Open Source in Education

Open Source in EducationVarious, via KairosNews) KairosNews has a few good links to articles about the open source movement. “Open Source and Education: A Sea Change?” is a roundup of links to recent “rumblings” on open-source content. Most exciting is the Chronicle of Higher Ed’s report on a multi-million-dollar effort to create an open-source course-management…

No Surprises?

“Let me see if I can state what is bothering you. I could tell you before the test what to study, what material you should memorize to do well, but I’m not doing that.” She smiles a little and says, “Yes.” I continue, “I could do that, I could tell you, exactly, all that you…

Europe probe detects Mars water ice

Mars Express, circling high above the surface, made the discovery on the Red Planet’s south pole, said agency scientist Jean-Pierre Bibring — an indication that Mars may once have sustained life. —Europe probe detects Mars water ice (CNN) Interesting… CNN’s European version of the Mars story says “More than 40 years of Mars exploration have yielded…

Eric Conveys an Emotion

I’m busy working on the new t-shirt order page and getting the forums back up and running, but I don’t think you care. All you want are more emotions. You all are animals! Animals I tell you! —Emo Eric —Eric Conveys an EmotionEmotionEric.com) From “Happiness” to “Getting a great idea… while falling to your doom,”…

Technology in American Drama News

Technology in American Drama NewsE-Mail) I recently received this announcement from my publisher: “I’m pleased to let you know that your book, Technology in American Drama, 1920-1950, has been named a Choice Outstanding Academic Title.” A little googling reveals that this award is given to about 3% of the 20,000 or so academic works submitted…

Working the Huge Room

I’d get mic’d up and have a projection screen behind me the size of a drive-in theater, to use for overheads and analyzing film clips. It was like being a rock star or something — the performative aspect of teaching took on a grandiose dimension. I’d make a silly joke and the room roared. I’d…

The Allegory of the Cave

And if they were in the habit of conferring honours among themselves on those who were quickest to observe the passing shadows and to remark which of them went before, and which followed after, and which were together; and who were therefore best able to draw conclusions as to the future, do you think that…

Best of the Web Today

“The Clark Bar Association“? That name is sure to draw snickers when crunch time arrives. Clark will face mounds of mockery, which may prove to be the kiss of death for his candidacy and, if he’s the nominee, ensure the re-election of the jolly rancher now in the White House. If Clark is smart, he’ll…

Spam Filters Grab Good With Bad

Do not use profanity. Be very careful when discussing financial or business affairs. Avoid any mention of your private parts. Do not offer any guarantees, or refer to checks that may or may not be in the mail. | Refrain from describing anything or anybody as “free.” Abstain from the exuberant use of punctuation marks.…

General Wesley Clark's Argyle Sweater

After some good-natured ribbing about his taste in clothing, General Wesley Clark, the Democratic Presidential candidate, has decided to donate his much-famed argyle sweater to charity. —General Wesley Clark’s Argyle Sweater (EBay) I found myself doing a little superior dance, because I just happen to have a read a blog entry about the history of sweaters…

The Times on Games

Stealthy? 1995? Please. 100% of teenagers play games today (those who don’t are a rounding error)–but I doubt the percentage in, say, 1990, during the SNES/Genesis era, was all that different. And the game industry first made the claim that it was bigger than the movies in 1980 or 81, if I remember correctly–albeit revenues…