The biggest thing I learned from college was how to study. The biggest thing I learned in the years that followed was how to teach myself marketable skills. Online communities exist, that are as important to students as their real-world communities. Here are some curriculum suggestions for the coming year:

1. Help children build self-esteem and identity through (online) community involvement.


2. Help teenagers learn to study and teach themselves (through new media).


3. Help young adults learn how to create things that make a better world (using digital tools).

Teach Innovation and Encourage Creativity

We still need to honor the artists and influences of the past. But now the tools are changing. And in order to ensure that the education your students receive remains relevant, you have to speak their language technologically. You have to use the same tools they use, so you can spend less time discussing their always-changing feature-sets and more time discussing bigger issues. This accomplishes two things:

1. It takes the focus off the tools themselves.
2. It allows us to focus on specific skills and mental models.

After all, you may not get to decide what the world of tomorrow looks like. But your students probably will. And as much as students need to know what tools are available today, they also need to feel encouraged and empowered to help shape a society that they want to be a part of.

In order for students to reach that point, there also needs to be a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation in schools. Since schools can't churn out factory workers like they used to, building businesses in a service and knowledge-based economy is the next logical step. And the inevitable result of such a system is that for some students - think Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg - being part of an educational 'system' reaches a point of diminishing returns.

Preparing for Life - Not just College

With this type of education, it's possible to prepare for life - not just college.

To this end, there are movements such as UnCollege which promote self-directed learning and can be used in tandem with university courses. They have a great list of resources that could be useful to students of all ages. And be sure to keep an eye out for MITx. While it hasn't officially launched yet, it promises to be a valuable resource for the educational community as well.

To Sum it all Up

In a 2010 TED video, Kevin Kelly, quoting Alan Kay, says the word "technology" just means "anything invented after you were born". Think about that for a second. There's nothing to be scared of in that definition. But it sure does put things in perspective. So learn, adapt, figure out how to get technology in your classroom. Your students depend on you for it.

image by flickingerbrad

The consumer electronics (CE) development cycle looks something like this: Hardware -> Software -> Design...

...where design is not an end, but an end product that allows the cycle to start over again, with newer hardware and software.

Now I'm not talking about the micro-development process in which all CE manufacturers try to be all things to all people. In the process that starts with a sketch and ends up with a mass produced device, of course, these things are all considered separately and viewed as an integrated part of the end product. No, I'm talking about the macro-development process, where devices get refined over time, both in response to advancing technologies and the development of competing devices.

When we talk about the history of computing, there are typically three complementary technologies that we suppose have the greatest effect on the advancement of consumer electronics: processing, storage and bandwidth. And as soon as one technology advances, another one advances to complement it and fight for inclusion in the next generation of CE.

All these advancements are strictly about hardware though. And you need sufficient hardware to get to the software part of the development cycle. Because you can't build better software on top of hardware that doesn't yet exist. So CE companies find themselves fighting over specs such as size and speed as new advancements occur. Yet as the software improves and storage moves to the cloud, these metrics become increasingly meaningless to the average consumer who just wants a useful device and a seamless experience.

But what does this mean?

It means that design is the ultimate value creator that determines when most people upgrade their consumer electronics. And design isn't just about how a device looks. Design is how it feels and works, including how well the hardware and software works together. I'm always interested in the move toward multi-core processors or solid state hard drives, but these changes happen on a micro scale and most people just don't care.

What happens on a macro scale is just as important, and applies to everything from video game consoles to tablets and tvs. We've watched personal computers go from ugly beige boxes to just a screen and keyboard/mouse, cameras and camcorders went from oversized black boxes to nearly invisible (most good technology is) components of cellphones, and many devices such as mp3 players and calculators have turned almost exclusively into apps. Now if we could just make that Kinect invisible and work with my laptop...

images by Seagate and cc

If your school provides enough funding for every student to get an iPad, then great! These devices are truly useful for some students and tasks - with mixed results for others. But most schools can't afford to provide these devices to every student. And equal access means equal opportunity.

