artclectic in Second Life--Please drop in!

Hey, all,

Been knee-deep, virtually and really, living and learning with artclectic this past week. I've also lost my cell phone, but I have to admit it's been kinda quiet and nice without it. Am I reverting? Likely not, just pausing.

I created a little machinima this week to share what I've been building in Second Life with folks who may not be able to come into the virtual environment to experience it first hand. If you can come inworld, the SLurl is http://slurl.com/secondlife/The%20Port/146/94/501 . If you can't, for whatever reason, maybe this will suffice:


Find more videos like this on Virtual Environment Education Videos!

More later, and lots of it!

Sidewalk Ask a Nobel Laureate!

Through conversations with my Director at the Vanderbilt Center for Science Outreach last week, I became aware of the August publication of a very interesting little video about a colleague of hers, Nobel Prize winning Dr. Leon Lederman, a physicist who contributed his time to a novel program. From the ScienCentral, Inc., a company formed to "increase the number and quality of science stories broadcast to the public," comes this announcement:

ScienCentral is taking science to the people in its first installment of “Street Corner Science,” a radical-yet-simple concept in which a film crew and a renowned scientist are plunked down on a busy city street corner, and an impromptu Q&A session with the public ensues. This video is the first of two “Street Corner Science” segments featuring Dr. Lederman; be sure to check out Part 2 here!

Here's the video Part 1!

Guitar Recital :)

Have to share this. I shared it out on my high school reunion ning this morning and I'm just so proud of the boy I want to embed it here for those of you who might like to witness budding talent. Colin has performed this original song in public several times with his sister Miranda, the co-author, and I think it holds up quite well as a solo. I can't wait for the band version :)


Find more videos like this on Hillwood40th

Foreigner Concert Rocks the Wildhorse!

Got a slideshow, contains some video too, just snippets! I was reluctant to go but did because me boy won tickets (THANK YOU 105.9 THE ROCK!) on the radio. Kip Winger opened with a stellar high octane solo acoustic performance that was blastin' despite just being him and his guitar. We were parked one set of tables from the stage at the front of the table and two wonderfully friendly British Columbians, playing in NashVegas while their families are up on a guided hunting trip in Kaintuck, sat just behind us at the table and sweetened the experience with great conversation.

Once lukewarm about Foreigner, I'm now a dyed-in-the-wool Foreigner fan. Mick Jones just BLAZES on lead guitar, Jeff Pilson does that hair slinging and playing-the-bass-like-a-fiddle thing like a madman, and Kelly Hanson out front gives great stage: Every other band member is energetic, accomplished and wildly entertaining. Wynona Judd came out at the end of the show to join in a couple songs, turning "Hot Blooded" into a wailing rocker far surpassing any earlier version.

We bought the new CD, a two-disk set called "The Very Best of Foreigner," and it is, and includes a medley with "Juke Box Hero/Whole Lotta Love" that I could swear channels Led Zeppelin into the room! It also includes a live performance of a historically overlooked album cut by Jones called "Starrider" that had me aching for simpler (more spacey) times in the past, and if that one channels anyone, it's probably David Bowey.

Someone bought us a big Wildhorse beerglass (who did that???) which our waitress, Shelley, delivered wordlessly, and on the way into the room we had purchased the CD, 5 dollars of the purchase going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Colin scarfed 3 guitar pics and the admiration of complete strangers who approached me as we exited with heartfelt words like "Your son is AWESOME." An accomplished guitarist already, I have to admit that he is one to watch! Look out, Foreigner!

Here's the pics! There may be more added, assuming new BC pal Margie sends along a link! Before you load it, open another tab and fire up the Foreigner website for an auto-playing soundtrack. I do believe you'll have to click on the embedded vid here to visit picasaweb slideshow for the video snippets to play. I just had to whip out the cam when Jones started wailin' on his Les Paul and I'm hoping that this post is so "newsy," the video is so grainy and the sound so "snapshotty" from my little digital still cam that nobody comes after me with a takedown notice. I'll be glad to do that upon request!

5th Grader Dalton Sherman Tells It

At this year's Dallas Independent School District Convocation, a 5th grader spoke to the 20,000 assembled and said some things we need to be reminded of. Thank you SchoolTube for the amazing video.

Muddy Sunshine is Launched! and Hot!

This post is in the "lagniappe" category. If you don't know what that means, look it up: It's a GREAT word. Okay, I'll baby you.

I'm sorely delinquent in putting this out, but my friend Rocky Alvy (superintendent of Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory and longtime friend, as well as featured subject of not one but two Snacks4theBrain! podcasts) has realized his record label in style. Check out Muddy Sunshine and be sure to visit the video at YouTube. Heck, why go anywhere just now--here it is:



Find out more about Rocky and Steve at the bio page at Muddy Sunshine. Then help yourself to some stellar, edgy, beautiful music.

Why Let Our Students Blog?

Forgive me if this is old news to you but it's new news to me. Connecting the dots from twitter to email to internet this morning (not an unusual pathway for me) I came across a video I'd like to share. It's from New Zealand teacher Rachel Boyd and I find it rather eloquent. Enjoy:

Academia 2.0 -- Death to the "Lecture?"

Oh, one hopes so, one truly hopes so.

Another video from Kansas State University, via the Best Practices for eLearning Ning, (by way of the Teaching College Math Technology blog)this 10 minute thought-provoker. A gift to you, fellow teacher or learner...