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<title>Robin Good Latest News</title><description>News, tools and resources for independent publishers wanting to communicate more effectively with new media technologies - Be smart, Be independent, Be good</description><link>http://192.168.254.26/myfeed/blog/default/RobinGood_MNM EN Breaking News and MNM featured articles</link><managingEditor>MySyndicaat Team</managingEditor><language>en</language><copyright>Copyright: MySyndicaat</copyright><media:copyright>Copyright: MySyndicaat</media:copyright><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:subtitle>News, tools and resources for independent publishers wanting to communicate more effectively with new media technologies - Be smart, Be independent, Be good</itunes:subtitle><atom10:link xmlns:atom10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" rel="self" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Robin-Good-Breaking-New-Media-News" type="application/rss+xml" /><atom10:link xmlns:atom10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" rel="hub" href="http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com" /><item>
<title>Media Literacy: Making Sense Of New Technologies And Media by George Siemens - Nov 08 09</title><description><![CDATA[<strong>In this issue of</strong> Media Literacy Digest, open education advocate <a href=&quot;http://www.umanitoba.ca/learning_technologies/connectivisim/bio_george.php&quot;>George Siemens</a>, takes you to news and stories on emergent media, technology and learning, helping you make good sense of the many changes taking place around you and of how these directly impact your daily lives.

<img alt=&quot;Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_id5461591_size485.jpg&quot; src=&quot;http://www.masternewmedia.org/Images/Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_id5461591_size485.jpg&quot; width=&quot;485&quot; height=&quot;696&quot; />
<span class=&quot;photocredit&quot;>Photo credit: <a href=&quot;http://www.stockxpert.com/browse_image/profile/maninblack&quot;>Victor Habbick</a></span>


<strong>Inside this</strong> Media Literacy Digest:

<ul><li><strong>Future of The Social Web</strong> - Of course, the web</strong> is not social. Just like technology is not social. Or media is not social. We use these resources for social means, but that is a function of use, not of the characteristics inherent in the web or media. We compress &quot;<em>social uses of the web</em>&quot; to <a href=&quot;http://www.masternewmedia.org/news/2006/02/14/the_interconnected_social_web_feedback.htm&quot;>social web</a> for convenience sake. But we really do not mean it like we say it.</li>

<li><strong>The Age of The Informavore</strong> - A good name is often as good as (or better than) a good idea. <a href=&quot;http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/schirrmacher09/schirrmacher09_index.html&quot;>The age of the informavore</a> displays both provocative thinking and a memorable term.</li>

<li><strong>Openness and The Future of Education</strong> - <a href=&quot;http://www.irrodl.org/&quot;>IRRODL</a> just released a special issue on <a href=&quot;http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/issue/view/38&quot;>Openness and the Future of Education</a>. Future of education is not an explicit focus in the articles, but can be anticipated as a result of the focus of the articles.</li>

<li><strong>Cannot Squeeze Knowledge From a Pixel</strong> - Meaning is found in associations. It is simple concept, but has substantial implications. To get an accurate picture of &quot;<em>something</em>&quot;, context first needs to be understood. This short video - <a href=&quot;http://www.readwriteweb.com/enterprise/2009/10/ibms-identity-insight-server-y.php&quot;>cannot squeeze knowledge from a pixel</a> - summarizes this point.</li>

<li><strong>Personal View of E-Learning: Saudi Arabia</strong> - I have not had the privilege of visiting Saudi Arabia. As a result, I particularly appreciated reading <a href=&quot;http://www.tonybates.ca/tony-bates-associates/tony-bates-biography/&quot;>Tony Bates</a>\' experiences of leading a series of workshops in his post: <a href=&quot;http://www.tonybates.ca/2009/11/05/a-personal-view-of-e-learning-in-saudi-arabia/&quot;>A personal view of e-learning</a>.</li>

<li><strong>Social Isolation and Technology</strong> - <a href=&quot;http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~wellman/vita/index.html&quot;>Barry Wellman</a> - with his <a href=&quot;http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~wellman/publications/publications.html#netville&quot;>Netville research</a> - was the first researcher that I am aware of who questioned the tech use = isolation viewpoint. People who are connected online often have higher levels face-to-face interactions.</li>

<li><strong>Call For Chapters: Personal Learning Environments / Networks</strong> - I posted this last month, but by way of a quick reminder: <a href=&quot;http://ple.elg.ca/call.php&quot;>Call for Chapters: Personal Learning Environments / Networks</a>.</li></ul>

