tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34410612333352111392024-03-13T09:20:36.107-04:00Random Thoughts by M.A.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441061233335211139.post-3242300368899902962016-02-17T13:03:00.000-05:002016-02-17T13:08:46.870-05:00The World of HCC According to Michaelanne<span style="font-family: inherit;">For one of my PhD classes this semester, I need to produce an artistic representation of what the field of Human-Centered Computing (HCC) means to me. During the past week, I have gone through many different iterations of possible representations of the field of HCC. However, I found it difficult to get started.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I finally decided that the best tools for conveying how I see the world of HCC were the very ones I am currently conducting my research on: the Internet, social media, blogs, the written word and, best of all, GIFs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Without further ado, I give you, <b><span style="font-size: large;">THE WORLD OF HCC...</span></b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">... ACCORDING TO MICHAELANNE</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Let's start with a high-level view of this world. According to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human-centered_computing" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a> (yes, I'm using Wikipedia and if you doubt the validity of Wikipedia, please read <a href="https://nextbison.wordpress.com/2011/05/18/should-you-believe-wikipedia/" target="_blank">this</a>), the field of <b style="color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px;">Human-centered computing</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px;">(</span><b style="color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px;">HCC</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px;">) "studies the design, development, and deployment of mixed-initiative human-computer systems" and has "emerged from the convergence of multiple disciplines that are concerned both with understanding human beings and with the design of computational artifacts."</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22.4px;">From my perspective, human beings and technology are intimately intertwined. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22.4px;">Technological artifacts are deeply embedded in our lives. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22.4px;">Therefore, it is crucial to seek to understand the interplays between technology and people as well as the multiple contexts that affect and are affected by them, including, social, historical, political, and cultural. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22.4px;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">How do we do this? From an interdisciplinary approach that includes theories and methods from multiple fields including but not limited to, psychology, sociology, computer science, communication studies and..... that's right....</span><br />
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<a href="http://49.media.tumblr.com/5fbaa4aa0af2dce48c19a2dfa1e435e6/tumblr_mhtljzbfKA1qlix6mo3_r1_250.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://49.media.tumblr.com/5fbaa4aa0af2dce48c19a2dfa1e435e6/tumblr_mhtljzbfKA1qlix6mo3_r1_250.gif" height="337" width="400" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Some of the main theories, frameworks, and methods employed by HCC include:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>ACTIVITY THEORY</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">DISTRIBUTED COGNITION</span></b><br />
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<b>LEGITIMATE PERIPHERAL PARTICIPATION</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.gifmania.co.uk/People-Animated-Gifs/Animated-Professions/Dressmakers/Tailor-Measuring-Client-90258.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.gifmania.co.uk/People-Animated-Gifs/Animated-Professions/Dressmakers/Tailor-Measuring-Client-90258.gif" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">However, since the study of people and technology is so complex, it is necessary for practitioners to narrow their research focus. Let's travel to a specific country within the world of HCC called, Social Computing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Social computing is concerned with the social aspect of people and their behavior through the study of how individuals interact and collaborate online. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There are many areas within social computing including social media, social networking, social perceptions, crowdsourcing, gaming, collective intelligence, and many more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Let's travel to a specific state on the coast of the country of social computing called social media. Within the state of social media exists many different counties and cities. One of the biggest of these is Facebook. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I focus on this site because it's central to my work... but before we discuss that more...