Play (and learning hopefully) in the 21st Century

We are all aware that while technological advances impact many aspects of our life, they stop short from entering through the door of education. Well, I hope this 121 computing team can change all that. *smile You think I'm being too optimistic, huh? Well, who wouldn't if you look at the newest Project Natal for XBOX 360. Can the 21st Century learning be about play? Project Natal envisions how people play in the 21st Century.

Let's order one for our team and test drive it. What say you? : )

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.

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.