NMC

[image: mobology]

The NMC is on board hosting the Networked World discussion on the 16th January 2008 in the colosseum at the NMC grid in SL.

There is room for 50 or so on the SIM so please nominate your inclusion via the associated JotForm.

The New Media Consortium (NMC) is an international 501(c)3
not-for-profit consortium of more than 250 learning-focused
organizations dedicated to the exploration and use of new media and
new technologies.

NMC member institutions are found in almost every
state in the United States, across Canada, and in Europe, Asia and
Australia. Among the membership are an elite list of the most highly
regarded colleges and universities in the world, as well as a growing
list of innovative museums, research centers, foundations, and
forward-thinking companies.

The consortium serves as a catalyst for the development of new
applications of technology to support learning and creative
expression, and sponsors programs and activities designed to stimulate
innovation, encourage collaboration, and recognize excellence among
its member institutions. Through its many projects, its comprehensive
website, and its series of international conferences, the NMC
stimulates dialog and understanding through the exploration of
promising ideas, technologies, and applications.

As a central part of its mission, the NMC encourages and supports
innovation in the pursuit of effective collaboration, especially in
the activities and projects in which it plays a leadership role.

For more information on the NMC, visit its website at www.nmc.org.

Connect (edu) Learning Within Groups and Networks.

Well well :)

Teemu came in on Skype this morning with an enquiry as to whether I'd seen Leigh's entry for 'Networked Learning' over at Wikiversity.

Structured as a course ? lesson ? free-content ?

"....It is based on the principles of networked learning where individuals establish an online identity and formulate relationships with other people and information to communicate and develop knowledge."

My answer was that indeed I had...as well as keeping an eye on George Siemen's premise of 'connectivism' over at Wikipedia.

"......Connectivism is the integration of principles explored by chaos, network, and complexity and self-organization theories. Learning is a process that occurs within nebulous environments of shifting core elements – not entirely under the control of the individual. Learning (defined as actionable knowledge) can reside outside of ourselves (within an organization or a database), is focused on connecting specialized information sets, and the connections that enable us to learn more are more important than our current state of knowing. Connectivism is driven by the understanding that decisions are based on rapidly altering foundations. New information is continually being acquired. The ability to draw distinctions between important and unimportant information is vital. The ability to recognize when new information alters the landscape based on decisions made yesterday is also critical...."

So which one is the buzz-word and which one is the core concept for online learning and offline connection making ? Or is it both ? Neither ? Nor ?

Teemu and I will be engaging with whomever has a grasp on the notions of network (ed) learning migrating from the informal to non-formal perhaps even looking at the move from networks to groups back to the singular and the necessary transitory modality to sustain all three in time.

Without losing the individual what do we become when we engage beyond our own petty boundaries ? What's a risk ?

I'm hoping that Alan Levine will pick up the ping and offer us a two hour block in the main NMC arena ( colosseum ? ) on January 16th at UTC 00:00 .....

Unstructured.

Slides perhaps and if your game to come back on Leigh's retort that providing some semblance of order via a web form only confuses people.

Bring your dancing scripts.

Beth Kanter

Beth Kanter has added a Skypecast to the FLNW2 list of events in January.

Topic : Networked nonprofits, social media and social good in an networked world.

More information on Beth over at http://bethkanter.wikispaces.com

Biography : http://www.bethkanter.org/

Derek Chirnside : Magician

To break out of the bubble ....... takes guts. ( to be inside one even more amazing :)

We all to make a difference in this world it takes realizing ideas and where possible keeping the public involved.

$200USD is a lot of money in my part of the world. FLNW2 participants can do an awful lot with $200USD.

What do you think would be the best way to use this generous ChipIn donation by Derek Chirnside ?

I can think of some great things which may help students in Thailand get involved with the FLNW2 online and offline range of connections and conversations.

Which ever way it goes.....Derek your a magician. A massive thank you from everyone at TALO and FLNW :)

FLNW2 : My Conversation Begins

SUT : All Aboard

Chatting with John Eyles.

