XplanaZine

Here’s our take on news that matters for Thursday, January 12. Today’s theme is virtual and here are a some links to headlines about technology that is changing the way we live and learn.

• Gaming –A new USC study found that overall Internet use is continually increasing; email is the most popular online activity; and broadband has reached the highest level yet for online access. The year 2005 showed the most Internet use to date with 78.6 percent of Americans going online with the average weekly usage rising to 13.3 hours. In 2000, 46.9 percent of users reported that they use home Internet access. This number increased to 66.2 percent in 2005, according to the study. Of course, more broadband means more broadband applications. The fastest growing besides porn? Online gaming.

• Blogging, Podcasting, and Vodcasting — And, we talk a lot about blogging in politics and education, but there is increasing discussion regarding blogging in business. Like IM software, there is lots of concern in businesses about security, control, etc. A bit antithetical to the whole design of blogging but, where there’s money, there’s legs on the trend.
• Handhelds – The war about the role of cell phones in schools rages on. It’s definitely a tough one. On the one hand we all see cell phones becoming sophisticated enough to be important learning tools, and on the other hand they are disruptive communication devices. I have a good idea. Let’s find learning applications for cell phones that will motivate them to use the handhelds more constructively at school.
• Social Networks –
  Don’t think that social networks are only being notices here in North America. A good article in the Taipei Times about the importance of social network software and Web 2.0.

Now, here’s a recap of our favorite posts from the edublogging community from the past 48 hours.

• From Graham Attwell : Post on the nature of informal learning.
• From Clarence Fisher : Post on being punished for blogging prosperity.
• From Albert Ip : Post on making courses that reward students with pleasure.
• From Stephen Downes : Posts on ESBN.org.
• From Lanny Arvan : Post on the virtual university conundrum.
• From James Farmer : Post on Personal Learning Environments.