I think this will be my last post to this blog (but not my last post–see the bottom of this article). For a while I have been pushing the point of view that the world needs more joiners in the “open movement,” i.e. open access, open content, open education, open educational resources, open source software, etc. and fewer starters.
At the same time I’ve been trying to point out many of the discussions around online learning are narrow and uniformed as most do not appreciate the history of teaching and learning that has been happening online for years, or recognize the existing resources already out there helping self-motivated learners discover, create and grow. Many of these educationally valuable resources are quite creative, innovative and compelling. Unfortunately, as many evolved over time, through the continued work of individuals and groups who cared more about the product than the prize, they may have not benefited from the branding and marketing of more recent “disruptive” efforts that have “burst upon the scene.”
Don’t think me naive, I understand that many blogs are promotional, but those–neither their content nor creators–are not of interest to me. I’m looking for authentic engagement with folks who wonder why, not tell me how.
Nonetheless many informal communities and the resources they create, provide real value for those looking to learn about some topic: Programming, Art History, Higher Education, etc. The people involved–the authors, readers, commenters, linkers–provide several important services: access to/curation of current thought and resources; guidance in interpretation and understanding, support, feedback/assessment about your and others’ work and ideas; community building and introduction to peers, etc. I’ve pointed to online communities like discussion forums in the past but blogs are clearly another example where folks are meeting to discuss and learn with one another and find experts on topics of personal and/or professional interest.
So eating my own dog food, what would be better, starting up a blog (and keep it limping along with a few hits/comments/pingbacks coming in) or join a blog that is much more mature and active? It’s just like an open source project: create a new blog (or project?) to discuss issues of interest; develop a community for the exchange of ideas; and promote awareness and adoption to grow participation/contribution, versus joining an existing blog (again, project?) to contribute to foster further development and community: someone said, it’s reuse, not recreate.
So here is my plan (as if you care–but at least, now with this reflection, I can look at myself). I am going to find several blogs on topics of interest, higher education; technology, edtech; openness; open source software, etc. and only comment in those. This will not be too hard as I am already following several. And while the comments section of other’s blogs can serve just as nicely as running my own blog as a platform/forum for my thoughts and ideas, the important (and hopefully valuable) concept is that I will be contributing to a broader discussion and possibly, greater understanding (mine and others) as well as direction on the subject (or maybe they will block me!).
Just like open source projects, open textbooks, open courses, open educational resources, etc. the greater the participation, the better the outcomes/output: many eyeballs…!
On this page, I’ll simply chronicle my comments as an index for reference. Let’s see how this goes.
- #OSS In #HigherEd,
November, 3, 2022 - Not where the world is going…where the world is,
July 14, 2022 - Higher Ed OSPOs Garnering Millions in Funding. Why?
June 1, 2022 - EDUCAUSE Shares Top 10 IT Issues, 2022: How Open Source Enables The Higher Education We Deserve,
January 10, 2022 - Alternative Educational Programming Within a Traditional University
October 12, 2021 - An Open Source History Lesson & More with Patrick Masson,
May 22nd, 2020 - Happy Anniversary—The Next 20 Years of Open Source Begins Today
February 3, 2018 - Kids can’t code without computers,
September 29, 2017 - 7 Things You Should Know About Open-Source Projects.
August 31, 2017 - Why do you use Linux and open source software?
March 17, 2017 (see comments)
- Open Source adoption in Education Sector: Interview with Patrick Masson from OSI
March 8, 2017 - Open Source Computer Club: Out of the trash, into the classroom,
September 2, 2016 - 4 talks from leaders in higher ed on the future of open education,
August 8, 2016 - Bringing Raspberry Pi to schools in Tanzania,
June 16, 2016 - Open Source adoption in Education Sector: Interview with Patrick Masson from OSI
June 8, 2016 - Smarthistory: No grand strategies needed, just openness,
May 2, 2016 - 6 non-code contributions you can make to open source,
January 21, 2016 (see comments) - Pearson issues profit warning and announces 4,000 job cut,
January 21, 2016 (see comments) - A Higher Calling For Open-Source Software,
January 19, 2016 (see comments) - How to Charge for your Open Source,
November 23, 2015 (see comments) - “The Open Source Ethos” (CatsConfFinal.pdf)
2015 Catskill Conference,
October 23, 2015 - Open Source Initiative launches free webinar series
November 15, 2015 - Lastpass sold to LogMeIn — should Linux users panic? October 21, 2015 (see comments)
- Terry and Clarence Low, Bits ‘N’ Bytes: WordPress has its upsides and downsides, October 2, 2015 (see comments)
- Fair pricing in the World of Open Source,
September 15, 2015(see comments) - German city that ditched Windows for Linux wants to go back to Windows,
August 22, 2015 (see comments) - How to pick an open source licence for your code,
August 3, 2015 (see comments) - Enterprises Flocking to Open Source Software OSS will work, but is the enterprise staff really ready?
June 16, 2015 by Gary Audin (see comments) - Companies should be on the hunt for gremlins in the open-source machine
May 28, 2015, by Paul Levy (see comments) - Open Source Conquers Proprietary Software, Really?
May 21, 2015, by Whitney Grace - 17 years of defending open source: Join the OSI today.
February 17, 2015 - How secure are your open source-based systems?
January 22, 2015 by Susan Miller, - OSI 2014 Annual Report
December 15, 2014 - Is Kuali Guilty of “Open Washing”?
December 3, 2014 by Michael Feldstein - Openwashing: adopter beware
December 3, 2014 - An open source iPad alternative, Creative Commons turns 12, and more
November 30, 2014
(This comment was later published as a post, “Openwashing: adopter beware,” on December 3, 2014) - Kuali, Ariah and Apereo: Emerging ed tech debate on open source license types
November 10, 2014 by Phil Hill - Dammit, the LMS
November 10, 2014 by Michael Feldstein - Kuali, Ariah and Apereo: Emerging ed tech debate on open source license types
November 10, 2014 by Phil Hill - How to use the XWiki annotation feature and some functionality it provides.
August 27, 2014 - InstructureCon: Canvas LMS has different competition now
June 19, 2014 by Phil Hill
My comments… - Why open source is not always the best tool for the job: Control Shift
Wednesday, 18 June 2014 by Andrew Sadauskas
My comments… - Why Open Source Software Isn’t as Secure as You Think
Posted 12 June, 2014 By Paul Rubens
My comments…
- Training college students to contribute to the Linux kernel
Posted 18 Nov 2013 by Luis Ibanez
My comments… - Prepare students for a rapidly changing world by teaching with open source
Posted 19 Nov 2013 by Gregg Ferrie
My comments… - University course trades textbook for Raspberry Pi
Posted 23 Oct 2013 by Luis Ibanez
My comments… - Free and open source education materials for children and teens
Posted 7 Nov 2013 by Carolyn Fox
My comments… - Collaboration Enables Next-Generation Digital Learning
May 17, 2012
TwoThree98 
So how is this working out? I’ve always appreciated (and often stolen) your insight