Looks like Suranaree University are on board.

Which means of course that those turning up in Bangkok get the opportunity to see first hand the amazing things they are up to with John and the others.

Hmmmmm......damn.

If only this knee was up to it.

Moving right along..

Looks like someone's friggin' around with the FLNW wikispaces front end again so we may have to turn it to 'protected' but open...what's your thoughts ?

We are seeing some movement also from around the globe which is heartening.

I'm sitting here with Jo Kay and we are musing over the amount of things happening this time of the year and after my stint yesterday in NMC with Kim Flintoff and company I'm keen to engage people in how the virtual side of FLNW2 will come together.

Bee and I are keen to link-in Dekita January workshops with the FLNW initiative and it appears that Janet Hawtin's scored a spot for a wrap-up / reflection via the Linux conference.

John has popped his head in via Skype to say he's there hail or shine as has Michael C.

So......I'm committing rail hail or shine to speaking with Alan Levine about asking for the use of the auditorium for a couple of our sessions and linking ( automatically ) the wiki entries from FLNW wikispaces over to some sort of front end elsewhere.....perhaps not as Jo states.

The good part will be to have Vance and Michael's input from Webheads as to what and when / where those who put down 'audio only' can convene through the appropriate platform.

Leigh Blackall sent me through the FLNW1 book which is an awesome collation and a real summary of those magic moments to, through and from NZ last year. Thanks mate....I really appreciate all the efforts of Sparker also with the DVD compilation.

Here's the list of who's got their name down so far;

Vance Stevens
Lukas Ritzel
Konrad Glogowski
Jo Kay
Mark A. Kramer
Kim Cofino
Nancy White
Bronwyn Stuckey
Barbara Dieu
Steve Sloan
Bill Wade
Michael Coghlan
Bill Wade
Nick Noakes
Chris Harvey
Sue Waters
Leonard Low
Janet Hawtin
Anne Paterson
Wendy Zammit
Rick Jenkins
Alexander Hayes
Leigh Blackall
Robyn Jay
peter allen
Justin Medved
Marica Sevelj
Tony Carr
Jacinta Gascoigne
Stephanie Rieger
Lud Allen

Ok folks time to add some names.

Join Wikispaces and get into the FLNW2 .

Virtual FLNW2

Janet Hawtin and I had a chat regarding some possible speaking points for the virtual component of FLNW2 in January.

As I will be presenting at the Linux Conference in Melbourne in late January we thought it would be good to bring in something about ;


* uses of open licensing in SL
* open ness - value, ethics and integrity in virtual worlds
* contention and/with collaboration in virtual worlds

That way we can avail the mini-conf participants with some of the reflections on the FLNW2 trip and perhaps this will trigger some deeper thoughts on where we are at for things to come bringing physical and virtual spaces and places together in the future.

I'll be presenting with Kim Flintoff at the upcoming NMC Conference also around the themes of organisational server}tude so this is sure to be an inetersting end to 2007 and entry to 2008.

Anne Paterson : Champion + .......Debonairs !

Anne Paterson a key innovator here in Australia has contributed to the FLNW2 initiative. This is a great step forward.

A massive thank you :-)

See the contributions list...anything added gets profile ...sponsors get key positions in this initiative.

I'm sitting here in Melbourne with Jacinta Gascoigne discussing the involvement of a young person to attend the FLNW2 trip to Thailand and also sponsorship deals with interested parties form creative industries in Australia.

Jacinta has agreed to speak with the Debonairs network regarding the support that is necessary to enable this young person to acompany the others attending the physical part of FLNW2. What we are now discussiing is ways to connect the creative industries and social networking side of the music industry and the educational networked learning community together via the FLNW2 initiative.

This is all making sense as we know young people particularly are the future of networked learning. They are growing up in a world which is also ours - no generational distinctions here.

The music industry is a massive part of online learning and it appears that we are about to get some key sponsorship from anumber of sources that will bring social networking platforms into this discussion.