To this end, a school of thought has emerged in recent years called BYOD
(Bring Your Own Device). While we could argue endlessly about the merit of this idea and the problems it presents, it's more useful to just accept the fact that most students will do this anyway.

So instead of focusing on how to hand out devices, let's acknowledge that devices change as fast as the technologies that drive them. Let's focus on teaching students how to effectively use these devices for learning, and work towards providing an infrastructure that enables students to use these devices, unencumbered.

Unfiltered Access

New Media is Not Just for Entertainment

Ethics and New Media Literacy

Common Sense has some great online training and curriculum resources for K-12. It focuses on new media literacy, providing parents and educators with videos, reviews and advice that's relevant to current issues facing them. Check out CommonSenseMedia.org for more info.

And even though this video from Michael Wesch is over three years old, it's still relevant and well worth an hour of your time. Watch 'A Portal to Media Literacy' on YouTube.

The big idea here is that technology in the classroom requires three important things: BYOD, unfiltered internet access and a focus on new media literacy. Call it media literacy, digital literacy, whatever you want. Just don't let it go unsaid that what happens on Facebook stays on Facebook.

[Read Part 4]

image by flickingerbrad

It's Kind of a Big Deal

Speaking of Google

What's even more interesting is what is likely to happen within the ranks of Facebook once the IPO happens. I'm guessing that many of those valuable employees that Facebook lured away from other companies with promises of becoming an IPO millionaire, will walk away. There are plenty of reasons why this would be a smart move for these folks - and these folks are very smart. CNN has a good write up on the battle between Google and Facebook that includes a good synopsis of their 'hiring war' history.

The Upside of Facebook

The caveat here is that if you take the word 'display' out of it, Facebook only has about 8% of U.S. online ad market share, compared to Google's 44%. At some point we've got to start asking ourselves if having an avatar associated with an ad really warrants the 'display ad' nomenclature, usually reserved for square and banner graphics. I digress.

The Future of Facebook

Older people have been the greatest source of growth over the past couple of years for the maturing network, so I would guess the latter. But time will tell just where those teenagers will flock to once Facebook becomes 'uncool'. Boyd's research also pointed to social networks being divided along class lines. And it will be interesting to watch how socioeconomic divisions manifest in Facebook's 'everything to everyone' version of social media.

Another factor of Facebook's success is the proliferation of Facebook credits. These vaults of virtual money currently account for only 11% of Facebook's revenues. But they need more rapid adoption to stay ahead of Google. Giving Facebook your money to buy virtual (or real) goods is an acknowledgment of trust. If enough people invest in their virtual wallet payment system, they can build that trust and turn it into a dominant form of revenue.

Trust is a Fickle Thing

At the heart of the ongoing privacy debate will be Facebook's Open Graph functionality, which essentially enables passive sharing. No user input required. So if you run with Nike+, listen to a song on Spotify or watch a movie on Netflix, it can automatically be broadcast to your network. Kind of useful. Kind of scary, too.

Social ads, the Open Graph and Facebook's willingness to sell personal data to advertisers, threatens to undermine the trust that Facebook has built with its users. This trust, as I mentioned before, is needed to build a strong revenue stream out of Facebook credits. And this delicate balance between privacy and trust is a tightrope that the company can't afford to fall off.

It's not enough for them to build trust, either. They also have to maintain it. This requires a consistently good customer service experience. And unfortunately for Facebook, customer service is not their strong suit. They could get better. They have the technology. But only time (and market cap) will tell if they do.

The Facebook Finale

Will the company really be worth $100 million? It will certainly be valued as such - at first. I do think that figure overvalues Facebook though, considering the uncertainty that surrounds its revenue streams. Yet it's entirely within reason that if they are currently only 8% down the path of their product roadmap, as some have speculated, they have much more up their sleeves once they become a publicly traded company.

But unlike Google losing Page or Apple losing Jobs, if Facebook loses Zuckerberg, I'm selling my stock.