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Let's zoom out once again to the world of HCC in order to sail across the sea to the country of Information Communication Technologies for Development (ICTD).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">ICTD is mainly concerned with the study of information and communication technologies and how they affect disadvantaged populations around the globe, usually in developing countries. ICTD explores issues such as human rights, international development, and poverty reduction through the use of ICTs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In my view, between these two countries there is an island called, Michaelanne's Research. Currently, there are bridges under construction that connect to the countries of Social Computing and ICTD.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Presently, this island is concerned with studying the use of social computing technologies....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">...through the lens of ICTD theories (such as postcolonial computing)...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">.... particularly in the country of Cuba.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This island wants to understand how people in historically isolated situations.... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">...are impacted by the introduction of social computing technologies and how they appropriate these technologies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, how we can design systems with people that are appropriate for their needs and the contexts in which they find themselves?</span><br />
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So in summary</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So we have HCC...</span></div>
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<b>Social Computing...</b></div>
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<b>ICTD</b></div>
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<b>And my work...</b></div>
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<b>Not really</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">That concludes our brief, whirlwind tour of the world of HCC according to Michaelanne. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441061233335211139.post-3469953579228034752014-05-31T15:19:00.003-04:002014-05-31T15:28:47.558-04:00Old School Sesame Street Music VideosI loved me some Sesame Street back in the day.<br />
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When my siblings and I were growing up, we were allowed very little TV time by our parental overlords. <i>And</i> on those seemingly scarce occasions when we were <i>actually</i> granted permission to sit in front of "the tube" (as my dad called it), we were often interrupted by my parents (which, I now realize, was just them wanting to play with us). {Rough life, right?}<br />
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In addition to time limitations, our television restrictions also included content considerations (in other words, we didn't have cable and we watched a lot of PBS (Public Broadcasting). As a result, while other kids played "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and "Power Rangers,"my household playmates and I reenacted the Underground Railroad and built extensive, miniature cities entirely from shoeboxes, popsicle sticks, string and glue. All in all - a fascinating childhood. But enough about that.<br />
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This post is dedicated to some of my favorite old-school Sesame Street music videos. Honestly, some of these still get stuck in my head on a rather consistent basis.<br />
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In the words of Cookie Monster, "me love it!"Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441061233335211139.post-72719928628454859462014-04-24T16:48:00.000-04:002014-04-24T16:48:20.162-04:00Throwback Thursday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Throwback Thursday pic of Tim and Oana in Cluj, Romania, back in 2006. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441061233335211139.post-35609323823626879042013-06-10T10:06:00.000-04:002013-06-10T10:06:01.645-04:00Understanding MOOCsWorking at Georgia Tech has given me a new perspective on the changing landscape of education, especially in the realm of online education. Make no doubt about it, (much needed) change is happening. I'm continually surprised, however, at the number of individuals who are either running in fear or are in denial that change is even occurring. Regardless of your feelings or occupation, I think it's important to be informed regarding the evolving landscape of education.<br />
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One of the most important arenas where experimentation in education is occurring is in the form of MOOCS. There are many aspects to the MOOC debate and summarizing them can be overwhelming. Luckily, Allison Morris, a writer from <a href="http://www.onlinecollegecourses.com/" target="_blank">Online College Courses</a>, has produced a <a href="http://www.onlinecollegecourses.com/minds-behind-moocs" target="_blank">great graphic</a> (below) that explains MOOCs and the debate surrounding this platform.<br />
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Stay tuned as I hope to post more about MOOCs and, specifically the College of Computing at Georgia Tech's new <a href="http://www.omscs.gatech.edu/" target="_blank">Online Master's of Science in Computer Science</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.onlinecollegecourses.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/MoocMinds_OnlineCollegeCourses-2.com_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="4480" src="http://www.onlinecollegecourses.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/MoocMinds_OnlineCollegeCourses-2.com_1.jpg" width="532" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441061233335211139.post-54725430825380473672012-10-17T14:10:00.001-04:002013-06-10T11:36:32.629-04:00Dream. Encode.I wanted to share my latest project for work. We've been working on a re-branding of the College of Computing at Georgia Tech. Basically, our message is this: At Georgia Tech, we teach, research and learn Computing unlike any other program, because we are unlike any other program. We think bigger and bolder. We move forward with more energy and creativity. We empower our students, faculty and staff to <b><a href="http://www.cc.gatech.edu/features/be-more-video" target="_blank">Be More</a></b>.<br />
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In this vein, we asked one of our recent grads, Connie Chen (2012 College of Computing grad and award-winning
filmmaker) to create a “cinematic interpretation” of what it means to
study computing and what it means to be more. The result is a poignant portrayal of inspiration and
impact – the story of a small spark of interest and a healthy sense of
curiosity flourishing into something more.<br />
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Check it out!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441061233335211139.post-11097180228640426762012-04-27T10:59:00.001-04:002012-04-27T11:04:16.063-04:00Best Photobombs EverLike photobombs? I sure do. You know what I like more than photobombs? Animal photobombs.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alpaca photobomb</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NMhgHgQkcd4/T5qyYAj44cI/AAAAAAAABrw/XKNIUgjccEo/s1600/fKG0t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NMhgHgQkcd4/T5qyYAj44cI/AAAAAAAABrw/XKNIUgjccEo/s400/fKG0t.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homeslice does not seem very amused with his pal's photobomb</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello there!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hilarious</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eOkRpOH9R1M/T5q1W5QwEuI/AAAAAAAABsM/ZSTWBNkTJ3g/s1600/PubcD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eOkRpOH9R1M/T5q1W5QwEuI/AAAAAAAABsM/ZSTWBNkTJ3g/s400/PubcD.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Note: These photos are courtesy of Reddit/aww.</span></div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441061233335211139.post-19818302482626436632012-03-30T11:45:00.002-04:002012-03-30T11:47:36.955-04:00TeddyI love my dog. That is all.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9_JuIPfS29U/T3XVcvDsHmI/AAAAAAAABoU/2SwXuvZTgds/s1600/Teddy.htm"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9_JuIPfS29U/T3XVcvDsHmI/AAAAAAAABoU/2SwXuvZTgds/s400/Teddy.htm" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725717190916447842" border="0" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441061233335211139.post-84741563704757210372012-03-29T13:35:00.003-04:002012-03-29T13:54:07.311-04:00Can't Get Enough #WhatShouldWeCallMeThanks to Becca, I'm addicted to this site. I've reached my sharing maximum of this stuff on Facebook, Twitter, at work, and with my husband. So I'm turning to this blog, which, thankfully, no one reads so no one can complain. And, if you are the one person that reads this blog, you can't complain either because that would mean you'd have to admit that you are the only person that reads this blog. :)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">#WhatShouldWeCallMe<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">WHEN I GO HOME TO VISIT MY PARENTS</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsrdsrdL2F1qbmf8z.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 216px;" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsrdsrdL2F1qbmf8z.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">WHEN A GUY TRIES TO USE A CHEESY LINE ON ME</span><br /><br />Him:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i.imgur.com/mEeFS.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 472px; height: 240px;" src="http://i.imgur.com/mEeFS.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Me:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i.imgur.com/JYlKW.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="http://i.imgur.com/JYlKW.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />WHEN I SEE A GIRL WEARING</span><br />Heeled rainboots<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i44.tinypic.com/xp06z6.gif"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 394px; height: 227px;" src="http://i44.tinypic.com/xp06z6.