Wednesday, June 05, 2013

Thursday Interview - Online Book Clubs for Education and What Ben Rimes Has Learned

Join me Thursday, June 6th, 2013, for an live and interactive FutureofEducation.com conversation with Ben Rimes, creator of the virtual Book Club 106. Please note that this show is 30 minutes later in the day than usual (so that Ben can be a good dad!).

Book Club 106 is an open online book club for educators that has been meeting weekly and so far has covered two books: Switch and What Video Games Have to Teach us About Learning & Literacy. In this community conversation (meaning, please join us both to ask Ben questions and to brainstorm together), we'll look at the whole idea of virtual or online book clubs: do they make sense, how do they compare with in-person book clubs, and are they catching on? We will also drill down on the changing forms of writing (many of us are reading more short-form material, like blogs and e-books), the role of reading in education and society, and how the Web invites participation in the great conversations of humanity (and are we taking advantage of that?).

Ben can also give us an overview of the lessons he has learned about holding online book clubs, from inviting participation to the technology he has used. I'm particularly interested in this, having held a virtual book discussion or two myself and having been somewhat unsatisfied with the outcome--which I think may reflect my own lack of organizing appropriately rather than the potential of online conversations. I hope you'll join us.

Date: Thursday, June 6th, 2013
Time: 5:30pm Pacific / 8:30pm Eastern (international times here)
Duration: 1 hour
Location: In Blackboard Collaborate (formerly Elluminate). Log in at http://www.futureofed.info. The Blackboard Collaborate room will be open up to 30 minutes before the event if you want to come in early. To make sure that your computer is configured for Blackboard Collaborate, please visit the support and configuration page.
Recording:  A full Blackboard Collaborate recording is at https://sas.elluminate.com/p.jnlp?psid=2013-06-06.1746.M.9E9FE58134BE68C3B413F24B3586CF.vcr&sid=2008350 and an audio mp3 recording is at http://audio.edtechlive.com/foe/benrimes.mp3 and at http://www.futureofeducation.com.

From Ben's self-description at his website:
"As someone who works closely with teachers integrating technology in my school district I am constantly blessed with teaching students that are always in awe of the amazing creations and connections made possible with computers and the internet. As a graduate of Western Michigan University, I knew very early in my educational career that I was passionate about technology and how using it allows for student-centered learning to flourish. I continue to look for new ways to enhance my own understanding of educational technology as a member of MACUL (Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning).

"As a graduate of the University of Michigan – Flint’s Technology in Education: Global Program, I've been able to work with some amazing educators from around the world in leveraging technology to connect learners and explore the possibilities of social networking in the classroom. If you have a cool project, I’d love to know about it, blog about it, and even introduce my students and teachers to it!
When not blogging, presenting, or advocating for the use of technology in education I enjoy catching up on Saturday morning cartoons, and romping around the house with my children."

No comments:

Post a Comment

I hate having to moderate comments, but have to do so because of spam... :(