The Xplanation

Education & Academic

• Aviary, the amazing online image editing software, now has an education version!
• Alan Levine is sick of going to conferences and just talking about stuff. He’s got a point:

I yearn to travel to a place with colleagues were we decided to do something, create something, make things, build stuff. “Workshops” are a bit of a misnomer, you do a little work, but its mostly about an exercise in training, not with a goal of creating something.
…
Likely what I am dreaming of would be a bit more local… What if people with various skills (graphics, coding, instructional design) descended on a selected institution and focused on one project for a week? Revamp their web site, implement an online portfolio tool, set up a word press multi-user service? I don’t know what would be done or how to organize it, but I’d bet, that not just the host location benefits, as people would share ideas, learn from each other.

I for one, would be more energized perched on the roof driving nails than sitting in rows listening to talks.

• Someone (I forget who) pointed me towards The Really Open University this week. Interesting/comical depending on your politics/worldview.
• If you haven’t signed up to some of the mailing lists at JISC Mail, I really would suggest you do. Some great discussions going on every day of which I was unaware!
• The Innovative Educator has some great posts linking to some fantastic resources entitled It’s not a question of if, but when your school will allow cell phones for learning. Read it now. :-p

Data, Design & Infographics

• You can’t see wireless networks (obviously!) but they play an important part in our lives. The following video shows them in a visual way which is aesthetically pleasing:

• Need some quick feedback on your website design? Try Bounce App! (here’s an example from swiss miss)
• Years ago I attempted to make a font out of my handwriting. Here’s a way to do it quickly, easily and with great results!

• Flickr has a redesigned photo page. I think it looks great!
• David McCandless has worked his magic with the recent UK Emergency Budget (click on graphic for full version)

Misc.

• Suffice to say that, even though this guy thinks he can justify letting his 4-year-old play Grand Theft Auto, my son Ben won’t be playing it any time soon!
• And apparently parenting is less work and more fun than people think. I’d concur!
• Posterous have made it even easier to switch from ”old, dying blogging platforms” to them.
• Bored of rock-paper-scissors? Try monkey-pirate-robot-ninja-zombie!
• Coffee can hinder your short-term recall of… well, something. Can’t remember what…

Quotations

It’s easier to go down a hill than up it but the view is much better at the top. (Henry Ward Beecher)

In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing. (Theodore Roosevelt)

It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation. (Herman Melville)

To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it. (Confucius)

Sooner or later, those who win are those who think they can. (Paul Tournier)

Image CC BY-NC BasBoerman

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