Capilano suspension bridge, North Vancouver

Capilano suspension bridge is one of the must-visit place that all visitors would go when they are in Vancouver. It is located at North Vancouver. I went there to spend a afternoon after church service. This is not the first time for me to visit the huge suspesion bridge. I expected to see something different and new this visit. Yes, I saw the treetop advanture and took a walk to explore the life on the top of forest. While walking on the pathway, I remeber Chi-Tou(溪頭) forest recreation area in Taiwan. I think the treetop advaanture has more beauty to show than Capilano.

West Vancouver-Light house park

I went to West Vancouver to visit two famous spots today. They are Lighthouse and Amberside park. I got chance taking to a local people living there. He said that I choose right time coming to visit Vancouver in the year. Summer is really pleasant, but Winter will be raining season. From the lighthouse park, I saw Mt. Baker (in the State of Washington) pretty clear. Also, I enjoy moment of quite sitting and staring at English bay.

British Columbia: the best place on earth

British Columbia is celebarting its 150 year anniversary this year. A lot of celebration activities are going on at different locations across BC. Actually, Vancouver has been elected as the most suitable place to live on earth couple times. I guess most visitors will nod their head when they come to visit the city for few days. I took this skytrain picture at Joyce station where is close to the place I stay.

Terry Fox, a Simon Fraser UNiversity graduate, British Columbia

I visited Somon Fraser Univeristy (SFU) at the city of Burnaby today. SFU is mid-size university, and it actually is a well-known university in Canada. I was impressed by a huge complex on campus. Ir seems to me that most colleges and offices are located in a one huge building. I also saw a sculpture of Terry Fox, a Simon Fraser graduate. His story really touches me. Here is a brief introduction form Terry Fox foundation. " Terry Fox was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and raised in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, a community near Vancouver on Canada's west coast. An active teenager involved in many sports, Terry was only 18 years old when he was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer) and forced to have his right leg amputated 15 centimetres (six inches) above the knee in 1977.
While in hospital, Terry was so overcome by the suffering of other cancer patients, many of them young children, that he decided to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research.
Although it was difficult to garner attention in the beginning, enthusiasm soon grew, and the money collected along his route began to mount. He ran 42 kilometres (26 miles) a day through Canada's Atlantic provinces, Quebec and Ontario. It was a journey that Canadians never forgot. However, on September 1st, after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres (3,339 miles), Terry was forced to stop running outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario because cancer had appeared in his lungs. An entire nation was stunned and saddened. Terry passed away on June 28, 1981 at age 22. The heroic Canadian was gone, but his legacy was just beginning. To date, more than $400 million has been raised worldwide for cancer research in Terry's name through the annual Terry Fox Run, held across Canada and around the world. "

Official Visit to Vancouver Public Library

I offcially conducted my reseach today at Vancouver Public Library(VPL). I really appreciate Chris's (left on the picture) arrangement. She invited 6 staff coming to a meeting room. We then had 90 mins focus group section to discuss my research questions with regard to Information Literacy taining at BC's public libraries. It was really helpful. I will go back to VPL again to get more in-depth understandings and tour the library next week.

New Westminster

I took a stroll on the broadwalk along the Fraser river in New Westminister, a satellite city of Vancouver. It was lovely and enjoyful, especially I saw those cozy houses on the river side and people jogging on broadwalk. This city is the first city eastblished in the province of British Columbia according to the tour book of Candada traveling. "New Westminster has a wonderful history and heritage. In 1859, it was selected as the first capital of the new colony of British Columbia and officially named the "City of New Westminster' by Queen Victoria, after her favourite part of London. From this naming by the Queen, the City gained its nickname, "The Royal City", and became the first city in Western Canada." Nice to have a walk before sunset!

Wellingdon Church

Sunday is the day that Christians pay tribute to God. I went to the Willingdon Chursch at Burnaby. It is a big church in terms of the number of worshiping people. The pastor delivered a powerful message this morning, especially he talked about a story of Fred Smith, the founder of Federal Express (聯邦快遞). His dream to form a deliver compnay was almost an impossible work, but he did it and became a very successful business man. We should never measure people by his/her strength. The most important thing is how big our heart is and it will help us to reach our goal.

