Thoughts on Education Technology 2.0

Technology is such an innovative tool.

What is on the web today is just simply amazing. With all the audio and video content making its way on to the web, teachers can now have access to all the latest technologies to help prepare a lesson or a unit of study. Using technology in classrooms makes the learning process easier and students become more engaged in what is being taught. Technology also changes the dynamic between the professors and the students. People seem to feel more stimulated to respond due to the visual and audio enhancements. I think it's safe to say that most students today prefer education technology to the simple chalk and board method of teaching (no more having to clap erasers saturated with chalk dust)!

"Smart classrooms" are indeed "smart" in that they enhance the learning experience. Often students' imaginations are stimulated through these technologically enhanced classrooms. In addition, I think the use of multimedia technology also keeps students interested in the lecture (due to our short attention spans :) By using sound, video, and other media, many of the key concepts are demonstrated more effectively by the instructor. I know that I'm definitely more of a visual learner so using audio-visuals allows me to see something while I take notes.

I must admit I'm jealous of all the elementary school students today. Their classrooms are equipped with the latest multimedia technologies, (I'm talking electronic interactive whiteboards, handheld computers, DVD-VHS players, high-definition sound and video systems, LCD projectors!) and they're learning to use the latest software programs. When I was an elementary student, all I used were computers with green monochrome monitors and there was nothing even remotely resembling a palm pilot. I was reading about how nine-year olds are reading Aesop's Fables on their palm pilots and using them not only to read, but to write, do math, take pictures, do research. It's just unbelievable how technically advanced things have gotten (which means I must be getting quite old). Technology is the road to learning, that must be it.

So, if classrooms are smart, will that somehow produce better learning? Hmm, something to think about...

To See, or Not To See?

Recently I watched "The Banquet" (夜宴 - Ye Yan), the new movie starring Zhang Ziyi. It's a period-drama and a loose adaptation of Hamlet, featuring many of the supporting characters and prominent events. What is interesting about The Banquet is that there are elements from martial arts films and classic Greek theater incorporated into the movie to tell the tale. There's quite a bit of bloodshed and the use of poems and dances. It's like Hamlet with an Eastern twist!

One of the best parts of the movie is the film score, composed by Oscar- winning composer Tan Dun. The score is definitely right up there among his best works (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) Hero (2002)). Tan scores the film with his usual engaging beats and rhythms. He uses strings quite a bit along with flutes and ethnic percussions. The result is an interesting fusion of Eastern and Western sound which will definitely appeal to the modern score listener. And if you understand Mandarin, the lyrics on a number of the pieces could possibly have a depressing effect on you. And if you don't, you would still be moved by the melody and music grand arrangements (at least I was)!

Overall I enjoyed the movie. The martial arts scenes were memorable, the costumes/choreography/scenery were great, (I'm always amazed at the amount of detail placed in the set and costumes) and there were some very strong performances from the two leads. Plus, it's just nice to see Chinese productions getting into American markets! I'm giving it two thumbs up!

Thoughts on Web 2.0

Recently, I found myself trying to understand Web 2.0. Unfortunately, it appears to be a term that has been hyped up in all sorts of ways with no collectively understood definition. I was doing some research about Web 2.0 and realized just about everyone gives a different answer. Tim O'Reilly who came up with the phrase in 2004, talks about the "web as platform" whil technologists and designers have differing views focused on either the technology and standards or the experience. Even Wikipedia seems confused...clearly, Web 2.0 is different and many things to many people.

I'll have to agree with D. Keith Robinson's views on Web 2.0 "Depending on who is using the term, you could be talking about the Web as a platform for applications, a philosophy in building and designing Web applications, a group of powerful Web technologies, and much more." From my perspective, I'm going to say that Web 1.0 was about connecting computers and making technology more efficient for computers. So Web 2.0 is about connecting people, and making technology more efficient for people. With Web 2.0 tools, people can share information and create content much more easily. And it's a place where users don't just find information, they are able to create and categorize it for themselves and their peers. (Wikipedia anyone??)

What is your definition of Web 2.0? How do you guys view these new emerging technologies? I'm curious to find out and I welcome your comments and suggestions!

The Sound of Nature

I came across an article on nytimes.com about the composer/conductor Tan Dun (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero) and how he uses sounds in nature to create musical compositions. For example, he'll use elements of the natural world, i.e. the sounds of the swishing water, crumbled paper and rocks and incorporate them into his music. This is what he calls "organic music" and currently, he is exploring a number of compositions based on the sounds from nature. Dun even has plans to form an orchestra to play such organic music. This will be very interesting indeed!

I also found out that back in 1998, Dun wrote the Water Concerto, in which he used the sounds of splashing, running and shaken water as solo instruments. Later in 2001, some of his invented instruments were used for the music in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which he won an Oscar for! What is even more interesting is that in Tan's Crouching Tiger Concerto, he utilizes technological elements, in this case video, to accompany and enhance the concert listening experience. Organic Music itself is very interesting, and Tan Dun's website has a gallery of images from his concerts that show it in action.
A quote from his site:

"I have conducted orchestras around the world, but my favorite instruments are still the ones you find in nature — water, stone, ceramics. I like using instruments from nature. We use so many electronic things that, sometimes, we lose our connection to natural sounds."

Last but not least, I was excited to learn that Tan Dun's studio happens to be in Chelsea, which isn't too far from me! Maybe one day I will be able to meet him in person!