Enjoy the infographic, and let me know where I'm wrong in the comments below.

image by marcopako 
infographic by Accounting Degree Online

Although you probably have more experience than I do teaching students, I can offer one piece of advice: be passionate about your subject. Anything less than passion, and your message may be lost on your audience. And although it seems obvious to say that students have different learning styles, remember that technology often serves to amplify the differences between those learning styles. This has never been more true than in a new media learning environment.

S.I.S.: Screens, Interaction, Soundbites

Lectures may work well for some students and particular subjects. But if you really want to get through to them, consider making lessons more interactive. Challenge, critique, share, create. Most students will learn better by engaging them through channels they already feel comfortable using and requiring them to learn new tools that are unfamiliar. Although, to be fair, sometime's the tools just get in the way.

You can also focus your message by crafting it into a series of soundbites. The short attention spans that have become so prevalent in classrooms can be attributed to the hundreds of messages students are exposed to every day. The media and advertisers are good at crafting these messages. So if you want to cut through the mix, you have to get better at crafting them as well.

Using the Right Tools

• Mashable's list of social media tools for teachers is a great place to start.
• Khan Academy and Academic Earth are two of the best educational video resources online.
• Good's sheets provide infographics that can elegantly and succinctly explain complex topics at a glance.
• The Encyclopedia of Life is like Wikipedia, but focused on biodiversity.
• Scratch is an MIT project that teaches young children how to program.
• Edmodo and Schoology are Facebook alternatives designed for use in the classroom.
• Tablo is an online blackboard tool you can use to create lessons that your students can watch at home.
• Social Media Classroom is a free and open-source set of social media tools you can use to teach students about social media.

Once you've discovered and learned more about the many resources available to you as a teacher, you're ready to incorporate technology into your lesson plan.

[Read Part 3]

image by cc

1. Multi-Touch and Gesture interfaces. The first time most people experienced a multi-touch device was with an iPhone. Pinch-to-zoom is now almost assumed to be a feature on any device touting multi-touch. Expect many more gestures like this to follow. If you have an Android device, you can download Google Gesture Search - a novel way to search, using only the swipe of a finger in the shape of an alphanumeric character.

   
   Another interesting variation of this type of interface design requires only that the user disrupt some type of field, electromagnetic or otherwise, to interact with an object. This television remote is touch-free, for example. While this microphone turns any surface into a multi-touch interface. Very cool!

2. Motion and Augmented Reality interfaces. Most people will already be familiar with the Nintendo Wii, arguably the first motion controller to have mass appeal. Later products like the Xbox Kinect and PlayStation Move, added a killer feature that took them beyond Nintendo's initial offering - cameras.

   The addition of cameras did more than just make the motion-sensing technology more accurate. It also opened up the possibility for augmented reality (AR). AR, for those unfamiliar, allows us to look through the lens of a camera (so to speak) and see two layers: an accurate representation of the real world as the camera sees it, and a data overlay layer that shows us whatever the software sensors or program allows us to see. Think robotic vision systems made popular by geek luminaries such as the Terminator, RoboCop or Iron Man.

   Google Goggles is a free Android app that best represents current AR offerings. Playstation even has a game that allows you to play with virtual pets in your living room. And this Fast Company article explains a little about how your iPad could effectively use AR to make your TV experience more interactive.

3. Voice interfaces. Speech recognition is something we've been trying to perfect for a long time. Google Voice Search was arguably the first usable mobile phone interface. Ford Sync's voice capabilities are also getting better. And those AR interfaces by Microsoft and Sony - the Kinect and Move we discussed previously - also have microphones built-in.

   Of course, the most far reaching advances in voice interfaces hasn't simply been voice recognition. It's also been in giving our devices a personality, as we've seen with Siri for the iPhone. Expect many advances over the next couple of years as the voice-bots and digital personal assistants take over. If you had to pick a horse in this race - this would be the horse.

4. Environmental Feedback interfaces. This refers to any device that uses sensors to capture data and take action or send information without requiring input from the user. Essentially these interfaces interact with their environment to automate processes. This is closely tied to the concept of The Internet of Things that promises to network seemingly dumb objects to make our lives easier.

   Unfortunately most current devices require substantial programming before they become hands-off. Nike+ and Jawbone's Up are just a couple of examples of this. And WakeMate has a compelling offering that helps you sleep better.

   The closest we've seen so far is Twine, which promises to let you use 'nodes' with specialized sensors to collect data from dumb objects, and send you messages when triggered. A prominent precursor to this was a DIY sensor kit by Botanicalls that sends you a message on Twitter whenever your plant needs watering. Expect to see more intelligent textiles and clothing in the next 2-3 years as well - useful for everything from charging electronics, to biofeedback and health monitoring.

5. Building Block interfaces. I probably shouldn't have given this it's own category - since most of these will also use some form of interface discussed above. I just really like the metaphor it creates because we all understand it. Blocks are one of the most basic foundational structures people use to build things. Here are a couple of my favorite examples: Cubelets, an educational toy that helps us build robots, and Audio Cubes, a musical tool for composition and live performance.

   As a side note, I think we'll see more virtual building-block-style interfaces than physical ones. I've been saying for several years that building a website will soon become like putting Legos together. This prediction was born out of my frustration with all the disappointing 'Website Builder' offerings out there.

P.S. It's worth remembering that Minority Report was released in 2002 - just a decade ago.

Check out this awesome video series on Minority Report technologies by The Next Web, to see just how far we've come since then.


What new interface technologies do you get excited about? Let me know what I've left out in the comments below.

images by Andrew Fentem. Check out his amazing interface research on his website, www.andrewfentem.com/.





]]> The basic concepts discussed here are not that new or innovative. We've been experimenting with voice and touch interfaces for decades. But recent milestones have moved many of these concepts out of the realm of science fiction and into production. When we start asking questions to our devices, and communicating with them using only a wave of the hand or by simply wearing them, things get very interesting. Below is a list of the five things that I look forward to in human-machine interfaces. Multi-Touch and Gesture interfaces. The first time most people experienced a multi-touch device was with an iPhone. Pinch-to-zoom is now almost assumed to be a feature on any device touting multi-touch. Expect many more gestures like this to follow. If you have an Android device, you can download Google Gesture Search - a novel way to search, using only the swipe of a finger in the shape of an alphanumeric character. Another interesting variation of this type of interface design requires only that the user disrupt some type of field, electromagnetic or otherwise, to interact with an object. This television remote is touch-free, for example. While this microphone turns any surface into a multi-touch interface. Very cool!http://newmediainfluence.com/2012/01/the-5-most-exciting-physical-interface-design-trends-for-the-21st-century.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NewMediaInfluence/~3/u3UpbOQqtRo/technology-in-the-classroom-how-to-get-it---part-1.htmlEducationchris.collins.com@gmail.com (Chris Collins)Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:13:54 PSTtag:newmediainfluence.com,2012://4.166This is the first part of a four part series explaining the steps you can take to integrate technology into your classroom. These articles assume you're a K-12 or higher-ed educator, so some topics are intentionally vague. But hopefully you'll find something useful. Apologies in advance to English teachers.

The technology we use in our day-to-day lives moves fast. And it seemingly moves faster with each passing year. As an educator it's your job to give your students the educational foundation and resources they need, to contribute to society in a meaningful way. I don't intend to insult anyone with my personal views of how the education system should be set up. I don't even consider myself an educator. But I share the frustration of any educator who struggles to keep up with technology. And I hope that someone who reads this will share my resolve to adapt classrooms, to better accommodate the technologies that best help students learn.

Understand How Students Use Technology

You can't teach students how to use technology if you don't understand how they're already using it. Take a look at some of the available statistics to get an idea of the big picture. Here are some choice stats from the resources listed below:
• The majority of lower-income children, children from less well-educated families, and Hispanic children do not have a computer at home.
• Children under 2 spend twice as much time watching TV and videos as they do reading books.
• Half of all young children have access to a smartphone, video iPod or tablet device at home, starting before the age of 4.
• 58% of 12 year olds and 73% of 13 year olds have a cell phone.
• 73% of online teens use social networks.
• 75% of college students say they wouldn't be able to study without technology.
• Nearly 75% of college students who own tablets prefer them to traditional textbooks.
• 38% of college students say they can't go more than 10 minutes without using a digital device.



