Virtual Conference — now THAT’S using emerging media!

If you want to attend a conference without waiting at the airport (no matter how fun you find flying), then the Campus Technology conference is probably for you. The Campus Technology Virtual Conference is December 3, 2009 (10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Eastern time).

Campus Technology Virtual Conference

(http://www.campustechnology.com/virtual)

I plan to attend, and have even blocked out the time on my calendar so no other ‘live’ meetings will interrupt me.

I attended a similar event before and loved the interaction available with people from all over the world and the ease of linking and sending links to more, related information (web sites, blogs, PDFs, etc.). A great use of our technologies.

It also helped me go beyond learning and begin a practice of using the various emerging technologies — during the conference itself.

I came away from my desk refreshed, and look forward to being invigorated again AND without the jet lag or wear and bother of airports that comes with traveling to conferences!

Still Here – and Still Learning

I was away from blogging for various reasons, but now will return. [Older and wiser?]

I’ve still been looking into various emerging media, but more in an ‘applied’ approach instead of looking around and trying out things. As I look around and tried things now, I consider if I can use it in what I do now before spending my time with it. Seems obvious, but when distracted by the glitter and glitz (and fun?) it is easy to get off track.

What have I done? Well, I used the Voki in my course management system (yes, it works there in a widget well). My plan is to introduce some topics for my students and point them to the more important information and activities with my Voki. I figure it would be more effective than another BOLD HEADLINE or something for them.

Also, I’ve learned Prezi (http://www.prezi.com) to provide a different look to information than ‘yet another PowerPoint.’ I plan to take turns using it and the Voki to introduce topics and overviews for my students. Again, I see how it can be linked from or embedded in my course management system, so I like it.

Let me comment on Prezi for a moment. It is an interesting approach to presentation software. I do like it. However, after reviewing some of the examples and trying it out, I can see how it can be used as simply another type of PowerPoint.

“What do you mean?” you ask?

I mean, that it is, or should be, a different approach to presenting information. Think about it. You are not linked or limited to a linear presentation, so why just make a linear presentation? Use the tool so that you can allow yourself to zoom in/out, to skip to, to skip back. You don’t have to show everything you put in the Prezi — keep it small and ‘hidden’ unless you need it (and you don’t have to remember the slide number to skip to a piece of information).

And, I think it should be used with care — in designing the Prezi, you should consider DESIGN. All the visual elements that make something look good should be regarded as much as possible. This thing is not just another way to lay out your slides. Zoom out and see if it really looks good.

**NOTE: you may have to grab a friend who knows design to let you evaluate this, but I think it is worth it in the long run to make sure you are able to truly communicate well. Good communication happens when it is not just the words but the entire communication experience which includes visual, sounds, etc.**

And that is one of the other reasons I had to step back from my learning and blogging: I was getting lost in the tool (the ‘fun’) and not keeping my focus on the goal = the utility of this emerging media.

Back on track . . .

Bringing it together?

Started with Flock — interesting approach. You can check out www.flock.com if you haven’t heard of it yet.

I like the tabs for various pages (found in other software, too) but it also provides links to your blog, Facebook/MySpace, twitter, g mail, YouTube or Flickr . . . and more, I guess.

Still learning that, but pulling my stuff together to help me stay connected, update more easily, and use this emerging media more efficiently (or more like it should be?).

Sweet!

Another step (baby steps…)

Ok, so I’m back at the blog letting you know my (slow) progress (slow, sure, but progress! We all know life gets in the way.)

I started to Twitter!

Simple, yes. Easy to do; easy to start up. And when (if?) I get a cell phone I can twitter from that. (Yes, that’s right — I don’t own a cell yet. And that is part of the journey into emerging media. I’m sure you will hear all about that as I get into that. I’m starting my research and exploring costs, benefits, needs, wants, and all that for a cell.)

So . . . if you want to follow me on Twitter, look for dbturner. I’ll be glad to follow, lead, and even get out of the way!

Fun, but Frustrating!

I found the Voki thing from some other person’s link. Tried it; didn’t get it; tried again; forgot my new password; and all that. But, let me try this.

I found the Voki while looking around and linked from another’s — much like this emerging media is supposed to do — connect, share, help, learn. (Not a plug, but FYI, it is at www.voki.com.) And I am trying to put it in here for you to see and me to “use.” I’ll find out where and how I can show you my Voki, but it is not appearing here (some limitations to WordPress not allowing script being inserted…).

Now, as mentioned in my last post, am I simply going to ‘waste my time’ or am I going to discover ways to use this as a productive part of life (meaning ‘my job’ or ‘educating my students’)? I’ll have to take some time (er . . . invest some time) to figure out how to do that. Or better yet, I’ll ask my students how it could help, and I’ll ask you and all the others I am connecting to now how it is and can be used productively!

Hey, I think I am catching on to this emerging media stuff! Well, at least a part of it.

Next Steps . . . Maybe? Am I making progress?

So . . .

I started a blog — like thousands of people do each and every day.  And before I even get my second post, I know I am learning but very possibly over my head.  I started looking for all the other things (sorry, “things” is much too generic, it should be “emerging media tools”) I need to start, to learn, to use . . . and I got overwhelmed. My list was too long. I couldn’t see the forest for the trees. I didn’t know where to start nor how to start.

You’ll note that the first post was several weeks ago. I am not a regular contributor or writer (“blogger” — I know) yet.  That is one of my first lessons about the many emerging media — they take time, a committment.

There is some correction here, too. It is not just time needed.  We spend our time on what is most important to us whether or not it is really important.  Sounds like “time management” doesn’t it? How does this fit in with my learning emerging media? Well, even if I like it and think it is really cool and want to know it . . . I need to make it ‘important’ to me.  I need to see the relevance of these applications.  I need to see how my time use is actually a worthwhile investment or help.  That is so much of what I will be learning (hopefully).

So when people say that some thing (sorry, again . . . “some tool, software, equipment, application, or link” — ok?) is just another way for people to waste their time, they are probably saying that they do not see the need or relevance to themselves. They do not see the potential of that particular tool. They do not use their imagination or creativity to discover how it could benefit them, their company, their job.

or, they see people wasting their time . . . hmmmm.

Getting Started!

Yes, I’ve read about them, talked about them, and wanted to try.  But a blog is only a part of what I am doing here.

This blog is going to track my progress into a variety of emerging media and how they all work together — or not.  I’ll be looking for others who have learned for help; help for myself and the others with me.

You’ll learn more about me soon, but for now . . . well, I’m just happy to get the blog off and running today!