As a community of professionals in higher education, here are a few terms you may have heard during the past year: MOOC, flipped classrooms, gamification, blended/hybrid courses and active learning. You'll hear all these terms again, and more in Anant Agerwal's talk "Why MOOCs Still Matter".
If you participated in a previous version of 13 Things, you may recognize Anant Agerwal; we learned about his "Circuits & Electronics" course at MIT that had 155, 000 participants! Agerwal now leads edX , a nonprofit online learning venture of MIT and Harvard.
In this talk, Agerwal highlights what he sees when he re-imagines education: what do you see? Do you agree with the shifting dynamics of our learners? Is a blend of online and in class learning an ideal possibility? Does blended learning have a place in the small, liberal arts college? When you imagine Coe in ten years or twenty years, do we look any different than we do today?
Monday, June 9, 2014
Monday, June 2, 2014
Week 3: Personal Digital Archiving
As a digital immigrant (a person born before the widespread use of digital technologies) my amateur photography habits fall into two distinct categories: BD and AD. Before Digital and After Digital.
Before Digital: I bought spools of 35MM film for my consumer-grade point and shoot film camera, taking careful aim and shooting no more than one or two pictures of each action or element I wanted to capture. I would then take my roll of 24 soon-to-be-pictures to the nearest developing center, and pay around ten dollars to have the film developed. I'd receive one (or two if it was a free doubles day!) copies of each photograph in a neat little envelope, with negatives tucked neatly inside their own sleeve. If I was lucky, about half the photos would be decent. Sometimes I'd tuck the good photos into photo albums or I'd stick the photo envelope into a box made just for the purposes of storing the photo envelopes. I'd occasionally mail (via US Postal Service) photos to friends and family.
After Digital: My initial investments are up front; in a digital camera or phone or tablet or almost any digital device that includes a camera. No longer do I pay for actual film and I rarely pay to have photos developed. I take 10-15 shots of everything, knowing I should get at least one decent smile from my kids out of the 15 attempts. My photos are no longer in a box or a magnetic page photo album (did anybody else hate those magnetic cellophane pages?), but they are on Flickr, Instagram, Facebook, Picasa/Google+ albums, on CDs in the bottom onf my desk drawer, and in my iPhotos application or the Nikon Digital Keeper that came with my camera. Frequently, I email or text photos to friends and family.
In both BD and AD times I've enjoyed looking through hard-copy photo albums or boxes and through digital photo albums. My kids don't seem to differentiate much between the two; a few weeks ago 5-year-old Cam asked if we could look at some pictures of him when he was little. I started to pull out his baby photo album (it was a between stage for me) and he said "no, on the computer" as if I'd made a silly mistake like looking for the milk in the cupboard instead of the fridge.
Our third thing is an article originally published last summer on NPR's All Tech Considered.
In The Digital Age, The Family Photo Album Fades Away by Heidi Glen addresses the generational preferences for the 'final' edition of your photos, but also encourages us to think like an archivist when it comes to our digital photography collections.
What do you do with your photographs? Are you archiving your life in photos? Have you determined a way to ensure the great images you're capturing today will be around for a lot of tomorrows? Share your thoughts on this article and your ideas and tips for preserving photos in the comments.
Before Digital: I bought spools of 35MM film for my consumer-grade point and shoot film camera, taking careful aim and shooting no more than one or two pictures of each action or element I wanted to capture. I would then take my roll of 24 soon-to-be-pictures to the nearest developing center, and pay around ten dollars to have the film developed. I'd receive one (or two if it was a free doubles day!) copies of each photograph in a neat little envelope, with negatives tucked neatly inside their own sleeve. If I was lucky, about half the photos would be decent. Sometimes I'd tuck the good photos into photo albums or I'd stick the photo envelope into a box made just for the purposes of storing the photo envelopes. I'd occasionally mail (via US Postal Service) photos to friends and family.
In both BD and AD times I've enjoyed looking through hard-copy photo albums or boxes and through digital photo albums. My kids don't seem to differentiate much between the two; a few weeks ago 5-year-old Cam asked if we could look at some pictures of him when he was little. I started to pull out his baby photo album (it was a between stage for me) and he said "no, on the computer" as if I'd made a silly mistake like looking for the milk in the cupboard instead of the fridge.
Our third thing is an article originally published last summer on NPR's All Tech Considered.