Here all the details:
<!-- FA --> <!-- MIDDLE_GAD -->



<br /><br /><br />
<h2>eLearning Resources and News</h2>

<em>learning, networks, knowledge, technology, trends</em>

<em>by George Siemens</em>



<br /><br /><br />
<h2>Future of The Social Web</h2>

<img alt=&quot;Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_future_of_the_social_web_id31803.jpg&quot; src=&quot;http://www.masternewmedia.org/Images/Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_future_of_the_social_web_id31803.jpg&quot; width=&quot;292&quot; height=&quot;249&quot; />

<strong>Of course, the web</strong> is not social. Just like technology is not social. Or media is not social. We use these resources for social means, but that is a function of use, not of the characteristics inherent in the web or media.

We compress &quot;<em>social uses of the web</em>&quot; to <a href=&quot;http://www.masternewmedia.org/news/2006/02/14/the_interconnected_social_web_feedback.htm&quot;>social web</a> for convenience sake. But we really do not mean it like we say it.

Anyway, in case you are wondering what the <a href=&quot;http://www.socialmediatoday.com/SMC/138686&quot;>social web will look like in the future</a>, it will be about meaningful experiences:

<blockquote>&quot;<em><strong>The past five years of</strong> <a href=&quot;http://www.masternewmedia.org/social-media-what-is-it-and-why-its-so-important-for-any-organization/&quot;>Social Media</a> evolution have focused on growth and adoption, but anticipates that the next stage of advancement is dedicated to improving social functionality. I would also add personalization and portability.

The biggest opportunity for the expansion of social networks is to build bridges between these isolated islands to deliver a more fulfilling, meaningful and productive experience.</em>&quot;</blockquote>

<strong>Random point</strong> - sentences like this do not mean much to most human beings: &quot;<em>The future of the social web must begin with data portability to accelerate proliferation throughout <a href=&quot;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everett_Rogers&quot;>Roger</a>\'s <a href=&quot;http://www.stanford.edu/class/symbsys205/Diffusion%20of%20Innovations.htm&quot;>Diffusion of Innovation</a> adoption system</em>&quot;. 

Um. Ok.







<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
<h2>The Age of The Informavore</h2>

<img alt=&quot;Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_the_age_of_the_informavore_id394907.jpg&quot; src=&quot;http://www.masternewmedia.org/Images/Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_the_age_of_the_informavore_id394907.jpg&quot; width=&quot;325&quot; height=&quot;197&quot; />

<strong>A good name is often as good as</strong> (or better than) a good idea. 

<a href=&quot;http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/schirrmacher09/schirrmacher09_index.html&quot;>The age of the informavore</a> displays both provocative thinking and a memorable term. The video (about 30 min) is a loosely connected flow of thoughts on:

<ul><li><strong>The impact of the web</strong> on humanity,</li>

<li><strong>information abundance</strong>,</li>

<li><strong>thinking outside</strong> of the human brain (i.e. network as a cognitive agent), and</li>

<li><strong>the lack of understanding</strong> most users have about the ideology of software.</li></ul>

While we spend much time talking about change, the <a href=&quot;http://www.connectivism.ca/?p=96&quot;>&quot;<em>becoming</em>&quot; aspect</a> is overlooked. 

What are we becoming due to technology? Is it what we want to become? Which parts should we be resisting? Or, for that matter, what have you resisted recently?







<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
<h2>Openness and The Future of Education</h2>

<img alt=&quot;Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_openness_and_the_future_of_education_id51408271.jpg&quot; src=&quot;http://www.masternewmedia.org/Images/Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_openness_and_the_future_of_education_id51408271.jpg&quot; width=&quot;320&quot; height=&quot;214&quot; />

<a href=&quot;http://www.irrodl.org/&quot;>IRRODL</a><strong> just released a special</strong> issue on <a href=&quot;http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/issue/view/38&quot;>Openness and the Future of Education</a>. 

