We are twidles, so let's get them kindles

We are now called Twidle (well, not yet officially). So it makes perfect sense to get the Kindle. Twidle Kindle. :D

Kindle is an electronic book from Amazon who foresees it as a "new way for people to read textbooks, newspapers and documents"and "a step in the direction of a long-dreamed-of “paperless society.” It costs US$489 now (but I am sure it will be more affordable in due time). At the moment, it is still a pilot project and Amazon reports that University of Virginia will begin testing the device with students later this year.

I can't see now what new pedagogy this new gadget will afford. At face value it serves only to access content subscribed from print distributors and newpapers. For collaboration 24/7, you still need another computing device like a notebook if you are going for Kindle. Well I could be wrong. The project is still at its early stage. There could be more features that requires test bedding before they are officially announced to the public.

Let's see what comes out about Kindle in the next few months.

Angus King on 1 child to 1 computer policy

i happened to know about this guy Angus King- ex-governor of Maine, USA.

What he did:
Maine, a town he has implemented in the whole state the 1:1 project where all kids own laptop to support learning
Convince educational thought leaders, your board, your parent community and other constituents that the time and money invested in a laptop program are worthwhile.
How he successfully lead change on a grand scale.
Share on his rich experience in business, education and politics.

Angus King shared about his experience working on 1to1 computing with Apple.
When others plan to do 1to1, here he is been there, done it, sharing his secrets!

There are some good points made which i shared in the video by subtitles.

1. Uncertain future involves more Education and Technology

2. Everybody is doing the same thing, Lower Taxes, Streamline Regulations, Exports, Research and Development, where is the competitive edge ?

3. Incremental change is the norm, fundamental change is where competitive edge is more likely to come from.
http://66.7.205.91/~lookangc/index.php?topic=454.0

let me know if it is any good :)

My dream which I wanted to materialise back then...

I've always thought that 1:1 computing, especially when it provides the opportunity for mobile learning, learning anywhere anytime has always held promise!

I had wanted to use netbooks or umpcs with mobile broadband and cam/video function to facilitate geog fieldwork with my students. Alas no money and had to write paper to justify haha. I sincerely felt that allowing communication between students and exploring the geog landscape by themselves, framing geog fieldwork pictures etc were great ways to facilitate SDL and CL.

Key issues would be portability of machines (light, long lasting battery) and mobile internet availability. Interestingly, software used can be free, such as through the google platform, rather than proprietary software which can be priced prohibitively.

iPhone and self-directed learning

Learn-gasm highlights 100 Best iPhone Apps for Serious Self-Learners. Here, content resides elsewhere and iPhone serves as an interface to bring the content to the learners. In choosing which apps for learning, I feel it is important also to find out what apps are more popular to learners (it may be something outside the 100) so that learning designed around iPhone allows more seamless experience and in sync with learners way of being in today's media rich landscape. Following this view also requires us to be aware of the nuances how iPhone is being used by today's youth before we design learning activity around iPhone and the apps.