Imagine a World of Holographic Learning!

Via This Article

Musion TelePresence Launch – Berlin from Musion Systems on Vimeo.

“It isn’t a hologram, it’s a virtual image…But it looks like people’s expectations of a hologram.”
– Ian O’Connell

Whatever it is, it reminds me that the Spock or R2-D2 holographic who-ha, might become a daily reality much sooner than most of us realize. Imagine having a keynote speaker presenting holographically to 100 locations at the same time.

No, imagine a MIT or Harvard Professor facilitating a learning session to a group of people living in a tiny village in ‘Kuku’ land (and to another 1000+ locations at the same time!), and actually doing it in his bedroom from his holographic launch-pad. A nice enhancement to today’s web or video conferencing.

Just imagine a new holographic learning world, where we can teleport to anywhere within a blink-of-the-eye.

It costs a bomb today, but within a few years, I am pretty sure we will be having it on our mobile device … Let’s just imagine (no harm in that!) 🙂

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John Larkin’s Learning World!

John Larkin’s Learning World!

“I will be conducting a series of “Web 2.0″ workshops for academics from 23 universities from across the region on behalf of the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia (MoHE). I will be in KL for 8 days. I am working with Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, on this project. ” – John Larkin

I will be attending a web 2.0 workshop conducted by John Larkin (and Dr. Daniel Tan) next week, so obviously I had to check out his stuff, and I like the fact that he has already shared his workshop notes (guides and tips) on his informative website. Here are some of the workshops he conducts:

• Web 2.0 (You can find the notes there, just scroll down!)
• Digital Videography
• Comic Life
• Podcasting
• Blended Learning
• Web Presence
• Trivantis Lectora
• Managing your computer

Yep, he is a ‘Learning Gladiator‘ and I can’t wait to battle it out! It will be fun learning from another learning gladiator. Actually, I would have preferred going for the Comic Life workshop instead (if ever conducted here), because that would be more useful, as I am pretty familiar with the web 2.0 workshop curriculum. But, since I am invited, I am not going step down against another learning gladiator. It will be a true battle of learning, which only causes harm to the ignorant and ego-boasting male 🙂

P.S. Lance Larkin, just some fun! Hopefully, you take it that way, too 🙂

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UK’s Higher Education Blueprint to Become a World Class University

Via Stephen Downes

The Future of Universities in a Knowledge Economy

The higher education blueprint (click above) by Higher Ambitions, sets out a course for how universities can remain world class, providing the nation (United Kingdom) with the high level skills needed to remain competitive, while continuing to attract the brightest students and researchers.

Click here to read a nice reflective summary by Derek Morrison. Unless you want to read the full report, start with the Executive Summary (1.7MB). Interestingly, the executive summary weighs literally more than the Full Report (1.1MB)! Now, that is unusual (and innovative). Though, according to page count, the Full Report (120 pages) knocks out the Executive Summary (20 pages) big time. Difficult dilemma! Your call! Be serious…!

Just read, learn, reflect, and swoosh out the gems from the report! Although, it is tailored to beefing up the higher education world in UK, I am 99.995% certain we can all learn something very valuable from it… Reading now 🙂

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iRadio – OUM’s Official Internet Radio Station

iRadio – OUM

Open University Malaysia’s (OUM) official internet radio station, iRadio OUM broadcasts segments based on OUM’s courses, blending entertainment and education at your fingertips! Interestingly, it is Malaysia’s first Internet radio station to base its programmes on modules offered by a university.

Although, I have known about OUM’s iRadio initiative for some time, it was first today I really explored it. Earlier today, we (IMU group) had actually visited OUM for some other matters, and during the process we got to learn more about iRadio behind the scenes. I was quite impressed with the energy and passion sparked into this initiative.

You can actually download some of their course module books in MP3 format (audio books!) for free (they are using text-to-speech tools to convert them). If you miss the daily live learning sessions, you can listen or download later from their iCast archive, conveniently organized according to faculty, schools and special segments.

Also, the iRadio team is using web 2.0 tools such as iTunes, Twitter and Facebook to simplify the access, spread the news, and communicate more effectively with their audience. Since launch (2007), they have had online visitors from more than a 100 countries.

Finally, I did manage to listen to some of their iCasts, and it was quite interesting. However, I would strongly recommend that they cut out the background music while people talk, especially when special guests are being interviewed. I was getting quite dizzy and distracted listening to cool music, while trying to grasp what the old Professor was trying to say.

