RSS Feeds and Information Overload

Web 2.0 tools are permitting an abundance of information to be placed on the web. Currently there are any number of devices which can be utilized to create text, images, and video; all of which can be published to the internet without using computer code. With a low-cost barrier to entry, nearly everyone can publish to the web; the challenge to readers is to “collect potentially relevant information for their lives and careers and quickly discern what of that information is most useful” (Richardson, p. 73, 2009).

RSS (Real Simple Syndication) offer several solutions. Subscribing to an RSS feed means that content is delivered to your blog so that you no longer need to visit the original website. Individuals may narrow content by focusing on keywords such as “H1N1 Pennsylvania” or “Jodi Picoult”. Either approach means the rapid delivery of up-to-date and usually meaningful content. RSS feeds allow for groups of individuals to communicate and share information quickly and easily.

Reference:

Richardson, W. (2009). Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms. Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin Press.

Learning and Social Interaction

“You wouldn't have a match by any chance would you?”

~ Chuck Nolan talking to Wilson

In Zemeckis’s film Cast Away, the main character, Chuck Nolan, finds himself isolated on a remote desert island. While the film may be studied by any number of disciplines, I recently watched a TV re-run and related Chuck’s adventure to my graduate school studies of knowledge, learning, communication, and social interaction.

Chuck “knows” how to make fire, catch fish, and harvest coconut milk; however, the audience is entertained watching Chuck “learn” these tasks. Although he appears to be adapting well, Chuck engages in one-sided conversations with a volleyball named Wilson through which the audience is quickly made aware of the importance of communication and social interaction. While odd at first, within a few moments most audience members accept Chuck’s dilemma and complete the other half of the conversation; perhaps, it is entirely natural to include others in the learning process.

References:
Egbert, J. (2009). Supporting Learning with Technology: Essentials of Classroom Practice. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson.
Zemeckis, R., (2000). Cast Away. United States: Universal Studios.

Wilson: The Life and Death of A Hollywood Extra

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDOzgWZttEE

"Aha. Look what I've created. I have made FIRE."

~Chuck Nolan, played by Tom Hanks

Although the film contains no dialog for Wilson, both Chuck and the audience can easily provide the imagined dialog. The following film clip is a humorous look at what Wilson might have said: