Saturday, November 23, 2013

I am GUILTY! I want this robot!

I was just sitting here minding my own business and reading my email, when I got a link from TED Talks.  I should NEVER have clicked on that link!  You see, it showed me a control device to connect to the computer (and, by the way, an Assistive Robot Device) that I deeply desire.

We are not just talking, "O, that's cute.  I'll put that as item 420,612,008 on my list of things I might like someday…"

I

WANT

THIS control and robot!

I have to find what this guy uses for his "minute movements" for control.  I don't know that head movement trackers are the answer for me, but I'll bet these people know how to to be creative. http://www.ted.com/talks/henry_evans_and_chad_jenkins_meet_the_robots_for_humanity.html

In some ways, it's an even more creative approach than makeymakey.com, although I often prefer the DIY approach.

Even bigger mistake…  Now ANOTHER short story is forming in my head.  I need to get off this fairly quickly…

But here is the link for "Robots for Humanity" <http://www.willowgarage.com/blog/2011/07/13/robots-humanity> before I go.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

I participated in my first "tweetchat" last night

I participated in my first "Twitter/Tweet-chat," and I'm still decompressing.  Twitter and TweetDeck were the tools.  It was a gathering of Lutheran Educators talking about "Digital Citizenship."

Information about the group that gathers is at:
Here is what the most recent conversation looked like.  It is in reverse order: oldest messages at the bottom.   On Monday the 18th, the event should be

11/18/2013Leveraging technology in faith development projects and curriculumWhat are some ways we can model effective faith development in the digital world? What tools have you used to leverage faith building activities with your students? What do you see as the strengths of digital technology in faith dev? Draw backs?Rob Jacklin @rjacklin



I have to admit that my "Fuddy Duddy" side is definitely showing.  I felt like I was at a really loud and crowded cocktail party where every one was trying to be heard over everyone else.  Since Twitter only allows 140 characters per Tweet AND some of those characters have to be used for the tag #LuthEd, complex ideas do not come across well.

After my first adventure in TweetChatting, I sort of fell like I needed about 30 minutes in a sensory-deprivation tank to decompress from the chaos.

I will be at tomorrow's event, DV…