Now That's Edutainment and Convergence!

My iPhone, originally uploaded by George Ruiz.

Here is a great post by George Ruiz on Flickr that says the three words that I am always talking about on this site: Edutainment and Convergence!
If you have a Mac and an iPhone you are more than half way there, all you need is the right HD video camera and tripod and a Canon Powershot if you want super digital stills.

My point is that one can a really nice Mac and an iPhone for less than $3,000 and then add on a decent HD and Powershot Shot for another $3, 000 and you can have a walking studio that can fit in one bag when traveling for less than $7, 000. I remember that a similar hookup during the early 90's or at the beginning of the decade and it would have cost closer to $70 to get the same quality results for video, sound and to put it online. Of course, no cell phone existed for the masses during the 1990's ,and neither did iTunes , that play back video like iTunes. People were just really adopting digi-Beta at the beginning of the decade and the tapes were high: nearly $50 at the time. My point is that you could have done streaming and downloads but the qualtiy was not there. After the Duke Digital Initiative, one would think that every college could put this set up in every students hands, and throw in a digital camera and classic iPod for storage purpose. Why? Because no one would ever have an excuse for missing a class that they can download on their computer or their phone via rss, and the students could also create their own visual homework to accompany what they write. It would be a great way to conduct natural research in field whether it was qualitative, mixed or quantitative.
This is just part of the future of education. We just have to get all of the Academy on board because those who podcast on iTunesU are already ahead of the game. We just need to work with them on presentation, and we can recruit producers and directors for the job of killing the snooze factor and making the class/show fun, interactive and learner-centered.

Recording a Podcast Using an iPod and a Micromemo

Edutainment and research keeps getting easier with tools like the iPod and inexpensive recording attachments that are a little more than $69. You can record lectures, research interviews and media interviews with your iPod and upload them to your computer and create your own podcasts. Now that's edutainment!

Strike It Out Grandma With Wii!

Nintendo Wii Gamers, originally uploaded by bmcvey.

Here is the rest of story from the previous post! As you can see this senior knows how to bowl a virtual strike, and she is not alone. The average gamer age is 32 and climbing. These folks are going to mess up the curve and are already bringing the family hour back with a little friendly - or should I say - serious competition!

Don't believe me, check out The Washington Post.com story that has been all over Digg.com on this issue!
Yes, and now you can see the rest of this story with just you and Wii!

Seniors Are Leading The Edutainment & Convergence Charge With Wii Addiction!

Nintendo Wii Gamers, originally uploaded by bmcvey.

By Chris A. Heidelberg III, Managing Editor & Producer

Just In case you thought I was joking about the seniors playing Wii check out this photo. As you know, this is the version of Edutainment Today that focuses on the visual image more than text, so I figure that this picture says a thousand words!

By the way, this photo is not from New York City where there are huge lines to buy a Wii which I will show later, these senior are literally from Omaha, Nebraska in middle America. The silent majority has spoken: casual games are hear to stay and learning or serious games are a big part of the future of learning, assessment and competency development according to experts such as John Paul Gee, Marc Prensky, Robert Wisher, and Clark Aldrich. So get your game on!

The Wii Is Still A Hit With Seniors And They Got Game

Hey if you want to see some really competitive video game action all you need to do is to go to your local retirement community, senior citizen home or just call your grandparents if you are blessed to still have them! The Wii has become so huge with seniors that many are confirmed fans, and yes some have confessed to being Wii gaming addicts.

I have been writing and speaking about the impact of casual games with edutainment for the past four years and the Wii has been at the top of the list for the past nearly two years. When I spoke about this at the Ragan Web Content Conference in Chicago, I was greeted with some surpised looks and some exciting looks from some of my students who had heard about this phenonemon.

You can read more about this story on our sister site http://edutainmenttoday.wordpress.com andThe WashingtonPost.com.

Verizon Makes The Right Move By Getting On Board With Google's Android - For Now

Now here's another sign of the apocalypse. Verizon Wireless is embracing the open approach advocated by Google's Android because it makes common sense, it may become mandatory like Carter Rules, and it is an excellent preemptive strike just in case Google wins the 700Mhz spectrum auction and radically changes the business model and all of the rules. Verizon cannot lose with this approach. There is nothing like an 800 pound gorilla named Google to get people to change their core business values and adopt new business values. Your move AT&T!

read more | digg story

It's Vegas Baby and It's A Light Show

Vegas Slow Hand, originally uploaded by iceman9294.

Viva Las Vegas as this beautiful shot from the top of the Eiffel Twoer at Paris, Las Vegas during CES 2007.

Who says you can't travel the world and learn something in Vegas?

The sheer artistry and the use of color is something to remember when creating your blog. It's all about getting your attention and keeping it so that you come back. Nobody does it better than Vegas, except for Disney, and they both take your money for a lifetime of memories.
Now that my friends is edutainment with convergence to boot with all that digital gaming taking place!