Group items tagged

a new MOOC model: uses open source web content as course design. Won't need a traditional instructor or large start-up investment. Known as a mechanical MOOC.

In this blog post, John Hagel "lifts" from a much larger report, what platforms are, the three types (aggregation that is mainly short-term, transaction based; social for building long-term relationships and meshing of relationship networks to foster diversity of connections, and mobilization--those that move people to act together to accomplish something, ex. supply network, Linux in open source, and social movements such as Arab Spring), and how a fourth one--the "learning platform" is the aspiration of business ecosystems everywhere. Platforms do not mean apps. Platforms offer governance protocols and structure for determine who belongs and who doesn't. They also facilitate coordination, collaboration, and connection.

Really good blog post by Brook Manville, 9/5/14, HBR on how the "thin we" becomes the "thick we" excerpt: To borrow language from the philosopher Avishai Margalit, the web is a "thin we" type of network. Participants tend to belong for individualistic reasons. They have little in common with other members, and they're reluctant to do much for the network. A big goal requires a "thick we" network - a community of people who feel responsible for collaborating toward a shared purpose that they see as superseding their individual needs. Members of a community - as opposed to a simple network - expect relationships within the group to continue, and they even hold one another accountable for effort and performance. When networks develop into communities, the results can be powerful. Look at the accomplishments of Wikipedia contributors, open-source software developers who find and fix bugs in Linux, or doctors who help each another with difficult diagnoses as part of the Sermo social network.

Very interesting blog post by Josh Bersin on how LMS is figuring out how to organize content generated by employees from online and other sources for corporations/employers

Fascinating story from New Yorker in 12/2015 led me to this foldscope--microscopy for everyone. no longer distributing microscopes but if they become available later, might be interesting to try out.