Why Use a Big Tool when Small Ones Will Do? Marrying the LMS with Web 2.0 Tools

Why Use a Big Tool when Small Ones Will Do? Marrying the LMS with Web 2.0 Tools

I came across this quoted text when reading the manual for Handbrake, a great open source DVD transcoding tool, and realized how relevant the wisdom continues to be… There’s this ​old geek proverb: The Law of Software Development and Envelopment at MIT: Every program in development at MIT expands until it can read mail. It also goes by the name… Read more →

Was Google Reader Sacrificed to Preserve the Value of News Content?

Was Google Reader Sacrificed to Preserve the Value of News Content?

I have a speculative explanation for the death of Google Reader. I remember in 2010 when Eric Schmidt was having high-level talks with news outlets, trying to help them envision a new model to maintain the value of their content. Schmidt even penned an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, describing the year 2015, when people would be paying a subscription fee… Read more →

Sleep Cycle Smartphone Apps Wake You When You're Rested

Sleep Cycle Smartphone Apps Wake You When You’re Rested

I was never a worse insomniac than when I was teaching. I would often spend nights just staring at the ceiling, my mind racing with lesson ideas, concerns about students, or replaying challenging events from the day. Now, smartphone apps can actually monitor your sleep cycles and wake you up with an alarm at the perfect moment to help you… Read more →