As always, the weekly funnies feature courtesy of Darren at Teaching and Developing Online.
Until next week…
February 5, 2010
February 4, 2010
Repost: Canadian Government Folds On Education (Again)
This came to my attention via Terry Anderson’s blog, Virtual Canuck:
I was shocked last week to read a >story in Globe and Mail that they were allowing Inukshuk Wireless (a telephone company owned by Rogers and Bell) to discontinue its funding of educational multi-media projects.
By way of background in 2000 the federal government offered bandwidth that was being reserved for educational use, to the private sector. But one of the conditions was that the winner had to propose a funding arrangement to return value to the education system. This bandwidth had been allocated to education back in the days when everyone thought that educational TV would be a big deal. In Manitoba and Sask, they were using the bandwidth, so they were not made to give up the bandwidth, nor reap any compensatory services.
So Inukshuk won the bid, began issuing calls for proposals to develop educational media and developed a system to administer this funding. The >2009 call offered $2.4 million for projects, as per the terms of the agreement. Naturally, Inukshuk would rather not have to cover this expense, so I assume, went whining to the federal government. Our Conservative government, not wanting to get involved in business nor displease their corporate backers, allowed them to cease funding the programming. This was done without consultation nor notification, beyond that the fund was no longer operational.
I realize that Canada is plagued with a system that does not allow for national learning programs, but why on earth – except for ideological bias, would a government allow a company to renege on a contractual agreement, that has brought needed investment to Canadian education?
I hope other Canadians will join me in writing to >Industry Minster Tony Clement, asking him who he is governing on behalf of and to demand that this contract be fulfilled as negotiated.
The original entry can be viewed at http://terrya.edublogs.org/2010/02/03/canadian-government-folds-on-education-again/
I’ll be sending my letter to the Industry Minister, and I hope you join me.
Announcing “Meandering Out Loud”
I don’t know why I hadn’t seen this before, but now that I have seen it I’m stealing the idea. My good friend Clif Mims apparently has been doing this series entitled “Thinking Out Loud” for five or six or seven months now. He introduced the session as a way to describe how teachers can use technology in a verbal, rather than text-based format – which he further described as not well thought out ideas, but a chance to play with thoughts and ideas (and you can listen to at Announcing “Thinking Out Loud”). He primarily uses web-based technology entitled AudioBoo, as a way to post short three to four minutes audio recordings of his thoughts on a variety of topics (although he does have some video ones too).
As soon as I saw this, I knew I had to replicate it… So, below I want to introduce you to “Meandering Out Loud” – which I will try to post around the beginning of each month.
Click on the image to begin the “Meandering Out Loud” audio clip.
In previewing the recording prior to posting, apparently when I meandering I talk fairly fast… :) There’s also a clicking that seemed to happen, which I’m not sure what it was (but it caused some words to come out funny). Anyway, it was fun experimenting with Audioboo and I look forward to more focused “Meandering Out Loud” installments.
Looking For Information – World Virtual School
Yesterday, as a part of the iNACOL research committee, we were told about an opportunity to obtain some research data from the World Virtual School:
For some reason I’m unable to log in, my Java won’t launch the application. However, I wanted everyone to know that the International Schools Needs Assessment Survey is completed and the results are compiled. 105 pages in PDF format.
If anyone wants a copy, they can order it for a $20 donation to the Caribbean Virtual School and the effort to rebuild Haiti by sending $20 (regularly $50) to carib@world-virtual-school.com through PayPal.com. It goes to support the teachers who are teaching vocational courses to Habitat for Humanity in Haiti.
As an update, we are now working with UNESCO and the TVET program to deliver technology and vocational courses around the world. Just this last week we created the Caribbean Virtual School, and today were asked to create the Latin American Virtual School to include both Central and South America.
Please let me know how I can help with any current projects.
Thanks!
Dr. Diana Muir
World Virtual School
http://www.world-virtual-school.com/
During the meeting, I asked the question about the legitimacy of this organization – as this summer there were a number of issues earlier this Fall that resulted in some people from World Virtual School being removed from the iNACOL forums (see my previous entry on What Is Happening To The World Virtual School?). While the iNACOL leadership in attendance indicated that in their eyes they were now a credible organization, I note that in looking at their website many of the same people are involved (and for that matter much of the website is not active yet).
I ask these questions today because as a researcher I am always interested in obtaining and examining data related to K-12 online learning. As someone who isn’t an American, and who tries to spend their time looking at K-12 online learning outside of the United States when opportunities arise, international data is of particular interest. However, knowing a bit of the history of this organization, and the fact that the Paypal link on the Caribbean Virtual School (although the Paypal link on the main World Virtual School website does work to collect donations there) – and in all honesty the fact that they are using Paypal for this in the first place – all throw up red flags for me.
So, if you are involved in the World Virtual School I would love to hear from you – particularly if you’re not from the school’s leadership (as most teachers I know have no trouble telling it like it is), but I’m still a little leery of this whole set-up. I’m asking because I would love to purchase the PDF, and the fact that the donation will be used to extend K-12 education in Haiti is even better. Feel free to leave a comment on this entry or e-mail me at mkbarbour-at-gmail-dot-com.
February 3, 2010
Reminder – [DEANZ] DEANZ Award 2010
Another entry for my friends in the southern hemisphere. This reminder showed up in my inbox a couple of days ago.
Dear DEANZ members
I promised that I would be resending this message:
The DEANZ Award is an opportunity to showcase work that is done in distance open, flexible and e-learning. The deadline for submissions is 12 February. Completing an application is not an arduous task so there is still time!
If you don’t feel that you have cause to apply at this stage, look around at your colleagues and see if they have. DEANZ wants to reward excellence – help to bring it out from where it’s currently hiding!
The DEANZ Awards for Excellence in Distance, Open, Flexible and E-learning are offered in conjunction with the biennial DEANZ Conference. I am pleased to announce that applications for the Awards to be held in conjunction with our conference, DEANZ2010, are now being accepted.
To access the Award guidelines, application form, and the Awards timeframe you should go to the DEANZ site (www.deanz.org.nz) and click on ‘DEANZ Award’ on the Main Menu, or else click here to go directly to the Award web page.
I strongly encourage you to consider submitting an application. While there is a monetary component to the award, the real value comes from the recognition that arises from being a DEANZ Award winner – recognition that acknowledges you as advancing our understanding of best practice in this field.
The selection panel looks forward to receiving some wonderful applications. Make yours one of them!
Kind regards
Bill
___________________________________Dr Bill Anderson
President
DEANZ
The New Zealand Association for professionals working in Flexible, Open and Distance Learning
http://www.deanz.org.nz/ email: president-at-deanz-dot-org-dot-nzQUALITY CONNECTIONS, BOUNDLESS POSSIBILITIES
DEANZ Conference 2010. Wellington, New Zealand.
Have you submitted a paper for this conference?Director, Distance Learning
University of Otago
PO Box 56
Dunedin
New Zealand
email: bill.anderson-at-otago-dot-ac-dot-nz
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Virtual School Meanderings 