Howard Rheingold

Howard will discuss critical issues such as:

• what is the future going to look like in ten years?
• what is the future of the Internet beyond web 2.0 and its impact on life, education and the workplace?
• what is the impact of online social networks and virtual communities on the future?
• will the new technologies determine a new economic system?

Seems to marry in with where FLNW2 is headed dosent it ?

I'll be here on Tuesday - http://www.educationau.edu.au/jahia/Jahia/home/pid/521

Sponsors Letter

Sent this out to a number of organizations today.

"......Hi [ insert name ],

We are seeking sponsorship to enable ten (10) physical participants to attend the FLNW2 trip to Thailand - more details available at http://flnw.wikispaces.com.

You will also notice that there is an online connections conference growing which will have a global presence and with many well known educators and online learning technologists speaking at the TCC Conference hosted by TALO - Teach and Learn Online

We are seeking an $825 USD sponsorship from [ insert name ] for an extensive form of web presence and the opportunity to participate as a key sponsor in all online and physical events organized by TALO in January 2007.

All documentation contains sponsors logos and contact information and a publication that synthesizes all digital data will be published in April 2008 relating to this conference which will also contain sponsors contributions and acknowledgments.

[Insert name ] can deposit money by PayPal directly to the ChipIn - http://alexanderhayes.chipin.com/talo-flnw2

TALO and FLNW are a collaborative, online and offline global network of educators examining ways to engage educational organizations in events that showcase creative industry and capacity.

We look forward to your return correspondence and your participation in this event......"

ISB : Bangkok : Dekita.

Great news from Kim Cofino tonight ( actually two days ago ) saying that the ISB : International School Bangkok have agreed to host an un-conferenced talking circle ( sheesh....what a mouthful) with those attending FLNW2.

This is a great move as it brings also about a link between Trish's kids in Parnngurr, Graham Wegner's students in South Australia and Kim's classes ( we hope ) in Bangkok.

I'm letting that bit flow as it does.

Thanks Kim. Thanks Bee.

It's a solid indication and a real link between this and Dekita's offer with Bee also who has indicated that Dekita is on board also. Just very, very brilliant :-)

I really would appreciate some assistance here as I'm feeling exhausted.

Webheads

Yay !

Webheads are in and cookin'.

Beth Kanter

I'd just like to acknowledge the contribution made by Beth Kanter
to the FLNW2 ChipIn kitty.

We are along way off the mark to enable our eight "explorers" to reach the ground in Thailand however every contribution helps us on that journey. Any suggestions for sponsors folks ?

We have a great connected learning experience growing here so any suggestion would help us no end.

Beth....you rock :-)

Ocean Browser : Sponsor

Ocean Browser has come onboard as an in-kind sponsor for the FLNW2 event both physical and virtual.

Rodney has introduced himself as;

"... In terms of information about me... I worked at the University of Otago for 10 years in Information Technology Services, Language Learning, and the Higher Education Development Centre (HEDC), before going out on my own 6 years ago. ....

Some details on Ocean Browser include;

:......OceanBrowser makes accessing distance delivered courses easy and efficient by distributing course content on DVD-ROM, with synchronous collaboration (chat, voip), updates and web applications (forums, wiki etc) accessible via the internet. Although we have a particular focus on distance and continuing medical education (CME), our approach and technologies are equally applicable to other disciplines.

Because students study offline, with internet access required only for collaborative activities such as audio conferencing, they can study when and where they want: OceanBrowser is a CME solution for both busy professionals on the move and those without regular internet access.

For course providers we offer an end-to-end service covering course consulting, content and learning-object development, editing, DVD mastering, replication and distribution, administration, and support. Virtual office technologies are used to facilitate day to day collaboration with course providers......"

Fantastic stuff Rodney. :-)

We look forward to connecting with the world and learning more about how your platform works.

Ps......has anybody got any idea what's happened to the ChipIn widget for the sidebar in this blog ? It seems to be invisible from this end so if you've got any ideas or want to go into the template and check ( there's eight registered authors in this blog and yet I'm the only one that seems to write anything in here ) please do so.

