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.

Communication 2.0

And this someone with communication problems? I wish I was as gifted. She is also a prodigious blogger and quite an activist. Go Amanda!

I’m finding it really difficult to move away from surfing this thread. I didn’t appreciate how many deeply rooted predjudices I held about Autism. I was aware of the amazing abilities of the “Autistic Savant” (individuals with autism who have extraordinary skills) and how rare these individuals were thought to be.  I suspect they are just the tip of the iceberg. The few who are lucky enough to hit on a skill that the Neurotypical world values. Amanda’s video reminded me of activites I loved as a child. Spinning, skipping, playing with water and sound as she was. At some stage I lost this joy. Grandparents tend to rediscover it “playing” with their grandchildren. In fact society educates us to put aside such “childish” pursuits in maturity. Our loss.

I remember listening to Radio 1 when I was young to a song “young, gifted and black” and at the end of it thinking. I wish I was black. That’s how Im feeling now. The blogs and links I’ve looked at today from the Autistic community are inspiring and again I found myself thinking. I wish I was Autistic. Perhaps I am.

So as well this documenting the emergence of “Web 2.0″ perhaps we should also celebrate the emergence of ”Communication 2.0″ giving NT’s  like me a chance to experience of the sensory enriched world of the aspies and auties. Let’s stop trying to include them in our world and thank them for including us in theirs.

David Woolman wrote an excellent article on the subject for WIRED