North Vancouver

I decideded to visit North Vancouver today. Although I have been there twice, I still think those spots are worth to visit again. I took bus to Cleveland Dam and Grouse Mountain. The Cleveland Dam was bulit in 1954, and it named after Ernest Albert Cleveland, LL.D., first chief commissioner of the Greater Vancouver Water District (1926-52), the Cleveland Dam sits atop the Capilano River Regional Park blocking Capilano Lake, which supplies approximately 40% of the Lower Mainland's fresh drinking water. I walked down to the viewpoint at the bottom of the hill to see the water fall and giant fir. It was a good walk on Saturday afternoon. Grouse Mountain was the next stop. I took the Red Skyride(it costs 37.60 Canadian dollars--it is pretty expensive) to the top of the mountain. I was regret to do that becuse it was foggy on the top. I couldn't get good ariel view of the city and its surroundings. However, I made this decision, and I should enjoy the consequeses. I saw a movie and took walk in the park for about 1 hour. It was dark when I got home. Nice to have a day out and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Going to Canada

I began my Canada visit on July 4th. I didn't choose this day for any reason (July 4th is the Independence Day in the States). After 12 hours, I arrived in Vancouver. It was a long fly, and I barely slept for about 1 hour. May be I get used to take long distance flight. I still felt awakening when I passed the custom inspection. It didn't take me long to find the guest house that I will be staying for 3 weeks. However, it reauired to change bus and train 2 times. It was not a challenge for me, and all I need was to read sign and ask questions. After I got the guest house, I had a dinner at a Vietnanmese restaurant. Then, I hit the bed to rejuvenate my body for the next day's schedule.

第二人生(Second Life)

Second life is a popular virtual game. Actually, we can't call it a game. It has become a platform of learning, entainment, communication, and so on. what is the seconf life? Below is a description you may find on the second life offcial websiet.

"Second Life® is a 3-D virtual world created by its Residents. Since opening to the public in 2003, it has grown explosively and today is inhabited by millions of Residents from around the globe.
From the moment you enter the World you'll discover a vast digital continent, teeming with people, entertainment, experiences and opportunity. Once you've explored a bit, perhaps you'll find a perfect parcel of land to build your house or business.
You'll also be surrounded by the Creations of your fellow Residents. Because Residents retain intellectual property rights in their digital creations, they can buy, sell and trade with other Residents.
The Marketplace currently supports millions of US dollars in monthly transactions. This commerce is handled with the inworld unit of trade, the Linden™ dollar, which can be converted to US dollars at several thriving online Linden dollar exchanges. "

an honorable moment

I officially received my Canadian research award from Mr. Leonard reil, the deputy director of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei. I guess i was lucky enough and may be I picked a good topic that the jury really like it.

加拿大研究獎助金頒獎, 右為Leonard Reil加拿大駐台北辦室處政策暨文化處副處長

ACE 10 years

My department celebrated 10 year anniversary last Saturday. It was a lovely and joyful celebration.

提問問題與線上學習

西方哲學家培根(Francis Bacon)曾說過：「謹慎的提問能顯露其人的智慧。」(A prudent question is one half of wisdom)。在線上學習時，提問是學習過程中很重要的一部份，一般線上學習的課程皆提供了多元的問問題管道，例如e-mail、討論區、即時聊天平台、私人問題提問區等，藉由問題的提問，可以讓學習者或老師對於課程的內容能深入鑽研，深入的鑽研將會使學習者對學習內容有更清楚的瞭解。因此，建議線上學習者務必多提問，並在提問問題之前將每個問題的重點整理並修飾文字的內容，好的問題才可引起同儕或老師的興趣，並能深入或廣泛的討論主題，進而引起學習者的共鳴。

