Just a quick update - so much going on professionally this Fall.

Last night I watched Nova's Smartest Machine on Earth program.Really fascinating stuff as it explored how machine learning happens (it is essentially a weighted relevance ranking dependent upon data and rules, but then it makes decision based upon specific bits of information including pattern seeking). It also touched on what makes us human, our peopleness and how our experiences shape our knowledge (and how do you teach those to a computer?) The main focus was exploring the work on the machine Watson which plays on Jeopardy Feb. 14-16.

Russell Forum, a civic engagement program of the Russell Library is still actively seeking about 5-7 additional participants to test a new National Issues Forums guide on privacy on the internet.

Speaker presentations for Internet Librarian are now available online, no required login. http://fb.me/LPXHhhHtSearch engines, discovery tools, Bing, gadgets, IA (Information Architecture), the eBranch, Mobile, digital identity, and more.

Chile passes law to enforce net neutrality> http://bit.ly/9cdGm0An oldie but goodie starring some of the early personas of the 'net.[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9zHgmSpE1w&hl=en_US&fs=1]

Excellent video which gets to the heart of how social media is impacting the organization of information and the culture of expertise. I'm not saying that we do not need experts or expertise, but it does seem that there can be room for both.

from apple & maclearning.org -- sounds interesting!http://edseminars.apple.com/event/2610----Learning in an open-access world.Join colleagues from across the country in exploring how open access is transforming learning in higher education. Apple and MacLearning.org invite you to AcademiX 2010 for a look at open access, the new teaching methods that are evolving with it, and the Apple technologies that help make it all simple.

Well... for some of us, the traditional education system didn't work so well... regardless of our generation, especially those of us who are visual + creative learners. I am so thankful I was pulled into at least a few nontraditional classes... Better than standard lecture all of the time, for sure.Love Michael Wesch's videos...[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o&hl=en&fs=1&]

Presentation for a group on metadata... for a general audience.

------The European funded MUVEnation project has just launched ‘Teaching and learning with MUVEs’. This is a one year postgraduate programme, delivered online, for future and in-service teachers who want to use innovative methods and tools to address learners motivation and participation issues in compulsory education. What impact can 3D virtual worlds, such as Second Life, really have on our learning and teaching settings?The course is free, but there are only 80 places.