Web 2.0 and Croudsourcing

One of the greatest changes to the world in which we live is the evolution to something being keyed Web 2.0.  Web 2.0 isn't a change in hardware, the framework of the internet isn't changing, but instead its us who is getting changed.  We are becoming interactive and interdependent.  We are finding new ways to connect and communicate our ideas and our lives.  The main change is user generated content.  The consumers are becoming the producers.  And in the shift from consumers to producers it is redefining the way in which we write and receive news and other forms of content.

One of the most exciting and  biggest changes in this framework of human development is the advent of Crowd-sourcing.  Crowd-Sourcing is using taking a project and sub dividing it into little accomplish-able parts and then handing it out to the masses to take part.  Its a pooling of the large and vast network of human resources that is being left to waste.  It is putting idle time and idle minds to a useful cause.

On the 21st of November for our group project on Digital Missionary work we kick started our project of crowd sourcing through a fireside.  We were able to bring members who were interested in getting them involved and show them some simple but sure ways to get started.  We also set up a feedback blogs that the members can return and report on their progress and experiences so that we can all learn and adapt as one.  I am excited to see the feedback and see where we go from here.

Digital Missionary Work

In preparation for tonights big Digital Missionary Work Fireside I have been working on loading up our site with more information and links to make it a useful tool for all who come to get connected involved in the work.  One thing I specifically added is a new list of links to things that the full time online missionaries have already been doing.  Here is a copy of some of those links.

 This is the forefront of the full time missionary online works.

Here you can find a list of online Prezi's designed by some of the first Digital-Missionaries.  They are more than excited to receive additional help by talented members of the church who think they have a better way of presenting the gospel through electronic means.

At this link you can also find recorded videos of the missionary lessons.

Click on a link and get involved!

Final Project - DigiMissionaries

For our final project we are hosting a great event this upcoming Sunday in the Little Theater of the Wilkinson Center at 7pm.  Everyone is invited to come, learn, and get involved!

However, in my personal preparation for the event I have been working with the Full time digital missionaries on creating, improving, and translating content.  You can see a lot of what they have already done here http://newmormonmedia.blogspot.com/p/prezis.html.  I am excited to get things rolling!

Flying into the Future

I have recently found some interesting fact about the development and growth of aviation over the years.  I was perusing over an interesting site on some of the most profound technological advancements of the last century when I stumbled upon a nice time line of the development of the modern airplane.


The timeline covered many of the commonly well known events such as the Wright Brothers, the Battle of Brittan, the developments of Boeing, and the Concord.  However, there were a handful of events that have played a crucial role on the development of the modern airplane of which I was previously unaware.  Here is a sample of a few of those great less know discoveries.

Harvard Classics

I have a quick question for the masses...

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

I have been contemplating the idea of purchasing the full 50 volume edition of the Harvard Classics.  It is likely the best collection of books ever compiled to fit on a five foot shelf.  I have always enjoyed the feeling of holding and marking up some of the greatest works of literature.  However, I have come upon a dilemma.  I can also access and read just about every book in the Harvard Classics for free online through Project Gutenberg and other legitimate sources.

Thus the questions is, should I get the old hardbound physical text or should I go for a more modern digital approach by way of getting a kindle, Nook, Ipad etc?  Opinions?  Comments?

Call her.... Erin

I have recently been rummaging around a blog entitled Call me... Erin. In her blog I have found a lot of good ideas and connections.  She has worked hard and made a lot of effort to clearly demonstrate her learning of Historical Content, Digital Concepts, and Learning Labs.

On Nuclear Weapons

National Peace Essay Competition : 

Nuclear Weapons   

Category: Writing and Poetry  

(Written by James Wilcox ~ December 2005) 

Throughout history, as long as there have been civilized people, there have always been others who oppose the self-evident, eternal truths of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Throughout the ages, man has always had conflicts.  From sticks and stones, to sword and shields, to guns and bunkers; through time there has always been opposition in all things.[1]

In the 21st Century, we, as a race, are indifferent from our ape-like predecessors.  Mankind continues to fight, but on a much grandeur scale, a nuclear scale.  There is no longer anywhere on the earth where nuclear weapons can not reach.  There arent any places left where there is even a state of relative safety.  Accordingly, there is a great need for proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.[2]

Learning Outcomes - A visual Approach

In order to give a feel for what I have learned up to this point in my DigiCiv class I have created a little Prezi Presenation....

DigiCiv - Learning Outcomes on Prezi

Governments Verses Economies

As I have been studying John Maynard Keynes I have found some really cool sources and a battle that has been on going in the background all around us; a battle between Governments and Market Economies.

First of all in my studies of John Maynard Keynes I found a good background of him here in the concise encyclopedia of economics.  It covers his core ideas of government spending and his clashing theories with the prevailing classical ideas of Adam Smith.  However it was interesting to note the following excerpt...

The Brains behind the CPU ~ Alan Turing

Alan Turing was in many ways the brains behind the brains of original computing.  Although throughout his life he was unable to see the full physical creation of his ideas, the mental creation he brought together became a foundation for future works.  Turing lived and developed his ideas between the World Wars and was instrumental in coding messages for the Allies and in helping them break Axis codes. 


I found a great little review of his life written for free here by Andrew Hodges. The article was also published in the British Dictionary of National Biography in 1995.

DigiTech Blogs

In our Digital Civilizations class we are constantly seeking to find and apply new online applications to enhance or digital literacy.  However, one of the concerns by one of our class members was how we are going to keep up with the ever increasing digital innovations.  And especially how are we going to continue tor reach out and find new tools after our class ends.  

Well here is my answer to that question.  Online Blogs about New Technology and Web2.0.  Here are a few of the blogs I have been looking at recently.