Future of education is not an explicit focus in the articles, but can be anticipated as a result of the focus of the articles. Topics include:

<ul><li><strong>Openess and</strong> textbooks,</li>

<li><strong>peer-to-peer</strong> learning,</li>

<li><strong>impact of</strong> openness,</li>

<li><strong>disaggregated future</strong> of higher education, and even</li>

<li><strong>an article reviewing</strong> <a href=&quot;http://ltc.umanitoba.ca/connectivism/&quot;>CCK08</a> (the open course I taught with <a href=&quot;http://www.downes.ca/me/index.htm&quot;>Stephen Downes</a> last fall - the 2009 version is going strong as well).</li></ul>

A strong issue - congrats to <a href=&quot;http://me2u.athabascau.ca/elgg/profile/extended.php?profile_name=terrya&quot;>Terry Anderson</a>, <a href=&quot;http://davidwiley.org/&quot;>David Wiley</a>, and <a href=&quot;http://www.johnhiltoniii.com/about/&quot;>John Hilton III</a>.

I keep returning to a question that is often overlooked in discussions of openness: What happens once everything is open?

<strong>So far we have a fair</strong> bit of experience with the impact of open content on curriculum, a bit less experience with the impact of openness on teaching / learning, and almost nothing on how the system of education itself is impacted.

Openness is not the end game. It is a transitory stage that will shape teaching and learning. My interest lies with the emerging landscape of systemic change.







<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
<h2>Cannot Squeeze Knowledge From a Pixel</h2>

<img alt=&quot;Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_cannot_squeeze_knowledge_from a_pixel_id13991691.jpg&quot; src=&quot;http://www.masternewmedia.org/Images/Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_cannot_squeeze_knowledge_from%20a_pixel_id13991691.jpg&quot; width=&quot;259&quot; height=&quot;225&quot; />

<strong>Meaning is found in associations</strong>. It is simple concept, but has substantial implications. To get an accurate picture of &quot;<em>something</em>&quot;, context first needs to be understood. This short video - <a href=&quot;http://www.readwriteweb.com/enterprise/2009/10/ibms-identity-insight-server-y.php&quot;>cannot squeeze knowledge from a pixel</a> - summarizes this point.

An email address, for example, means very little unless we see it in a broader context and in light of associations formed between the address and other entities. Nothing new about that. However, information connectedness raises privacy and ethical concerns.

Should my doctor know my credit rating? My driving record? Should the government be able to get complete, integrated access to all my data (remember <a href=&quot;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_Awareness_Office&quot;>Total Information Awareness</a>?).

<strong>Spaces and barriers between</strong> data are important - only what is required for a particular context should be known to banker / government / doctor / lawyer / employer. However, and this is a significant concern, participation on the <a href=&quot;http://www.masternewmedia.org/net-neutrality-is-the-open-web-for-anybody/&quot;>open web</a> is increasing data accessibility.

An employer cannot ask a potential employee her / his age. But that information is freely available on <a href=&quot;http://www.masternewmedia.org/facebook-business-guide-how-companies-can-utilize-facebook-pages-for-social-media-marketing-part-1/&quot;>Facebook</a> (often). An employer cannot ask about health concerns. But, again, that information can often be gleaned through <a href=&quot;http://www.masternewmedia.org/social_networking/twitter-instant-messaging-mobile-messaging/twitter-a-beginners-guide-20070425.htm&quot;>Twitter</a>, blogging, and Facebook <a href=&quot;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook_features#Status&quot;>status updates</a>.







<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
<h2>Personal View of E-Learning: Saudi Arabia</h2>

<img alt=&quot;Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_personal_view_of_e-learning_saudi_arabia_id2114491.jpg&quot; src=&quot;http://www.masternewmedia.org/Images/Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_personal_view_of_e-learning_saudi_arabia_id2114491.jpg&quot; width=&quot;230&quot; height=&quot;324&quot; />

<strong>I have not had the privilege</strong> of visiting Saudi Arabia. As a result, I particularly appreciated reading <a href=&quot;http://www.tonybates.ca/tony-bates-associates/tony-bates-biography/&quot;>Tony Bates</a>\' experiences of leading a series of workshops in his post: <a href=&quot;http://www.tonybates.ca/2009/11/05/a-personal-view-of-e-learning-in-saudi-arabia/&quot;>A personal view of e-learning</a>.

The limited adoption of technology in universities is not that unusual from my experience. A growing number of universities are more organized and structured in their online learning initiative, but many do so without strategic considerations.

<strong>Technology use is driven</strong> at a grassroots level (which is fine, but for system-level implementation, some top down support and resources allocation is needed). Tony\'s discussion of his presentation experiences and how male / female separate varied by different universities is worth a quick read.