Source: Zero to Eight: Children's Media Use in America
Source: Social Media and Young Adults
Source: Students and Technology Infographic

Self-Education

The biggest advantage you can give yourself is to learn how to stay relevant. It's not necessary to stay current on every trend or internet meme. But you should definitely know what an internet meme is. Jason Falls has compiled a great list of his Top 50 Education Blogs to get you started with some useful enrichment resources. He was also kind enough to outline his methodology for finding them; quite useful if you're interested in finding more.


Also, take a minute to think about where the educational system (and your future job) might be heading. Fred Wilson has some interesting insights into the trends and patterns he's started seeing.

One of my favorite things about the WWW is its approach to making education more open. Take this Online Education Database Open Courseware Collection for example, and take any college class for free. I also found this directory of learning and performance tools quite comprehensive.

Getting up to speed is only the first part. It can also be quite overwhelming at first. Pick your favorites from Jason's list of 50 Education Blogs, subscribe in your Google Reader, and skim through the blog posts every 2-4 weeks. There's bound to be some good ideas (or at least conversations) therein.

[Read Part 2]

image by OnlineEducation.net



]]>This is the first part of a four part series explaining the steps you can take to integrate technology into your classroom. These articles assume you're a K-12 or higher-ed educator, so some topics are intentionally vague, but hopefully you'll find something useful. Apologies in advance to English teachers. The technology we use in our day-to-day lives moves fast. And it seemingly moves faster with each passing year. As an educator it's your job to give your students the educational foundation and resources they need, to contribute to society in a meaningful way. I don't intend to insult anyone with my personal views of how the education system should be set up. I don't even consider myself an educator. But I share the frustration of any educator who struggles to keep up with technology. And I hope that someone who reads this will share my resolve to adapt classrooms, to better accommodate the technologies that best help students learn. Understand How Students Use Technology You can't teach students how to use technology if you don't understand how they're already using it. Take a look at some of the available statistics to get an idea of the big picture. Here are some choice stats from the resources listed below: The majority of lower-income children, children from less well-educated families, and Hispanic children do not have a computer at home. Children under 2 spend twice as much time watching TV and videos as they do reading books. Half of all young children have access to a smartphone, video iPod or tablet device at home, starting before the age of 4. 58% of 12 year olds and 73% of 13 year olds have a cell phone. 73% of online teens use social networks. 75% of college students say they wouldn't be able to study without technology. Nearly 75% of college students who own tablets prefer them to traditional textbooks. 38% of college students say they can't go more than 10 minutes without using a digital device. http://newmediainfluence.com/2012/01/technology-in-the-classroom-how-to-get-it---part-1.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NewMediaInfluence/~3/3pI0J2gcXWM/how-to-negotiate-with-people-who-are-smarter-than-you.htmlInfluencechris.collins.com@gmail.com (Chris Collins)Thu, 05 Jan 2012 08:38:17 PSTtag:newmediainfluence.com,2011://4.165Learning to negotiate well takes time and experience that we can't always afford. If you think you're about to enter into a negotiation with someone who is smarter than you, it helps if you first have a deeper understanding of what it means to be smart.

Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences

In 1983, Howard Gardner challenged the idea of "general intelligence" by proposing that humans learn and process information in different ways, and that multiple intelligences must exist. The types of intelligence Gardner first proposed include Linguistic, Logical-Mathematical, Spatial, Musical, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Interpersonal and Intrapersonal. Others have since proposed that there are even more types of intelligence, including the possibility of Creative, Intuitional and Technical, among many others.