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Jeans without back pockets<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lcvbiu3Qt21qdtfdbo1_400.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 293px; height: 232px;" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lcvbiu3Qt21qdtfdbo1_400.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Ed Hardy<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i42.tinypic.com/30j6yir.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 105px;" src="http://i42.tinypic.com/30j6yir.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />These are all courtesy of the site <a href="http://whatshouldwecallme.tumblr.com/">#WhatShouldWeCallMe</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441061233335211139.post-79590038718739761502012-03-28T13:51:00.005-04:002012-03-28T13:57:40.135-04:00Social Media Campaign at work? SuccessWhen the Facebook page i manage at work gets 1,000 new likes in two days:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.tinypic.com/fbevx1.gif"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 404px; height: 205px;" src="http://i41.tinypic.com/fbevx1.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />PS - If you haven't checked out <a href="http://whatshouldwecallme.tumblr.com/">#WHATSHOULDWECALLME</a>, do so now. Warning: you are putting your future productivity in serious jeopardy.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441061233335211139.post-89670792223015566892012-03-07T10:09:00.005-05:002014-06-18T12:10:02.275-04:00How We Die on Social NetworksYesterday, I was interviewed by Alicia Eler from <a href="http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/i_wanna_live_forever_or_how_we_die_on_social_netwo.php">ReadWriteWeb</a> regarding death and social media. It's a very interesting and timely article that's worth a read (don't miss more of my quotes on the second page!).<br />
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Article: <a href="http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/i_wanna_live_forever_or_how_we_die_on_social_netwo.php">I Wanna Live Forever or How We Die on Social Networks </a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441061233335211139.post-66043046409866674942012-02-17T13:24:00.000-05:002012-02-17T13:25:15.102-05:00True Story<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mjo6B3_Q55w/Tz6bd57HicI/AAAAAAAABjk/5_QyIeRG1Vo/s1600/SocialMediaMeme.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 445px; height: 283px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mjo6B3_Q55w/Tz6bd57HicI/AAAAAAAABjk/5_QyIeRG1Vo/s400/SocialMediaMeme.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710172315619658178" border="0" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441061233335211139.post-42463618394721482352012-02-09T09:39:00.002-05:002012-02-09T09:45:03.273-05:00Video ThursdayOne of my responsibilities at work is to come up for a video to end our weekly meetings (hard life, I know). The following two videos were selected for yesterday's meeting. You've probably already seen them. If you haven't, please watch in order.<br /><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mTTwcCVajAc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sP4NMoJcFd4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441061233335211139.post-75376597650915447932012-02-08T17:17:00.004-05:002012-02-08T17:20:51.618-05:00My Favorites from the Web this Week<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4wbbAt64nxg/TzL1MAbRClI/AAAAAAAABc8/HNzdiL0jwrg/s1600/home%2Bpark.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 204px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4wbbAt64nxg/TzL1MAbRClI/AAAAAAAABc8/HNzdiL0jwrg/s400/home%2Bpark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706893264453438034" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-41yEY8c3g6M/TzL1CmpQ7gI/AAAAAAAABck/3-eCo3sKzVQ/s1600/social%2Bmedia%2Bexplained.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-41yEY8c3g6M/TzL1CmpQ7gI/AAAAAAAABck/3-eCo3sKzVQ/s320/social%2Bmedia%2Bexplained.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706893102914006530" border="0" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441061233335211139.post-73739466160466528952011-12-15T13:49:00.006-05:002012-02-09T09:47:41.371-05:00Not Your Momma's Gift Guide<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.cc.gatech.edu/holiday-gift-guide"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 195px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QGToiGUR7G0/TupCXr74JFI/AAAAAAAABbM/IhWIjqtVXW4/s320/1.%2Bintro.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686430454206964818" border="0" /></a>Here at Georgia Tech's College of Computing, we never do anything like "normal" people. Meaning, we like to step it up a notch. For the holidays, the communications team came up with a new spin on the traditional holiday gift guide. Trust me, you want to check out what we made (hint: it includes a super cool robot).