In The Digital Age, The Family Photo Album Fades Away by Heidi Glen addresses the generational preferences for the 'final' edition of your photos, but also encourages us to think like an archivist when it comes to our digital photography collections.
What do you do with your photographs? Are you archiving your life in photos? Have you determined a way to ensure the great images you're capturing today will be around for a lot of tomorrows? Share your thoughts on this article and your ideas and tips for preserving photos in the comments.
Monday, May 26, 2014
Week 2: Top Ten Tips
As a follow up to our readings and discussions in last week's post: You're Distracted, let's take a lighter (and shorter) approach. Following is David Pogue's TED2013 talk "Top 10 Time Saving Tech Tips". Pogue is a tech columnist for the New York Times and in this five and a half minute clip he shares ten simple time-saving tips. Many of these you'll probably know, but perhaps one will surprise you!
Have you already figured these out on your own? If not, jot a note in the comments and share what you learned. If so, do you have a simple tip to share?
I have one:
Don't both clicking File>Print. In almost any application, CNTL + P or Command (Apple Key) + P will open the print dialogue box for you. Hands don't have to leave the keyboard!
Have you already figured these out on your own? If not, jot a note in the comments and share what you learned. If so, do you have a simple tip to share?
I have one:
Don't both clicking File>Print. In almost any application, CNTL + P or Command (Apple Key) + P will open the print dialogue box for you. Hands don't have to leave the keyboard!
Monday, May 19, 2014
Thing 1: You're Distracted!
Let's get our things started; and as we start reading and talking about, listening and watching and trying out all things technology-related, let's just say it - it's distracting.
Thing 1 is an article published in the Chronicle of Higher Education in March of 2013. The article is You're Distracted: This Professor Can Help by Marc Parry. In this article we are introduced to Dr. David Levy, a professor in the Information School at the University of Washington and his class "Information and Contemplation." The class attempts to scrutinize how people use technology, how fragmented attention and emotional connection factor in to technology use and what methods might improve technology-related productivity.
Here's a mini-experiment: think back to this morning. What did you do in the first 20-30 minutes after you logged in to your computer on campus? Were you concentrated on a singular task (getting through emails) or where there multiple tasks involved (reading emails, listening to VM, popping onto your cell phone to check a text, following links to new websites, checking weather forecasts, etc)?
Full disclosure: I read this article three or four times. The first several times I read it were interrupted by LOTS of distractions: emails, a Google chat that popped up, a phone call on my cell phone that could have gone to voice mail, looking something up on Facebook, and more. The last time I read it, I closed all my other browser tabs and windows, turned off the volume on my computer (so I wouldn't hear the familiar ping of a Google chat) and just read.
Some food for thought as you read the article:
Post your thoughts/comments about the article in the comments section below. Happy undistributed reading!
Thing 1 is an article published in the Chronicle of Higher Education in March of 2013. The article is You're Distracted: This Professor Can Help by Marc Parry. In this article we are introduced to Dr. David Levy, a professor in the Information School at the University of Washington and his class "Information and Contemplation." The class attempts to scrutinize how people use technology, how fragmented attention and emotional connection factor in to technology use and what methods might improve technology-related productivity.
Here's a mini-experiment: think back to this morning. What did you do in the first 20-30 minutes after you logged in to your computer on campus? Were you concentrated on a singular task (getting through emails) or where there multiple tasks involved (reading emails, listening to VM, popping onto your cell phone to check a text, following links to new websites, checking weather forecasts, etc)?
Full disclosure: I read this article three or four times. The first several times I read it were interrupted by LOTS of distractions: emails, a Google chat that popped up, a phone call on my cell phone that could have gone to voice mail, looking something up on Facebook, and more. The last time I read it, I closed all my other browser tabs and windows, turned off the volume on my computer (so I wouldn't hear the familiar ping of a Google chat) and just read.
Some food for thought as you read the article:
- Do you align with either the "never-better" or "better-never" trains of thoughts? Never-betters: the internet holds vast potential; we can unleash and harness advanced human intelligence. Better-nevers: this whole internet-technology-social media world is destroying our capacity for concentration and contemplation (and the ability to spell).
- Is it possible to educate our selves to be more attentive?
- Do you find the tools you use are helping you connect more or disconnecting you?
- Does age or generational gap have anything to do with our ability to work attentively?
- If you meditate, do you agree with the findings of the study the National Science Foundation funded by Levy and colleagues?