<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
<h2>Social Isolation and Technology</h2>

<img alt=&quot;Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_social_isolation_and_technology_id19092861.jpg&quot; src=&quot;http://www.masternewmedia.org/Images/Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_social_isolation_and_technology_id19092861.jpg&quot; width=&quot;320&quot; height=&quot;211&quot; />

<strong>Technology use is routinely</strong> equated with <a href=&quot;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_isolation&quot;>social isolation</a>. We are often told (and in turn tell our youth) to &quot;<em>log out and interact with the real world</em>&quot;.

<a href=&quot;http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~wellman/vita/index.html&quot;>Barry Wellman</a> - with his <a href=&quot;http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~wellman/publications/publications.html#netville&quot;>Netville research</a> - was the first researcher that I am aware of who questioned the tech use = isolation viewpoint. People who are connected online often have higher levels face-to-face interactions.

A new <a href=&quot;http://www.pewinternet.org/&quot;>Pew Internet</a> (motto: &quot;<em>Why say it in 20 pages when you can say it in 84</em>&quot;) report, <a href=&quot;http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/18--Social-Isolation-and-New-Technology.aspx&quot;>Social Isolation and New Technology</a>, explores how internet and mobile use influences network diversity and socialization (or isolation).

In the process, the report challenges most myths about online participation:

<ul><li><strong>Most people have diverse</strong> networks, are socially connected (not only in remote online relationships but also to local online networks),</li>

<li><strong>participate more actively</strong> in volunteering than individuals with less online activity, and</li>

<li><strong>visit libraries</strong> and public spaces.</li></ul>







<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
<h2>Call For Chapters: Personal Learning Environments / Networks</h2>

<img alt=&quot;Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_call_for_chapters_personal_learning_environments_networks_id17940821.jpg&quot; src=&quot;http://www.masternewmedia.org/Images/Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_call_for_chapters_personal_learning_environments_networks_id17940821.jpg&quot; width=&quot;320&quot; height=&quot;240&quot; />

<strong>I posted this last</strong> month, but by way of a quick reminder: <a href=&quot;http://ple.elg.ca/call.php&quot;>Call for Chapters: Personal Learning Environments / Networks</a>. Deadline for a two-page abstract is November 15, 2009.



<br /><br />
<span class=&quot;photocredit&quot;>Originally written by <a href=&quot;http://www.elearnspace.org/blog/&quot;>George Siemens</a> for <a href=&quot;http://www.elearnspace.org/blog/&quot;>elearnspace</a> and first published on November 7th, 2009 in his newsletter eLearning Resources and News.</span>


<br /><br />
<strong>About George Siemens</strong>

<img width=&quot;118&quot; height=&quot;89&quot; alt=&quot;George-Siemens.jpg&quot; src=&quot;http://www.masternewmedia.org/images/George-Siemens.jpg&quot; />

<span class=&quot;photocredit&quot;><a href=&quot;http://www.umanitoba.ca/learning_technologies/connectivisim/bio_george.php&quot;>George Siemens</a> is the Associate Director in the <a href=&quot;http://www.umanitoba.ca/learning_technologies/&quot;>Learning Technologies Centre at the University of Manitoba</a>. George blogs at <a href=&quot;http://www.elearnspace.org/&quot;>www.elearnspace.org</a> where he shares his vision on the educational landscape and the impact that media technologies have on the educational system. George Siemens is also the author of <a href=&quot;http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/connectivism.htm&quot;>Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age</a> and the book &quot;<em><a href=&quot;http://www.amazon.com/Knowing-Knowledge-George-Siemens/dp/1430302305&quot;>Knowing Knowledge</a></em>&quot; where he develops a learning theory called <a href=&quot;http://www.masternewmedia.org/news/2008/08/09/educational_models_and_learning_in/&quot;>connectivism</a> which uses a network as the central metaphor for learning and focuses on knowledge as a way to making connections.</span>