The point is that there is much more to intelligence than reading, writing and arithmetic. And one of the most important concepts that stemmed from Gardner's theory is the possible existence of Emotional Intelligence. It doesn't matter whether you consider this to be a type of intelligence or a personality trait. It only matters that you control and pay attention to your emotional state when dealing with others. Like it or not, people are emotional animals. And the more control you exhibit over your emotional state - and the emotional state of others - the more effective you can be at negotiating.

Finding Common Ground

If you think of someone as smarter than you, it helps to understand how they're smarter than you. And the best way to find out is to ask them questions directly. You'll probably find some ways that they are. Maybe they're better at math, better at sports, better at music. But try to think about the ways in which you are smarter than them. True intelligence is comprised of a delicate relationship between the things we've learned, the things we've experienced and the things we can imagine. Have the confidence to identify and communicate the ways in which your personal strengths and personalities can complement each other.

Courtesy and Compassion

You can only find out what is most important to someone if you listen to them. Letting the other person talk more and really listening for verbal and non-verbal cues, is one of the best ways to let them feel in control and give yourself a chance to be in control. If they have a big concern, address it directly. If they have a big need, find a way to fulfill it without giving up what you need. And remember that there's always an emotional aspect to it. The goal in any negotiation is to create a win-win situation by being honest about what you need and giving in (just a little) to make the other person feel as though they've won too.


Have you ever had to negotiate with someone you thought was smarter than you? What worked best for you?

image by http://www.studentresponsibility.org


]]>Learning to negotiate well takes time and experience that we can't always afford. If you think you're about to enter into a negotiation with someone who is smarter than you are, it helps if you first have a deeper understanding of what it means to be smart. Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences In 1983, Howard Gardner challenged the idea of "general intelligence" by proposing that humans learn and process information in different ways, and that multiple intelligences must exist. The types of intelligence Gardner first proposed include Linguistic, Logical-Mathematical, Spatial, Musical, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Interpersonal and Intrapersonal. Others have since proposed that there are even more types of intelligence, including the possibility of Creative, Intuitional and Technical, among many others. http://newmediainfluence.com/2011/12/how-to-negotiate-with-people-who-are-smarter-than-you.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NewMediaInfluence/~3/LtVqsyLesHM/candy-coder.htmlInnovationchris.collins.com@gmail.com (Chris Collins)Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:00:59 PSTtag:newmediainfluence.com,2011://4.164Open source virtual programming assistant.

The Pitch: It's like Siri for developers.

The Details: Candy Coder adds a speech recognition layer to whatever development environment you work in. It works on the OS level, independent of the console, terminal or IDE, yet is able to input syntax (terms, variables, expressions, etc.) based on user-defined shortcuts.

Speech recognition can be powered by Google's Voice API or Nuance's speech recognition technology. And language packs for different programming languages (such as Java, Ruby, Python, etc.) can be designed as plug-ins. It can be opensourced, allowing the development community to add language and shortcut packs.

The Need: Carpal tunnel. 'Nuff said.

Inspiration: Siri and Enso



]]>Open source virtual programming assistant. The Pitch: It's like Siri for developers. The Details: Candy Coder adds a speech recognition layer to whatever development environment you work in. It works on the OS level, independent of the console, terminal or IDE, yet is able to input syntax (terms, variables, expressions, etc.) based on user-defined shortcuts. Speech recognition can be powered by Google's Voice API or Nuance's speech recognition technology. And language packs for different programming languages (such as Java, Ruby, Python, etc.) can be designed as plug-ins. It can be opensourced, allowing the development community to add language and shortcut packs. The Need: Carpal tunnel. 'Nuff said. Inspiration: Siri and Ensohttp://newmediainfluence.com/2011/12/candy-coder.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NewMediaInfluence/~3/Kh3awpK4iiw/outsourcing-why-you-should-hire-someone-to-help-with-marketing.htmlMarketingchris.collins.com@gmail.com (Chris Collins)Tue, 15 Nov 2011 07:21:16 PSTtag:newmediainfluence.com,2011://4.163It doesn't matter whether your company is an office or an agency, a mom-and-pop or a multinational, businesses of all shapes and sizes could use outside help with their marketing. I've heard it all before - "we've got a marketing department", "we don't have a budget", "we know our business better than anyone". Those may all be true. But there are other truisms that come into play when thinking about marketing and how you can maximize and leverage resources creatively.

