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/

Networked Community, PLN

Tools to Help Grow Your PLN

Laura Pasquini

I just shared with you my thoughts about my PLN and how I have come to value this learning network. Now let me share with you some helpful tools and resources to help grow YOUR network.

Today @julieclarsen & I will be presenting to a group of advisors at the 14th Annual UTAAA Conference at University of Texas Arlington campus. This session is designed to go beyond the introduction of social media resources, and demonstrate how you can effectively incorporate them into your own professional development plan, build a learning network and support others in your professional community. Enjoy and pass it on to others seeking ideas for PD.

Do you have other ways you grow your PLN for professional development? Please share.

Collaboration, Learning Community, PhD, PLE, Professional Development, Reflections, Virtual Communities

Thoughts On My PLN

Laura Pasquini

I have been pondering the value of my Personal Learning Network (PLN) for quite sometime. I value educators, professionals and researchers in higher education who share, connect and collaborators with me online and IRL (in real life).

Not too long ago @clintlalonde interviewed me for his masters thesis research paper on learning networks. I agreed to this Skype interview, as PLN is a strong interested on my own research thread. A BIG thanks goes out to Clint for having me reflect on my PLN. After reviewing the transcripts from our interview, I thought I would highlight a few thoughts I shared about my PLN:

  • a shared space where I connect and engage with a community of peers
  • this group is a sort of a scaffold & sounding board
  • a place go to for resources and ideas
  • usually related to my interests or areas I want to expand upon
  • technology did not create my PLN, but is is now a great and easy medium to cultivate it
  • resources for personal and professional development is in the network
  • 140 characters really does have value in my own educational development
  • my network is varied and there is never a dull moment – this is why I stay engaged
  • it has different themes within different nodes & groups
  • crowd-sourcing – starts the conversation, inspires project development and collaborative initiatives
  • it can evolve and it can change  – the medium may change but the messages & info is always there
  • I never stop learning…that’s why I heart my PLN!

Here are a few great articles and resources from educators in my PLN:

Have you grown YOUR PLN lately?

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.