Category: CTCX

BreakDrink, CTCX, Podcast

iPodcast.

Laura Pasquini

Thanks to Break Drink and almost a year of broadcasting weekly shows, I can official say I am a podcaster. Does this mean anything to anyone? Probably not – but for me it sure has. The Campus Tech Connection (#CTCX) has helped me to engage and inquire about all things tech, student affairs, higher education and then some. Break Drink recently celebrated the 100th Podcast by bringing the entire group of podcasters together. The BreakDrink team, which includes the #StudentAffairs, #OnDuty, #CTCX, #EDUsports podcastor and contributor ARL275, were able to reflect and share their own podcasting experiences. 

I have been producing and participating in the podcasting since 2007 [first with the Academic Advising & Career Centre at UTSC], however my recent podcast times with Break Drink have been more frequent and regular. Unlike a blog, podcasting allows me to put a real voice behind some thoughts, resources and ideas. With my co-hosts,  Jeff Jackson & Jeff Lail, I have learned and engaged more in my academic and professional development. 

Here is a past presentation I pulled from my archives for others who might be interested in entering into the podcast realm. This is just  a start, however perhaps it will kick start your podcasting plans.

Here are just a few things I have learned and enjoyed as a Break Drink #CTCX podcaster:

  • You have to ENJOY it – if you like what you’re talking about it keeps the listeners interested & coming back for more
  • It is a Process – we have learned & improved along the way; it is okay to make mistakes
  • Gadget & Tools – identify what hardware and online resources work best for YOU. There are LOADS out there free & paid
  • Be Genuine – you are there to have a bit of a chat; be yourself
  • Plan – it’s okay to have a plan/script to keep you on track especially if you have many hosts & multiple interview questions
  • Co-Host Backchannel – we use IM on Google Chat to keep the flow & avoid talking over each other
  • Get to Know Your Audience – engaging in the Meebo room & the #CTCX backchannel on Twitter lets your live listeners play
  • Ask & Invite – We have invited some pretty amazing guests who we would not have talked to if we did not ask them to join 
  • SHARE! – not only do we talk, but we also post links & resources on a blog each week to follow up from the show
  • Be Open – to feedback, collaboration and new ideas! 
  • Teamwork – it has been great to put a schedule, invite guests and plan topics a a group
  • Always More – The learning never stops – there is always more trends, innovations, happenings and questions to ask 
Conference, CTCX, Higher Education, Professional Development, SAchat

Stopping by #SxSW

Laura Pasquini

#SxSW has attracted the interactive, film and music fans from around the world to Austin, TX every March. This year @julieclarsen decided to drop into the interactive part – #SxSWi – since we are only 3.5 hours north of the fun.

Although our road trip was short, we managed to soak in all that #SXSW was offering for the interactive time. There are loads of events and happenings for non-registered fans, and it gave us a sample of what we might attend next year – because we’re very interested in playing & engaging with some of the great panel sessions too.

Here are a few #SxSW highlights from the rogue attendees:

  • There’s an app for that! – Many new startups, apps and more begin to shine at #SxSW. We were texting beside the CEO/Founder, Mike, of Hashable & also met the developers from PunchTab who just launched their online reward program 5 days before #SxSWi.
  • FREE! is the name of the game – There are loads of fun things to do & see for the frugal-minded geek. Many happenings were found on the street or at an RSVP gathering within the 4th-6th Street limits.
  • Time to Play – Ping pong, Foursquare, Geek Games from Mashable &  frolicking is key for the #SxSWi. Loads of events happening on the street, in a parking lot and around town to enjoy. And there is tonnes of fun being tweeted & broadcasted about what is happening around town.
  • Celebrity Sighting – If you want to see a few stars, they are sure to appear in front of a camera or microphone for an interview near you (on the street). We saw Danny Devito interview for an upcoming film he’s producing, but other friends met Conan O’Brien, Dane Cook, Juno, Mike Tyson and then some.
  • Ideas, Solutions & Blue Skies – There are loads of great panels, talks and discussions about what’s to come in the techie realm.
  • Points to Ponder – This event had my mind spinning for ideas to research, develop, and create. Imagine if I attended more of the convention. Unreal.
  • BEST PART = Meet & Greet – There are loads of people in Austin on the street who are open to chatting & gathering. I recommend a local cafe or watering hole such as South Congress Cafe, Fado, Stubbs BBQ or The Gingerman. It was a great weekend to connect & meet a few #SAChat friends IRL.

Besides meeting @EdCabellon, Julie & I met up with a few #SAChat friends such as @bradpopiolek, @jeffjackson, @SueBecks, @lizgross144, @marlenabh, @reyjunco, @stephwint, @PetePereira, @lynnellison & @LauraLambeth (who took some fab photogs from the #SASxSW TweetUp because I was too chatty and less of a photographer :)) at Rudy’s BBQ. We feasted & chatted over some Texas finest BBQ. Our meeting was cut short by my scholastic obligations (who puts a test on Saturday night of Spring Break?), however I do hope to connect and visit with more local & faraway #SAChat friends in the future.

BIG kudos goes out to Brad, our Austin host with the most, and Julie, the ultimate road warrior. Here’s to more gatherings of technology and fun in the future! Learning is best when it’s crowd-sourced & IRL.

BreakDrink, CTCX, Social Media, web 2.0

Location: There’s No Place Like Home

Laura Pasquini

Why check in with location for learning? Good question. In higher education these geographically social resources connect our students on campus, share information and encourage community participation. Location-based services provide a game-like challenges for students within higher education. These location applications provide interaction, establish online identities and create a “home” feeling for many higher education institutions.

Geosocial applications create an emerging online learning environment for our students. Gowalla offers programmed trips that include highlights, challenges and items to collect. Foursquare offers incentives, discounts and fun badges to its users. A variety of student affair departments are beginning to experiment and play with the location-based apps on campus – are you one of them? If so, please share.

Earlier this year the Campus Tech Connection chatted with a few people about location-based applications and how they impact our campus communities. I am not using location based applications for learning just yet, but I am interested in exploring the possibilities. These podcasts delve into a few ideas and examples of how location-based resources are being used on campus:

Here are just a few examples of universities and colleges who are utilizing location applications on campus:

Other Location-based applications to check out…

TriOut http://trioutnc.com/
Whrrl http://whrrl.com/
Facebook Places http://www.facebook.com/places/
Google Places with Hotpot http://www.google.com/places/
BrightKite http://brightkite.com/

BreakDrink, CTCX, Podcast

Making the List with #CTCX

Laura Pasquini

Hey there… remember me? I took a bit of a blogging hiatus for the end of semester and holiday break, but I’m back into action and plan to write more about my adventures and discoveries in the edtech, learning, social media and collaborative realm. I promise.


Photog c/o Flickr user The Bohle Company

Just to catch you up on a few things, it looks like the Campus Tech Connection (#CTCX) podcasts has been all about making a few lists of what we want, what we like and what we predict will be big for 2011.  Here’s the quick catch up list for some of the latest & greatest shows:

On my list is to keep you posted on my academic & scholarly happenings, while I talk about the tech tools for learning, training and engagement.  Stay tuned…

BreakDrink, CTCX

November, November a #CTCX Month to Remember.

Laura Pasquini

Time sure does fly when you are getting to talk to some great tech friends on the Campus Tech Connection. Due to my scholastic commitments and other obligations this month, I have been slacking in the blog department. I do apologize. Here is a comprehensive re-cap for all the great people and topics the #CTCX crew engaged with during the month of November:

November 1st – CTCX Podcast #18:

E-Readers – CTCX Posse Discussion (see my last blog post)

Thoughts, ideas & resources on e-books, e-readers and how they will impact higher education.

  • Gadgets, specs, e-book reviews and more.
  • Impact to learning and services in higher education
  • Presentation & links for a webinar on said topic
  • Call in from Case Western about the upcoming Kindle pilot

November 8th CTCX Podcast #19:

Getting connected with OrgSync & Eric Fortenberry (CEO/Founder)

Show highlights:

November 15th – CTCX Podcast #20:

Our chat with HigherEd Live host Seth Odell

Show highlights:

  • HigherEd Live weekly show: http://higheredlive.com/ Watch live every Sunday at 7 pm CST.
  • Connect to Seth Odell on Twitter & via his website
  • Want to know more about streaming? Professional Photos, Videos and Live Streams 101: Strategies and Tips From Campus Pros – January 18, 19 & 20, 2011 – 1PM-2PM EST (upcoming webinar)
  • Live & impromptu jam session with Seth for a grand finish. Way to step back from that ledge, my friend.

November 22nd – CTCX Podcast #21:

Learning about MIT Open Courseware with Steve Carson, External Relations Director for MIT OCW

Show highlights:

Join us for the next Campus Tech Connection next Monday (12/6) with @jacksonj, @jefflail &@laurapasquini as we discuss the Tech Tools We Cannot Live Without & a Few Items on our Tech Wish List. Have an idea or care to share your thoughts with the #CTCX gang?

  • E-mail: breakdrink@gmail.com
  • Text or call: 732-982-BREAK (7325)
  • Join us LIVE next Monday (12/6) at 7 pm CST at BreakDrink Live
  • Tweet your thoughts using the hashtag #CTCX and/or calling in(646) 652-2342 during the program.