1. If you're too close to a problem, it can be difficult to see all the possible solutions. There is rarely one single answer to a problem that requires creativity. Sometimes it can be obvious. Most often, it's not. Having an outsider assist you in the discovery and execution of a problem-solving task, can be helpful - if only to offer a vantage point that's different from your own. While you see possible solutions from the eyes of your company, the best solution might best be viewed through the eyes of your partners or customers.
2. It doesn't have to cost a fortune. Sure, picking someone's brain can be expensive, but knowing how to ask the right questions of the right people can save you a ton of time and money. It could be a work for hire that requires only a few months of hand holding. It could be a good conversation over dinner and wine.
3. You need someone to force you to make a decision. Sometimes, just making a decision in order to move a project forward is more important than whether it's the right one. There is rarely an endgame in marketing and many companies get stuck in the stranglehold of indecision that can prevent important initiatives from taking shape. An outsider usually has an incentive for getting things done, making decisions quicker and easier in the process.
4. You're not your best client. Doing work for yourself is hard. Ever heard the saying, "the cobbler's children have no shoes"? If you're so focused on the day to day routines that have helped you succeed this far, finding time to focus on new opportunities could, necessarily, take a back seat. And hiring an outsider to help extend your focus and reach milestones might be just the thing you need to grow your business.

Outsourcing is just one more tool in your arsenal. It can be extremely effective from both a time and competitive standpoint. It doesn't have to be marketing, either. It could be sales, IT or some other departmental function your company relies on.

The bottom line? Don't limit yourself by trying to handle everything in house. Sometimes the best solution lies outside your box.

image by Jim Merithew/Wired.com


]]>It doesn't matter whether your company is an office or an agency, a mom-and-pop or a multinational, businesses of all shapes and sizes could use outside help with their marketing. I've heard it all before - "we've got a marketing department", "we don't have a budget", "we know our business better than anyone". Those may all be true. But there are other truisms that come into play when thinking about marketing and how you can maximize and leverage resources creatively. If you're too close to a problem, it can be difficult to see all the possible solutions. There is rarely one single answer to a problem that requires creativity. Sometimes it can be obvious. Most often, it's not. Having an outsider assist you in the discovery and execution of a problem-solving task, can be helpful - if only to offer a vantage point that's different from your own. While you see possible solutions from the eyes of your company, the best solution might best be viewed through the eyes of your partners or customers.http://newmediainfluence.com/2011/11/outsourcing-why-you-should-hire-someone-to-help-with-marketing.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NewMediaInfluence/~3/7B-_BekV9Pw/paywurth.htmlInnovationchris.collins.com@gmail.com (Chris Collins)Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:35:07 PSTtag:newmediainfluence.com,2011://4.162
Paywurth. Pay what you think it's worth.

Elevator Pitch: Paywurth is a group buying platform that allows you to pay for items, direct from manufacturers, for less than you could buy them at a retail store. Paywurth's button is integrated across the websites of thousands of manufacturers (similar to the Like button on Facebook). When you see a product you like, you bid it up to the highest price you think it's worth. Once enough people have bid it to that same price, your order is shipped - arriving at your doorstep a few days later.

The Details: The value proposition is to give people deals on products after they've expressed interest in a particular product several times, over a length of time. Users transfer a predetermined amount to their account, monthly. This could be viewed as a bank account as much as a subscription fee. Online retailers can integrate a Paywurth button on their website - similar to the Facebook 'Like' button. Customers can save/bookmark or bid on products as they shop online. Every time they revisit a product, the price goes up, i.e. I would pay $2 for this. [next time] I would pay $4 for this. They can choose to either like it, which automatically bookmarks it in a shopping queue/cart, or bid it, which results in a virtual deduction from their account.

