Blog Title: McToonish

My New Project

I mentioned in previous posts and podcasts that I had a new project on the go on the side. She arrived last Friday at 6:20 PM. Sydney Alecia joined our happy household weighing in at 7 pounds, 13.5 ounces and measuring slightly more than 21 inches long (not counting the hair). Here’s a picture to read more..

Two More Web-based Tools Bite the Dust

Less than two years ago I wrote a post about my concerns related to relying on Web-based tools. This week I received e-mails from two separate sites that I have used in the past that they are both shutting down this month. I used Pownce, a microblogging tool, a few times when Twitter was being particularly read more..

So Much for the Spirit of the Holidays

I can’t stop thinking about Jdimytai Damour and how incredibly callous people were in the moments before and after his death. The 34-year-old worker from a temporary agency was killed Friday morning by a hoard of selfish consumers that ran him down in their rush to take in the bargains at a New York WalMart. read more..

Should We Be Thinking About Vetting Before Posting

U.S. President-elect Barack Obama is trying to choose his team to run the country, but everyone has to be vetted to try to avoid problems in the future. Apparently, one of the questions that potential hires are being asked is if they’ve ever sent any message electronically (e-mail, text, discussion board post, tweet, etc.) that read more..

Don Tapscott Made Me Yell at My Radio

While driving home from work yesterday I heard part of an interview with Don Tapscott on The Afternoon Edition on CBC Saskatchewan. I found myself yelling at the radio. Tapscott was talking to host Colin Grewar about the role of the “Net Generation” in the election of Barack Obama to the U.S. presidency. He defined this read more..

A Couple of Warriors Take to Blogging

This has nothing to do with education, but it does have to do with technology and social capital. Recently my brother was diagnosed with cancer and has since been overwhelmed with the amount of support that he is receiving from friends from long ago who heard about his illness from other friends. Keeping everyone updated read more..

Technology vs. Human Interaction and Customer Service

I obviously like many types of modern technology. I blog, listen to my iPod (I believe it’s now considered a classic), watch television, occasionally use my cell phone and I drive a car (not while on the cell phone). None of this means that I believe technology is all good. Much of read more..

Vote, or This Could be You

My sister-in-law just sent me this video. I quickly sent her an e-mail that I have indeed voted and the fate of the world is now out of my hands.

Online Focus Groups

An colleague referred to me an instructor who wants to conduct a focus group online. I haven’t met with her yet so I don’t know the answers to several questions that I have about this plan. What’s the purpose of the focus group? Why does she want to do it online instead of face-to-face? How read more..

On Leaving Twitter

I mentioned in the podcast that I did back in September that I had deleted my Twitter account. I found that, while it was sometimes useful for keeping up with “the latest thing” in educational technology and for getting quick answers to questions, it was a major distraction and, some days, just sucking the life read more..