Currently unable to do school and work-related research due to the fact that several websites I need to access are 404. I'm assuming this is due to "mydoom" wreaking havoc, but who knows.

That's one thing for certain 'bout the 'net. It's "all your eggs in one basket" -- (i.e., when it's offline so are you) -- model makes it difficult at times. As with any endeavour, contingencies and "work arounds" may help, but it's still a pain.

Given that "technical difficulties" are precluding the contribution of 'net-based research to this space at this time, let me tell you about a movie I saw last night.

Butterfly Effect, with Ashton Kutcher.

Have to say I was very impressed with the movie. It's one of the most original (even more so, given it's "Hollywood" pedigree) I've seen in a long while and the performances -- especially Kutcher's -- are first-rate.

It offers a new twist on the "change the past, change the future" theme, and I thought it was extremely well done and highly recommend it as something to do while/if you've some time to kill.

For instance, while you're waiting for your webserver to come back online ;-)

This week I'm charged with leading the discussion for CTL 1922H @ OISE/UT.
My focus is on "learning (or 'education' as I like to call mine ;-) objects" and ancillary issues:

• Definition ("semantics and syntax") of objects themselves
  
• Copyright and intellectual property concerns (see CreativeCommons for the antidote)
  
• Reusability, Standards and Specifications
  
• Repositories
  

As I checked in, via the 'net, on the "usual, object-theorist/practictioner, suspects" (David Wiley, Terry Anderson, Stephen Downes and Norm Friesen) in preparation for this week's discussion, I was really excited to see how much the "conversation" has matured in the time I've been following it.

The conversation, and the tools for recording it -- specifically blogs: repositories of knowledge themselves -- seem to now have a purpose and practicality which makes it more relevant to both knowledge-building and performance improvement efforts.

The development of the Creative Commons -- since I first referred to it here last spring -- is a very good case in point.

Compare the movies here for a "then and now" look at CreativeCommons

The CC has legs -- you can tell by visiting the site, it has an energy and excitement which constitutes the "critical mass" I referenced as a key determinant of success in my OSOSS-based model for the SMART Education Object (SMARTeo).

Unless and until "the inmates are running the institution" in terms of the production of the "tools" (i.e., objects) of learning -- it won't work. It's obvious to my eye that CC is working.

Don't believe me? Check out -=:[EletroBel]:=-

Greetings from Terminal C of the Seattle/Tacoma airport. Here on a lay-over on the way home from Tucson, AZ. Definitely a case of extremes -- from dry to wet in terms of climate. Have 'bout another hour to wait until my connection to Victoria leaves.

Thanks again to my buddy Phil for the wireless card which enables me to connect while hangin' in airports all over N. America (unfortunately Tucson doesn't support wireless connectivity).

My connection to the 'net (along with allowing this post) also permits me to put the finishing touches on a presentation for CTL 1922. Each week through the remainder of the term, one of the students in our class will lead the discussion on a topic of their choosing. I've signed-up for this week.

I intend to lead a discussion on Open source, reusability and objects in education.

I'm still finalizing the details of the proposed discussion, but it will focus on Learning Objects, repositories, copyright and intellectual property, and repositories. I'm looking forward to a lively discussion with peers.

As always, watch this space for details.

Greetings from Sierra Vista, AZ.

I'm here ahead of a Master's Session for the SMART Board(TM) interactive whiteboard for faculty and staff of Buena High School.

I'm looking forward to working with this group of teachers and am especially happy to be in Arizona as opposed to some other less temperate location!

I can tell you that while the temperature is about the same here today as it is in my new home in Victoria, but it's much dryer ;-) Today I went from near-tropical to near-desert in terms of climate.

Looks like we picked a good time to get out of Calgary.

Seems like the rest of the country, for that matter, is in the throes of a deep-freeze at present.

Makes the rain I see out my window here in Victoria not as much of an issue ;-)

Here's a picture, taken a little over a week ago, of the "new Islanders" in front of the "Mile 0" sign of the TransCanada highway. Note the green grass and trees in the middle of January.

Notwithstanding the challenges Island life will undoubtedly present, I'm loving the climate!