A World That Counts

Here is a recently released report on the data revolution. There are examples here of online collaboration where technology and people are coming together sharing data for sustainable development.

Mobilising the data revolution for sustainable development

Data are the lifeblood of decision-making and the raw material for accountability.

Without high-quality data providing the right information on the right things at the right time; designing, monitoring and evaluating effective policies becomes almost impossible. New technologies are leading to an exponential increase in the volume and types of data available, creating unprecedented possibilities for informing
and transforming society and protecting the environment.
Governments, companies, researchers and citizen groups are in a ferment of experimentation, innovation and adaptation to the new world of data, a world in which data are bigger, faster and more
detailed than ever before. This is the data revolution. Link to PDF

The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution

Online Collaboration well let's see.

I had posted about this in another blog but really feel we should consider this for the root of online collaboration tools. Yes these are the folks that built ENIAC and before that a long time before a young lady named Ada figured the logic for computer programming. Late Bell Labs located not far from where I live now put together the technology. Again a group of men built the hardware but a group of women figured out how to program it and came up the logic for loops.

These innovators Lovelace, Jobs, Gates and Turing are part of the collaboration through history, time and cross continent. Think how much more we can do now using the internet and sharing on the web.

This is the third book I have recently purchased in an effort to dig deeper into Educational Technology. After seeing Steven Johnson's TED talk I am on a new quest for knowledge.

As I began to learn about Behaviorism, Cognitivism and Connectivisn  (lots of isms). I found myself wanting to learn more about how technology has developed. I know my own relationship but wanted to look further back in history and was surprised to learn about Ada Lovelace. I have been fond of Walter Isaacson's writing and am looking forward to this title.

 "This ability to apply imagination to science characterized the Industrial Revolution as well as the computer revolution, for which Ada was to become a patron saint."

Isaacson, Walter (2014-10-07). The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution (Kindle Locations 477-478). Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition. 

See more about Ada Lovelace Biography:  

 Mathematician, Computer Programmer (1815–1852)

At this time I think I need to relax and learn. I have found my recent schedule of work, school, work, school a bit overwhelming. I realize the importance of my own personal learning, which is composed of historical research preferably tied to works like "The Innovators" and time to apply myself to some hacking (computer programming).

I have an age connection with the baby boomers born in the mid 50's. Often I think about how my learning was affected by technology. What innovations came to be, that changed how we work, and live, and who was responsible for these efforts? I also like to make connections using patterns and see where cause and affects lead to change, and whether it was part of a process or by chance. Analysis is important to my process, but so is the ability to see patterns and go with the flow.

This is going to be a good read for me! 

OCT Final Project

For my final project I would like to focus on a group of students I am currently working with. This is for a class of adult learners studying web design. The class consists of two 75hour segments. During this class which began in mid September we are taking on a project to create a class website with resources and examples. This would be a good fit to use Google tools to plan and share our efforts.

It will include:

• Goals
• Resources
• Timeline
• Assessments

This course is being taught with Long Island University School Of Continuing Studies. I will be able to provide assessment noting that this in an ongoing project it will extend beyond the OCT course. We could report on work that is completed inline with the end of this course.

This class project is in addition to students regular class work where now they are applying in a team different skills they learned and building on skills they have. Students are members of the City of New York DC37 Employees Union.

I have discussed using online tools with student for this class to include building a WCMS, Moodle or Blogs to share information. It would be important that we use tools to enhance the face to face to include reading assignments, sharing documents, creating mockups, sharing tutorials. This project could keep students informed about class work, providing check list as we have in our class. Students are uploading lesson as they finish them and could report completion.

This would focus on two part for the class.

1. Ongoing Assignments
2. Class web portal rebuild

The New Digital Age: The Future of Revolution

With the access to digital media the new digital age provided an opportunity for the Arab Spring.  Here with the ability to communicate using the mobile device the phone that is also a computer countries and regions have been able to connect without developing the infrastructure previously needed to access the Internet and World-Wide-Web such as cable, hard wired LAN. Today text messages are accessible from remote locations and the last mile is closer to becoming connected to the rest of the world in this new digital age.

“There can be little doubt that the near future will be full of revolutionary movements, as communication technologies enable new connections and generate more room for expression. And it’s clear that certain tactical efforts, like mobilizing crowds or disseminating material, will get easier as mobile and Internet penetration rates rise across many countries.“

Now the individual citizen can have a voice and citizens can organize themselves around an idea or campaign. Youth have an advantage, as they are able to embrace these technologies natively as they have grown up in a society where the digital age is their own.

“With new access to virtual space and to its technologies, populations and groups all around the world will seize their moment, addressing long-held grievances or new concerns with tenacity and conviction. Many leading these charges will be young, not just because so many of the countries coming online have incredibly young populations“

As we look back we can see that technology of some sort had a connection to unrest and wars.

Today we have more access to technology and information. The Narratives that drive the news can quickly affect public behavior and ramp up actions at a greater speed. Media may need to use greater discernment as they report news or show events in real time. There are new responsibilities to users and content providers that should be considered with far reaching potential and instantaneous ability to share news.

“Revolutions are but one manifestation of discontent. They stick out in our memories because they can often adopt romantic overtones, and be easily woven into human narratives about freedom, liberty and self-determination. With more technology come more anecdotes that capture our imagination and make nice headlines. Even when unsuccessful, revolutionaries occupy a particular position in our collective history that confers a certain respect, if begrudgingly so. These are highly important components in human political development, central to our understanding of citizenship and social contracts, and the next generation of technologies will not change this.”

Schmidt, Eric; Cohen, Jared (2013-04-23). The New Digital Age: Transforming Nations, Businesses, and Our Lives (Vintage) (pp. 149-150). Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

A New Blog for Online Collaboration Tools

This is my first post on this new blog for Online Collaboration Tools.
I have inserted a photo to get started and wanted to add a little text.
Here I have chosen a template and at this point I am taking it for a test spin. I may decide to change to something different. This is my "Hello World" first post