I’ve never particularly been a gadget person but I have a son who is. He’s on his gap year at the moment, enjoying a 5 month’s ski trip, followed by 5 months in Africa (all self-funded). He’s been planning and saving for it since he was about 14, anyway as I was saying, he definititely is a gadget person, always has the latest “toy”, he has his GPS on his iPhone and has speakers and controls built into his ski jacket. For people like us gadgets are useful, fun though hardly life changing.

For those without the freedom of movement imagine how liberating this gadget could be.

Similarly this technology makes it possible for speech through thought alone.

I recently set up a Social Network for use within the department. I hope it will be used to improve communication lines between student, college and home. We all have a role as educators. Every time I teach a class I learn something from my students and encourage the students to share new found skills with each other.

Education extends beyond the classroom. Whatever their age, people should be prepared for lifelong learning. Whenever I learn something I can’t wait to pass it on. This blog is my means of doing so. The network above is a private network, which will allow our students a safe space to communicate. Any content generated is visibile only to group members and all is moderated.

Here is a link to a Wikispace dedicated to Social Networks in Education.

A few months back I discovered Ted.

This first talk I watched was by Dentist-turned-photographer Phil Borges who describes his attempts to document the world’s disappearing cultures.

I then moved on to  ZeFrank. I now read a ZeFrank post most days. In fact his posts are usually the first thing I read. Thought provoking humour….. I love my RSS Feeds.

Yesterday’s post from ZeFrank

Mountain Wingsuit..  

As the man say’s      

ummm….awesome.

The Ted conference brings together 1000 of the worlds most remarkable people. The presentations last just 18 minutes and the best of them are delivered as beautifully produced quality podcasts which you can download or, if your Internet connection is good enough, view online.  

The are all issued under the creative commons license and you are positively encourage to spread the ideas.

Microsoft’s used the conference to preview their new WorldWide Telescope available in Spring — a technology that combines feeds from satellites and telescopes all over the world and the heavens, and weaves them together holistically to build a comprehensive view of our universe.

I was a very late swimmer and only really lost my terror of the water by learning to dive. Although I eventually certified as a PADI Advanced Diver, I’ve never totally overcome my fears so opted out of a night dive with my son one holiday. He came back evangelical…

“You cannot imagine what it’s like down there.. neon technicolour squid.. The sea is full of amazing creatures!” 

He came back covered in stings but he thought it worth it.

David Gallo: Underwater astonishments  gives me a glimpse at what I missed.