Monday, November 12, 2007

The impossible possible

So a teacher teaches a class of 4th years across the oceans... cool.

Amazing how the World has changed in the last 20 or so years. Computers, Internet, Broadband... 3 things that didn't exist (for the rest of us) 20 years ago, 3 things that are indespensible now, three things that have forever changed the way we work, play and live.

And the treasure of free software!!! Practically everything you need to fire up your computer into a super Working/Entertainment/Communication/(Take your pick...) Machine is yours for free. You don't have to choose between offerings - you go where your friends recommend, try out everything and stick with one, more or all of the above... And with Web 2.0's new found interactivity in the browser, it has come to a point that a free download looks like too much work (talk about spoilt).

So now it is possible to have two teachers, without a budget, coordinating a class between the UK and New Zealand, the teacher in NZ teaching a ICT graphics class, a classroom of 4th years learning avidly on their computers(under the hawk eye of the second teacher of course) in the UK, following along as their teacher talks on skype and demos on skrbl (did I mention - no budget?).

The most amazing part of the whole tale? That it doesn't astound, that we take all this in our stride.
Kid in a candy store? Bah! he's got nothing on us.

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Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Boggle your mind.

Check out this video, I first saw it here .

Description from You Tube - "An official update to the original "Shift Happens" video from Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod, this June 2007 update includes new and updated statistics, thought-provoking questions and a fresh design. For more information, or to join the conversation, please visit http://shifthappens.wikispaces.com -- Content by Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod, design and development by XPLANE. (more)"



Though the presentation focuses on the Education system, my take away is this - When people think & care about the changing World and the potential of technology (and Web 2.0) to make a difference, exciting stuff is bound to follow.
We ain't seen nothing yet, & I can't wait...

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