參加SITE2008年會心得

一、參加會議經過

SITE2008研討會於3/3至3/7在美國Las Vegas的Riviera Hotel的會議中心舉行，本人於3/3下午抵達Las Vegas，首日的活動多半是需付費的workshop，正式的開幕歡迎會於3/4早上舉行，在SITE總裁Ian Gibson主持後，特別安排了一個Keynote演講，受邀講者為來自SRI International公司的 Dr. Barbara Means，主題為「Analyzing Instructional Artifacts as a Strategy for Evaluation and Professional Development」，主要介紹線上學習評估策略的發展趨勢與新思維，在Keynote speech結束之後，大會也特別安排一個聚會讓所有首次參加SITE會議的參與者彼此認識，主席除了介紹組織的活動之外，並也歡迎與會的學者與實務界工作者加入所屬不同的Special Interest Group (SIG)。本人的發表安排在當天的早上(10:15-10:45)於Riviera hotel會議中心的Capri 114研討室，本人與另一位來至加拿大Mount Royal College的學者Dr. Norm Vaughan一起發表，他的主題為〈Supporting Deep Approaches to Learning through the Use of Wikis and Weblogs〉，到場聆聽的聽眾約有30人，發表完後聽眾提出相當多的問題並也提出他們自己的看法；同時，聽眾也分享了美國目前利用Blog與Wiki來輔助教學所開發出的工具，透過對話與討論讓我獲得一些研究上的啟發。本人全程參加當天的會議，大會也在當晚在Riviera hotel的頂樓舉行歡迎晚會，在晚會中與多位美國的學者交談並也交換關於數位學習工具的發展與應用的趨勢。3/5日除了到場聆聽論文發表之外，也擔任下午一場短篇論文發表的主持人(session chair)。大會於3/5、3/6與3/7都有安排keynote演講與panel discussion，除此之外，中午也都有安排SIG的聚會，讓志同道合的研究夥伴能有機會交流，探討學術社群合作的機制與機會。Poster session則安排在3/5下午6:00至7:30於大會的主要會議廳舉辦，本人於Poster中也看到了美國國家太空總署(NASA)基金會贊助研發的科學教育數位學習軟體，製作的相當精良且互動性高，由於是開放源碼(open source)，因此是完全免費，可見美國對於開放源碼的教材開發十分積極，有利數位學習的推動與普及。

二、與會心得
本年度SITE會議中，與會學者發表有關web 2.0工具的研究的文章數不少，由於本人發表的文章亦是屬於這個領域，所以特別注意到關於此方面的發展，其中有關利用部落格、維基百科、線上影音分享平台(如Youtube)、第二人生(Second life)互動遊戲等工具來輔助教學的研究，都有學者提出新的理論與實際應用的最佳模式。另一方面，本次會議中對於TPCK(Technology, Pedagogy, Content, Knowledge)模式的探討也有大量的論文發表，約占了30%以上，在大會安排的Keynote speakers與Invite panel的演講也都談到了TPCK的整合方式與對學生學習與教師專業發展的影響，未來國內應也可多著重對TPCK的研究，尤其是在針對教師運用資訊融入教學的實務。此外，開放源碼的線上學習平台發展也有數篇的研究發表，尤其是來自澳洲學者特別介紹的針對線上學習教學設計所發展出的工具－Learning Activity Management System, 簡稱為LAMS。透過此工具可以幫助教師發展線上教學的技巧。事實上，開放源碼的線上教學工具也被美國許多高等教育單位採用，台灣目前也有多所學校亦是使用開放源碼的平台（例如:Moodle系統），由此可見未來開放源碼將會是一股趨勢，從此次的研討會中，可以觀察出開放源碼相關之研究與新工具的發展勢必會逐漸成長。

在本次會議中，本人除了與國外的學者會實務界專業人士的交流之外，也遇到多位來自台灣的學者與研究生，尤其是對來自成功大學、台灣科技大學與師範大學的學生，皆能以流利的英文發表論文或用poster討論感到驕傲。國科會近年來獎助碩博士生出席國際研討會，的確增加國際對台灣學術發展的了解，同時也拓展了研究生的國際視野。

三、建議
SITE研討會從1992年第一次舉辦以來，今年已經是第19屆了，參與的人數也不斷的再增加中(今年有1400多人)，基本上整個大會的內容相當的緊湊與充實，但還是有些地方，本人認為可以再改善，對於今年SITE的主要建議為：部份Invite panel的演講的聽眾太少，我認為可以再多加以宣傳並避免在同時段中排入太多其他的活動。此外，對於論文發表的類別，SITE已將論文的屬性作分類，如：文章屬於Web 2.0應用，SITE將其歸類為New Possibilities with Information Technologies(NPTI)，若文章內容為數位學習績效評估，則列為Assessment and E-folios，但本人建議大會可在針對論文研究的對象再加以說明，如高等教育、中等教育或企業等，這樣更方便參與者可以選擇欲參加討論的場次。
SITE研討會的收費相當的高（每人360美金），因此能請到多位重量級的Keynote speakers與辦理workshop。國內對於國際研討會辦理應可多朝此方向發展，如果內容充實且能勾勒未來在此專業的發展藍圖，我想必定能吸引多人前來分享與學習，並樂意付費。

