future
We see much discussion of the openness and collaborative nature of the web 2.0 world. However, many of the challenges facing us as a result of this new world relate to ownership of virtual goods. There are longstanding conventions that enable us to sort out who owns property in
ideas
I spent most of my youth and childhood hanging about in public libraries and reading their books. In fact I blame libraries for most of my quirks these days, since it was there that I was exposed to dangerous ideas from philosophers, historians and fiction authors. The local, school and
community
As a child I read a story where the main character wanted to be a 'real boy' and not just a wooden puppet. And this choice between being a real person - who connects with other people and things in an open and organic way - and being
ideas
Social media and social networking do not reduce the need for good social skills. Rather, the disconnection from physical presence in online communication makes social skills (what some call EQ) even more critical. Some of the recent fracas rebounding across Twitter are a good example of this - covered well
ideas
It is fascinating to note on this International Women's Day that one of our major newspapers has an article titled "Gender pay gap shows no sign of abating" The gender pay gap can cost women up to $1 million over a lifetime * Women earn 17pc less
ideas
It's not really meaningless babble anyway! And this is not necessarily a bad thing. Most conversation is not important for the words we speak. Instead it is the act of being present to the other person and giving attention that gives most conversations their true value. Some experts
ideas
There is a difference between merely engaging in positive thinking and undertaking positive action. On its own thinking is merely an interior act, and only when connected to positive actions does it create new realities. Look at issues like slavery, women's rights, democracy. Changes in each of these
ideas
Crowdsourcing is very trendy these days and is touted as the answer to many of the ills of poor design and the need to reduce costs. In these cash strapped days any way to make innovation better-cheaper-faster is extremely desirable. But crowdsourcing is just one of the many tools we
ideas
A while back I got an invitation to join a new social network 434U & was amazed at the barriers to entry & the onerous rules for participation. It's a new invitation only social network - I do wish them luck. But for me it makes me go
ideas
For me 2009 goes down as the year other people discovered Twitter. It went from a small and fairly intimate place to hangout to a busy bustling intersection of information, commerce and conversations. It felt almost like moving from a small town to a big and somewhat impersonal city. Some
ideas
This year has been one of great personal challenges for me and my family. To have made it to the end of the year with all of us still on deck is a good feeling. 2009 brought home to me how truly important continued good health is, and how lucky
ideas
There are three areas that are relevant to both our society in general and to us as educators in particular. They are the: 1. overall landscape in which we are operating; 2. social implications of the changes being driven by technology and how we are using it; and 3. changing