I still have an old Batman book from when I was younger. In this book you could, "turn to page 32 if you want Batman to head to police headquarters" or "turn to page 40 if you want Batman to chase the Joker down a dark alley"
Interactive Storytelling has come a long way in the past twenty years. New Millenium, New Media (NM2) Project is taking interactive storytelling to a whole new level.
It seems that in the very near future, technologically-enhanced storytelling may allow a highly interactive and adaptive narrative to be played out for (and with) the reader/viewer. Interactive storytelling may prove to have new and exciting educational applications based on discovery and experiential learning theories.
I think one of my first entries this semester was written from this exact table in Bobst Library LL2.
Well here I am again, finishing my final assignment/paper for my Workplace Learning course this semester. The assignment is a series of article reviews, a book review, website review, and concluding essay on the topic of coaching. I'm very pleased with the chosen articles, and I found the ICF (International Coach Federation) website extremely helpful. I encourage you to take a look at their philosophy, definition, and ethical standards for the coach/client relationship. "Coaching" is a word often misused and/or stretched to fit the needs of the person doing the "coaching."
However, it is the client, the person being coached, who must be the focus of any successful coaching relationship. Coaching should never be a punishment or be compulsory. Coaching should be focused on enabling and sustaining personal and professional development of the client. Take a look at their code of ethics and tell me about your experiences with coaching relationships within your organization.
Over the course of the semester, one thing that stood out to me has been the increased adaptability, mobility, and social nature of educational technologies. HCI is becoming both more user-friendly and more complicated. A computer will soon be able to automatically customize itself to the user's preferences. Palm and tablet computers ultimately will replace desktops in most circumstances and will be combined with gaming, communication, and media devices. (If not already).
Who will be able to figure these complicated devices out????
The next generation of students, that's who!
Consumer goods and market preferences are driving the development of these technological advances and interfaces. However, educational applications will inevitably trickle down and be fully incorporated into the academic experience.
The next generation of students will likely have difficulty imagining how learning occurred absent these innovations. However, as educators, it is our job to stress the importance of utilizing and respecting well-founded learning theories. We all know that just because something is brighter, faster, and more cutting-edge does not necessarily mean that it results in more effective learning and educational discovery or development.
The first rule when incorporating media/technology into instruction is: 1) Be sure it doesn't distract from the learning objectives.
In conclusion, I must say that as educators, it is our role to stay focused on the learning objectives and to incorporate technological application only as they closely align with the learning goals and intended outcomes. Bigger, brighter and faster does not mean it is necessarily better.
However, as 21st century educators we have countless new educational technologies at our disposal and it is our responsibility to use them as best we can, for the benefit of out students and academic pursuits.
There is little that compares to the feeling of turning in the semester's last paper, tired Beyond Belief, and then off to a day's work.
Except when just afterwards, grabbing a cup of coffee across from East Building, a former Northwestern alum taps you on the shoulder and says hello. It is the best 10am surprise to bump into an old friend (and now fellow NYU grad student).
Too bad Jim hadn't finished his finals like me; Stern works you until the last moment!
Regardless, it was great to run into Jimbo.
Now, I joyfully wish you a Happy New Year,
and ask you to remember that this is: The Deadliest Season
The holiday season is one of the most deadliest times of the year for alcohol-related crashes. MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) estimates that “each year nationally, more than 1,000 people typically die during Thanksgiving to New Year’s in drunk driving crashes” (MADD, 2006). Because of increased consumption of alcohol and an increase in the number of special events and parties, drinking and driving is more prevalent. Ironically, drinking and driving crashes are one of the most easily preventable catastrophes. Drinking and driving is a choice each driver makes.
I can tell you presently my life has deep components of sadness and joy.
Tragically, one of these senseless tragedies occurred on Dec. 8th 2007 and two lives were lost.
Each and every one of us has the responsibility-
to try and prevent this type of pointless loss & tragedy.
If you are too drunk to drive home,
Lie down on the couch and drive home,
---In the morning.
Or risk taking someone else's morning,
---Away from each and every one of us.
Students (and teachers) typically experience breaks between semesters.
I am avidly enjoying my break...working.
The job at Upwardly Global is going very well, and we've got exciting plans for expansion and growth in 2008. However, I've got to say, it is a huge relief that the semester is finished.
It's an interesting experience to begin a new position while simultaneously finishing a challenging semester in grad school.
Luckily, it will likely never be repeated (at least, personally).
However, I cannot complain. I enrolled in NYU Steinhardt because I wanted to combine and grow my educational, analytical, and business competencies for an instructional position within a stimulating and challenging work environment, particularly serving a diverse, professional community.