<br /><br />
<span class=&quot;photocredit&quot;>Photo credits:</span>
<span class=&quot;photocredit&quot;>Future of The Social Web - <a href=&quot;http://www.stockxpert.com/browse_image/profile/lovleah&quot;>Leah-Anne Thompson</a></span>
<span class=&quot;photocredit&quot;>The Age of The Informavore - <a href=&quot;http://www.stockxpert.com/browse_image/profile/chrishall&quot;>Christopher Hall</a></span>
<span class=&quot;photocredit&quot;>Openness and The Future of Education - <a href=&quot;http://www.stockxpert.com/browse_image/profile/refat&quot;>Refat</a></span>
<span class=&quot;photocredit&quot;>Cannot Squeeze Knowledge From a Pixel - <a href=&quot;http://www.stockxpert.com/browse_image/profile/vacuum3d&quot;>Vacuum3d</a></span>
<span class=&quot;photocredit&quot;>Personal View of E-Learning: Saudi Arabia - <a href=&quot;http://www.stockxpert.com/browse_image/profile/InvisibleV&quot;>Viktoriia Kulish</a></span>
<span class=&quot;photocredit&quot;>Social Isolation and Technology - <a href=&quot;http://www.stockxpert.com/browse_image/profile/Penguinn&quot;>Elena Volegzhanina</a></span>
<span class=&quot;photocredit&quot;>Call For Chapters: Personal Learning Environments / Networks - <a href=&quot;http://www.stockxpert.com/browse_image/profile/Physiker&quot;>Andrey Davidenko</a></span>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<strong>In this issue of</strong> Media Literacy Digest, open education advocate <a href="http://www.umanitoba.ca/learning_technologies/connectivisim/bio_george.php">George Siemens</a>, takes you to news and stories on emergent media, technology and learning, helping you make good sense of the many changes taking place around you and of how these directly impact your daily lives.

<img alt="Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_id5461591_size485.jpg" src="http://www.masternewmedia.org/Images/Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_id5461591_size485.jpg" width="485" height="696" />
<span class="photocredit">Photo credit: <a href="http://www.stockxpert.com/browse_image/profile/maninblack">Victor Habbick</a></span>


<strong>Inside this</strong> Media Literacy Digest:

<ul><li><strong>Future of The Social Web</strong> - Of course, the web</strong> is not social. Just like technology is not social. Or media is not social. We use these resources for social means, but that is a function of use, not of the characteristics inherent in the web or media. We compress "<em>social uses of the web</em>" to <a href="http://www.masternewmedia.org/news/2006/02/14/the_interconnected_social_web_feedback.htm">social web</a> for convenience sake. But we really do not mean it like we say it.</li>

<li><strong>The Age of The Informavore</strong> - A good name is often as good as (or better than) a good idea. <a href="http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/schirrmacher09/schirrmacher09_index.html">The age of the informavore</a> displays both provocative thinking and a memorable term.</li>

<li><strong>Openness and The Future of Education</strong> - <a href="http://www.irrodl.org/">IRRODL</a> just released a special issue on <a href="http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/issue/view/38">Openness and the Future of Education</a>. Future of education is not an explicit focus in the articles, but can be anticipated as a result of the focus of the articles.</li>

<li><strong>Cannot Squeeze Knowledge From a Pixel</strong> - Meaning is found in associations. It is simple concept, but has substantial implications. To get an accurate picture of "<em>something</em>", context first needs to be understood. This short video - <a href="http://www.readwriteweb.com/enterprise/2009/10/ibms-identity-insight-server-y.php">cannot squeeze knowledge from a pixel</a> - summarizes this point.</li>

<li><strong>Personal View of E-Learning: Saudi Arabia</strong> - I have not had the privilege of visiting Saudi Arabia. As a result, I particularly appreciated reading <a href="http://www.tonybates.ca/tony-bates-associates/tony-bates-biography/">Tony Bates</a>' experiences of leading a series of workshops in his post: <a href="http://www.tonybates.ca/2009/11/05/a-personal-view-of-e-learning-in-saudi-arabia/">A personal view of e-learning</a>.</li>

<li><strong>Social Isolation and Technology</strong> - <a href="http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~wellman/vita/index.html">Barry Wellman</a> - with his <a href="http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~wellman/publications/publications.html#netville">Netville research</a> - was the first researcher that I am aware of who questioned the tech use = isolation viewpoint. People who are connected online often have higher levels face-to-face interactions.</li>

<li><strong>Call For Chapters: Personal Learning Environments / Networks</strong> - I posted this last month, but by way of a quick reminder: <a href="http://ple.elg.ca/call.php">Call for Chapters: Personal Learning Environments / Networks</a>.</li></ul>

Here all the details:
<!-- FA --> <!-- MIDDLE_GAD -->



<br /><br /><br />
<h2>eLearning Resources and News</h2>

<em>learning, networks, knowledge, technology, trends</em>

<em>by George Siemens</em>



<br /><br /><br />
<h2>Future of The Social Web</h2>

<img alt="Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_future_of_the_social_web_id31803.jpg" src="http://www.masternewmedia.org/Images/Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_future_of_the_social_web_id31803.jpg" width="292" height="249" />

<strong>Of course, the web</strong> is not social. Just like technology is not social. Or media is not social. We use these resources for social means, but that is a function of use, not of the characteristics inherent in the web or media.

