Re: [DDN] Virtual conferences
John and All, In 1990, about 14 years ago, I was researching for a paper on video-conferencing. To my surprised, the problem why video-conferencing was not popular, then, had nothing to do with the technology, nor the services provided by the phone companies etc. (It was still rather expensive then and the technologies were not really that great, but compared to paying for hotels, flights etc. for participants naturally the savings using video-conferencing won hands-down). Some of the reasons were: it is much more fun to meet face-to-face, in many cases travelling off-site is considered perk for many people, meeting face-to-face network better etc. etc. Since then, I have been observing and pondering over this issue all these years and of course from video-conferencing my interest shifted to internet and elearning. Here are some of my own reasonings. Aside from perk for participants, perhaps we should also look at businesses such as hotels, air-lines, car-rentals, catering, event organizers etc. These businesses depend and encourage people to travel. If we all go virtual, it is not just the matter of these businesses are losing money, but we are also looking at people losing jobs. And most of the employees of this business sector are low-skills. Which means if they lose thier job it is so much harder for them to find another job because they might be 'skill-out' from the faster and faster moving world that demand higher and higher digital skills. Therefore it is a real balancing act (I sure hope governments are paying attention and looking into all these factors). The problem with our group (DDN) is, most of us are highly educated, have good jobs, good income, well equipped or provided with all the digital gadgets that enabled us to be 'virtual'. But are we the minority or the majority? As Siobhan just posted: Stephens estimates that 70 percent of Navajo Nation residents are still without phone service, down from 78 percent before cell service. http://www.gallupindependent.com/2005/sept/091505onsat.html . Today I also found an interesting article from The Economist Sept 17-23rd, 2005 (I have not had the chance to read it yet) title How the Internet killed the phone business. I worked for US long distance compay and telco manufacturers from 1992-2002 and major in telco mgmt., without having to read the article I think I know most of the stories. So, internet killed telephone business, I am one of the many thousands who lost our well paid jobs. I am sure we also see jobs going away from post-offices, business cards, birthday cards, printing etc. etc. The world is changing, is evolving and there is no way we could stop it from happening. BUT, if we so wish to push the concepts of DDN, perhaps we should also pay attention to other factors that are happening in our society/world. If our intention is to help those that are less advantage, perhaps we should look at it in a much more complete picture and avoid looking at just a fragmented segment. Just some of my sketchy thoughts. Cindy ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@mailman.edc.org http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
Re: [DDN] Virtual conferences
In response to John Gibbs comment about virtual conference members of this list might be interested in our experiences of hosting e/merge 2004, an online conference about educational technology in Southern Africa. We had 163 participants from 7 southern Africa countries, as well as some key people from further afield. Our one key note speaker presented a real-time video-streamed opening keynote address to a roomful of people at the conference opening physically located in Cape Town (South Africa), while national and international online participants engaged in text-based dialogue with both him and the participants physically present! Although there are savings in many ways, making such a conference a success is also a lot of work. We have written up our experiences, including in the editorial to the special issue of the International Journal of Education and Development using ICTs which recently published 10 of the papers originally presented online. Our experiences were so positive that we will be running e/merge 2006 next year! Laura Quoting John Hibbs [EMAIL PROTECTED]: At 3:26 PM -0500 9/15/05, Taran Rampersad wrote: John Hibbs wrote: Why is an ICT conference not held virtually? Why do I have to travel to Washington to participate? or listen? or view? What century do we live in? 15 Sep 2005 15:26:11 -0500 Taran Rampersad [EMAIL PROTECTED] So that's where I left my drum! :-) Maybe it's just not easy enough for people to organize a conference virtually yet... or maybe they don't know how easy it is? Subscribers to the leading listserv in the distance education world have heard me beat this drum for almost a decade. The largest, most prestigious (?) distance ed conferences have very little virtual component; yet the leaders talk the talk about the wonders of their deliveries. My wee voice has been a lonely one. Perhaps the DDN should take up one more cudgel -- that it should beat up on those who hold large physical conferences advocating ICT; but are unwilling to offer same virtually? If we at the leading edge don't walk the walk -- who will? -- John W. Hibbs http://www.bfranklin.edu/johnhibbs ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@mailman.edc.org http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program. ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@mailman.edc.org http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
[DDN] the value of documenting your community work
hi everyone - over the years several magazine and newspaper articles have been written about community work i've been doing. i've not been good about keeping a scrapbook. my prior attitude was that it's not my role to keep tabs of such things. i've changed my mind. there's no possible way anyone else could keep tabs on such things. we who are involved in the technology access movement need to keep track of our work and what has been written about it. some of that documenting is self-generated notes, reports and blogging. and some of that documentation is what others have written. to get myself back on track, i've set up a section titled Magazine and Newspaper Articles towards the end of the my Digital Divide Network profile at http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/pshapiro i've linked from that section to some scanned graphics of articles written about work i've been doing. for example, here's an article i ought to have gotten up onto the web 5 years ago, when it was written. the magazine which published this is no longer in business, so i'm unable to link to the article on their web site. http://www.writersforliteracy.org/itrecruitermag1.jpg http://www.writersforliteracy.org/itrecruitermag2.jpg http://www.writersforliteracy.org/itrecruitermag3.jpg on the same topic, here's an inspiring article about DDN and CTCNet member pat furr in chico, california. http://www.writersforliteracy.org/patfurrchicoer2005.pdf if pat is reading this email, she can link to this article from her own DDN profile at http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/patfurr last month bonnie bracey linked from the bottom of her DDN profile to a nice piece about her work that appeared in the new york times. http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/bbracey if you have copies of articles written about your community work, seize the opportunity to scan them and place them on the web. if a new article comes out about your community work, you might want to create a pdf file from it and place the pdf on the web. you can create pdf files easily from mac os x by choosing Save as PDF from the pop-up menua the bottom of the Print dialogue box. on windows computers you can create pdf's for free using http://www.pdf995.com/ we must seize all opportunities to document the technology access movement. in documenting the movement, we move it forward. that which is not documented pretty much doesn't exist. - phil -- Phil Shapiro [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.his.com/pshapiro/ (personal) http://www.digitaldivide.net/blog/pshapiro (blog) http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/pshapiro (technology access work) http://mytvstation.blogspot.com/ (video and rich media) Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others. - Desiderata ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@mailman.edc.org http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
[DDN] Drupal releases eLearning evaluation module.
