One key note in this article is about how dedicated observers making careful observations have created a valuable scientific data record. - Bill Anderson
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Dorothea Salo hits several nails on the head with this clearly written repository software needs statement. Although it's focused on DSpace the need to satisfy "faculty data- and publication-management problems" is a requirement for any and all digital repository systems. Dorothea's entire note is well worth reading. - Bill Anderson
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One of the most subversive things a teacher can do is to cite the sources and origins of our ideas, knowledge and skills - always. To pull back the curtain on our performance of wisdom to reveal the pathways to that wisdom (and their accessibility). A true constructivist teacher is "open source" about their pedagogy. This kind of teacher doesn't "train" students - we assist students in locating those skills in their prior knowledge. The will to pursue those pathways is the hard part. We cannot teach willingness, initiative or inspiration - but we can certainly guide the process. - mel maverick mcb
I have observed that there is a need for both and a time and place for both. There are several levels to this, too many for time to address, but if I have understood some of what you are addressing, Mel, I would have to say that I have greatly benefited from what Chesterton calls the "democracy of the dead". By allowing them "a vote" in my education, I have broadened my knowledge and my abilities. I have built upon them. I have reversed my position at times and turned around to get on the better path. - Melanie Reed
OK I have to give up. This video doesn't respond in two different browsers on my Mac. Uncle. I say "Uncle!". Sigh. - Bill Anderson
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Ultimately the answer is simple: That learning meets the needs of learners and provides them with the skills of inquiry, critical mindedness and confidence for active citizenship and success - in work and in life. Differentiated teaching and learning - as opposed to purely transmission-based teaching - is key. - mel maverick mcb
However, society is now slowly coming to terms with the fact that a whole generation is growing up that has only ever known the ’digital age‘, and has therefore entirely accepted the digital way of doing things. We call ourselves the Digital Native generation. I was given my first PC aged 4 - Howard Rheingold
There's no doubt that those who have been using computers and interacting using them their whole lives have different perspectives than I do. But I do want to know what a "digital way of doing things" means. I really don't know what the world looks like from that perspective. - Bill Anderson
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I gave my son a PC at the age of 2 (he was two, not me). We use that PC in conjunction with watching television, and I've read somewhere that lots of families search and watch TV at the same time. Watching a show about sharks? Then, Google up some shark websites at the same time. - jokrausdu
A very intriguing diagram. It's fascinating to look at, but I'm not sure how to make any sense of it. What do you make of it, if anything? - Bill Anderson
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Via Garrett McMahon, OAI-ORE and SWORD support in OJS, regarding tools that improve open-repository deposit and discovery, I think. An area where interoperability is showing up amid the cacophony. - Dennis E. Hamilton
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And it's about interoperability of machines, software, human work practices, and institutional policies. It's good ... it's all good. - Bill Anderson
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At least in my case, that assumption doesn't hold. The content is usually something I can get from the person's publications/web site/etc; what I most want is the opportunity to bounce ideas off the interesting person, and be around while others do the same. To me, conferences are about people, or else why even have them? - Bill Hooker
I agree with Bill's comment. This is why I prefer smaller conferences. I met all the people I interviewed with for a postdoc position in small conference where I could actually reach them and just chat about science in general. - Pedro Beltrao
I think that this also depends on the length of the conference. If you were to require people to stay for an entire five day conference then you would have a very hard time attracting any of the top people as speakers. I was once invited to talk at a meeting where I would have to commit an entire week - I declined for that reason. But I find it is reasonable to ask people to stay for at least two days or so. - Lars Juhl Jensen
@Jill Let's put it this way - in the internet age, content is common, face-to-face contact is not. I want a chance to talk to the person more than I want the content. - Richard Akerman
@Richard makes a good point about the value of F-2-F versus content. And as travel becomes even more expensive and difficult even F-2-F contact will suffer. Speaking personally, I will need to develop effective online communication skills and practices. Oh, and probably use telephony more. - Bill Anderson
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Best part of conferences is hall/bar conversation, so I tend to agree with Richard. Plus there are very few people in the world whose talks are worth just that aspect and you can see a chunk of them on TED.com - Deepak
@Deepak Talking to people in the hall/bar is also the reason why I go to conferences! And hence I think it is pointless to invite people who just fly in, give a talk, and fly out. But requiring speakers to stay for an entire week is perhaps taking things to the other extreme ;) - Lars Juhl Jensen
Lars ... agreed. can't recall last time I stayed at a conf for more then 3-4 days, even those where I was speaking - Deepak
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This actually useful feedback that I will take back to my Exec Director. We build in alot of the networking breaks (30 minutes long) but perhaps this should be extended? - Jill O'Neill
Jill, absolutely. Good networking breaks are a big plus. - Deepak
Jill, I would also say it is more than just breaks - try to build in situations or events where people feel comfortable making that contact (easier said than done of course but I think worth the attempt) - Cameron Neylon
I tend to agree. At SRBR in May, we had Yuri Lazebnik.(http://www.protein.bio.msu.ru/...) come to give the Big Lecture and the best part was his mingling with our crowd for 4 days. - Bora Zivkovic
Great ideas and observations. Following from Richard's challenge, perhaps the real issue is not length of participation but the archaic status of "keynotes" to begin with. - Michael Ridley
This sounds very useful Howard. I'm thinking about doing something similar for a grad course on managing and curating collections of scientific & technical data. - Bill Anderson
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Jon I know that you're right. However, my daily Google alert on "social web" results are overwhelmingly about marketing. Have you read Lee Seigel "Against the Machine"? I'm finding it a welcome critical tonic. - Bill Anderson
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The opening ceremony that the Chinese put on was amazing. That is very well worth watching. The art, the execution, the reliance on people -- I found it special. And a display of engineering excellence. - Bill Anderson
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This is exactly what the Olympics have *always* been about. - Dale Asberry
I watched the opening ceremony and was also very impressed. The BBC commentators were not silent on China's role in Africa particularly in Sudan, Nigeria and Zimbabwe during the parade of the national teams. The post-colonial irony was not lost on me. I was however surprised that no comment was made when the Georgian team presented themselves. Perhaps the 'Crisis in Caucasus' had not filtered through. - Garret McMahon
What are data without database models? I'm not sure this is a good question, but here's a website with free database models. - Bill Anderson
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