Post your thoughts/comments about the article in the comments section below. Happy undistributed reading!
Thursday, May 15, 2014
13 Things ver 3.0
13 Things @ Coe is in it's 3rd version! We'll get started with our first official "thing" next week. And then, every week after that, until the week of August 11, you'll find a new "thing" posted here. Something to read, watch, try out, ponder or explore. Post a comment in the comments section and share your thoughts about the "thing" - was it interesting, helpful, applicable, time-wasting or otherwise? Be sure to read others comments, too and you can even comment on a comment!
If you look toward the RIGHT, you'll see a "Follow by email" box. By adding your email address here, you'll get an email notice every time something new is posted to this blog. Consider it your weekly reminder to spend a little time with 13 Things!
If you have questions or personal comments, email Lisa via Coe email.
If you look toward the RIGHT, you'll see a "Follow by email" box. By adding your email address here, you'll get an email notice every time something new is posted to this blog. Consider it your weekly reminder to spend a little time with 13 Things!
If you have questions or personal comments, email Lisa via Coe email.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
And the winner is....
Sara Pitcher from Stewart Memorial Library!
Sara's iPad and cover is one it's way to the library this morning; she'll be able to enjoy the TED app, and many others.
I hope everyone found a little something to think about this summer. These links/videos will remain here indefinitely; if one or two were particularly interesting to you, please share the links.
Sara's iPad and cover is one it's way to the library this morning; she'll be able to enjoy the TED app, and many others.
I hope everyone found a little something to think about this summer. These links/videos will remain here indefinitely; if one or two were particularly interesting to you, please share the links.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Week 13: The End
Although there were only supposed to be "13" things to think about
this summer, I just couldn't decide between these last two talks. Read
the description and determine which piques your interest most this week.
Both seem like fitting topics to lead us into this new semester.
Option 1: A Kindler, Gentler Philosophy of Success (16:55)
"Alain de Botton examines our ideas of success and failure -- and questions the assumptions underlying these two judgments. Is success always earned? Is failure? He makes an eloquent, witty case to move beyond snobbery to find true pleasure in our work."
"Bennington president Liz Coleman delivers a call-to-arms for radical reform in higher education. Bucking the trend to push students toward increasingly narrow areas of study, she proposes a truly cross-disciplinary education -- one that dynamically combines all areas of study to address the great problems of our day."
Option 1: A Kindler, Gentler Philosophy of Success (16:55)
"Alain de Botton examines our ideas of success and failure -- and questions the assumptions underlying these two judgments. Is success always earned? Is failure? He makes an eloquent, witty case to move beyond snobbery to find true pleasure in our work."
Points to Ponder:
- Do you agree with de Botton's analysis of meritocracy?
- During Week 4; Kathryn Schultz's talk focused on being wrong. As de Botton described today's mindset concerning the 'bottom of society' being labeled "losers" did you find similarities between the messages? Is it true that our biggest fear in failure is not failing itself, but the judgement and ridicule?
- What is your idea of success? Where does your idea of success come from? Has it changed over time?
- How do we help our students define their own ideas of success (making sure each is truly the "author of his/her own ambitions")? How do we do this when our students place a high value on letter grades?
- What stood out for you in this talk? What do you agree with or disagree with?
"Bennington president Liz Coleman delivers a call-to-arms for radical reform in higher education. Bucking the trend to push students toward increasingly narrow areas of study, she proposes a truly cross-disciplinary education -- one that dynamically combines all areas of study to address the great problems of our day."
Points to Ponder:
- Have we (the liberal arts colleges) lost our roots? Coleman says "We have professionalized the liberal arts to the point where they no longer provide the breadth of application and the enhanced capacity for civic engagement that is their signature. Over the past century, the expert has dethroned the educated generalist to become the sole model of intellectual accomplishment. … The progression of today’s college student is to jettison every interest except one, and within that one, to continually narrow the focus, learning more and more about less and less — this despite the evidence all around us of the interconnectedness of things. …" Do you agree? Is Coe guilty? Is this true of your liberal arts alma mater (if you came from one)?
- Coleman talks about the connection between education and the public good, indicating the academy simply does not empower this connection. Do you think our students understand or feel a connection? Do our students connect their liberal arts education to civic engagement?
- Is there any way to know when Coleman's ideal marriage between liberal arts and public good is met?
- What do part of Coleman's talk to you most deeply agree or passionately disagree with? Why?
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