Drupal, a content management system that I am particularly fond of, often has custom modules written for it. I found one this morning which may be of interest to instructors. Drupal released a module that can assist in 'eLearning'; you can read about the Evaluation module here: http://drupal.org/node/24895 http://drupal.org/project/evaluation -- Taran Rampersad Presently in: Georgetown, Guyana [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.knowprose.com http://www.easylum.net http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/Taran Coming Jan 1, 2006: http://www.OpenDepth.com Criticize by creating. — Michelangelo ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@mailman.edc.org http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
RE: [DDN] Virtual conferences
John is absolutely on target. The original argument in the development community was bandwidth and the exclusion of those who couldn't participate- but even fewer can participate in a f-t-f except those who are funded to do ict4d. Taran is on target too. Actually, there are many virtual conferences that have been arranged using a variety of vehicles and in all sectors. Could it be that it is the digital immigrants who control what should be run by digital natives using a variety of excuses to avoid loss of control? thoughts? tom abeles Original Message: - From: John Hibbs [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Sat, 17 Sep 2005 07:51:01 -0700 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [DDN] Virtual conferences At 3:26 PM -0500 9/15/05, Taran Rampersad wrote: John Hibbs wrote: Why is an ICT conference not held virtually? Why do I have to travel to Washington to participate? or listen? or view? What century do we live in? 15 Sep 2005 15:26:11 -0500 Taran Rampersad [EMAIL PROTECTED] So that's where I left my drum! :-) Maybe it's just not easy enough for people to organize a conference virtually yet... or maybe they don't know how easy it is? Subscribers to the leading listserv in the distance education world have heard me beat this drum for almost a decade. The largest, most prestigious (?) distance ed conferences have very little virtual component; yet the leaders talk the talk about the wonders of their deliveries. My wee voice has been a lonely one. Perhaps the DDN should take up one more cudgel -- that it should beat up on those who hold large physical conferences advocating ICT; but are unwilling to offer same virtually? If we at the leading edge don't walk the walk -- who will? -- John W. Hibbs http://www.bfranklin.edu/johnhibbs ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@mailman.edc.org http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web.com/ . ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@mailman.edc.org http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
RE: [DDN] Cedar Pruitt's departure from DDN
(Reply at bottom) -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, September 17, 2005 9:30 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [DDN] Cedar Pruitt's departure from DDN In a message dated 9/15/05 7:46:24 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I think there is a larger issue that we might collaborate on. Funders do not seem to value the role of intermediaries and of knowledge brokers. I find many of the same challenges of finding money for the Tutor/Mentor Connection as DDN is finding for the work it does. Dan, I agree. Funders do not understand the perspective of the knowledge workers, brokers and intermediaries, ... Talk about challenges .. I could write a book. Much energy is lost in re-inventing oneself to fit the needs of funders. Bonnie Bonnie Bracey bbracey@aol com --- Very true...! So, to shape our field, we need to educate ourselves and educate the philanthropic community as to what is best for the field qua field and movement, and seek a new form of philanthropy. The other day I attended the Chicago Asian Giving Circle event The Art of Asian Giving at the Art Institute of Chicago. While not concerned about getting into details here, one important aspect was a diverse donor base and each donor at the $250 annual level having a vote in how the fund would benefit the community. I realize educating the philanthropic community can sounds a bit presumptuous, however, thats what we we're doing when we make the case individually as organizations through proposals or other solicitations. I'm suggesting we do so with some coordination for our field. -Michael Maranda ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@mailman.edc.org http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
Re: [DDN] Cedar Pruitt's departure from DDN
Bonnie, I feel one of the obstacles we face in organizing is that we start with the traditional approach of creating a structure to solve the problem. Ususally this means that every participant gives up his/her position of ownership to someone else who assumes the role of leader. Most organizations are not confortable with this, thus don't do it, or don't participate actively even if their name is on the organization list. My approach is to skip this step. I've been building a network of organizations focused on helping kids to careers, by creating an on-line library of links to organizations that do this work, and by leading an advocacy on my web site that shows how these organizations are related and how they all need funding, not just me. By doing this for the past 12 years I've earned trust and many organizations are now willing to give time to participate in events that I organize to further the goals of building a better operating system. Thus, any intermediary who wants to increase his/her visibility and funding, can build a section of LINKS to every other intermediary that he/she thinks models this same type of thinking. If each group uses their own unique leadership to teach the value of intermediaries and to advocate for a flow of