I'd really appreciate your help.

Smart Connections: TSA

This is a long shot but I'm giving it a go with Robin Eckermann's encouragement.

There is a $10,000 AUD prize for a paper which outlines ideas for sustainable living which is an underpinning theme with FLNW. The TSA prize has a few attributes that are out of my league however as always I'm prepared to give it a go and submit a paper that includes those who are part of TALO and FLNW.

Those of you with some writing experience and an interest in assisting FLNW2 to get off the ground ....would you be able to assist me ?

I've created a page where I'm editing and adding - can you do the same and by Sunday night we should have a paper to submit- http://flnw.wikispaces.com/eckermann_prize

Think nuclear, global warming, smart connection behaviour, architecture, networked learning.....

Nowra : More Connections

I'm traveling in the car down to Nowra, NSW to meet with the YWCA group who are implementing the use of web 2.0 technology - Scott Dickenson.

It's amazing how small the world is when here I am in the front seat authoring a blog post and speaking with Anne Paterson and Scott about FLNW while their boss Caecilia Roth has just back from Kenya. It would seem that with the impetus of FLNW2 on the roll it's possible to connect many of these groups who have world wide open web publishing accord.

Stephanie Rieger's on board - woo hoo !

I'm stoked that I got a hold of Mark last night and was talking of his connections with JISC and the potential connections this would all bring to the FLNW group....tour.......ah for some sponsors now. Ok folks on the authoring list ....what are you up to at present ?

Authors : Potential Connections

Mark Van Harmelen is seeking Thai school connections.....especially those geared up for a Linux journey. John Eyles is unexpectedly moving house.

Stephen Downes is our leading Chip In contributor.

Nancy's revved up Capetown University and we've got three hundred more hits via the FLNW Google group.

All that before our seven blog authors and eight pending blog authors have even said hello !

What do you think is our greatest challenge in getting enough sponsorship to send ten brave intrepid FLNW2 guinea pigs into the Mekong ? Will they come out alive ? How will they connect from remote and rural locations ?

Do you know any potetnial sponsors and can you steer them this way ? All this and more over at FLNW2 :-)

More Questions

More questions on who is doing what when it comes to organising online conferences and connections.

I've put together a response for Michael which may have some bearing on others....

"....Hi Michael,

Those interested in joining the FLNW2 discussion addressing the topics detailed, register by putting their names down as speakers in the TCC program, linking to their web profile and putting in their SL or Skype username. All they need is a Wikispace username to add / edit.

As we discussed we had plenty of feedback from others that suggested that WikiEducator may have lloked like a cool n' hip way of presernting information but overall was ttime consuming and confusing.

Those who wish to consume the TCC presentation ( audience ) take them self to that persons SL name > search or skype > search > add and it all flows from there. The conversation and discussions comes from the speaker managing others, not us managing others and also works in a networked mode accordingly.

The idea that a person at best manages up to 150 poeple in their network of contacts and around 10 core individuals (as raised by Jennifer Wilson at ninemsn ) seems to ring true and therefore makes it real by keeping it contacts to contacts. i dont know Vance nor he knows me so perhaps your contact with him is more pertinent ...if indeed this is of value to him to include him

I'm keen to flatten out this 'who invites whom where ' idea ....it may well spread the word a little further and challenge others to think a little more laterally on utilising connections systems which didnt appear in last years e-world.

What do you reckon ? Are we ahead of ourselves here and do we need a a web author or can we all be one and do the work together ?

:-)................"

Maret Staron

Another letter sent out carefully scripted ...

".......Hi Maret,

As you well know TALO ( Teach and Learn Online ) has been a key "unofficial" resource and meeting ground for many Australian educators who live and breath all things networked learning.

I'd like to approach you about two things due to your interest in networked learning, life based learning and other areas of traction in e-learning in Australia....and the world.

