I do not disagree with what you are saying at its core. We have talked at length and we know each others opinions. I am unimpressed by smart boards and alike in terms of being tools for a revolution. They are not.

Which leads me to some thoughts I was having during my reading of the week one discussion threat. I am starting to think that technology tools might me classified under two groups, not mutually exclusive groups, there would be some overlap – depending, with some technologies, on how they are used. In short, because I want to blog about this in more detail – there are new technologies which reinforce the old paradigm of knowledge transfer – things like Wimba, Clickers and even screencasting can become just tools for knowledge transfer with smoke and lasers. (and yes I use all of these tools myself because I work in a context where knowledge transfer is a big part of the game).

Then there are the transformative technologies – those that actually require a new way of thinking about learning and education. That require a mind shift and all the pain and discomfort that involves. I think social media is a part of that. Some of the tools above may be if used in the right way.

Don’t forget the importance of engagement as well. I watched a class teacher in Keona’s school doing some cool stuff with Google earth and a smart board, where the kids were going up and using the board to point out countries and features etc. So – in some cases it is not so much the technology but the imagination and creativity of the teacher – which brings us back to Alf and Dangerous Idea (do we need dangerous education?)

If it’s not available in concrete form and they refuse to sell me the digital form, what are my options? In my mind, a refusal to sell something is akin to encouragement to steal. Almost all of the digital material I have is a reminder to me that if you are going to pretend to be in a market, you should meet the needs of your customers…

What happens to that satisfying experience of shopping for concrete things? It just disappears. I download a lot of digital music (legally purchased!) and what happens is that it just disappears into the swampy morass of my music drive, sometimes never to be seen or heard from again. It would take me years to listen just once to every song I have. In years past, you would purchase a disc (vinyl or plastic) and listen to it until you couldn’t stand it any more. Then purchase something new. Now I purchase things and, because there is no physical reminder, forget it’s even there.

Thank you for your comment! I actually read this article that is behing the link, just AFTER the sentence you quote (from my Twitter). I believe the article makes an good points which I also can relate as a person done projects e.g. in the Sub-Saharan area. Thanks again Clayton and you too have a great day!

Regarding your comment about the educational technology conference list being presented in Word, kindly refer to the link provided at the top of the list and noted here: http://newsletter.alt.ac.uk/2011/08/why-distribute-documents-in-ms-word-or-openoffice-for-an-international-audience/

Note also that you have a choice – you can search the web for a conference list that meets your requirements or seek someone on the Web who has placed the list in a form that is pleasing to you.

May you have a most excellent day!