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Presented by Larry EdelmanPresented by Larry Edelman

June 24, 2010June 24, 2010National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB) National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB)

Technology? Technology?

Us? Us?

Now? Now? WhyWhy

A discussion about..

• How digital communication is changing everything about how we build relationships, communicate, and learn.

• Ways to think about technology that can help us feel less overwhelmed and achieve a better sense of how technology can be used to enhance our work.

• Planning how to practically adopt the use of new technologies.

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What is technology?What is technology?

…anything invented after you were born. – Alan Kay

…anything that doesn’t work yet. – Danny Hillis

…anything useful invented by a mind. – Kevin Kelly

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Context is not important.Context is not important.

Context is everything.

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Digital communication is Digital communication is changing everything about how changing everything about how

we build relationships, we build relationships, communicate, and learncommunicate, and learn

Digital communication is Digital communication is changing everything about how changing everything about how

we build relationships, we build relationships, communicate, and learncommunicate, and learn

We Have Added New Ways That WeWe Have Added New Ways That WeBuild Relationships, Communicate, LearnBuild Relationships, Communicate, Learn

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Take or teach a F2F, Take or teach a F2F, synchronous, instructor-led synchronous, instructor-led course classcourse class

Take or teach an online, Take or teach an online, asynchronous, instructor-asynchronous, instructor-independent course independent course

F2F, phone conferencing Video, web conferencingVideo, web conferencing

Send an emailSend an email Send a text or IMSend a text or IM

DVDDVD Online videoOnline video

Send a document for reviewSend a document for review Shared documents Shared documents

Go to a singles barGo to a singles bar Online dating, ChatrouletteOnline dating, Chatroulette

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Why use more technology?

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Ways of thinking about Ways of thinking about technology that can help us feel technology that can help us feel less overwhelmed and achieve less overwhelmed and achieve

a better sense of how a better sense of how technology can be used to technology can be used to

enhance our workenhance our work

Ways of thinking about Ways of thinking about technology that can help us feel technology that can help us feel less overwhelmed and achieve less overwhelmed and achieve

a better sense of how a better sense of how technology can be used to technology can be used to

enhance our workenhance our work

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We tend to overestimate the effect of a We tend to overestimate the effect of a technology in the short run and underestimate technology in the short run and underestimate

the effect in the long run.the effect in the long run.

Roy Amara, Institute for the FutureRoy Amara, Institute for the Future

First, focus on functionFirst, focus on function

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Then focus on technology

The uneven quality of first-generation digital The uneven quality of first-generation digital learning sometimes leaves an impression more learning sometimes leaves an impression more of hokum than of transformation. of hokum than of transformation. But the second generation will not. But the second generation will not. Andy Hoffman,Andy Hoffman,Director, American History and Civics InitiativeDirector, American History and Civics Initiative

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Examples of…Examples of…One-WayOne-Way

Asynchronous Asynchronous CommunicationCommunication

Two-WayTwo-WaySynchronous Synchronous

CommunicationCommunication

AsynchronousAsynchronousSynergisticSynergistic

CommunicationCommunicationText document Text-based chat Online survey

Podcast Telephone conferencing Content management system

Webcast Video conferencing Community of practice

Video, vidcast Webinar, web conference Virtual learning environment

Media sharing sites Online meetings spaces Bulletin board, news groupMobile-phone Mobile-phone Mobile-phoneArchived class, lecture Chats, threads, list servesRapid e-learning modules Blog, micro-blog, vlog Just-in-time EPSS Wiki Resource repositories Social bookmarkingKnowledge bases Social network

Shared applications

User’s groups/forums

Then focus on technologyThen focus on technology

Modularity is Key

Hardware Hardware Connecting a scanner to a computerConnecting a scanner to a computer

Learning ObjectsLearning ObjectsEmbedding learning objects in webcasts, PPT, etc.Embedding learning objects in webcasts, PPT, etc.

ApplicationsApplicationsConducting a video conference using Conducting a video conference using SkypeSkype, recording it with , recording it with CallburnerCallburner, and editing it with , and editing it with AudacityAudacity

What Have I Been Using This Week?

Video conferencing: ooVoo

Web conferencing: Adobe Connect, dimdim, iLinc

Collaboration: Google Docs

Social bookmarking: Delicious

Video: Final Cut

PPT hosting: slideshare

PPT alternatives: prezi

Rapid elearnng: Articulate Studio

Rich media movies: Animoto

Avatars: xtranormal

Video screen capture: Screenr, Camtasia

Audio recording and editing: Audacity

Blog: WordPress

Social networks: Ning

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Approaches that may be useful Approaches that may be useful in planning how to practically in planning how to practically

adopt the use of new adopt the use of new technologiestechnologies

Approaches that may be useful Approaches that may be useful in planning how to practically in planning how to practically

adopt the use of new adopt the use of new technologiestechnologies

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Shifts in my thinkingShifts in my thinkingSupporting Performance

providing PD and TA supporting performance

knowledge based (what was) problem-based (what is)

preparation just-in-time

expert-facilitated learner (performer)-directed

instruction navigation

comprehensive curriculum pliable learning objects

Products

proprietary open content

unique modular

Strategies

summative evaluation frequent data collection

long-term development rapid production

use what I know learn new skills

“best” strategy integrating applications

IT as limiting IT as enabling

ideas execution

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An encounter group for procrastinators.

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Ways to approach learning about new mediaWays to approach learning about new media

Examine and ADJUST your job description – frequently

Recognize yourself as a lifelong learner and COMMIT to learning about technology intentionally, not just serendipitously

DEDICATE enough time to learning about new technology – it’s not a distraction, it’s an essential part of our jobs; It’s unlikely you’ll find more time – reallocate how you spend it

Stay focused on UTILITY and INTEREST – you don’t have to learn about everything

Get better at SEARCHING, look outside your field, consume blogs

Just DO something: be constructivist, take risks, apply it to your personal life, try to create something before you really know how, have fun

Think BUSINESS model: create a mock-up, develop a proof of concept, pilot, get feedback, collect data, measure the impact

Look for new ALLIANCES: Find a learning partner, co-explorer, teacher, geek

Low Risk ExploringDownload the free applications resource packet:http://exploringtech.wordpress.com/

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