Archive for the ‘technology’ Category

No, the internet is not making us dumber

In my relatively short time in the consulting world, I’ve unfortunately already encountered the stalwart of entrenched, outmoded school policy that effectively undermines attempts by teachers, however well-intentioned, to pursue a pedagogy centered on increasing media literacy.  Far from being a tech evangelist, I do think thoughtful uses of technology (esp. in the classroom) can [...]

The impact of tech on politics (and politics on tech)

Via SmartMobs and blip.tv – Andrew Rasiej, founder of Personal Democracy Forum, on how tech has changed Politics.  Many great points here and it leaves me wondering not only about the future relationship between tech and politics, but how participatory democracy will in turn shape the tools that helped it emerge.

On school reform and seeing students as artists

Henry Jenkins of MIT’s Comparative Media Lab discusses how many of our students today are being de-skilled as they enter schools where the digital tools they are using outside of the school environment are invalidated.  Not only are many critical online resources blocked by crude filters but  “[teachers] tell kids again and again that what [...]

Some more on the mobile web and barcode technology

A week or so ago I blogged about how awesome intelligent-object recognition apps for the iphone are and their potential to influence consumer behavior.  Here’s a BBC article about Bokodes.  New, more sophisticated barcodes that just might change how we interact with objects in our world in a big way.  Still no mention of using [...]

Thoughts on We Live in Public and the crisis of self

I came across a haunting trailer today for a documentary by (of?) Josh Harris and Ondi Timoner called We Live in Public.  According to Jason Calacanis, who wrote an excellent email-turned-blog-post about the documentary’s subject matter, “It’s a cautionary tale about the dehumanizing effects of technology, a somber topic that we all need to consider [...]

Whatever it takes. Mike Wesch @ #pdf09

As I watched my Twitter feed flutter this past weekend with amazing update after amazing update of the Personal Democracy Forum, my former adviser and mentor was there giving what apparently turned out to be a standing-ovation-worthy preso on YouTube Culture and Politics of Authenticity.  The fact that he brought the house down with his [...]