Comments on: The Killer EdApp http://erichoefler.com/2007/02/24/the-killer-edapp/ Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:13:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: mark vernon http://erichoefler.com/2007/02/24/the-killer-edapp/#comment-1882 mark vernon Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:44:09 +0000 http://edublog.erichoefler.com/?p=62#comment-1882 eduslide.com is now available as open source software, which you can download and modify. It took a little longer than we thought to get it suitable for release! cheers mark vernon, vtc.com, eduslide.com eduslide.com is now available as open source software, which you can download and modify. It took a little longer than we thought to get it suitable for release!

cheers
mark vernon, vtc.com, eduslide.com

]]> By: mark vernon http://erichoefler.com/2007/02/24/the-killer-edapp/#comment-142 mark vernon Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:29:23 +0000 http://edublog.erichoefler.com/?p=62#comment-142 We have been working on a product called eduslide for the last year, and we will be launching it as open source in July 2008. It is an LCMS as moodle is, but concentrates more on the creation side. We've also created a lot of free content for school subjects, covering mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, geography etc, as well as offering the first 3 chapters of VTC IT courses (about 12,000 screencasts). I'd be interested in constructive feedback so we can make the product better. We have been working on a product called eduslide for the last year, and we will be launching it as open source in July 2008. It is an LCMS as moodle is, but concentrates more on the creation side. We’ve also created a lot of free content for school subjects, covering mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, geography etc, as well as offering the first 3 chapters of VTC IT courses (about 12,000 screencasts).
I’d be interested in constructive feedback so we can make the product better.

]]> By: dy/dan » Blog Archive » Tech Adventure 2007 http://erichoefler.com/2007/02/24/the-killer-edapp/#comment-141 dy/dan » Blog Archive » Tech Adventure 2007 Wed, 14 Mar 2007 07:44:41 +0000 http://edublog.erichoefler.com/?p=62#comment-141 [...] there.) Over the course of the day, I’ll be poring over the text and comments of Eric’s Killer EdApp post. I’ll be revisiting Darren’s fine work integrating tech into his math classrooms. [...] [...] there.) Over the course of the day, I’ll be poring over the text and comments of Eric’s Killer EdApp post. I’ll be revisiting Darren’s fine work integrating tech into his math classrooms. [...]

]]> By: Peter Rock http://erichoefler.com/2007/02/24/the-killer-edapp/#comment-140 Peter Rock Tue, 27 Feb 2007 23:40:53 +0000 http://edublog.erichoefler.com/?p=62#comment-140 Eric says: "<i>This is a good point, Bud. Thanks for reminding us about this.</i>" I agree. Thanks Bud. "<i>It’s one reason why the app I would want would be 1) open source,</i>" I know this may sound crazy, but this is not enough. It must be free (as in speech) software. An open source application may be subjected to restriction depending upon the architecture of the system as a whole. This is a critical difference and it is imperative that an application like this be free. This is the crux. Do you see why? The difference between "open" and "free" software is subtle and even irrelevant in some situations. But in other contexts, it is absolutely crucial. We're talking about software that communities will use to communicate with each other both privately and publicly. It must be free. "<i>2) customizable,</i>" Yes, which is a given if the software is free (as in speech). "<i>3) allow admins to turn on or off various options.</i>" Yes, again a given if the environment is free (as in speech). If it is not, then who is "the admin"? Eric says:

“This is a good point, Bud. Thanks for reminding us about this.”

I agree. Thanks Bud.

“It’s one reason why the app I would want would be 1) open source,”

I know this may sound crazy, but this is not enough. It must be free (as in speech) software. An open source application may be subjected to restriction depending upon the architecture of the system as a whole. This is a critical difference and it is imperative that an application like this be free. This is the crux. Do you see why? The difference between “open” and “free” software is subtle and even irrelevant in some situations. But in other contexts, it is absolutely crucial. We’re talking about software that communities will use to communicate with each other both privately and publicly. It must be free.

“2) customizable,”

Yes, which is a given if the software is free (as in speech).

“3) allow admins to turn on or off various options.”

Yes, again a given if the environment is free (as in speech). If it is not, then who is “the admin”?

]]> By: Doug Noon http://erichoefler.com/2007/02/24/the-killer-edapp/#comment-139 Doug Noon Mon, 26 Feb 2007 04:35:34 +0000 http://edublog.erichoefler.com/?p=62#comment-139 I'll echo Bud's statement, about having a great 3D environment in the classroom. I've been using Drupal with my students now for about a year. It's not "killer" but it does what I need it to and more importantly, it seems to work for <em>the kids</em>. I think we run into problems when we start talking about Education (capital E) as a monolithic enterprise. There are many locations, levels, purposes, personalities, etc. involved in teaching/learning environments. Flexibility is key. Drupal's modular make-up lends itself to customization. Though, as Stephen pointed out in his blog, poor documentation is a problem. So....if there ever is such a thing as a "killer application," I would expect it to be highly customizable. I’ll echo Bud’s statement, about having a great 3D environment in the classroom. I’ve been using Drupal with my students now for about a year. It’s not “killer” but it does what I need it to and more importantly, it seems to work for the kids. I think we run into problems when we start talking about Education (capital E) as a monolithic enterprise. There are many locations, levels, purposes, personalities, etc. involved in teaching/learning environments. Flexibility is key. Drupal’s modular make-up lends itself to customization. Though, as Stephen pointed out in his blog, poor documentation is a problem. So….if there ever is such a thing as a “killer application,” I would expect it to be highly customizable.