<br /><br /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);" class=" down" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Link" class="gl_link" border="0" /></span></span>Check it out: <a href="http://www.cc.gatech.edu/holiday-gift-guide">http://www.cc.gatech.edu/holiday-gift-guide</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441061233335211139.post-455052235438617752011-11-30T09:08:00.004-05:002011-11-30T09:23:53.986-05:0010 Things 90s Kids Will Have to Explain to Their ChildrenCorey sent me a link to a truly brilliant post, which I feel I must recreate here because I am jealous that I did not think of it first. I tried to select a few excerpts from <a href="http://thoughtcatalog.com/2011/10-things-90s-kids-will-have-to-explain-to-their-children/">Chelsea Fagan’s original post</a> (which she describes as “ a primer for when your future children want to know what the hell you were doing with your boxy, multicolored electronics”) but, alas, I couldn't choose between them. <div><br /></div><div><b>10 Things 90s Kids Will Have to Explain to Their Children</b><br /><div><br /><div>1. Topanga was at some point in human history considered not only a legitimate first name for a human being, but the kind of name that would inspire in malleable teenage boys a life-long infatuation. Topanga, in our day, was leading lady name-material. Topanga (pronounced Tah-payne-ga, for those who will have only ever seen in it written down) is the name of the quintessential girl-next-door who will live, along with Feeney, in our hearts forever.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. At some point, we carried around little plastic eggs with tiny screens on them — in these screens lived our hearts, our pets, our raison d’etre, our very own Tamagotchi. We loved them, we listened to their tiny electronic screams of malnourishment, and we occasionally forgot to pick up their poop for long enough that they died a tortured, poop-filled death. They were perhaps our first foray into the life-consuming world of electronics and self-absorption, later to be fully manifested by Facebook.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. The black Power Ranger was black and the yellow Power Ranger was Asian because…we were so completely ahead of our time and beyond the capacity to even think in terms of something as inconsequential as race that… uh… I don’t know. Casting directors were racist in the nineties.</div><div><br /></div><div>4. Long before he was spending his days foisting his mediocre children on us, Will Smith was actually the perfect human specimen. He also undoubtedly holds some world record for saving the world the most times while simultaneously delivering flawless catchphrases and giving cool guy nods to the camera. The Men In Black rap song, at the time, was created and received by the public without the slightest trace of irony. Really. He was that good.</div><div><br /></div><div>5. In some inevitable shift of the time-space continuum in which James Cameron continues to rob humanity of all that is good and sacred in this world, Fern Gully will be known as that movie that ripped off Avatar. It will be up to us to crusade for what is right. It is up to us to explain that Fern Gully was not only a predecessor to Avatar, but far better, in that it contained both Tim Curry as a singing pile of molasses and Robin Williams rapping about animal testing in the pharmaceutical industry. (As a side note, if you have not recently listened to the full lyrics of the “Batty Rap,” I recommend you do, as they are horrifying.)</div><div><br /></div><div>6. A neighborhood boy who completely disregards your family and puts a ladder directly under the teenage girl’s window to climb up at his discretion is not only acceptable, it’s charming. It’s the kind of stuff that would make said family take the ladder boy under their wing and into their heart. The nineties were a simpler time, one where we didn’t have to worry about things like breaking and entering. Clarissa today would have steel bars on the inside of her window and her father would continually remind her that the next-door boy with his ladder and his touchy hands have no place in his household.</div><div><br /></div><div>7. Though on the surface, they are the exact same thing in every conceivable way, whether you liked The Backstreet Boys or N*SYNC said more about your character than all of the terrible macaroni art you could ever make for your child psychologist. Essentially, liking *NSYNC meant you liked Justin Timberlake, as he was clearly the Seabiscuit in that race from the get-go. You even liked him with his terrible, icy-blond mini-fro. Liking the Backstreet Boys gave you a bit more of a cultured palate, as there was no clear Diana in those Supremes. Nick was kind of the wholesome, if northern-Florida-redneck safe choice (save for his humiliating younger brother, Aaron). Brian was the shy, sensitive type. AJ was the hottt, dangerous meth addict. Kevin Richardson was mute with sexy, sculpted facial hair. No one liked Howie. Choosing between the two groups was like choosing between two beloved children, but once that line was crossed–there was no going back.</div><div><br /></div><div>8. “I wanna really really really wanna zig a zig ahh,” has a meaning, and all true nineties kids know it, but we must never share it. Like the Illuminati, it must remain between us, the keyholders. With great power comes great responsibility.