Presentation at TTASCD Annual Conference 2012

The term Social Media refers to the use of web-based and mobile technologies to turn communication into an interactive dialogue. Social media is redefining how we relate to each other as humans and how we as humans relate to the organizations that serve us. It is about dialog – two way discussions bringing
people together to discover and share information (Solis 2008).

Learning needs to be relevant to today’s students, and as social media becomes more and more central to students’ lives, it is important to consider its use in the classroom.

This presentation will discuss the use of social media tools with first and second year students in the Bachelor of Education programme at the University of Trinidad and Tobago’s Centre for Educational Programmes. Several social media tools were used, and student perceptions on the use of one, Facebook, were  studied in detail.

 A copy of the presentation can be downloaded here

Thoughts on our 50th Independence

I was listening to Dr. Eric Williams' speech to schoolchildren on the eve of Independence, and I realised that adults of today probably wouldn't understand it, far less most children.  He used big words. He spoke of large dreams. He used literary references. He spoke in English, and he spoke in a rational and almost quiet voice.
 I listened to speeches last night. I heard no big words, I heard no big dreams, rather, I heard small petty ideas and a rush to "own" OUR Independence. I heard petty politics. I also heard mispronunciations, malapropisms, "green" verbs and misuse of terms. I heard all these at volumes that started at a level  above shriek and went higher.
I love the idea of this country, but more and more I'm not loving the actuality of it. It's becoming more and more loud, crude, hard, unpleasant.
On this day, I would like us all to vow to bring back civility, erudition, critical thought, love of art and beauty to this country. We need to see what is good, what potential we have, and support it. We need to fight to prevent mediocrity, corruption and pettiness taking over.
That's my Independence wish. I hope that on the 100th Independence day, in 2062, we'll be what I know we can be. Or even better!

The National Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Policy and Strategy Conference Day 1

The first day of the National Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Policy and Strategy Conference was focused on the first two themes of the National ICT plan (smartTT):

1. Innovation and Human Capital Development 
2. Access and Digital Inclusion

Following a short opening session (1 hr) where all the dignitaries made their speeches about the importance of the plan, we headed into the first plenary, which focused on an overview of ICTS for development, and a summary/executive review of the National ICT Plan Refresh - smartTT - by the Chairman of iGovTT, Atiba Phillips. 

History of LACRALO

At the ICANN meeting in Costa Rica, I sat down with  Carlton Samuels to explain the history of LACRALO to Glenn McKnight who's documenting the history of ICANN's At Large community.

I AM! Wendell Manwarren's TEDx PortOfSpain Talk

I think, therefore I am.
I AM...
Wendell talks about who we are, how we find ourselves

Grammar rant for the day - Correct use of personal pronouns

"They gave my friend and I a gift." WRONGWRONGWRONGWRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good way to test:
Break the sentence up, for example:
"They gave my friend a gift, and they gave... what? They gave I a gift?"

People PUHLEEZE!

Correct usage is "my friend and ME".
"They gave my friend a gift, and they gave me a gift. "

"Me" is used when it is the object of the sentence, "I" when it is the subject.

"I went to the party", "My friend and I went to the party" gives us "My friend and I went to the party"
"They gave my friend a gift, and they gave me a gift. " gives us "They gave my friend and me a gift"

I heard not one correct use of this for the ENTIRE WEEKEND. Then I came on G+ this morning and the first post I read had "my wife and I" as the object. I just got really really pissed.

Do people not learn English Grammar anymore in school? Or is it that so many people use this incorrectly that it's being seen as correct?
I know English is a living language and changes, but I think the difference between subject and object in a sentence is one of the fundamentals of comprehension. This should be used correctly.

END RANT. :)
If you want to check it out yourself, here's a link from the OED online.

Web designers vs Web Developers - Which one R u?

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