I suppose I am getting too old to multitask my ears while learning. But, overall OUM’s iRadio initiative is a wonderful knowledge and learning sharing model that we should encourage more Universities in Malaysia to explore 🙂

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5th International Conference on e-Learning at USM (Malaysia)

5th International Conference on e-Learning
Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
12-13 July 2010

The International Conference on e-Learning (ICEL-2010) invites researchers, practitioners and academics to present their research findings, work in progress, case studies and conceptual advances in areas of work where education and technology intersect. The conference brings together varied groups of people with different perspectives, experiences and knowledge in one location. It aims to help practitioners find ways of putting research into practice and researchers to gain an understanding of real-world problems, needs and aspirations.

If you decide to take up the challenge, you will find Penang a fascinating place that embraces modernity while retaining its traditions and old world charm. Yes, besides stimulating our brain, we must not forget that Penang is regarded as the food capital of Malaysia, which means that we can also stimulate our eating desires and experience a complete hands-on learning experience.

Finally, you simply cannot find a more dynamic, engaging and entertaining double act than Rozhan M. Idrus (Conference Chair) and Issham Ismail (Programme Chair). These two giants will surely ensure that your learning experience is both enriching and entertaining.

I am not sure if I can present, but I will certainly try to make it there. The problem is that I have to sit down again and practice writing academic papers full of opinions disguised in objective mode using dry and boring academic language standards (You are wrong!).

Yes, that is a tough one (If I was Einstein, I suppose I could get away with it)! But, I am sure you can 🙂

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To Get an MBA or Not? Guy Kawasaki’s Law!

Watch it on Academic Earth

Guy Kawasaki shares his thoughts on whether or not to get an MBA. The problem with an MBA he says is that you believe you are being taught how to manage, and he generally thinks it is impossible to learn how to manage in school. The only way to learn how to manage, according to him, is to do it in the real-world.

Guy Kawasaki discusses briefly ‘Kawasaki’s Law‘ (of PreMoney Valuation) here: Entrepreneurs: Then and Now

Click here for more ‘in-your-face sense making’ lectures from Guy the man! I love his in-your-face honesty and passion.

So, do we need MBA graduates? It depends! Just remember Kawasaki’s law before hiring one 🙂

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The Secrets of Einstein’s Brain

A look into the mind of one of history’s most intelligent figures.

If you really want to understand his brilliance, I suppose you have to look beyond his hardware and software. Yes, perhaps we should explore the life of Albert Einstein (how he used his hardware and software to think beyond!). Here is roughly a 50-minute exploration about his life: part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, and part 5. Who said YouTube is not educational? Click here for more Einstein stuff on YouTube.

A few Albert Einstein quotes to reflect:

“The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.“

“Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school. “

“Humiliation and mental oppression by ignorant and selfish teachers wreak havoc in the youthful mind that can never be undone and often exert a baleful influence in later life.”

“The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax.“

I love the last Einstein quote! That is something we have in common. I am truly a genius 🙂

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Mobile Learning: Transforming the Delivery of Education and Training

“…if you don’t have time to read the whole book, be sure to see John Traxler’s Current State of Mobile Learning (PDF), which outlines major categories of mobile learning, discussion of a definition of mobile learning, the case for mobile learning, and attributes of an evaluation of mobile learning.” – Stephen Downes

Please read this free e-book (including myself! Only 281 pages! No big deal!):

Mobile Learning: Transforming the Delivery of Education and Training

“This collection is for anyone interested in the use of mobile technology for various distance learning applications. Readers will discover how to design learning materials for delivery on mobile technology and become familiar with the best practices of other educators, trainers, and researchers in the field, as well as the most recent initiatives in mobile learning research. Businesses and governments can learn how to deliver timely information to staff using mobile devices. Professors can use this book as a textbook for courses on distance education, mobile learning, and educational technology.”

Today, I actually spend more time learning and surfing the net using my mobile device (or hand-phone) than my notebook (Don’t use PC anymore!), when I am not officially working. What are you trying to say?

Let’s just download the e-book, and then read, reflect, and figure out how we are going to implement Mobile learning (wherever we are!) to facilitate a more enriching and effective online learning environment.

Whether we like it or not, most students will be using their mobile devices to surf and learn in the near future, and surely they will ask…

Why can’t I access my _____ on my mobile device!
They’re so backward and lost!

Time to change? I mean wake-up 🙂

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100 Best Professors Who Blog

Via Jane Hart

Are you looking for great Professors who blog?

100 Best Professors Who Blog

Whether they’re about science or political science, you’ll find something interesting on each of the blogs found in this juicy collection. Excuse me, I need to find another Professor to spam, I mean bug, I mean… 🙂

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32 Traits of Creative People

Via Amran Noordin

32 Traits of Creative People

– Robert Alan Black

I have them ALL! I wish 🙂

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