We compress "<em>social uses of the web</em>" to <a href="http://www.masternewmedia.org/news/2006/02/14/the_interconnected_social_web_feedback.htm">social web</a> for convenience sake. But we really do not mean it like we say it.

Anyway, in case you are wondering what the <a href="http://www.socialmediatoday.com/SMC/138686">social web will look like in the future</a>, it will be about meaningful experiences:

<blockquote>"<em><strong>The past five years of</strong> <a href="http://www.masternewmedia.org/social-media-what-is-it-and-why-its-so-important-for-any-organization/">Social Media</a> evolution have focused on growth and adoption, but anticipates that the next stage of advancement is dedicated to improving social functionality. I would also add personalization and portability.

The biggest opportunity for the expansion of social networks is to build bridges between these isolated islands to deliver a more fulfilling, meaningful and productive experience.</em>"</blockquote>

<strong>Random point</strong> - sentences like this do not mean much to most human beings: "<em>The future of the social web must begin with data portability to accelerate proliferation throughout <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everett_Rogers">Roger</a>'s <a href="http://www.stanford.edu/class/symbsys205/Diffusion%20of%20Innovations.htm">Diffusion of Innovation</a> adoption system</em>". 

Um. Ok.







<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
<h2>The Age of The Informavore</h2>

<img alt="Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_the_age_of_the_informavore_id394907.jpg" src="http://www.masternewmedia.org/Images/Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_the_age_of_the_informavore_id394907.jpg" width="325" height="197" />

<strong>A good name is often as good as</strong> (or better than) a good idea. 

<a href="http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/schirrmacher09/schirrmacher09_index.html">The age of the informavore</a> displays both provocative thinking and a memorable term. The video (about 30 min) is a loosely connected flow of thoughts on:

<ul><li><strong>The impact of the web</strong> on humanity,</li>

<li><strong>information abundance</strong>,</li>

<li><strong>thinking outside</strong> of the human brain (i.e. network as a cognitive agent), and</li>

<li><strong>the lack of understanding</strong> most users have about the ideology of software.</li></ul>

While we spend much time talking about change, the <a href="http://www.connectivism.ca/?p=96">"<em>becoming</em>" aspect</a> is overlooked. 

What are we becoming due to technology? Is it what we want to become? Which parts should we be resisting? Or, for that matter, what have you resisted recently?







<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
<h2>Openness and The Future of Education</h2>

<img alt="Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_openness_and_the_future_of_education_id51408271.jpg" src="http://www.masternewmedia.org/Images/Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_openness_and_the_future_of_education_id51408271.jpg" width="320" height="214" />

<a href="http://www.irrodl.org/">IRRODL</a><strong> just released a special</strong> issue on <a href="http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/issue/view/38">Openness and the Future of Education</a>. 

Future of education is not an explicit focus in the articles, but can be anticipated as a result of the focus of the articles. Topics include:

<ul><li><strong>Openess and</strong> textbooks,</li>

<li><strong>peer-to-peer</strong> learning,</li>

<li><strong>impact of</strong> openness,</li>

<li><strong>disaggregated future</strong> of higher education, and even</li>

<li><strong>an article reviewing</strong> <a href="http://ltc.umanitoba.ca/connectivism/">CCK08</a> (the open course I taught with <a href="http://www.downes.ca/me/index.htm">Stephen Downes</a> last fall - the 2009 version is going strong as well).</li></ul>

A strong issue - congrats to <a href="http://me2u.athabascau.ca/elgg/profile/extended.php?profile_name=terrya">Terry Anderson</a>, <a href="http://davidwiley.org/">David Wiley</a>, and <a href="http://www.johnhiltoniii.com/about/">John Hilton III</a>.

I keep returning to a question that is often overlooked in discussions of openness: What happens once everything is open?

