Here is a video dealing with technology, ownership, and media. Please enjoy.
Artists in the Digital Age from Thomas Cannon on Vimeo.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Keep your options open.
With a recent announcement from Netflix that they would begin to offer a streaming only package for their service, one can only imagine that such a move is another indication that the beloved DVD format is standing to take another blow. But, while many critics and skeptics have begun ominous forecasts, we must consdier a few things:
1) There is still a large chunk of this country that does not have nor will be getting home internet access anytime soon ( the stats of rural areas can be pretty sobering, look them up sometime). While they may still use the DVD service by mail, they also are utilizing on-demand and Satellite options for rentals.
2) Even with a streaming option, the question of how to get it into the living room still requires a myriad of ways ( game console, Roku box, Blu-ray player, etc.). Many people still don't even have wireless capability to support such service in their own homes.
3) And most importantly, it is always an imperative to keep formats alive. This is one of the oldest rules of learning ( or should be), as how information is absorbed and then used to entertain, provoke thought, or what not is to be decided by the individual consuming, not those that are providing.
Will I use Netflix streaming only option when it works out the ancillary and technical issues? Absolutely. But it still will not detour me from collecting box sets and Criterion re-issues. I am just old fashioned that way I guess.
1) There is still a large chunk of this country that does not have nor will be getting home internet access anytime soon ( the stats of rural areas can be pretty sobering, look them up sometime). While they may still use the DVD service by mail, they also are utilizing on-demand and Satellite options for rentals.
2) Even with a streaming option, the question of how to get it into the living room still requires a myriad of ways ( game console, Roku box, Blu-ray player, etc.). Many people still don't even have wireless capability to support such service in their own homes.
3) And most importantly, it is always an imperative to keep formats alive. This is one of the oldest rules of learning ( or should be), as how information is absorbed and then used to entertain, provoke thought, or what not is to be decided by the individual consuming, not those that are providing.
Will I use Netflix streaming only option when it works out the ancillary and technical issues? Absolutely. But it still will not detour me from collecting box sets and Criterion re-issues. I am just old fashioned that way I guess.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Higher Ed and the Online Classroom
In the Sunday November 7th 2010 edition of the New York Times, a story about the University of Florida's continued growth of use in online education was ran ( http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/us/05college.html?pagewanted=1&ref=technology ).
Such articles and debates continue to become more and more relevant as we move towards, as educator and author Carl Raschke believes, a "hyper-university", in which "Teaching and learning are not necessarily separate functions or professional activities, but points of co-ordination along the same spectrum " (p. 5-6). But the anger at not understanding how this technology can work, and better yet serve students, teachers, and parents alike, continues to drive a stake into the possibilities of what can ostensibly be defined as blended learning, a learning that constructs not only a philosophy of "integrating face-to-face and online learning" but also "Restructuring and replacing traditional class contact hours" (Garrison and Vaughn, p.5).
As the possibilities of how we teach and learn have opportunity to grow, can we not find the common thread that points to an overall good? The economics of the situation will always be there, but this seems to be again a digital divide and an issue of learning with and about the technology available. Please post thoughts questions, and any comments below.
References:
Carl Raschke: The Digital Revolution and the Coming of the Postmodern University.
Randy Garrison and Norman D. Vaughn: Blended Learning in Higher Education: Framework, Principles, Guidelines.
Such articles and debates continue to become more and more relevant as we move towards, as educator and author Carl Raschke believes, a "hyper-university", in which "Teaching and learning are not necessarily separate functions or professional activities, but points of co-ordination along the same spectrum " (p. 5-6). But the anger at not understanding how this technology can work, and better yet serve students, teachers, and parents alike, continues to drive a stake into the possibilities of what can ostensibly be defined as blended learning, a learning that constructs not only a philosophy of "integrating face-to-face and online learning" but also "Restructuring and replacing traditional class contact hours" (Garrison and Vaughn, p.5).
As the possibilities of how we teach and learn have opportunity to grow, can we not find the common thread that points to an overall good? The economics of the situation will always be there, but this seems to be again a digital divide and an issue of learning with and about the technology available. Please post thoughts questions, and any comments below.
References:
Carl Raschke: The Digital Revolution and the Coming of the Postmodern University.
Randy Garrison and Norman D. Vaughn: Blended Learning in Higher Education: Framework, Principles, Guidelines.
Monday, November 1, 2010
The old/new argument about violence
As with any election cycle, the topic of censorship and first amendment rights are going to creep up. Tomorrow, the Supreme Court will hear an argument out of California concerning violent video games as perhaps pornographic, and the call for laws to ensure minors can not get a hold of them. This is important for a number of reasons:
1) This is the first case of its kind regarding video games to reach the Supreme Court, and
2) As always, all facets of media and entertainment would be considerably affected by the outcome, if it goes against the games industry.
While video game developers make violent games, of this there is no doubt, but arguably do have a clear rating system, it is safe to say that parents and retailers alike have not exactly been policing perhaps as they should ( or should they have at all?). This case makes me think back to the comics obscenity cases of the black list era in America, when horror comics publisher EC was put under the microscope for selling questionable content ( I suggest reading David Hajdu's book The Ten-Cent Plague for some really good historical insight ) and thus corrupting innocent America.
Video games are now a fixture of American pop culture life. As a tool for media, game consoles and games have the power to reach and connect anywhere and anyone in the world. What are some of your thoughts about this case and its impending impact? Here is a link to another article for some more information on the case http://kotaku.com/5678354/all-you-need-to-know-about-this-weeks-violent-video-game-case-in-the-us-supreme-court
1) This is the first case of its kind regarding video games to reach the Supreme Court, and
2) As always, all facets of media and entertainment would be considerably affected by the outcome, if it goes against the games industry.
While video game developers make violent games, of this there is no doubt, but arguably do have a clear rating system, it is safe to say that parents and retailers alike have not exactly been policing perhaps as they should ( or should they have at all?). This case makes me think back to the comics obscenity cases of the black list era in America, when horror comics publisher EC was put under the microscope for selling questionable content ( I suggest reading David Hajdu's book The Ten-Cent Plague for some really good historical insight ) and thus corrupting innocent America.
Video games are now a fixture of American pop culture life. As a tool for media, game consoles and games have the power to reach and connect anywhere and anyone in the world. What are some of your thoughts about this case and its impending impact? Here is a link to another article for some more information on the case http://kotaku.com/5678354/all-you-need-to-know-about-this-weeks-violent-video-game-case-in-the-us-supreme-court
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