Web 2.0 Conference 4/02/09

The conference was interesting and a bit overwhelming, I went by my lonesome. There were so many stations that I didn't know where to start, so I did a lap.

I did find a few things that were pretty interesting, for instance a software called SpatialKey. It's a "SpatialKey is a next generation Information Visualization, Mapping, Analysis and Reporting System. It is designed to help organizations quickly assess location based information critical to their organizational goals, decision making processes and reporting requirements." That is from the web site.
"http://www.spatialkey.com/features/"
At the conference the demo showed how crime statistics data could be researched across the country. It looked similar to the wikimapia website that Zack had talked about during his presentation.

ooVoo 2.0: I really liked the idea of a video chat client that you can talk with up to 6 people at a time. I've worked with video conferencing at work and it's just a one-to-one call, but this software would allow for multiple conference calls at a a time. I got to talk with a few people at the demo (they were on the east coast) and ask them a few questions. The video and sound quality were really good and the pricing seemed really affordable. What was also really nice about the video chat software is you can record the video calls, add effects and it's compatible with Mac and PC.
"http://www.oovoo.com/"

Another interesting group that I came across at the conference was another software that organizes all of the different social sites that people subscribe to, it's called Nomee. However, this particular site allows you to "follow people, not sites."
"http://www.nomee.com/about_nomee.html"

Lastly, I was kind of surprised at how the beer began and martini's began to flow towards the end of the conference. Heineken still doesn't taste good to me, so I settled for a free Sobe. I'm sure the end of conference was very interesting and quite sauced, so I cut out early.

Google --- Podcasting

Okay, so podcasting is kind of difficult.
Creating it was okay, but I had a hard time trying to figure out how to get my exported mp3 into a format that I could post onto blogger. Thank god for google search on "podcasting," also it helped to see what my classmates were using. SO I am now new member of PodOmatic. Aye Caramba!

3/5/09==> Dr. Ellen Wagner

I enjoyed this guest speaker, she was more engaging and open than the others, to me at least. I can't recall everything that she talked about, but a few points that I do remember...
Free puppy vs. free beer: Open source (the free puppy) does require a lot of work in order to maintain it, you know "keep it alive." I understand this concept more because of iLearn website and its staff here at state. I can imagine (from the outside looking in) how much work does go into creating a sustainable, learning environment. I appreciate the work that has been put into it, because it is accessible when I need it and it benefits my learning. Hoewever, I don't get the full impact of iLearn because it is my "free beer" instead of being my "free puppy." I can pop in when and wherever I need to, "drink my fill" and then leave, knowing (or at least hoping) that it will always be there when I get back.
I'm guessing that is why the future Web .0's are considered to be pretty big, high maintenance puppy dogs. No is prepared to handle that.
Web 3.0 & 4.0: I was very intrigued when Dr. Wagner spoke about what will be considered Web 3.0, mainly because the few examples that she gave are things that are available now. SO I asked "Why isn't the web that we are using now considered 3.0?" I believe that her response was about sustainability, not being able to fully support the web going 3-D. The examples that she gave for Web 4.0 reminded me of the fully interactive, A.I., type house in the Iron Man movie, he was a gazillionaire whiz kid who could create that kind of technology. Even though it seems cool from the outside, I wonder what would that mean to have everything around us, that affects our lives, be that intelligent. Would that mean that we could get lazier (physically) as humans? What about e-learning in Web 4.0?
Gartner Hype Cycle: Now I have a name for this phenomenon, I've seen it over and over again with all the new "hyped toys" that come out. I wonder if this cycle can only be applied to technology and not the hyped advertising for other types of products?

Dr. Bonk - Web 2.0 - and me

2/19/09

Random thoughts and good points during class:

The way that we use technology. Is it kind of a waste?
Ex. Reading books online, on ipods, electronic books. Frankly I don't understand that.
Blogs:
Lurkers - people who look, read and take, but not contribute. Maybe that is not what the author wanted? Does it really matter? What is the reason for the blog. Its just for you, right?
Laziness -
Technology is (one of many) tools for creation - you just have to use them. Create, communicate and collaborate.
I like that it is instant. I am beginning to like how connected you can become. I don't like all of the passwords.
TBcontinued...

2/12/09==> Social Texting

Social texting is something that I am not totally hip to. I heard of twitter from a class that I was facilitating, wrote the name down (so I wouldn't forget) and looked it up later. I didn't sign up for it, but I got the gist of what is was from the videos. I couldn't see myself or anyone that I know using it, but based on the examples that the guest speaker gave, I could see how it could be beneficial.
I started with a friendster account (barely used it), then everyone moved over to myspace. So I set-up shop there and got pretty familiar with it, then everyone migrated (again) over to Facebook. As of now, I'm not there yet, but I have several people beckoning me 'towards the light', well I saw that movie. I'm sure signing up for a facebook account probably won't be as bad as i'm making it out to be.

Honestly, I could be more in touch with the people that I know, but I don't always seem to do that. Considering my degrees, you would think that that would be second nature to me.

The guest speaker brought up many interesting and inspiring points regarding the world of social texting. I guess that I shy away from with the fear that 1) I will be stuck in front a computer 2) too many passwords to remember and 3) who would really want to listen? I guess that it's not really about that, if anything it's more for me and whoever wants to come are welcome to. It does be

2009 is definitely a year for clearing out the old and bringing in new things to try. Maybe one day I might be out there Twittering. Ay Caramba.

2/5/09==> Connectivism

I connected with and gained my understanding of the Connectivism article from my background in Theatre Arts and acting, rather the business/social aspect of acting. I didn't (at the time) think about the digital, I was focused on the learning aspect of it. Connectivism, to me, means connecting physically, mentally and at times emotionally with people, places and things, then being able to incorporate/enhance those experiences with technology, but not to a point of hindrance. It's a learning process where "nodes" connect (network) in order to build a community of continuous learning.

In class other people brought up many other important points regarding connectivism that I didn't think about. For instance, the validity of the information that is out there and how we interpret it.
My early experiences with the Internet I know that I didn't (always) think critically about the information that I was reading. For a long time I did not know how to "surf" the web. I had to make lists of subjects/websites that I wanted to look up or I would forget. Otherwise, I would just check my email and log off. Now, I can get around alright, but the competency level (another important point) of the user varies depending on their desire to learn and do more. For example, I have worked with faculty here at state and some of them are quite self-sufficient in the enhanced classroom, whereas others are very timid and non-trusting of technology and require a bit of "hand holding" in order to get through their classes. Some faculty just connect enough to get their problems solved, then go back their "old school" ways. Like the article stated, Connectivism depends on the user, their competency level and a willingness to learn. How do you teach something like this to such a varying group of individuals with many levels of competency?
*My understanding of new technology and web 2.0 stuff has increases so much since I first started, but I also actively choose not to get too involved/too reliant on technology. I have a fear of not having (enough) F2F encounters and social learning experiences, forgetting what it is like to be human. I say that because I am susceptible to contracting hermit-itus, but that's just me.
Wow, this one was long. I'm stopping now.