a unified body of individuals, and when using disruptive technologies they are not bound by physical location or even time (Someone can view a blog on January 31, 2008, and read and respond to a post written at any point in the past. Someone can then read and respond to that post at any point in the future). The unifying bond can be location, identity, interest, or some other commonality, such as a purpose or goal, and should have some kind of interaction with other community members. The Rheingold pieceDesignDesign can apply to many elements. Design is linked to purpose. Design is more accessible, and makes it easier to create a solution to a problem. The tools are available so that everyone can be a designer. Design is decentralized, and design is an equalizer.Identity through Disruptive TechnologyPersonal identity through disruptive technology is a contextualized of yourself, crafted by you. Multiple, flexible identities are possible, which may differ from ‘real’ life.
How a Blog Works
I read blogs. I also publish two (here is my other one). And, given the number of blogs that exist, there’s a pretty good chance that you yourself either blog or read a blog. In fact, if you are reading this right now then there is a 100% chance that you read at least one blog.That’s why I thought an article in the latest issue (February 2008) of Wired Magazine was interesting. It explains how a Blog goes from my thoughts to your eyes, with a few stops on the way! Check it out here.
Community – Is Technology Helping or Hurting Us Socially?
In another one of my classes, we spent the week discussing whether or not technology is bringing us closer together. One classmate shared his experience and it seemed all too familiar to the rest of us, including me:M* said that he is very grateful for email, cell phones, and text messaging, because it allows him to communicate with his friends at any time and from virtually anywhere in the world. Like most of, he uses the three methods to make plans to meet with his friends. There is one friend in particular with whom he meets regularly. They establish a time and place to meet via email or phone. If one of them is going to be late, they use the phone or texting to notify the other. Finally, they can enjoy their time together in piece, thanks to technology.But wait! M* also pointed out that he and his friend spend some of their time together answering phone calls or responding to text messages; essentially, they are having conversations with other people who are not physically present. Sometimes, while meeting with one friend, M* has used text messaging to coordinate a meeting with another friend. Basically, many of his meetings (and many of mine, too) are spent thinking about other people. Has technology brought us together, or has technology provided a way for us to not be alone when contacting others?Oddly enough, the latest issue of Wired Magazine (February 2008) has an essay on this subject, too, with interesting points and study results that may surprise you. I thought this article would fit in nicely with our class theme of Community.If you’ll excuse me, I am going to text Wired to see if they will pay me for these endorsements…
Community at the National Level: The Undecided Voter’s Guide to the Next President
I just found this guide through a page that I subscribed to via RSS (thanks, 597!). The page is thepage.time.com, and basically recaps each day’s campaign activity. It’s interesting to see everything at a glance, albeit with a sarcastic viewpoint, and keep tabs on the amazing amount of activity that comprises each day in a presidential election. It is hard for me to imagine how different campaigning was before technology made every day a national event for every candidate, when the average American either read a report in a newspaper or had to travel to the local site of a stump speech…which was delivered on a stump! While the electoral power lies in the states, the campaign itself involves the national community. Digital books blow my mind, too. If only Ben Franklin were alive today…