Bad News, Good News

Bad news: This morning instead of going to school, I took my wife to the hospital for high blood pressure.  (Her medication isn't fixing the problem.)

Good news: This hospital provides free wi-fi.  It's the first time I've ever seen such a service offered by a medical institution, and I've been in a lot of them.

Bad news: most web 2.o sites (Twitter, Bloglines, etc.) are blocked.

Good(?) news:  I can't goof around online, I have to catch up on my work instead.  Oh, darn.

Academic Aesthetic 148

A lot to say, but not a lot of time to type. This one's a low quality car-cast done on my way home this afternoon.

Show Notes:

• Art Club restarts soon!


• Powering Up With Technology Conference! I MIGHT be a presenter


• PETE & C! Same here!


• MICCA! I have no idea, but I hope so here, too!


• More web sites to be announced later!

Yeah, I've been busy.

Box? What box?

To start, I need to apologize to all of you, my loyal readers, for going "AFK" for so long. (I'm surprised you're still here, but far be it from me to look a gift horse in the mouth.)

The truth is that I have been procrastinating (a bit), but I've also been diligently working on other projects at the same time - ones that did in fact wear me down and/or lower my creative potential. Those projects aren't done, but I'm ignoring them for a half hour or so.

I owe you that, at least.

I also had the bright idea of recording this as a podcast, but so far every time I was inspired to do so I either did not have the time, was in a public place (odd that a ham like myself gets nervous about such things), was in an environment that provided too much background noise (don't ask about my car - please), or a combination of all of the above.

So here you go. We're caught up to today, so let's move on.

Lately I've been thinking a lot about boxes, most likely because of my recent move. As most of you know, moving requires you to scrounge a lot of boxes in which you can place everything you own so that you can move it from point A to point B.

Since my wife and I are both packrats, that adds up to many, many boxes.

When we started we had a system - a box for linens, a box for winter clothes, a box for books (ok, that was more like ten boxes...), and so on.  We had everything categorized.  Of course it didn't end that way, but that was the plan.

So why am I rambling on about this?

Because schools are boxes, too.  Every day I walk into a school (box), step into a classroom (box in a box), and teach a subject (box in a box in a box).  Thankfully the Interrelated Art program I'm in requires me to teach art lessons that reinforce other subjects.  Through those I get to poke some serious holes in at least some of the boxes ... but the boxes are still there.

I'm not the only one thinking of boxes either, as shown in this chat log from a recent webinar.  I'm ending with this, because I was a participant and I think it says what I've been trying to say.

from Teryl Magee:
Ahh...losing time or thinking outside the box?

from Diana Laufenberg:
what if there is no box?

from Teryl Magee:
No box might be nice depending on how you look at it!

from Teryl Magee:
Agree Tracy!

from Jenny Vreeland:
It's what many teachers are afraid of.

from cathy masse:
There is often not enough technology available for all students and staff

from Aaron Smith:
Some people, finding that they are outside the box, then build a new one for themselves.

from Diana Laufenberg:
hence the DEN?

from Marie Coleman:
we often do set up limitations on self!

from Teryl Magee:
Ohh...deep thinking Aaron. Then I guess we step outside that box again!

[some conversation cut out to maintain the illusion of brevity] 

from Aaron Smith:
Teryl, the box is a comfort zone. I wouldn't destroy it if they need it, but I would install lots of windows and a really big door.

Academic Aesthetic 147

Download .mp3

(Note: I've just spent far too long trying to get this audio to NOT sound like a chipmunk on a coffee spree in the flash player.  The result is ... less than perfect, but at least you can tell what I'm saying.)

Here's a big important question: A reputable company with a product for educators has asked to sponsor my show. Should I say yes?

I have mixed feelings about this, since it would be advertising but on the other hand I've heard other edu-bloggers and edu-podcasters say nothing but good things about this company. I can't say more for fear of biasing your responses.

I can say that if I say yes, the sponsorship will include a graphic on the site and an audio clip in the podcast. However, the decision is up to you, the loyal listener After all, if you're reading/listening to this then you stuck by me even after over a month's hiatus. Feel free to comment on this post or email me.

Academic Aesthetic 146

The rumors of my demise ... yadda yadda yadda.  No video this time, just an unedited monologue recorded with my newest gadget (see below).

• Sorry for the delay.  I blame end-of-school-year-hassles, a trip to PA, a new apartment, and something else.


• I have a new toy: The Creative Zen V Plus!  I used it to record this podcast, as a matter of fact.


• Alas, Creative doesn't make any software or drivers that make the Zen V Plus Mac compatible.  Fortunately, these people made an open source program that gets the Zen onto my Mac!


• It's easy to censor yourself.


• When you post a link, you have no control over that site.


• You're not just linking to that site now, but 3 months from now and 3 years from now.


• Where do you draw the line?

Academic Aesthetic 145

No video this time, just wonderful low quality audio!

Wait ... what?

Show notes:

• The wiki is getting more spam than legitimate edits. I'm dealing with the spam now, and I'll get to the real edits soon. No, really.


• I'm beginning to like Ning more and more, mostly because it doesn't crash Firefox as often as it used to do.


• The next Teachers 2.0 Groupcast will be recorded on the 13th. Come join in the fun!


• Planning on upgrading the version of Drupal that's managing Teachers20.com. Should I go with regular or extra education?


• Looking to find others willing to create Teachers 2.0 branded content. Are you interested?

Academic Aesthetic 144

Sorry for the delay, now on with the show!

Show notes:

• Another nice audio comment by Chris Craft. Where's your audio (or video) comment? (And yes, I haven't edited the wiki recently for the same reason I haven't been podcasting.)


• To make a podcast I need time, energy, and inspiration.


• Usually I lack inspiration, but this time I needed time and energy.


• Inventory is done! Hooray!


• Are there times when we replace analog technology with a digital equivalent that isn't as good? Is digital always better? I want to hear your thoughts on this.