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Countdown to Camp 4: Small Group Signups, Optional Dinners, Blogging Streaks, and Summer Camp Podcast

Hi Everyone.  This is the fourth of five “Countdown to Camp” notes.  This week, I thought I’d let you know about some of the small group discussions that we’re planning, some ideas we have for “Food for Thought” dinners, a one-post-per-day blogging challenge that some of us are going to try in August, and where to go in case you missed any of the previous “Countdown to Camp” note.

1. Small Group Signups - There are three times during Camp where you’ll have the opportunity to meet with a small group to discuss a topic of interest: lunch during Day 1, one hour in the morning of Day 2, and lunch on Day 2.  Go to the wiki and review the discussion topics.  If you seen one that you like, go into its page and add your name to the list so we know how big of a group we’ll be having.  If you don’t see anything of interest and want to add your own topic, please do so.  If you need help setting it up, please contact me (Allan asg102@psu.edu).

2. Optional “Food for Thought” Dinners - If you would like to continue the discussion in the evening of Day 1 or Day 2, we’ll be meeting at several local restaurants.  On Day 1, the options are Otto’s, Golden Wok, or Mad Mex.  On Day 2, we’ll be going to Champs or India Pavilion.  If you would like to join in, please add your name to the restaurant as well as some discussion topic ideas. For instance, on Day 2, I’d like to talk about organizing an event like the Learning Design Summer Camp in case anyone else would like to try something similar.

3. Blogging Streak - This isn’t directly related to the Summer Camp, but it is related to more general themes of professional development and community.  Cole has set a goal of writing one blog post during every weekday in August.  Personally, I haven’t gotten into the habit of blogging about my work, so I thought I’d give this a try to see what happens and whether blogging helps me think about my work differently.  Other people are going to try it as well.  If you have wanted to get into the habit of blogging, now may be the right time.

4. Summer Camp Podcast: Jamie Oberdick interviewed me and Cole about the planning and organization of the Learning Design Summer Camp.  That interview is online now if you’d like to listen to it.

If you recently registered for the Learning Design Summer Camp and would like to see “Countdown to Camp” notes 1-3, they can be found on the ETS Web site.  Previous notes included topics like the community-created stickers, technology frameworks, Twitter, RSS feeds, the official tag (LDSC08), and a preview of some of our main discussion topics.

TLT CoffeeRead: Text message shortcuts trip up students

Text message shortcuts trip up students

“There are three letters that make Jeff Littwin cringe when he grades papers.

Kids “will make a personalized comment and will put ‘LOL’ in an essay,” said Littwin, an English teacher.

The abbreviation for “laughing out loud” is commonly attached to funny quips when today’s generation of youth communicates through text messages sent via cell phone and instant messages over the Internet.

But Littwin and other educators say the rapid and casual writing is seeping into students’ academic expression.”

TLT CoffeeRead: Business leaders slow to adopt Web 2.0

Business leaders slow to adopt Web 2.0

Very brief article today but has some stats that are very interesting for our soon-to-be grads coming out of Penn State and elsewhere and entering the workworld.

TLT CoffeeRead: Technology overwhelming real life

Technology overwhelming real life

Does the author have a valid point, that “People are just too overwhelmed by all the technologies that exist to be active participants in real life”?

Learning Design Summer Camp Podcast

ETS is holding the first Learning Design Summer Camp August 12-13 at the Pattee-Paterno Library at University Park.

The Learning Design Summer Camp is different both in how it is being planned and who will attend. While you think an event on learning design would be exclusive to instructional designers, this event has people from other disciplines attending. And the Summer Camp planning is unique in several ways, including attendees volunteering to help organize the event.

To find out more, I interviewed Cole Camplese, ETS director, and Allan Gyorke, education technology manager. Allan and Cole talked about the event, how it is being planned, and what you can do to help plan and execute this unique event.

Listen to the Podcast.

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