So, I've been a digital reader since I received my first iPad about 5 years ago. I started downloading books through my Kindle reader or iBooks and have them connected to both my phone, iPad, and computer. This allows me to catch a few minutes of reading my favorite book whenever and wherever I am. It allows me to access my library in an instant and reference a quote, data, or idea with someone in person or via Twitter, Linkedin, or Voxer (my preferred social networking sites). It used to be just 'Substitution' though for the opportunity to walk around with a library of books.
'Augmentation' begins to creep in with notetaking and highlighting....I love how I can highlight a quote in many e-books and it logs them for me for later. Or I can add a note to check back into at a later time. These are all super slick features, but really not much cooler than a post-it note, highlight, or annotation in the margin with the exception of the opportunity of checking them all later all in one spot. That's where the power of technology begins to kick in. Also, it's pretty cool to see the 'Popular Highlights' and get an idea of other interesting ideas that are meaningful to others and begs me to ask the questions about their highlighting to me. It draws me in to a greater connection with others. But, I'm still left a little hungry for the discussion.
Maybe it's just me, but I'm looking for an opportunity for collaboration and increased learning from each professional book that I pick up ('Modification'). I want to have an opportunity to comment and engage in a dialogue with others around certain quotes and ideas. I want to be able to hear how someone applied _____ idea in their setting and how it worked out. I want to be able to do the same with my ideas. I'd like to throw out an idea around a topic from the book, have it batted around a bit by some folks, and then refine it for use in my setting. I've been in a Voxer book study, which was pretty cool, but overwhelmed with the number of people (My preference-I would keep those book clubs down to an intimate number of 10 to 20) and the pace of the book study. I'm a bit of an erratic reader who will have 5 books going at a time and will read them at my own pace.
'Augmentation' begins to creep in with notetaking and highlighting....I love how I can highlight a quote in many e-books and it logs them for me for later. Or I can add a note to check back into at a later time. These are all super slick features, but really not much cooler than a post-it note, highlight, or annotation in the margin with the exception of the opportunity of checking them all later all in one spot. That's where the power of technology begins to kick in. Also, it's pretty cool to see the 'Popular Highlights' and get an idea of other interesting ideas that are meaningful to others and begs me to ask the questions about their highlighting to me. It draws me in to a greater connection with others. But, I'm still left a little hungry for the discussion.
Maybe it's just me, but I'm looking for an opportunity for collaboration and increased learning from each professional book that I pick up ('Modification'). I want to have an opportunity to comment and engage in a dialogue with others around certain quotes and ideas. I want to be able to hear how someone applied _____ idea in their setting and how it worked out. I want to be able to do the same with my ideas. I'd like to throw out an idea around a topic from the book, have it batted around a bit by some folks, and then refine it for use in my setting. I've been in a Voxer book study, which was pretty cool, but overwhelmed with the number of people (My preference-I would keep those book clubs down to an intimate number of 10 to 20) and the pace of the book study. I'm a bit of an erratic reader who will have 5 books going at a time and will read them at my own pace.
Maybe I'm asking for a 300 page blog...what's wrong with that?
I want the authors to have an opportunity to interact with the readers and amend their work based on new ideas, feedback, or just a change of experience. I'm not necessarily looking for classic e-books like To Kill a Mockingbird to have Harper Lee come in comment...although that would be really cool. Do you think she might change the ending if given an opportunity? I'm really referencing our modern professional reads, specifically, in leadership and education (yes...because that's what I read) and how we can transform our educational community through a collaborative experience ('Redefinition'). We are constantly learning and growing...aren't the authors? Also, wouldn't it be so much better if at some point in the book, the author of an e-book embedded an audio or video file and did some explaining using an interactive experience or threw in a powtoon or TED video. For example, the amazing @DrSpikeCook recently published Connected Leadership: It's Just a Click Away through the Connected Educators Series of Corwin Press led by @PeterMDeWitt. I happen to know Spike a little and have hard copy of the book that I just started reading (super read, very practical for beginning and experienced connected educators). Anyway, great book, but when it references the Corwin Blog or a Twitter chat....shouldn't it link directly to those? Wouldn't it be cool if when they started talking about Principalcast that it would link right to Theresa Steiger and a clip form Principalcast? How about leaving a message for Spike or Brad when he references @GustafsonBrad and asks 'What role does social media play in the development and empowerment of his teachers?' I'd like to throw in my thoughts to him and Spike, but also would like to see what others have to say about it. I think we have a missed opportunity for learning and growth. Ok...so, I've tried to model a little of this today. Maybe I'm asking for a 300 page blog...what's wrong with that? We are pushing our teachers and students to new heights with SAMR, so why not push our authors and thought-leaders? Why stop with a bit of 'Augmentation' when we can get to 'Redefinition'? We are in a connected world and we can leverage this opportunity to learn and grow. | Notes from my read of Seth Godin's Tribes! @sethgodin....have you heard Seth's Podcast or read his Blog? |