</div><div><br /></div><div>9. Lisa Frank is not the name of a woman, it is the name of a movement, a culture, a way of living. It is a theory, a concept, a belief in something greater than yourself. It is the belief that all girls are entitled to dolphins covered with rainbows, jewel-encrusted frogs, and unicorns in acid-trip colors hugging each other. It is the ideology that no notebook is complete until it literally hurts your eyes to look at from so much color saturation. It is the hope that no school supply, no matter how insignificant, will be left un-bedazzled. It is the knowledge that your eraser cap, and that of your granddaughter’s, and her granddaughter’s after her, will not be some boring little nub–it will be a diamond covered with butterflies in a rainbow of colors. It is the dream of a better tomorrow.</div><div><br /></div><div>10. Incredibly depressing women in Indiana covered in cats and glass figurines they buy at The Hallmark Store used to troll the web 1.0 to invest thousands of dollars in tiny stuffed animals filled with plastic beans. That happened. Beanie Babies were not just significant, they were the first example most of us had of envy, greed, and wrath. If someone messed up that little heart-shaped Ty tag, so help you God, that was the end of whatever contact you had with that monster of a human being. That tag-less Beanie Baby was now trash, and you had to deal with the consequence. It was at that moment, that de-valued Beanie Baby moment, that most of us accepted the truth… we’ll never have nice things.</div><div><div></div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441061233335211139.post-74047849278307431972011-11-16T14:49:00.009-05:002011-11-17T09:32:03.317-05:00Update on Corey's Activities in Iraq<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O_SVHDTK6UY/TsQqDxhGhsI/AAAAAAAABYM/kHr1td3JicM/s1600/P1000639.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O_SVHDTK6UY/TsQqDxhGhsI/AAAAAAAABYM/kHr1td3JicM/s400/P1000639.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675707674713818818" border="0" /></a>I'm very proud of my brother, Corey Thomas. He's a Georgetown graduate who is now serving his country as a 2nd Lieutenant Platoon leader for the 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team. He is currently stationed in Iraq as leader of the 2nd Platoon, B Troop.<br /><br />He's been working in a city that Time magazine once dubbed "the most dangerous city in Iraq." As troops pull out of the country, Corey and other soldiers have been assigned the important task of protecting passing conveys on their way out of the country. The groups look for IEDs and signs of enemy activity while working as a deterrent to enemies who might look to harm the passing convoys.<br /><br />Today and yesterday, two articles were published that quoted Corey. I've included links to both below so you can see what he's been up to.<br /><br />The Fayetville Observer: <a href="http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2011/11/16/1137503?sac=Local">http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2011/11/16/1137503?sac=Local</a><br /><br />Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System: <a href="http://www.dvidshub.net/news/79635/mixing-efforts-mixing-bowl#.TsQZQD0k67u">http://www.dvidshub.net/news/79635/mixing-efforts-mixing-bowl#.TsQZQD0k67u</a><br /><br />The office of public affairs for the 2nd Brigade Combat team of the 82nd Airborne Division has a website where you can read more news, look at photos and even watch videos: <a href="http://www.dvidshub.net/units/2BCT-82ABN#.TsQYaj0k67u">http://www.dvidshub.net/units/2BCT-82ABN#.TsQYaj0k67u</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441061233335211139.post-18779599651931630352011-10-17T10:34:00.007-04:002011-10-17T10:49:05.862-04:00A way with words<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RPKL-52s7wk/TpxAKEng9fI/AAAAAAAABSQ/U1L-AcjebHw/s1600/n4926733_48822086_2105819.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 354px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RPKL-52s7wk/TpxAKEng9fI/AAAAAAAABSQ/U1L-AcjebHw/s400/n4926733_48822086_2105819.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664472973107590642" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">My mother has the ability to paint with words. Whether she uses a paper canvas or crafts her pictures on a conversational mural, she is able to produce striking images. A few days ago, she wrote the following nugget on my Facebook wall and I wanted to share it here:</span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><br /></span></div><div><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></i></div><div><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></i></div><div><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></i></div><div><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span">I go with you to our favorite spots.</span></b></i></div><div><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span">Levines bakery and later sledding in Central Park.</span></b></i></div><div><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span">We fall to the earth with the snowflakes laughing.</span></b></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><b>You are here, still, in every waking hour.