Would you be interested in speaking at the TCC Conference ?

http://flnw.wikispaces.com/flnw2_tcc

I would also like you to consider DEST inclusion in the area of organisations that support this initiative in principle. Icons / logos to appear here -

http://learningnetworkedworld.blogspot.com/

Your contribution ( sponsorship in kind ) is the network effect that your organisation would bring to this event.

Can you please consider this and let my know via alexanderhayes1969 - at- gmail.com.

Looking forward to your return correspondence..........."

Seems this is catching.

Robin Eckermann

Sponsor and inclusion letter to Robin Eckermann - Australia.

"............Hi Robin,

It's been a little while since we last chatted however I'd like to run two things past you.

Last year the TALO ( Teach and learn Online ) group organized an "un-conference" or series of traveling meetings / discussion/debates with education organizations in New Zealand which was a great success with many organizations coming on board as sponsors - http://flnw.wikispaces.com/FLNW1_2006_index

This year we are aiming to get to Thailand and would like to approach you about two things. Firstly we'd like to offer you a place in the online discussions which will happen throughout this trip in Thailand due to your interests in networks, connectivity and your relationship in the past with major access initiatives in Australia - http://flnw.wikispaces.com/flnw2_tcc

Secondly, we are seeking sponsors to come on board to assist those who have made the commitment to meeting with the Thai delegation throughout Bangkok and the Mekong.

Could you please contact me on my mobile contact or at alexanderhayes1969 - at - gmail.com regarding this matter and to discuss this opportunity.

I look forward to your return correspondence......"

Relatively painless and may open some doors.

msConfino

Kim's (key) note come back with interest of hosting a talking-circle with her school in Bangkok.

Some email transcipt from me ;

Thanks Kim !

We need space for 12 people or so to talk to your colleagues in a "talking-circle" format.....no rows ;-)

Topic : Living in a Networked World.....what's working and how can we help.

Time : 1/2 day - minimum two hours. ( day or night )

Address : We need your physical address

Date : Negotiable as per itinerary in FLNW2 wiki.

Confirmation: We would like confirmation from your school to use their icon / badge and point to their web address. We would include them in our Sponsors page in all TALO FLNW2 literature.

I hope this suits. Will be blogging this to FLNW2 blog.

Have added Justin to the TCC Conference presentations page.

Kim's invite;

Have a look at our school website and let me know what you think about coming up to ISB - http://isb.ac.th.

APEC Week : FLNW2

[ image : mobology ]

I'm sitting here in Canberra , Australia Airport with half a dozen "strikers" in full regalia standing over to my left ogling a couple of young student protestors on their way up to Sydney. Oh what mayhem this APEC meeting has caused, with the city locked off and images like the above commonplace.

One would think that we were under seige. Many Australians are angry at the manner in which they are being treated. Nuff' said on that one.

I've been down here presenting at the CIT National TAFE Construction Workshops with 120 big burly blokes ripping my presentation to bits and generally having a great time all-round. many of these guys are leading innovators in the use of mobile mesh networking and application development with mobile technology in the workplace.

On a far brighter and dynamic note I'm got confirmation that Bee is coming to Sydney !

On top of that we have Bronwyn Stuckey putting a definite bid on the FLNW2 participant page along with Rick Jenkins, Leigh Blackall etc. The TCC Conference is revving up also with it almost at it's own living organic stage much like what FLNW1 became last year.

Woo hoo ! Just noticed that Nancy has added her name to the definite on the ground list. That's awesome.

I'm also getting a whole heap of responses coming in from potential sponsors from worldwide and contacts which are begining to network the idea and come to the party.

John Eyle's is working on the itinerary which is to appear in the FLNW wikispace shortly which is malleable to a point. We have till the end of October to get it into "official" shape for the ten or so people on the ground heading to Thailand.

