Contributors

  • Bud Harris
  • Dr. Barrie Jo Price
  • Dr. Anna McFadden

3 Vanishing Points

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Revisiting Twitter and Twitter's Relevance

The more I read about Twitter to help wrap my mind around it, as a phenomenon and a tool, the more I am removed from my first impression of it, that being “what is the point?” I am now seeing the value of it in real terms of professional connections, professional advice, and revenue.

In my February 17, 2010 blog post “Follow Folks Who Get Results (and lots of comments, too” I link to a an online article by Jon Phillips, a fellow who started out on Twitter and initially felt the same way I did about the “real-time information network powered by people all around the world that lets you share and discover what’s happening now.” The best way to grab my attention (and hold it) is to establish a commonality of observations and opinions.
This article, “5 Ways 5 Ways You Can Use Twitter To Build Your Online Profile, Network And Get More Clients”, lists the following ways in which Twitter can jumpstart an established business venture or act as a catalyst for a new one:
1. Use your Twitter account to connect with other people in your field.
2. Use your Twitter account to help others.
3. Use your Twitter account to link to your portfolio site and blogs(s).
4. Use your Twitter account to “tweet” about industry-related topics.
5. Make sure you respond to messages.
Please read this article and explore every hyperlink in it. It is rich in information relevant to what we are studying in so many of the classes within the Interactive Technology Program. Phillips helped me make sense of what Twitter is worth as a tool. The article spurred me research how other individuals are using it as such, in particular those who are in the design profession, which I was initially trained for.
I am always interested in how individuals or companies in the AEC industry (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) are adapting to current and emerging technology, especially in how they are leveraging them to help their business thrive (glass half full) or survive (glass half empty). I explore this from time to time on my blog.
Here are some interesting links to things I have learned about how people in this industry are using the tool of social networking to augment their business.
1. How is one architect using Twitter and Facebook to maintain and grow his business in a tough economic environment? Click here to find out.
2. Want to know of innovative ways that designers are thinking these days about how to survive and keep food on the table? Check out Designer Sobriety, and dig, dig, dig, because there is lots of golden nuggets for those in the design field. Use the site's search engine to look up the meta-tags Content, Social Networking, and Strategy.
3. How are some architects “putting themselves out there”? This article relates to social networking in a different way, but the focus is the same as if they were doing it through online social network services.
The more I read and experience how others are using Twitter and other online social networking tools to “put themselves out there”, the more I realize the profundity of the phrase “thinking outside the box”. What is in this for me? I am finding out and I must not be timid about it either. Opportunities knock at the door.

Monday, February 22, 2010

I Want a Holodeck

As stated elsewhere on this blog, I have been very curious and fascinated in watching how ground-breaking technology is changing the established paradigm of how studio design is taught at institutions of higher learning. The technology behind immersive virtual spaces (as in 2nd Life) is as groundbreaking as it gets AND I cannot think of a better place than a virtual space for aspiring architects, engineers, and artists to explore and test their designs. It is better than building a scale model or prototype and avatars can experience the design in a more phenomenal way.
VLearn3d.org’s website has a list of colleges and universities who are actively involved in using virtual spaces as learning environments. While all of the virtual learning spaces listed are very interesting, those that really grab my attention are based at;
• University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art & Planning where “Daap is the virtual world of the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning at the University of Cincinnati. Daap has been used as an environment to test models of sculpture and other three dimensional projects by faculty, students, and guests of the college. Fine Art Media Fundamentals, Modeling for 3 Dimensional Networking, and Computer Sculpture, are courses which have been taught using Daap as a venue for the presentation of student work.”
• Art Center College of Design Pasadena, California where “ACCD world began in the AW and now continues development in the AWEDU Education Universe. Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, offered its first accredited course in online virtual worlds design in 1998. Each term (three trimesters / year) since 1998, the virtual worlds design class, led by Dr. Michael Heim, has focused on designing and building in ActiveWorlds. The class began with small enrollments (sometimes as few as 2 students) and has grown (currently 8 students). Heim's goal is for the new ACCD world "to build an environment that continues our AW "accd" world design but that pitches the world's tonality in a brighter key. This sibling world will provide a double look at our design strategy." ACCD world currently offers a location for hosting the series "CyberForum@ArtCenter" developed by students in the Virtual Worlds Theory class (a companion course to the Virtual Worlds Design class which enrolls different students who come from the Theory and Critical Writing Program at Art Center).
There is a strong reason to believe that many opportunities for those who can design in virtual spaces will increase in the future. Ocean D is a collaborative, international, and multi-diciplinary design practice of a new type. I invite you to take a look at what they are doing.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Happy Happenstance, Serendipity, and Very Cool Co-inkydinks...