Las Vegas

I was in Las Vegas for a convention from 3/3 to 3/7. The conference was held in RIVIERA casino & hotel. I was pretty lucky to present my paper on 3/4, the sencond day of conference. Thus, I could relax myself to enjoy the rest of meeting and, of course, play couple hands of game without too much stress. I have been Las Vegas three times, so basically I am familiar with the city of sin. I didn't go to those luxurious casino and hotel on the Las Vegas Strip because I visited them three years ago. It is really a good experience to attend conference. I believe I have got some idea for my next research project.

追憶永遠的大舅舅

今天是進入鼠年的除夕夜，但是卻是失去一位我摯愛長輩的日子，我的大舅舅在除夕下午與世長辭了。小時候，大舅舅每次從台北回嘉義時，都會帶玩具給我，而且都是很棒且最新的進口玩具，有時他因忙碌時無法返嘉，如有親友要回來，他也會拖朋友帶回來給我。每年過年他給我的紅包都是特別的大包，而且是一直持續到我結婚前(他說還未結婚都是小孩子)，他對我的疼愛與關懷，讓我一直感恩在心裡。在剛到台北唸書時也曾先短暫寄住在他的家裡，更了解他的為人與個性，他是一位省吃儉用且很認真賺錢的長者，除在銀行上班外，那時也在多所專科學校兼課，他賺錢很少自己享受，但對他的家人還有親友都非常的慷慨。記得他帶他家人移居荷蘭的那幾年，他每個月都會定時寄錢給我外婆，回台時也都會請所有的兄弟姐妹的家人聚餐。雖然他不善於會用言語來表達他的內心的愛與關懷，但是他對親友家人的關心從他細膩的一舉一動，我都可察覺到。
自從兩年多前知道他罹患癌症後，每次看到他逐漸消瘦的身軀與發黃的臉，我都會不由得擔心，也數次主動到台北去找他並與他用餐，他總是挺起精神跟我談論政治(他是深綠的支持者)與社會發生的事情還有我的工作，但他對他的健康情形總是輕描淡寫帶過，從不願多講他的身體狀況，即使到醫院去也都是一個人自己去，我知道他似乎隱藏了很多生理與心理的痛苦，卻也不願與人分享與傾訴，怕別人擔心。
記得在美國唸書期間，打電話回家時，他如果剛好在我父母親的家，都一定會跟我聊上幾句並勉勵我。每次我做生涯上的重要決定，他也一定支持我的決定，並鼓勵我正向思考。

小年夜那天，我跟父親與妹妹到台北去看他，他已陷入昏迷，我了解情況不是很樂觀，當我在離開醫院時，我握著他的手並在他的耳邊大聲呼喊他請他加油，他似乎聽到我的呼喚，頭突然轉向我並發出聲音，我想他在對我們說告辭了。據大舅媽說他走得很安祥，他在意識清醒時，簽名不接受插管急救，因此辭世前並沒有受到太多痛苦的折磨。
大舅舅，您好走，您永遠是我摯愛與尊敬的大舅舅。我相信您在天堂一定會過得很快樂，我相信外公外婆也在那裡快樂的生活著，您可以多跟祂們聚聚了，也請您在天堂上繼續看顧您在人世的親人與您所關愛的朋友，上帝會保守與帶領您邁向永生的。我們會永遠記得您! 再次感謝您對我的愛與關懷。

I enjoying a day off this weekend, and went to have some delicious seafood dishes near a fishman's Wharf at Tonh-Shi, Chia-Yi. Picture shows three boats that usually show up in Dragon boat festival.

Scottish breakfast

I had this dish of traditional Scottish breakfast (Haggis: stuffed intestines) when I travelled in the UK. I didn't like it, but it was a good experience to try and start wondering why it is so popular there.

