…in a galaxy far, far away…

Listening to Scottlo ‘casting on ds106 radio from the biggest earthquake in Japan’s history. Just like the broadcast of War of the Worlds, I start to think this is live action news, but I know it was recorded over two years ago, as the cogdog listened and published it on his blog.

So goes the internet, so goes media. We have recordings of history, of literature, of entertainment, of education. Unlike other eras of history, we have more than physical artifacts; we have digital recordings! Though these recordings can be remixed, altered, erased, and more, there exist exact copies. We must develop the “information literacy” skills to know what is true, what is important, and what isn’t either.

As I learn more of ds106 (and I’ve only been active with it lightly for a few weeks), I learn that the driving forces (current and former instructors, active open participants, etc) are very experienced indeed. I won’t disclose my findings (trying not to be a stalker…), but search the artifacts on your favorite search engine, read the postings of ds106 history on the About link, watch and listen to the recordings of conferences, classes, podcasts, etc. And I think one of the key messages that all have for us as students is “Just Do It!” Do the gifs, do the recordings, do the daily creates, do the summaries, do the hangouts. This is the way one learns creativity. This is the way one develops history. This is the way one develops the future. #ds106 is #4life!

I’m reminded of Rule Seven from “Some Rules for Students and Teachers,” (attributed to John Cage, but actually Sister Corita Kent of Immaculate Heart College): The only rule is work. If you work it will lead to something. It’s the people who do all the work all of the time who eventually catch on to things. This is my admonition to myself.

Where’s the tip jar?