]]> By: Eric Hoefler http://erichoefler.com/2007/02/24/the-killer-edapp/#comment-138 Eric Hoefler Mon, 26 Feb 2007 04:26:04 +0000 http://edublog.erichoefler.com/?p=62#comment-138 This is a good point, Bud. Thanks for reminding us about this. It's one reason why the app I would want would be 1) open source, 2) customizable, and 3) allow admins to turn on or off various options. But of course, monopolies are bad for everyone but the monopolizer. I'd be happy with lots of "killer apps." So far, though, I haven't even found <em>one</em> that does everything I'm looking for. But I'm getting more and more hopeful ... This is a good point, Bud. Thanks for reminding us about this.

It’s one reason why the app I would want would be 1) open source, 2) customizable, and 3) allow admins to turn on or off various options.

But of course, monopolies are bad for everyone but the monopolizer. I’d be happy with lots of “killer apps.” So far, though, I haven’t even found one that does everything I’m looking for.

But I’m getting more and more hopeful …

]]> By: Bud Hunt http://erichoefler.com/2007/02/24/the-killer-edapp/#comment-137 Bud Hunt Mon, 26 Feb 2007 04:20:31 +0000 http://edublog.erichoefler.com/?p=62#comment-137 I know I'm late to the game as a commenter -- but this is an interesting discussion. Why do we need <i>one</i> killer ap? We need lots of them. As a language arts teacher, I don't look to get every student interested in the same book -- I look for books and texts that will work for the students. While there're plenty of improvements, and plenty of good people, working to create the right tools, I don't want to be forced into the one tool that a future teacher or administrator might find is the best. For example -- I don't want an 3-D environment right now -- I've already got a great one in my classroom. I want flexibility. I want choice. I don't want <i>a</i> killer app. I want lots of them. I know I’m late to the game as a commenter — but this is an interesting discussion. Why do we need one killer ap? We need lots of them. As a language arts teacher, I don’t look to get every student interested in the same book — I look for books and texts that will work for the students. While there’re plenty of improvements, and plenty of good people, working to create the right tools, I don’t want to be forced into the one tool that a future teacher or administrator might find is the best. For example — I don’t want an 3-D environment right now — I’ve already got a great one in my classroom.
I want flexibility. I want choice. I don’t want a killer app. I want lots of them.

]]> By: Zee http://erichoefler.com/2007/02/24/the-killer-edapp/#comment-136 Zee Mon, 26 Feb 2007 01:44:01 +0000 http://edublog.erichoefler.com/?p=62#comment-136 Hello Everyone, This is Zee from tteach.com. Just a quick message to let you all know that we're listening to every word - and are really really REALLY going to every extent to make tteach your "Killer EdApp". We'll be releasing the feature list in two weeks time, which I am certain (once you see) you will be very excited about. The public beta will be released shortly after. However, once we've launched - we need your thoughts on where we're going wrong & where we're going right and any other ideas you may have to improve the site. What I can promise you is that as long as you keep telling us, we'll listen & find a way to make it happen. I can't tell you how excited we are...Here's to the future of online education. Cheers. Hello Everyone,

This is Zee from tteach.com.

Just a quick message to let you all know that we’re listening to every word - and are really really REALLY going to every extent to make tteach your “Killer EdApp”.

We’ll be releasing the feature list in two weeks time, which I am certain (once you see) you will be very excited about. The public beta will be released shortly after.

However, once we’ve launched - we need your thoughts on where we’re going wrong & where we’re going right and any other ideas you may have to improve the site. What I can promise you is that as long as you keep telling us, we’ll listen & find a way to make it happen.

I can’t tell you how excited we are…Here’s to the future of online education.

Cheers.

]]> By: Vicki Davis http://erichoefler.com/2007/02/24/the-killer-edapp/#comment-135 Vicki Davis Mon, 26 Feb 2007 01:35:25 +0000 http://edublog.erichoefler.com/?p=62#comment-135 Don't forget a 3-D virtual environment. That is absolutely essential and is needed in education. Second life is not a viable alternative for educators for multiple reasons (see my upcoming post). This could be exciting! Don’t forget a 3-D virtual environment. That is absolutely essential and is needed in education. Second life is not a viable alternative for educators for multiple reasons (see my upcoming post). This could be exciting!

]]> By: Stephen Downes http://erichoefler.com/2007/02/24/the-killer-edapp/#comment-134 Stephen Downes Mon, 26 Feb 2007 00:21:15 +0000 http://edublog.erichoefler.com/?p=62#comment-134 Plex. That's what I meant by 'Trax'. Plex. That’s what I meant by ‘Trax’.

]]>