<strong>So far we have a fair</strong> bit of experience with the impact of open content on curriculum, a bit less experience with the impact of openness on teaching / learning, and almost nothing on how the system of education itself is impacted.

Openness is not the end game. It is a transitory stage that will shape teaching and learning. My interest lies with the emerging landscape of systemic change.







<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
<h2>Cannot Squeeze Knowledge From a Pixel</h2>

<img alt="Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_cannot_squeeze_knowledge_from a_pixel_id13991691.jpg" src="http://www.masternewmedia.org/Images/Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_cannot_squeeze_knowledge_from%20a_pixel_id13991691.jpg" width="259" height="225" />

<strong>Meaning is found in associations</strong>. It is simple concept, but has substantial implications. To get an accurate picture of "<em>something</em>", context first needs to be understood. This short video - <a href="http://www.readwriteweb.com/enterprise/2009/10/ibms-identity-insight-server-y.php">cannot squeeze knowledge from a pixel</a> - summarizes this point.

An email address, for example, means very little unless we see it in a broader context and in light of associations formed between the address and other entities. Nothing new about that. However, information connectedness raises privacy and ethical concerns.

Should my doctor know my credit rating? My driving record? Should the government be able to get complete, integrated access to all my data (remember <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_Awareness_Office">Total Information Awareness</a>?).

<strong>Spaces and barriers between</strong> data are important - only what is required for a particular context should be known to banker / government / doctor / lawyer / employer. However, and this is a significant concern, participation on the <a href="http://www.masternewmedia.org/net-neutrality-is-the-open-web-for-anybody/">open web</a> is increasing data accessibility.

An employer cannot ask a potential employee her / his age. But that information is freely available on <a href="http://www.masternewmedia.org/facebook-business-guide-how-companies-can-utilize-facebook-pages-for-social-media-marketing-part-1/">Facebook</a> (often). An employer cannot ask about health concerns. But, again, that information can often be gleaned through <a href="http://www.masternewmedia.org/social_networking/twitter-instant-messaging-mobile-messaging/twitter-a-beginners-guide-20070425.htm">Twitter</a>, blogging, and Facebook <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook_features#Status">status updates</a>.







<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
<h2>Personal View of E-Learning: Saudi Arabia</h2>

<img alt="Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_personal_view_of_e-learning_saudi_arabia_id2114491.jpg" src="http://www.masternewmedia.org/Images/Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_personal_view_of_e-learning_saudi_arabia_id2114491.jpg" width="230" height="324" />

<strong>I have not had the privilege</strong> of visiting Saudi Arabia. As a result, I particularly appreciated reading <a href="http://www.tonybates.ca/tony-bates-associates/tony-bates-biography/">Tony Bates</a>' experiences of leading a series of workshops in his post: <a href="http://www.tonybates.ca/2009/11/05/a-personal-view-of-e-learning-in-saudi-arabia/">A personal view of e-learning</a>.

The limited adoption of technology in universities is not that unusual from my experience. A growing number of universities are more organized and structured in their online learning initiative, but many do so without strategic considerations.

<strong>Technology use is driven</strong> at a grassroots level (which is fine, but for system-level implementation, some top down support and resources allocation is needed). Tony's discussion of his presentation experiences and how male / female separate varied by different universities is worth a quick read.







<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
<h2>Social Isolation and Technology</h2>

<img alt="Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_social_isolation_and_technology_id19092861.jpg" src="http://www.masternewmedia.org/Images/Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_social_isolation_and_technology_id19092861.jpg" width="320" height="211" />

<strong>Technology use is routinely</strong> equated with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_isolation">social isolation</a>. We are often told (and in turn tell our youth) to "<em>log out and interact with the real world</em>".

<a href="http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~wellman/vita/index.html">Barry Wellman</a> - with his <a href="http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~wellman/publications/publications.html#netville">Netville research</a> - was the first researcher that I am aware of who questioned the tech use = isolation viewpoint. People who are connected online often have higher levels face-to-face interactions.

A new <a href="http://www.pewinternet.org/">Pew Internet</a> (motto: "<em>Why say it in 20 pages when you can say it in 84</em>") report, <a href="http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/18--Social-Isolation-and-New-Technology.aspx">Social Isolation and New Technology</a>, explores how internet and mobile use influences network diversity and socialization (or isolation).

