It might just be an entrance exam for my PLN (-:, but I think that the items below might collectively “measure” something. In social science terms, we would say that the items below comprise a scale (i.e. they collectively assess a construct). So, I need a name for this scale/construct. Help? (NOTE: I know there are other items that could be included, but I do want to aim for some level of parsimony. If there are items you think absolutely should be included, I’m open to suggestions. I could probably use a 10th question to get to a “Top 10″ list of sorts…):
1. Do you actively maintain a blog?
2. Have you ever contributed to a wiki?
3. Have you ever created a podcast?
4. Do you currently use an RSS reader/aggregator?
5. Do you have a Twitter account that you use?
6. Do you have a Skype account that you use?
7. Are you currently a member of any Ning networks?
8. Have you read any of the following books?
- The World is Flat (Thomas Friedman)
- Everything is Miscellaneous (David Weinberger)
- Here Comes Everybody (Clay Shirky)
- The Children’s Machine (Seymour Papert)
9. Have you ever seen the following videos?
- Did you Know? 2.0 (Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod)
- Digital kids @ Analog Schools (Marco Torres)
- A Vision of Students Today (Michael Wesch)
- Creativity (Sir Ken Robinson’s TED talk)
Interesting list Jon.
On one hand, these are “items” which would demonstrate one is keeping up with current trends (not just edtech ones). In most school settings this would make one a LEADER (tech wise) among their faculty.
On the other hand, these items could also be considered a list of items to demonstrate the activities of a FOLLOWER rather than a leader. Each item is not really new to those of us who participate (follow), or create our own PLN.
A tenth item, Do you have a personal Start-up page (iGoogle, PageFlakes, etc.)
What I am working toward in this area is what difference does this make in the way you do what you do? In other words, do you use these tools outside your PLN to make your work, life, hobbies, better?
Keep up the thought-provoking posts.
Peace,
Ric
Thanks, and good thoughts, Ric. Makes me think I’m measuring “cultural digeracy”??? (though I’m not keen to working off of anything remotely related to E.D. Hirsch).
Also, I noticed I’ve got nothing about social bookmarking in the list. Hmmmm…
I’m eager to see/hear what you discover about use of this construct outside the PLN!
In response to Ric’s insight that the answer doesn’t actually indicate LEAD or FOLLOW, I would suggest question 10 be “Why?”
Ok, so you do these, but why? What do you gain? How do you use them to impact others? OR Why don’t you…fill in the blank…?
I haven’t done this long, and I’d be very limited on the “list” but I think much of what I glean from the books (just finished Shirkey today after recommendation from Scott McLeod) or on a blog (like now) do help me to refine my thinking and sometimes take action. Sometimes it stops my ignorant actions as well or at least has me reflect.
Like most things, it’s not what you do that enhances your life, it’s how you do it.
A few thoughts…
Have you ever uploaded a digital video to YouTube (or a similar service)?
Digital bookmarking?
Digital photography?
Why Ning specifically rather than any social networking application?
Wikinomics instead of The Children’s Machine?
The Digital kids video isn’t Marco Torres but rather one of his students. Also, I’m not sure that’s a major video seen by millions (although it should be!).
Did You Know? (Shift Happens) will get you more yes answers than how you’ve phrased it.