</b></i></span><i><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>- Shari Thomas</b></i></span></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441061233335211139.post-42675483254887068712011-10-14T16:43:00.003-04:002011-10-14T16:45:53.297-04:00My Family in One Picture<div>If I had to describe my family in one picture, this one would definitely be in the running. I love them.</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IbWWgOMFdac/TpifVvslavI/AAAAAAAABRY/kJTV5HoqGOk/s1600/293324_10150271808690780_627900779_8022232_586097_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IbWWgOMFdac/TpifVvslavI/AAAAAAAABRY/kJTV5HoqGOk/s400/293324_10150271808690780_627900779_8022232_586097_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663451727347935986" /></a><div><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441061233335211139.post-14181992478611376132011-10-13T10:22:00.003-04:002011-11-17T09:32:19.955-05:00This is AnthropologyThis week, Florida Governor Rick Scott said that he wants to increase support for science and technology fields by shifting money away from social sciences.<div><br /></div><div>On Monday, in an interview with the Herald-Tribune, Scott said "If I’m going to take money from a citizen to put into education then I’m going to take that money to create jobs. So I want that money to go to degrees where people can get jobs in this state. <b>Is it a vital interest of the state to have more anthropologists? I don’t think so." </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>WTF?</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Later, in a radio interview, he said "[anthropology] is a great degree if people want to get it. But we don't need them here."</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Alrighty, Governor Scott, time for a smack down<b>.</b> We've decided that the best people to deliver it should be anthropology students from within your own state. University of South Florida students have responded to Governor Scott's comments in the following way: </div><div><br /><div class="prezi-player"><style type="text/css" media="screen">.prezi-player { width: 550px; } .prezi-player-links { text-align: center; }</style><object id="prezi_vmvomt3sj3fd" name="prezi_vmvomt3sj3fd" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="400" width="550"><param name="movie" value="http://prezi.com/bin/preziloader.swf"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"><param name="flashvars" value="prezi_id=vmvomt3sj3fd&lock_to_path=0&color=ffffff&autoplay=no&autohide_ctrls=0"><embed id="preziEmbed_vmvomt3sj3fd" name="preziEmbed_vmvomt3sj3fd" src="http://prezi.com/bin/preziloader.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" bgcolor="#ffffff" flashvars="prezi_id=vmvomt3sj3fd&lock_to_path=0&color=ffffff&autoplay=no&autohide_ctrls=0" height="400" width="550"></embed></object><div class="prezi-player-links"><p></p></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441061233335211139.post-21356832702449511832011-10-12T14:49:00.018-04:002011-11-17T09:29:56.478-05:00Cute Animal Pictures of the Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xRIQAGDz_S4/Tqq8guIgHEI/AAAAAAAABUw/94x3Be5_1pk/s1600/babyotter.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xRIQAGDz_S4/Tqq8guIgHEI/AAAAAAAABUw/94x3Be5_1pk/s400/babyotter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668550351324716098" border="0" /></a>I should probably post something on the intellectual side, especially after that last video post. Instead, I'm going to post cute pictures of otters because they make me happy. I love otters; sea or river, it doesn't matter. I got to go on exhibit with the sea otters when I worked at the Georgia Aquarium a couple of times and it was wonderful. I miss them incredibly.<br /><div><br /><div>To the left, you is one of the most adorable animal pictures I've ever seen: an Asian small-clawed otter holding its little baby. This picture is so cute sometimes I can't even stand it. Awww...</div><div><br /></div><div>More pictures below.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y9BS2It-z2w/TpXh_m6b0aI/AAAAAAAABPs/b1czyWb-WDQ/s1600/babyotter.jpg"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br />A sea otter mom with her baby</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y9BS2It-z2w/TpXh_m6b0aI/AAAAAAAABPs/b1czyWb-WDQ/s1600/babyotter.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dkeF93-Zcdw/TpX7OunG3mI/AAAAAAAABP8/fY4b4ApUtu4/s400/Sea-otter-mom-holding-baby-photo-or-image-D3B3089.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662708336937066082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px; " border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Baby Asian small-clawed otters</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y9BS2It-z2w/TpXh_m6b0aI/AAAAAAAABPs/b1czyWb-WDQ/s1600/babyotter.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ROPoHE3RKEY/TpX-z1KV2xI/AAAAAAAABQ8/kSPXeQYMDs8/s400/seaworld-baby-otters-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662712272885504786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px; " border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441061233335211139.post-68377195128314776132011-10-10T16:02:00.002-04:002011-10-10T16:05:14.176-04:00NOPE!