In the process, the report challenges most myths about online participation:

<ul><li><strong>Most people have diverse</strong> networks, are socially connected (not only in remote online relationships but also to local online networks),</li>

<li><strong>participate more actively</strong> in volunteering than individuals with less online activity, and</li>

<li><strong>visit libraries</strong> and public spaces.</li></ul>







<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
<h2>Call For Chapters: Personal Learning Environments / Networks</h2>

<img alt="Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_call_for_chapters_personal_learning_environments_networks_id17940821.jpg" src="http://www.masternewmedia.org/Images/Media_literacy_digest_georgesiemens_call_for_chapters_personal_learning_environments_networks_id17940821.jpg" width="320" height="240" />

<strong>I posted this last</strong> month, but by way of a quick reminder: <a href="http://ple.elg.ca/call.php">Call for Chapters: Personal Learning Environments / Networks</a>. Deadline for a two-page abstract is November 15, 2009.



<br /><br />
<span class="photocredit">Originally written by <a href="http://www.elearnspace.org/blog/">George Siemens</a> for <a href="http://www.elearnspace.org/blog/">elearnspace</a> and first published on November 7th, 2009 in his newsletter eLearning Resources and News.</span>


<br /><br />
<strong>About George Siemens</strong>

<img width="118" height="89" alt="George-Siemens.jpg" src="http://www.masternewmedia.org/images/George-Siemens.jpg" />

<span class="photocredit"><a href="http://www.umanitoba.ca/learning_technologies/connectivisim/bio_george.php">George Siemens</a> is the Associate Director in the <a href="http://www.umanitoba.ca/learning_technologies/">Learning Technologies Centre at the University of Manitoba</a>. George blogs at <a href="http://www.elearnspace.org/">www.elearnspace.org</a> where he shares his vision on the educational landscape and the impact that media technologies have on the educational system. George Siemens is also the author of <a href="http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/connectivism.htm">Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age</a> and the book "<em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Knowing-Knowledge-George-Siemens/dp/1430302305">Knowing Knowledge</a></em>" where he develops a learning theory called <a href="http://www.masternewmedia.org/news/2008/08/09/educational_models_and_learning_in/">connectivism</a> which uses a network as the central metaphor for learning and focuses on knowledge as a way to making connections.</span>

<br /><br />
<span class="photocredit">Photo credits:</span>
<span class="photocredit">Future of The Social Web - <a href="http://www.stockxpert.com/browse_image/profile/lovleah">Leah-Anne Thompson</a></span>
<span class="photocredit">The Age of The Informavore - <a href="http://www.stockxpert.com/browse_image/profile/chrishall">Christopher Hall</a></span>
<span class="photocredit">Openness and The Future of Education - <a href="http://www.stockxpert.com/browse_image/profile/refat">Refat</a></span>
<span class="photocredit">Cannot Squeeze Knowledge From a Pixel - <a href="http://www.stockxpert.com/browse_image/profile/vacuum3d">Vacuum3d</a></span>
<span class="photocredit">Personal View of E-Learning: Saudi Arabia - <a href="http://www.stockxpert.com/browse_image/profile/InvisibleV">Viktoriia Kulish</a></span>
<span class="photocredit">Social Isolation and Technology - <a href="http://www.stockxpert.com/browse_image/profile/Penguinn">Elena Volegzhanina</a></span>
<span class="photocredit">Call For Chapters: Personal Learning Environments / Networks - <a href="http://www.stockxpert.com/browse_image/profile/Physiker">Andrey Davidenko</a></span>]]></content:encoded><link>http://www.masternewmedia.org/media-literacy-making-sense-of-new-technologies-and-media_2009_11_08/</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6e73fa52-07f0-f642-f8ff-fefcfdfb52f1</guid><author>George Siemens</author><category>learning - educational technologies</category><category>learning-educational technologies</category><category>online collaboration</category><category>searchtoolsand technologies</category><category>social networking</category><category>presentation</category><category>online marketing</category><category>contentdeliveryand distribution</category><category>online collaboration</category><category>social networking</category><category>video-internet television</category><category>independent publishing</category><category>learning-educational technologies</category><category>online collaboration</category><category>searchtoolsand technologies</category><category>social networking</category><category>presentation</category><pubDate>Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:10:02 GMT</pubDate><source url="http://www.masternewmedia.org/Robin-Good-Featured-Articles.xml">Robin Good's Latest News</source></item>
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