I come into work Thursday and go to my faculty mailbox (which is a mess) and find a new magazine called Tech & Learning and it is the February issue. On a break between classes I sit in my office and thumb through it and think “Wow, this is all neat stuff, I am going to have to recommend it to others and talk about some of this stuff on my blog…”

As I reach the last page, I come across an article by Jennifer Wagner talking about PLN which I come to find out is an acronym for “Personal Learning Network”. As it turns out, the idea of a PLN is EXACTLY what I am doing with my fellow classmates at the University of Alabama who are enrolled in the distance master’s degree program offered through the Institute of Interactive Technology.

Wanting to see what others have to say about PLN, I do what anybody else who is engaged in learning through interactive technology would do….. I GOOGLE it! Right away, I see an interesting site which appears to be a blog and, lo and behold, it is. Once a Teacher (blog by Kate Klingensmith) has an interesting entry for May 5, 2009 called PLN: Your Personal Learning Network Made Easy. I learned a lot by reading this blog and I want to share it with you today. When you visit this blog, notice the really good table she prepared under the heading “Build Your Own PLN”. This is good stuff, very relevant to me and other folks who follow this blog. Enjoy!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Distance M. Arch at Boston Architectural College

I've been curious about how online design programs are evolving (alongside the explosive growth of interactive technology tools) for quite awhile. As a technical instructor of Drafting & Design Technology in the Alabama Community College System, I credit distance learning as the most important aspect of how I have advanced and developed professionally, since I cannot quit my job to pursue further education.

My baccalaureate degree was in Architecture (Auburn University, 1986) and was taught in the traditional studio setting. Instantaneous communication that is available over the Internet and the current and emerging technologies that are improving the online experience is making it possible for different paradigms to develop concerning how architecture, engineering, and other design-related knowledge can be taught.

Bachelors and Graduate degrees in architecture can be earned entirely through distance learning at the San Francisco Institute of Architecture, yet they are still pursuing accreditation. The new distance graduate degree program at BAC is accredited, however.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Follow Folks Who Get Results (and lots of comments, too)

So far I have tweeted infrequently and probably not loud enough. Crows CAW. Hawks SCREETCH. Owls HOOT.

So, if you tweet, what kind of bird are you? I use Facebook to basically just check in on people who I know or are connected to people I know. I've never made money off of facebook, but I guess I could when I learn enough about its potential. Same with Twitter. So, click on the title above and see what Jon Phillips has to say about ti....

Monday, February 15, 2010

Hard Lines Being Blurred?

Are the hard lines of what universities have historically believed about the pedagogy of a future architect or engineer being blurred by current and emerging technology? Maybe so... look at the curriculum of East Carolina University's BS in Design. The foundation courses are familiar and still (conventionally)essential. The CORE courses are refreshingly broad and varied in addressing current and emerging technologies, though. As a drafting instructor at the post-secondary level, I am glad to see that Descriptive Geometry, CAD, Engineering Graphics(a healthy dose), and other knowledge bases close to my heart are included. With areas of concentration in Architectural Technology and Mechanical Technology, this 126 semester hour program is the perfect springboard into so many different and varied occupations (or further education at the graduate level) that are so relevant right now. I would encourage everyone interested in a career in design (and there are so many flavors to choose from) to look at this program!

Thursday, February 11, 2010

ADDA expands presence and scope in 2010

The American Design Drafting Association (ADDA) is the premier professional organization for a wide range of occupations and professions involved with the very multifaceted design field. This range includes architects, engineers, designers, illustrators and graphic artists, digital technicians, digital imaging professionals, drafters, and probably many more that I just don't know about yet.

Their website now seems to imply that not only does ADDA stand for American Design Drafting Association, but has been expanded to say that ADDA also stands for American Digital Design Association. WOW! This is a much larger umbrella.