舊金山

上星期收到母校San Francisco State University(SFSU) 學弟傳來的e-mail告知台灣校友會的申請現況，暑假時SFSU校長Dr. Corrigan來到台灣訪問，特別在台北晶華飯店宴請在台灣的校友，我也抽空前往並也見到了一位七年未見的同學，在宴會中我們決議成立SFSU在台校友會並向內政部註冊，並期待藉由校友們的影響力為台灣做出些許貢獻，也希望能讓台灣的學子能夠選擇 SFSU作為出國的首選。

我在舊金山灣區待了兩年多的時間，對舊金山有股濃厚的感情，喜歡那裡宜人的天氣、多元的文化、人民包容的態度、比台灣道地的港式點心、當然最重要的是有許多幫助我的朋友與快樂的回憶。如果要我選擇第二個定居的地方，我一定會大聲說San Francisco!

醫院

這兩天因陪伴家人，因此大多數的時間都待在醫院裡，除了看到各型各色的人之外，也體認到醫院是人生的縮影，從剛出生的嬰兒到已經垂暮的高齡者皆有，我向來對醫院有股排斥感，也很不喜歡待在那裡太久，不過也很慶幸自己能自由自在的走動，愉快的呼吸與吃東西，在醫院裡有太多人正在承受痛苦，我想許多心情不愉快的人到醫院去走一趟，或許很快就能忘記憂愁.

APPLE Computers

Apple的ipod帶來一股流行旋風,也引起的許多話題,我一直是Apple的愛好者，從1997年買了第一部Power Mac G3(乳白機)後，對Apple那種用起來的質感與順暢，有陣子達到沉迷的的境界，我想這是很多Apple的使用者用過後的感想. Apple才是真正的電腦，目前雖然我的G3已經退伍了,但我還是小心翼翼的把她安置在我的儲藏室中.

數位學習的能力

數位學習須具備何種能力? 我認為最基本的上網能力與search engine的使用能力是必備的,尤其是如何透過GOOGLE來查詢資料,但是資料來源的正確性的判斷,卻是需要經驗的累積與小心求證態度之培養,同時基本的打字能力與文書軟體的處理能力也是不可獲缺,此外,網路上許多志同道合的伙伴常會設置部落格或討論區,讓學習者能利用非正式的管道獲得顯性或隱性的知識.

Information overloaded

The fast development of computer technology gives people tremendous amount of resources to obtain information quickly; for instance, the World Wide Web (WWW) is widely acknowledged as a resource, which can bring many gigabytes information to us. In addition, e-mail and newsletters provide us to a way to learn new knowledge. People are forced to accept information without filtering. The phenomena create a problem- information overload. Wheatley sates that the information should be free to generate, communicate, and interpret, and we should “recognize information's essential role in supporting self-organization” (p.166). If we fail to do so, “we will be unable to survive in this new world” (p. 166). Personally, I partially agree with her. I believe the distribution of information should be a freedom. However, a filter system should be created to teach people how to screen the information and convert to useful pieces. Today, there are so many fake information distributing on the internet. If we accept them without judge, a negative effect might happen. For example, not long ago, I remember there is an e-mail that using a famous company’s name to inform users a hidden virus file in their computer system. Many users believe that and they delete that file. Then, a serious problem happens. Their computers are crash. This story gives us a lesson. We live in the age of information overload; we need to verify the information. In other words, a self-awareness skill is necessary.

夏洛克福爾摩斯博物館

對於偵探迷的我,最高興的事莫過於能拜訪福爾摩斯的故居(Baker Street 221B, London)

On-line university

In U.S., on-line degree is recognized and offered at various programs. I visited University of Phoenix three years ago and had chance to talk to people there. The school has more than 160,000 students and offered on-line degree from Associate to Docorate. The faculty members are mostly part-time and have "practical" experiences. I believe students can get good education through the on-line universities because on-line schhols do set certain requirements for students and I know they fail students frequently. However, people are worry about the quality of on-line education. I think this should not be the issue to worry. Most students take on-line courses because they have no other option and they realy want to learn something that can help them to get good job. I also believe on-line university is a trend that will prosper and then gradually substitute some physical classrooms.

Space competition

It has been 50 years since Russia launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, to the Space. 1957-2007. (前蘇聯史潑尼克衛星50週年)

E-learning for seniors 高齡者的數位學習!