My ideas are just building on the efforts of others that include;

• 24 hour connection space between TALO and FLNW via the TCC Conference space through 16 -1 4 Jan. 2008
• 10 key ( connect ) note guest speakers - that's one per day coming into FLNW plus many guest speakers ....add your name and your game. The topic is living in a networked world and anything else that takes your fancy without railroading the show.
• sponsor inclusion in all TALO literature online and offline at $825 USD - we just need you to use the ChipIn feature in this blog and we will begin immediate use of your selected icons and online profiles that you nominate
• all contributors BIG and smallwill be acknowledged via the contributors page in FLNW wiki page - the page is constructed in ascending order with largest donations at the top and smallest at the bottom....no exacts given......all contributions are important. Thank you Stephen Downes for the biggest contribution to date :-)
• Kim Confino is coming as a guest speaker from Bangkok as part of FLNW2.....thanks to msconfino for confirmation

The TCC Conference brings and invites all interested individuals and organisation to contribute a one hour presentation with an hour discussion following......please follow the format as it appears in the TCC Conference page.

Sponsors will be noted prominently in all TCC and FLNW online and offline environments. It's time now to chat with your networks and bring them on in.

Let's skype soon. Add me : mobology

SL : TCC Conference

Well here I am in SecondLife over at jokaydia with Gnu Curry, Corwin Carrilon, jokay Wollongong and Sean McDunnough rezzing some pretty phreeky stuff like itchyanus moves and pole dancing with a follow-on monkey.

While some of the rest of the team decide whether FLNW2 on the ground is the go we are getting some names into the TCC page over in the Wikispace. Seems with audio in SL it should be easy to get things happening and backing to Alado and Skype otherwise.

It was so cool to catch with GNU Chris who is super super GNU and sheesh........Stephan Bethune has arrived.....Marsu Zenovka's here .....speak soon.....byyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeee!!

TCC - TALO Connections Conference 2008

After discussions with Leigh today and a great Skypecast with John Eyles and Graham from EON I'm feeling a little more at ease with the links and process with getting FLNW2 connected.

Leigh and I mooted the TCC idea again and then I decided it was time to roll with the idea and quit yabbering on about it....get some words down and connections happening. So far we have had an awesome response with three people notioning acceptance to key note as part of a group of 8 - 10 keynotes as part of the TCC TALO Connection Conference 2008.

The TCC event will run 24/7 for 10 days.

Essentially if forms the core "wing" of the online component for the FLNW event and considering time differences and connection availabilities already established it seems possible to connect those on the ground with those virtual so to speak.

Kim Confino and Jo Kay have both joined Mark A. Kramer in fronting up this initiative and I'm confident the other day programs will fill quickly. Mark is off the MobMundi conference in Singapore where Kim has come from and Jo seems to be every where at once !

I'm looking forward to hearing back from Kim regarding her organizations part in the FLNW experience.

Teemu Lieonen also popped his head in to say he was interested however he's moving from Bogota to NYC ? ....a definite onliner though.

Still waiting for some definite moves from the others who have their heads up in the WikiEducator wiki. Need some indications folks or please shift your status from participant to contributor soon :-)

Your role in the virtual connection will be critical.

Realism : $1200 USD

Looks like we will get FLNW particpants in at cost for $1200 USD.

John skyped me and it's all go !

This is more like it in my estimations and considering the efforts John's gone to get this rolling then it rings ok with me.

Here's what Graham and John have negotiated.....

1. We can do for $1200. Less flying, cheaper hotels, second class train sleepers. No problem for 2 weeks.......( that's $600 USD a week with many contingency's built in )

2. Why an agent?

We'll North by Northeast is a ma and pa company not a large conglomerate, they are socially concerned and have inside knowledge. I'd rather that travel for 14 is all organized rather than arrive at the train station and find we'd picked a bad day and all the seats had gone a week ago. Also having a local speaking guide and a minibus from time to time is nice. Let's see what they can offer us - I think the small fee will be worth the smoothness to allow us to get on.

My colleague from EON Graham is keen to join us, also Merin from EON Thailand.

What we really need now is a list of people and organizations that the FLNW2 group already know and suggest that we visit. We can then schedule itinerary accordingly.

