technology

Interest in Facebook expands

I haven't been on my Facebook account lately. In fact, I'd been doing more with Linked In than any other social networking assignment. One of our grant teachers "friended" me on Facebook. I had previously joined because of recent graduates who had friended me and it was a good way to keep in touch with them - esp. given that we are expected to by accrediting agencies for the university when we don't really have an effective way to control that access.

I checked around at a "friend's" site who is a bit older than my other students who I work with at an outside agency. She is using her network to get in touch with friends old and new to share the news of her engagement. And, without Facebook, I doubt I would have known until after the fact. It will be fun to share her excitement ten states away. She's an engaging young woman who is definitely going places. I know her through work but not well enough to be invited to the wedding but this is still a way to be involved.

While I as there, I explored a bit more and joined some of the organizations linked to my university, my state, and my interest - poodles. I still don't have my picture up - just our state flower instead.

It's becoming clearer why students like these type of sites better than email and even better than blogs - they are multimedia interaction and lay the groundwork for connecting for weekend get-togethers - not only planning them but reminiscing about them later - sharing the experience over and over again.

I guess I should check my My Space account but apparently Facebook is winning in this category.

Information R/evolution

I came across this YouTube video about how information is organized reorganized in Web 2.0.

I didn't find it by looking for it but, instead, found it as a related link to another video.

The New Humanities

Rutgers has posted a YouTube video that illustrates its vision for the "New Humanities" and points out that while the humanities has overly focused on critique over the last few decades, we now need to more effectively utilize new technologies to promoted sustained learning and deeper understandings - esp. as our students do more to create their own learning and personal environments. (Note that the beginning seems like a PowerPoint gone bad but the latter half is worth the 7 minutes of time to watch the video.)

Web 2.0 and networking after disasters

This morning's Chronicle of Higher Ed points to Union University's use of Facebook and text messaging during the devastating tornado as a way to update everyone interested. Others who had suffered similar disasters are sharing their experiences. This goes beyond the casual uses of staying in touch and saves both communication delays and eases the mind of people who can't find information, especially about friends and/or loved ones.

These types of positive uses should outweigh the keg party pictures and other negative aspects of Facebook just as happened in the early days of the internet.

Hitler Explains Second Life

This YouTube video was recommended by KJ. (if the YouTube URL doesn't work, just search for "Hitler Explains Second Life".