數位學習對高齡者的影響向來是較被忽略的議題,隨著高齡者人口的增加,相關的研究也在進行與探討,我認為政府目前廣設數位機會中心,目的除了在於縮減數位落差及推動電子商務,同時也應將高齡者納入輔導的對象,才能有效的改變他們的心態,了解資訊科技便利性,進而去使用,達成終身學習的目標.

Web 1.0 to Web 2.0

Ofoto
–>
Flickr

Britannica Online
–>
Wikipedia

personal websites
–>
blogging

publishing
–>
participation

content management systems
–>
wikis

directories (taxonomy)
–>
tagging (”folksonomy”)

stickiness
–>
syndication

Google document

It supprised me when I saw Google document. It means that we may no more need to purchase office software in order to do word editing, presentation slides, and spreadsheets. The web has become a platform that provides all sorts of applications and services. I guess sooner or later software makers will need to move their battle field to the web instaed of developing stand-alone application.

Fish Philiosophy (魚販哲學)

I first visited Seattles Pike Place Fish market in the spring of 1995. I saw fishmongers throwing fish and shouting loudly, and customers were invited to be part of their fun. The scenes are deeply rooted in my memory. Until I read the book, Fish: A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improved Results, I had no idea about the purpose of their actions and attitudes. Lundin, Paul, and Christensen (2000) used a story to describe that the extraordinary fish philosophy can be successfully applied to the process of organizational change. The authors listed four elements that are embedded in the fish philosophy, which are (1) Choose your attitude, (2) Play, (3) Make their day, and (4) Be present. In my opinion, these four powerful fundamentals are not only applicable to organizations, but are also suitable to deal with our daily life.The story told by the authors was about a dedicated manager, Mary Jane, who wanted to change the working environment and attitudes of the people on the third floor in the First Guarantee Company. The authors described the third floor as a “toxic energy dump.” The employees had a serious morale problem. One day, she visited the world famous Pike Place Fish market. The head fishmonger, Lonnie, inspired her with the four ground rules that made his place a well-known spot in the world. Mary Jane realized that the fish philosophy would help her get rid of her department's terrible reputation. All employees engaged in the change and sought for solutions. Finally, they formed four teams based on the four elements and implemented their proposed ideas.

Paul Potts

He is an ordinary person, but he has an extraordinary voice. He creates a legendary story that people will mention over and over again. I admire his effort and insist. Please visit his performance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA

Google phone

Google宣佈將與Orange network合作發展出Google 手機,並將結合Google所有的服務在這新開發的手機中,許多評論家認為google的手機將會超越Apple的 iphone,因為Google在網路內容的服務與技術比Apple在行,特別值得一提的是,這款手機的硬體,是由台灣的宏達電研發製造.

火車無線上網

暑期在英國旅行時,發現幾乎所有的英國鐵路公司的車廂都有無線上網的服務,而座位間也都有插座供laptop電腦使用,只不過無限上網費用還真不便宜,但也可以了解先進國家如英國的網路建設與應用已超過資訊製造業名列前茅的台灣,這值得我們好好的思考該如何要達到U-taiwan的建設方向與重點.

Google Earth

Have you tried to locate your home on Google Earth? I was suprised that I saw my home and nearby houses so clearly through the provided satellite images. So, smile! you are on google earth.

數位落差

近年來，由於資訊科技的快速發展與寬頻網路的普及化，電腦已成為多數人日常生活不可獲缺的工具，舉凡溝通、購物、娛樂、學習、商業交易等都與電腦息息相關，也因此資訊的取得與近用演變成生活中的一項基本權利，然而此權利帶來的便利性與益處並不是每一個人都能有均等的機會可以享用，這現象產生的問題，就是資訊吸收與應用不平等的情況下所導致的「數位落差」。尤其在目前知識經濟的社會中，數位落差的問題更是攸關國家的競爭力，所以也受世界各國的重視。早期的數位落差探討的重心，多半著重在城鄉資訊設備的取得、上網人口比例的差異等；換句話說，資訊科技近用的擁有(have)與未擁有(have not)的情況是首先可以瞭解而投資經費改善的,因此，行政院國科會於2002年起在推動的「數位學習國家型計畫」的內容中，將縮減數位落差列為施行的重點之一，期望藉由資訊軟、硬體的建設與數位學習推展來縮減國內數位落差的情況。
然而改善數位落差不單只是解決資訊近用的問題，資訊落差的造成因素有更多層面是需要加以探討的，Warschauer(2003)指出數位落差問題的涵蓋範圍還包含內容(content)、教育(education)、素養(literacy)、社群(community)與社會資源(social resources)等，而這些因素相對的較為複雜也不容易克服。