My initial thoughts are 3-4 days in Bangkok - with a little time to see the grand palace and other sites but mainly unconference with American schools, British Council, a university - then 4 -5 days in the SUT region visiting high schools, and more unconference, then down to Ubon and across to Lao for 4 to 5 days in one area, then night train back to Bangkok.

Confirmation : 4 FLNW2's

Four people have now confirmed definite attendance at FLNW2 meeting in Bangkok on the 16th January 2008.

See the participants blogroll for 2008.

It's growing.

I've just got off a Twitter "conversation with Kim Confino who is a teacher and cool cat in Bangkok. I'm hoping we can bring in Kim's organization into FLNW 2. More on that one as it emerges.

I've Skyped with Leigh Blackall today and it looks like the TALO Connections Conference 2008 will be a goer. I would really like to get some contacts for Vance from Abu Dubai and see whether we can bring in the Webheads group as a support for the online component of FLNW2.

I'm still getting feedback that a "planned" itinerary that posits people in places not yet being communicated with as being off the mark. We need a critical discussion on this one and I'll get some news into the FLNW Google group on that thought today....actually I did yesterday so give me some feedback on that one.

Check the FLNW Wikispace also cause that's where we'd like to get contributor presence as the feedback is that WikiEducator is too cumbersome for fast edits.

Confirmation of Attendance : Sponsors

Last night I sat up till 12.30 am following up on what I said I would with John Eyles re: FLNW2.

We spoke of costs per participants coming in at $1200 - $1400 USD per participant not the $2020 USD amount first mooted.

I have sent receipts to our 5 ChipIn contributors via the official PayPal receipt return.

ChipIn contributors will be honored in our contributors page located here - http://wikieducator.org/FLNW2_ChipIn_Donations

Many thanks to Nancy White and Stephen Downes for getting this started. Check this page for who contributes from where ;-)

Only names and connections will be added because no matter how small the contribution it all counts to the final enterprise.

EON Foundation has come on board as the first sponsor in-kind. The profile of EON's contributions will be articulated via the link to a wikieducator page keeping track of contributions to date - see http://wikieducator.org/EON_FLNW2_Sponsor

I've received confirmation of via the Google group that 12 particpants have said a definite yes to attendance with Trish everrett saying she has already purchased her ticket to Thailand via Perth, Western Australia.

Mark van Harmelen has noted he is approaching Thai consulates and contacts his way.

I'm keen to get a message to Vance from Webheads to officially confirm whether we can conduct the TALO Connections Conference 2008 via that platform.

I've got to go and pick up Jane from the hospital and bring home my little boy Ethan for the first time so I'll be in contact shortly.

A confirmation of attendance letter has been sent out to officially welcome those who have noted this participant status in the wiki and I'm awaiting 100% confirmation and then will enter their details in this blog to your right :-)

It's all go and I'm happy.

Lift Off !

Thanks to Nancy White and Stephen Downes ( and two other people who
may wish to remain anonymous) we have lift off for FLNW2 !

$190 USD in a day !

As this is a TALO initiative and is an opportunity to assist other
colleagues worldwide by engaging in critical discourse around the use
of iCT's in education it will be greatly appreciated that TALO members
find a way into the proceedings which are begining to shape up as
listed below.

Now with a budget (begining) and a commitment from 12 people to go to
Thailand 16 - 24th January we can begin constructing with Michael
Coughlan, John and those interested in;

1. Setting up a company account that all funds contributed via the
ChipIn profile can be acquitted against. Contributions will be
forwarded from my PayPal account straight to the FLNW2 fund and used
both to support those attending the FLNW2 physically and the
reciprocal return Thai contingent.

2. Motivating others to consider supporting the FLNW2 trip by getting
their sponsor icons into the blog and into all literature online /
offline for FLNW2. Cost for an icon is $1000 AUD which is about $820
USD. A FLNW2 Lulu production will also contain acknowledgment of those
who have contributed no matter how small into the FLNW2 ChipIn fund.

3. Communicating through the EON Foundation with school, training
centres, universities etc. for spaces to conduct workshops, talks,
meetings in unconference mode.