<iframe width="540" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LJP1DphOWPs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441061233335211139.post-1914975061982284662011-09-16T09:56:00.006-04:002011-11-17T09:32:42.071-05:00Success in a MOOCThis is a great video by Dave Cormier, one of the facilitators of the #change11 MOOC. As a first-time MOOC participant, I'm very excited to be in a MOOC that he's facilitating!<br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/r8avYQ5ZqM0" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="530"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441061233335211139.post-76623507255821259852011-09-16T09:14:00.004-04:002011-09-16T13:22:29.291-04:00#change11 - Growing Pains<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_337GUHQH0FY/TSVEADiSRRI/AAAAAAAACEc/3jZv52Zlo1Q/s1600/MOOC.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 324px; height: 245px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_337GUHQH0FY/TSVEADiSRRI/AAAAAAAACEc/3jZv52Zlo1Q/s1600/MOOC.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a>After having just graduated with a master's in cyber anthropology, I am very excited to be a part of Georgia Tech's MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) or #change11. My excitement also speaks to the fact that I am once again in the working world and, inevitably, miss being a full-time student.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm trying to dive into this MOOC but it's a bit overwhelming. However, I get the sense that that's kind of the point. By nature, a MOOC is constantly evolving according to the instructors and (mainly) the students. Participants heavily affect the flow and substance of the course and, in doing so, produce a large amount of content. Being raised in a fairly traditional education system (as I'm sure most of us were), a MOOC's dramatically different approach to learning will naturally produce some growing pains (emphasis on the word "growing").<br /><br />My first instinct (as the "good" traditional student that I was) is to try to digest all the information that this MOOC is producing. However, attempting to stuff myself with the vast amount of content coming out of #change11 soon leads to a stomach ache. I'm trying to adopt the advice of the course facilitators: namely that it will be impossibly to read/watch/listen/respond to everything out there. That being said, I'm going to try to post blog reflections on how I'm interacting with the course and what I am learning. Also, instead of brushing a wide surface by trying to read/interact with as much material as possibly, I'm going to attempt to go deeper with a smaller amount of material.<br /><br />I think one education's challenges in the 21st century is going to be whether they can change and adapt to new technology. Moreover, whether education can embrace new forms of technology to drive different types of learning and increase international collaboration. I think #change11 is going to be a fascinating experiment for all involved.<br /><br />(note: the picture is from <a href="http://zaidlearn.blogspot.com/">http://zaidlearn.blogspot.com/</a> - a great blog to learn more about MOOCs and innovations in education)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441061233335211139.post-86268056186632589602011-09-15T12:51:00.001-04:002011-11-17T09:33:11.513-05:00The Machine is Us/ing UsI've always liked this video.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NLlGopyXT_g" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3441061233335211139.post-84565433161767502322011-09-14T16:50:00.003-04:002011-09-16T13:23:24.410-04:00I joined a MOOC/#change11So I just joined a <a href="http://gtmooc.com/">MOOC</a>, or a Massive Open Online Course, at Georgia Tech called #change11.<br /><br />Just to catch everyone up, I recently accepted a position at Tech as the PR & Social Media Officer for the College of Computing. One of the new things coming out of this college is <a href="http://c21u.gatech.edu/">C21U</a> or the Center for the 21st Century (they just LOVE their acronyms around here). This living laboratory is examining the changes in higher education and the incorporation/disruption of technology in the classroom. One aspect of <a href="http://c21u.gatech.edu/">C21U</a> is this online course, #change11, which is open to the public.<br /><br />Anyway, being the lifelong learner that I am and a lover of all things new and innovative in social media/technology, I decided to enroll in this class. One of the ways to earn participation is to interact with the course content via your blog. So that is exactly what I am doing. We'll see where it takes me.<br /><br />Speaking of <a href="http://c21u.gatech.edu/">C21U</a>, Georgia Tech is hosting a<a href="http://c21u.gatech.edu/"> launch event for this living laboratory on Sept. 27</a>. It is open to the public and anyone who is interested in higher education, new media, technology, etc. should definitely attend. There are going to be some amazing speakers and opportunities for people to get involved.<br /><br />More to come on the rest of my life later.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624775985595840524noreply@blogger.com0