revenue to all of the intermediaries in their LINKS library, each will contribute to building greater visibility and a greater flow of resources to the entire network. As organizations demonstrate this consistently for many years, some will become intermediaries of intermediaries, using their various skills to draw people together, create better understanding, innovate tools all can use, etc. Over time, my hope is that this will lead to a growth in trust, understanding and goal alignment and an increse in resources for all of the organizations in the network, which will enable groups to move closer together in the way they might structure the way the collaborate. It's only when people and organizations say If it is to be, it is up to me. that they will begin to move in this direction. Dan Bassill Tutor/Mentor Connection http://tutormentor.blogspot.com Original Message: - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Sat, 17 Sep 2005 11:30:20 EDT To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [DDN] Cedar Pruitt's departure from DDN In a message dated 9/15/05 7:46:24 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I think there is a larger issue that we might collaborate on. Funders do not seem to value the role of intermediaries and of knowledge brokers. I find many of the same challenges of finding money for the Tutor/Mentor Connection as DDN is finding for the work it does. Dan, I agree. Funders do not understand the perspective of the knowledge workers, brokers and intermediaries, ... Talk about challenges .. I could write a book. Much energy is lost in re-inventing oneself to fit the needs of funders. Bonnie Bonnie Bracey bbracey@aol com ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@mailman.edc.org http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web.com/ . ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@mailman.edc.org http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
Re: [DDN] Cedar Pruitt's departure from DDN and the Future...
Hola Andy and All ~~ Sometimes a vacuum in staff leadership can create more
space and lead to a larger realm of connected reality that involves more people
in different new ways not even imagined before. Over the last few years I have
seen the DDN grow, develop and mature as a positive creative force on the
Internet.
I Moderate a few progressive online groups with Yahoo, help spread the word
about the need to bridge the digital divide, and help encourage others in my
offline life {I actually have a life offline} to become computer literate, get
a computer and jump onto the Internet.
I remember a few years back when the Discussion List was on basic generic
topics such as really defining what the 'digital divide' is, the origin of the
terms 'haves and have-nots' and other early discussions. I myself was new to
the Internet, still trying to get the www right. Thus, we can see that real
life is a growing process with growing pains and nodal points.
I believe the automatic blog idea is a good one, along with volunteer Editors
and
creating more of an open forum for the exchange of new ideas and ideals without
fear. The more open, free and creative expression is allowed on a given web site
then the greater the birth of new ideas, new analyses, new ways of looking at
old phenomena. Above all, we must be honest, open and willing to change!
The recent horrible disaster of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath was a
splendid example of how relevant the Digital Divide Network is for so many. It
helps to create
a sense of interconnectedness as oppposed to digital isolation.
Keep Building Bridges!
Brother Peter S. Lopez
Home Email = [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sacramento, California
Bcc: Humane Rights Agenda Talking Circle
+
Andy Carvin [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Hi everyone,
As all of you know, the last several years have been challenging ones
for nonprofits involved in bridging the digital divide. Funding
priorities of many donors have shifted, resulting in a shrinking pool of
financial resources. We at DDN have always prided ourselves on running
the site in a lean, nimble fashion to avoid cutting back services or
staff. Unfortunately, the current funding environment has put pressure
on us, like so many other organizations, forcing us to make difficult
choices.
So it is with great sadness and regret that I have to announce that DDN
editor Cedar Pruitt will be leaving the Center for Media Community at
EDC effective September 20. Over the last year and a half, Cedar has
been an extraordinary asset to DDN, helping shepherd the relaunch of the
site last December and growing the network to nearly three times its
previous size. Both Andrea and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with
her, and I have no doubt that list members appreciate all the great work
Cedar has done for the network. We are truly sorry about her departure
and wish her all the best.
Meanwhile, I think that we, as a list, need to have a public discussion
about strategies for making DDN sustainable during lengthy periods of
funding cutbacks. For example, should we explore having volunteers take
over certain editorial duties? Should we make some of the site's
homepage more blog-like, so articles get posted there automatically
rather than manually? Should we explore a wikipedia-like model that
allows all members to have equal editorial privileges? These are just a
few ideas off the top of my head - not necessarily good ones, but ones I
hope will help begin a discussion on the matter in the coming weeks.
Please join me in thanking Cedar for her time here at DDN - she will be
missed by all of us.
thanks,
andy
--
---
Andy Carvin
Program Director
EDC Center for Media Community
acarvin @ edc . org
http://www.digitaldivide.net
http://katrina05.blogspot.com
Blog: http://www.andycarvin.com
---
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