NetGens 2.0 Article in Educause Review
February 25, 2009
EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology. One of its publications is Educause Review. Published bimonthly in print (21,000 distributed copies) and online, Educause Review takes a broad look at current developments and trends in information technology, how they may affect the college/university as an institution, and what these mean for higher education and society.
In the Jan/Feb 2009 issue there is an interesting article from the Director of Academic Computing at Dartmouth College-Malcolm Brown, about the current generation of college students, whom he refers to as ‘NetGens 2.0′, and their ready adoption of new technology tools. Of particular note is the comment: ” the authors of the recent book Born Digital state that a NetGens 2.0 student, when turning twenty years old, will have spent 10,000 hours online. To accumulate that much time at 3 hours per day would require just over 9 years; 2 hours a day would require nearly 14 years. The authors put it this way: 10,000 hours is equivalent to the amount of practice time someone would need to become a professional cellist.”
Read Brown’s article: The NetGens 2.0: Clouds on the Horizon here: http://connect.educause.edu/Library/EDUCAUSE+Review/TheNetGens20CloudsontheHo/47939
Live Performances 1968-1973
February 23, 2009
As we celebrate Black History Month, WNET (New York’s PBS affiliate) has made six episodes of Soul! available online. Soul! was an entertainment-variety-talk show that was not only a vehicle to promote African-American artistry, community and culture, but also a platform for political expression and the fight for social justice. It showcased classic live musical performances from funk, soul, jazz, and world musicians, and had in-depth, extraordinary interviews with political, sports, literary figures and more. It was the first program on WNET to be recorded with the then-new technology of videotape, and most of the shows were recorded in real-time—not live, but unedited.
If you enjoy the music of Tito Puente, Earth, Wind & Fire, Ashford & Simpson and more, check out these six episodes. WNET has promised to make another 40 episodes available in the near future.
The Daily Beast
February 16, 2009
You all may remember Tina Brown as the editor who changed the look and feel of The New Yorker from 1992-1998. Or you may remember her as the editor of Vanity Fair from 1984-1992 or possibly as the author of the more recent bio of Princess Di, Diana, Princess of Wales. After her stint at The New Yorker, she has had some trouble finding a comfortable niche–you may draw your own conclusions for the reasons why. In any case, her time is taken up now with an online magazine called The Daily Beast after the newspaper in Evelyn Waugh’s Scoop. It’s not just a news aggreator; they also add their own content from contributors including Christopher Buckley and Sean Wilentz which you may find fascinating.
How-To’s By Quamut.com AKA Barnes & Noble
February 14, 2009
Quamut.com is the go-to site for people who are looking for how-to information. Barnes & Noble launched this how-to website about a year ago. It offers guides “commissioned by Quamut editors, written by experts, fact-checked, copy edited, enhanced with illustrations and photographs, and produced in an easy-to-read format for free viewing online,” according to the company. The website features subjects including House & Home, Hobbies & Leisure, Money & Business, Computers & Technology and Mind & Body.
Want To Read Less But Know More?
February 12, 2009
Newser is an online news service that adds human intelligence to machine-driven aggregation. They search for the best stories all over the web, read them, and deliver succinct, sharply written summaries in a grid format that features photos, video and audio, and links to the original source. Their editors select the day’s most covered and most talked-about stories from the 100 top news sources, along with compelling pieces from less-known sites that might otherwise be overlooked. They then distill articles and opinion pieces into lively and efficient summaries, telling you what you need to know, what you want to know, and where to go for the best coverage.
The Brookings Institution
February 11, 2009
The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Their mission is to conduct high-quality, independent research and, based on that research, to provide innovative, practical recommendations that advance three broad goals:
* Strengthen American democracy;
* Foster the economic and social welfare, security and opportunity of all Americans and
* Secure a more open, safe, prosperous and cooperative international system.
Enjoy Gwyneth Paltrow? Read GOOP
February 10, 2009
If you’re a fan of Gwyneth’s you probably already read her blog, subscribe to her newsletters and watch for her appearances on TV, in magazines and on the big screen. Her next film out is “Two Lovers” co-starrinng Joaquin Phoenix. GOOP is Gwyneth’s blog where she lets you know what she thinks about food, travel, shopping, healthy mindsets and doing what’s good for you and the world around you. She’ll even tell you why she likes to curl up with a good book.
Ultimate Band List
February 6, 2009
The ultimate online destination for independent and unsigned bands, their fans, and the music lovers and industry insiders who want to discover them.
Curtis Steiner’s 1000 Blocks
February 4, 2009
What could you do with 1,000 blocks? Artist Curtis Steiner, took 1,000 identically patterned walnut blocks and arranged them 100 different ways. The results have become a part of the permanent collection of the Seattle Art Museum. And you thought they were just for kids.
Superbowl Commercials From 1969-2009
February 2, 2009
Last night’s Superbowl ads went for a whopping $3 million/30 seconds. That should buy some pretty good stuff for us to look at. Anyone convinced the morning after? Any favorites? We liked the Coke ad where the insects hijacked a nice cold bottle from the unsuspecting napper.