4. Setting up with Vance from WebHeads conference platforms where
guest key notes and speakers will connect with the FLNW2 group and
those coming into contact with the group in Thailand

5. Working on getting an open grant "application" completed with
Brent's help over at WikiEducator and using this open profile to make
application for support in all countries involved.
Better get back to bathing this newborn.

Looking forward to your feedback.

ChipIn : Do Your Bit

Just got off a Skype conversation with Leigh who suggested a few changes to this blog and stated that he's just sitting back and waiting to see what's going to happen with FLNW2.

Fair enough....he's on his way to the altar and the last FLNW near killed him.

Well, I'm doing my bit and come Jan. 16 I'll either be sunning myself on some tourist beach in Thailand or I'll be hanging out with John and getting to know the locals with Trish who will be with me.

I'd like to think that some of the TALO crowd will be accompanying us and others connecting virtually.

You'll notice that we have spots in the FLNW2 blog for sponsor icons - $1000 AUD - and if you wish to be acknowledged as a TALO FLNW supporter then why not chip ....anything will help those who have dedicated their time and effort to ensure we have a contingent departing physically for FLNW2 and that we have support for an exchange party coming back this way later in 2008.

I'm trying to get a hold of both John Eyles and Michael C. so if anyone gets a chance can they please alert either that new things are afoot for FLNW2.

Much appreciated.

FLNW2 : Thailand

TALO or Teach and Learn Online is an international network of people interested in all things e-learning, flexible learning, online education, networked learning and web 2.0.

TALO provides individuals with the opportunity to connect with others who share a common interest in progressing knowledge sharing in an open and diverse collaborative community. A range of active online discussion forums,blogs, wikis, and web feeds are balanced with un-conferences, swap-meets and other spontaneous face-to-face conversations.

The un-conference model has been adopted as an open conversation space within all TALO events and serves to guide or in some instances challenge the perceptions of those used to conference sensibilities.

Round 2 sees the TALO group embark on a trip to Thailand with assistance from the EON Foundation.

The catch cry of this experience stands as......TALO members explore the Future of Learning in a Networked World via e-learning, flexible delivery, online education, networked learning and web 2.0 in the respective geographical and virtual locations. The focus of FLNW2 is to engage TALO members in proactive e-learning hands-on events in a cross-cultural context with host nations, networks, groups and individuals.

Please see the wiki for more info. as it grows - http://www.wikieducator.org/FLNW2

FLNW2 2008

FLNW2 has kicked off in earnest :-)

TALO is growing it's wings into Thailand in January 2008. The format for FLNW2 follows on from the lead and mentorship of Leigh Blackall in 2007.

This FLNW looks to include a number of key support organizations including CITE, WikiEducator, VibeWire and the EON Foundation.

An open grant is being developed to support participators who have committed to the journey through the Mekong Delta and beyond. This will enable all participants to contribute to the financial responsibilities and accountability of the event finance.

A virtual contributors contingent will also be "conduits" for the conversations and will co-ordinate hookups with participants. Please familiarise yourself with the FLNW WikiEducator networks entry and add your thoughts via the FLNW Google group.

John Eyles and Alex Hayes have agreed to push the conversation forward in 2007 with the help of participants from around the globe. The catchcry this time round is to progress the super-human efforts of Leigh Blackall to ".....grow TALO beyond a technology focused online information gathering group and to build a robust and sustainable model of engaging others with networked ICT's and other new and emergent technologies."

The FLNW 2 event follows on from the FLNW event which was held in New Zealand in 2006. FLNW2 came about as a result of round table discussions at the TALO Swap-Meet in Adelaide in March 2007.

This is an annual TALO event and your contributions in discussions , as a Contributor or in any support capacity would be greatly appreciated.

* Note : Alterations will occur in this blog to reflect the upcoming event and entries that point to FLNW 1 archives installed.

The Book

The book with articles and pictures from the conference is now available printed and bound and as a free PDF download from Lulu. The DVD is on the way and I am working on getting copies sent to sponsors, contributors and participants... stay tuned.