Image from: http://mooreslore.corante.com/archives/2005/04/27/the_new_digital_divide.php

TWITTER拉近你我的距離

http://twitter.com/home

你只要花幾分鐘申請一個Twitter帳號, 就可透過這個網站平台、手機、甚至是自己慣用的即時聊天軟體來發送訊息。而你的好友就可以隨時了解你的一舉一動及心情，不管你在什麼地方。利用Twitter，大家就可以知道你的最新動態।

Wi-Fi 無線網路

無線網路的發展已經改變人們的上網方式，只要帶著筆記型電腦或行動載具就可在提供服務的地方享受遨遊網際網路的樂趣，也因此出現的許多相關的buzzwords，如行動辦公室,行動教室等，無線網路也是各級學校資訊硬體建設的發展重點，有關如何利用無線網路來促進學習也是目前一個熱門的研究主題.

這兩年政府看到我們鄰國日本與韓國相繼提出U-Japan與U-Korea 計畫後,也提出了U-Taiwan.以下是經濟部的statements.

行政院將積極推動「u-Taiwan」計畫。所謂「u-Taiwan」的「u」，指的是ubiquitous，字面上的意思是「無所不在的」。這項計畫的目標是讓民眾隨時隨地都能取得網路服務，關鍵在於網路合併智慧型裝置的技術，以及各類網路服務所需的應用程式，期望屆時寬頻普及率可提昇到80%。此外，政府也將推廣HDTV（High Definition TV，高畫質電視）至所有家戶。「u-Taiwan」計畫充份展現政府推動數位台灣的企圖心，希望建設我國成為「優質網路社會(Ubiquitous Network Society, UNS)」，使民眾能不因教育、經濟、區域、身心等因素的限制，享受「隨手可得的e化服務」，政府將以「使用者」的觀點出發，規劃食、醫、住、行、育、樂等領域中u化生活的關鍵應用。(取自經濟部網站)

不過最新一期的經濟學人雜誌卻指出,台北市的Wifly建設收到有限的效果與虧損中,因原先預期需有250,000人才會達到損益平衡,但到目前為止才有30,000人付費使用,美國的芝加哥最近就已放棄無線城市的計畫,原因在於無線網路的傳送有還是有很多的死角,要改善需要追加很多的經費,而且使用者也不見得會增加。我認為無所不在的目標是網路建設的Utopia(烏托邦),何時會來臨還是一個未知數.

維基百科

維基百科是web2.0議題中最具代表性的討論話題之一,在夏威夷語言中Wikis是快的意思,因此維基百科是一個可讓人簡單與快速使用的知識內容資料庫,基本上,維基百科讓所有想成為知識提供者的普羅大眾有一個很好發揮的平台,這也是人類發展史上一個了不起的貢獻,因為「來自全世界數以百萬的自願者,共同創造一個內容開放的百科全書」。據統計,維基百科內容的錯誤率與大英百科全書差不多,而且透過網友們不斷的增修與補充,部分內容甚至比大英百科更加的詳盡,由此可見,再次證明大多數的人對於知識的分享是絲毫不吝的。

維基百科也順理成章的成為一種學習的工具,教師們可以要求學生共同創作與編寫新的條目,也藉此培養合作學習的精神。此外,在過程中學生們會蒐集資料與驗證內容,亦能推動實證研究的能力與資訊素養的提升,我自己也曾編寫過新的維基百科條目,每次看到自己的contributiions,都會有喜悅的感覺,或許這些訊息已經讓許多人受益。

