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"How is the use of technology changing the way we think about education, and what are some of the new ways we can foster productive and co-operative learning environments through the use of computers? What will the classroom of the future look like? We'll tackle these questions and more in the Tech Stream this week with a special program focusing on education and digital technology. Follow the MP3 link

Interesting Radio Australia show that I am listening to again from ACEC2010. Helen Otway has some good points to make (and writes a great blog).

In recent years there has been an explosion of virtual worlds intended for early childhood populations; however, because the majority of research on games and such worlds has focused on adults and adolescents, we know very little about these spaces. This article attempts to address this gap by providing a qualitative content analysis of the affordances that Webkinz World an online environment that as of March 2010 had over 3 million unique site visitors per month, offers for children's literacy and language development. Analyses suggest that the site provides unique opportunities for immersion in literacy-rich contexts and academically-oriented practices that may enhance those that are readily available in many children's daily lives. However, looking beyond the discrete linguistic and technical aspects of learning in Webkinz World reveals a designed culture with limitations on learning and a constrained set of literacies and social messages that warrant further critical exploration.

In recent years there has been an explosion of virtual worlds intended for early childhood populations; however, because the majority of research on games and such worlds has focused on adults and adolescents, we know very little about these spaces. This article attempts to address this gap by providing a qualitative content analysis of the affordances that Webkinz World an online environment that as of March 2010 had over 3 million unique site visitors per month, offers for children's literacy and language development. Analyses suggest that the site provides unique opportunities for immersion in literacy-rich contexts and academically-oriented practices that may enhance those that are readily available in many children's daily lives. However, looking beyond the discrete linguistic and technical aspects of learning in Webkinz World reveals a designed culture with limitations on learning and a constrained set of literacies and social messages that warrant further critical exploration.

"Matt Locke originally came up with the concept of the Six Spaces of technology (test.org.uk/​2007/​08/​10/​six-spaces-of-social-media/​). I added a seventh earlier this year, Data Spaces, and have played around with how education could harness these spaces, and the various transgressions between them, for learning. This short presentation tackles the potential of adjusting our physical school environments to harness technology even better. What happens when we map technological spaces to physical ones?"

A great site with an educational instance (paid) that allows students to create comics in a safe/secure environment.

Distributed Story Online - Workshop Template More here personalizemedia.com - Being used as part of a course but openly published for general use. Please attribute (draft in further development with other assets). This cross-genre, new format, online story development sheet should be printed A3 and ideas for each area can be sketched in. It helps media creators understand how to develop across multiple online channels and spaces and what fragments of the story can be cross connected. It is suggested that you number each instance with the 'release' date to help aid the campaign thinking. The axes indicate the likely 'maintenance' required - top right most maintenance (rich living environments) and bottom left least maintenance (ad hoc textual updates). NOTE: All the below can be on PC or mobile or console.

Transmedia storytelling template - awesome!

FolioSpaces.... is a fully featured electronic portfolio, weblog, resume builder and social networking system, connecting users and creating online communities. Foliospaces free ePortfolio provides you with the tools to set up a personal learning and development environment.

Though centralized PC labs have been an important part of both campus space planning and IT infrastructure for the last two decades, this may be changing.

"We invite you to explore the various features of Diigo. Become educated and informed on the powerful use of Diigo for student learning. Learn how this research tool can enhance classroom instruction and promote higher levels of student collaboration. As you navigate through our site you will see examples of valuable lessons and resources, all displayed for your use. "

Nice website for teachers to learn how to navigate the Diigo environment and examine examples of how they can use it to enhance student learning.