Everyone has always used index cards, right? Well, not exactly. Levenger (see an upcoming book review of Steve Leveen’s book - a quick read with great advice on reading) has a brief, interesting history of index cards (found through 43 Folders).
Speaking of 43 Folders and index cards, check out this Hipster PDA. Found at 43 Folders. I’m still sticking to my PDA, but one of these days I’ll post my way of using a 8.5 x 11" sheet of paper for a similar purpose.
Tyler Cowen at Marginal Revolution shares information on a source to rent technical DVD’s. More tools for those needing technical information. Here is the link.
Over on Deb Coat’s blog Tech, Knowledge and Community she has posted a note that ABC news is now making news programming available as podcasts. Another good use of putting together audible information for people to download and use based on their schedule. This is more of move to allowing customers control when and how they want information. BTW, ABC provides a good summary page on podcasting.
Here is the link to Deb’s blog. Good Extension information. You can get the ABC links from there.
Yesterday I attended an anniversary showcase for OSU’s Digital Union. It was a type of electronic poster session to highlight initiatives that use technology to enhance the learning and research environment. I left with a large stack of handouts. As I weed through them in the coming weeks, I’ll share ideas and resources that have a connection to Extension. I had some really interesting exchanges about what Extension is and how we could use the tools being showcased. Most presenters were really interested in our system and how their tools could be used in a spatially distributed system like Extension. It was really refreshing to see an interest in the type of scholarship practiced in Extension. More postings later, but feel free to check the link above for more information.
The NY Times has an article discussing the growing popularity of audio books on tape, CD, ipod, etc. (registration required). I’ve been listening to audio books and books via audible.com for some time. The Times’ article also discusses those who disagree that listening to audio books is really reading. I find these to be rather snobbish arguments. A future post will discuss some of the techniques that can be used to increase your effectiveness of listening to books.
Besides the productivity enhancement (more opportunities to read books) for Extension professionals, we need to recognize the trend toward busy people using audio in place of reading or as a means to control what and when they hear items. The growing popluarity of podcasts is built around this control issue. It is a trend for Extension professionals to reflect on.
Interested in technology and higher ed? Check out the Chronicle of Higher Ed’s tech related blog, Wired Campus.
From Boing Boing, a post describing Steve Jobs promosing that the next release of iTunes will directly support podcasts. This would eliminate the need for third party software for those using ipods. The easier the technology gets, the more our clientele will use it.
Oklahoma State is offering Masters’ level degrees in Ag. Education. See their site here for more information. The site also shows the courses they plan to offer via blackboard. We need to get up to speed on webinars really, really fast…. See my previous post for a link with a definition of webinars.
Any interesting article in today’s Toledo Blade discussing on ongoing debate about respect for community colleges. What I find interesting about the article is the growth student numbers at the community colleges, and the discussion of who community colleges are reaching. More fire to the discussion that community colleges are serving the traditional land grant role of providing a means for middle class or non-traditional students to enter higher education.
To me the debate is not whether the community colleges have a role….but how do Extension and Land Grant institutions work with them as partners. Any discussion of preparing our communities for the Knowledge Economy are moot at this point otherwise.
From Smart Mobs, an article describing Yahoo’s plans to offer free voice over internet protocol (VoIP). VoIP allows users with the same software to have a telephone quality connection via an internet connection. Vonage is a private, for profite company that has attracted the most attention to this new technology. Howard Dean helped to popularize the technology during the 2004 Democratic primaries.
VoIP faces some regulation type hurdles, including the possiblity of being required to offer 911 service. Yahoo’s announcement raises the stakes to a new level. The uses for Extension are numerous, from conference calls to actual webinars. It is a both a productivity tool to save money and connect us, and a teaching tool to reach clientele and conduct our own inservices. We have tested AIM’s voice over in our office, but it is simply point to point and had a variable quality level. The continued spread of broadband will make this more of a reality in the near future.
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