e世代的學習工具-談iphone的破解

在Thomas Freeman的暢銷書世界是平的(The world is flat)中，他提到了網際網路的普及使得全球化的目標越來愈近,的確網路已經改變著人們的工作與生活方式，工作與生活的界限已越來越淡化，人們可以隨時隨地辦公，在家裏、旅途、世界的任何角落通過網際網路辦公,而人與人的交流的方式也都有了顯著的改變,網路的討論區,社群,即時通訊軟體,不單只是單存的連絡工具而已,現在已演變成知識分享與交流的管道,我很驚訝網路上有太多人願意不吝嗇地將知識提供出來,而且甚至圖文與影音並茂的解說;前鎮子,Apple的iphone被一位美國17歲的高中生(George Hotz: He believes information should be free!)給破解了(不再受限於AT&T的綁約機制),而他馬上將他破解的程序張貼在他個人的部落格並錄製了一段影片放在YouTube(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Hk-OTqx8hQ)上,許多人馬上受益並且躍躍欲試,我想他的功力是很多自認飽學詩書的大學教授望塵莫及,據說他的成功是透過網路上的討論區與其他世界各地的網友不斷的交流而得到的,因此,學習凸破國界的限制在此例子得到很好的詮釋,也暗示著教師的角色已經需要馬上的改變.

獵人頭

早上聽了一則廣播,內容主要介紹[獵人頭(headhunter)]這個職業,我想台灣的民眾對此應該較為陌生,我個人在1999年時就跟獵人頭公司打過交道,當初我剛從學校畢業,把我的resume寄給許多美國的獵人頭網站後,便陸續接到幾通電話詢問專長與希望的待遇,之後沒多久就安排了一次面試,雖然之後的工作並不是透過獵人頭公司找到,但對從事獵人頭這個職業的人卻有了認識;基本上,獵人頭就是人力資源的agent,只不過他們主要對中高階主管與有專門技術的人(如IT)較有興趣,透過獵人頭顧問,他們會幫求職的人找到較好的工作與爭取較佳的待遇,當然他們也從中取得了仲介費, 我認為headhunter是資本主義下的產物,每一個人的價碼都不一樣,在美國專業人想了解自己值多少,透過headhunter我想就可知端倪! 我想台灣的職場文化已朝這個方向在改變中.

e-learning 3.0

An e-learning 3.0 diagram by Bersin & Associates (2006). I think schools physical classroom sooner will be shrinking.

大前研一的[即戰力]

這幾天讀了大前研一的[即戰力],讀完後真的很佩服他時間管理的能力與凡事都計劃週詳的態度

我想這值得我好好學習的,大前研一所提的提昇即戰力的關鍵為強化語言力、財務力、問題解決力．

語言力：一口流利外語，輕鬆立足無國界經濟圈．流利外語當然就是指英文,在我旅行過歐,美,非及亞洲許多國家的經驗,英文無庸置疑的確已是International language,但我認為學習英文以外的第二外語也是一個plus,雖然實用性沒有那麼高,但可以讓生活更有情趣,也能增加自己的多元文化視野.

財務力：培養金錢概念，積極投資晉身經營高手．大前研一說明日本政府的經濟不振使得國民年金的未來充滿變數,在台灣也是差不多得情況,的確未來國家是不是可以信任,沒有人的答案是肯定的,因此唯有靠自己對財務的規劃,才能確保退休後有好的生活品質.

問題解決力：訓練邏輯思考，成為企業最需要的人才. 我想這部份也是我一直在追求的方向,記得碩士畢業後在美國工作時,老闆曾經對我說過,公司隨時歡迎你提出能節省經費的方案與方法,因此我也不斷在問自己對於公司的貢獻不應只是把一個專案在期限內完成而已,而是能用最少的經費與最簡單的方式達到,回想一下,這也是問題解決力的培養.

Hong Kong

On my way returned to Taiwan, I visited my cousin in Hong Kong. After three days, I realized how happy and lucky I am to live in Taiwan. Most people reside in small apartment where they may sleep, work, and eat in the same room. Also, the tall apartment and business buildings has brought negative effects to the air quality. Dusts accumulate faster more than you can imagine. The name of oriental pearl to me is just a beautiful night scene. I will not choose to live there.

Travelling in Scotland

This picture was taken in a Castle near Loch Ness, Scotland. I was excited to visit the Loch Ness, because the moster story has been rooted in my heart since I was little. It is always nice to travel, especially to a place where I really want to visit. I didn't see the monster, but I wasn't sure the monster saw me or not.