Once a certain number of people have agreed to pay up to 70-80% of the retail price of the product, the products are shipped to the buyers. Unfulfilled bids continue to acrue on single products for up to 24 months. At the end of 30 days, unused account dollars are distributed evenly across all the products in the queue/cart.

Additional Revenue Opportunities: Research could be sold to companies to help them determine customer value perception for their product.

Competitors: The closest competitor at this time is eBay and its conglomeration of subsidiaries, Paypal and Bill Me Later.

Estimated Development Cost: $500,000 for app development and test marketing.

Conclusion: Bargain hunting online and group buying are two trends that are rapidly developing as a market. The direct-to-consumer market, which effectively bypasses the middle-man i.e. retailers, is also ripe for disruption. Paywurth takes the big idea behind Groupon a step further, by including nationally recognized brands and products and adding a virtual wallet to the equation. This project may be launched on Kickstarter in the future. If you are interested in investing or helping me develop this project, please contact me.


]]> Paywurth. Pay what you think it's worth. Elevator Pitch: Paywurth is a group buying platform that allows you to pay for items, direct from manufacturers, for less than you could buy them at a retail store. Paywurth's button is integrated across the websites of thousands of manufacturers (similar to the Like button on Facebook). When you see a product you like, you bid it up to the highest price you think it's worth. Once enough people have bid it to that same price, your order is shipped - arriving at your doorstep a few days later. The Details: The value proposition is to give people deals on products after they've expressed interest in a particular product several times, over a length of time. Users transfer a predetermined amount to their account, monthly. This could be viewed as a bank account as much as a subscription fee.http://newmediainfluence.com/2011/11/paywurth.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NewMediaInfluence/~3/d7UEjnSW5DE/how-to-understand-the-new-media-complex.htmlEducationchris.collins.com@gmail.com (Chris Collins)Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:59:33 PSTtag:newmediainfluence.com,2011://4.161The New Media Complex is simply my way of saying that new media is complex. All of the things that comprise it - social media, multimedia and mass media - are subjects you could spend your whole life learning about. The pace of technology is fast, though. And our educational system is slow to adapt. So I've put together an outline, or framework for your consumption, to (hopefully) make it easier for you to learn about some new aspect of new media.

It's far from exhaustive, but I hope it helps.

Steps to Understanding New Media

1. First, learn a thing or two about the history of the web

   One of the first posts I published on this blog was about The Web's 20th Anniversary. And although there are certainly more authoritative articles out there, I hope you'll consider reading it while you look for a more thorough accounting of its short, yet beloved, existence.

2. Next, break it down into simpler topics and concepts

   Commoncraft has a series of videos that are great at explaining complex concepts through simple language and metaphors.
   
   • Commoncraft video on Social Media
   
   
   • Commoncraft video on Social Networking
   
   
   • Commoncraft video on Cloud Computing
   
   
   • Commoncraft video on Augmented Reality

3. Then, learn about the basic principles and trends of technology

   The most popular of these is Moore's Law, which I previously discussed. Check out my 1% post to learn more about the 'unofficial' laws of new media, such as the technology adoption lifecycle and Nielson's Participation Inequality Rule. The most common question people have, who aren't yet 'comfortable' with the web or computers in general, is about viruses. For those folks, the following video's worth taking a look at:
   • Commoncraft video on Viruses and Threats

4. Try to understand human nature and the basic social sciences

   Although not always the prettiest of sites, online learning curriculum can help form the foundation for a lifetime of learning. Check out the following courses on everything from anthropology to sociology, some from prominent universities.
   • Psychology courses from the University of Plymouth
   • Social Psychology from UC Berkeley
   • Anthropology from Sonoma State University
   • Sociology from NYU
   • Foundation of Modern Social Theory from Yale

5. Then learn about the more complex relationships and connections that help shape the future of the web

   Again, not an exhaustive list but more suggested watching - just trying to tie everything together with some basic discussion about the ethic of the link, memes and the long tail of technology.
   • Susan Blackmore on memes
   • Jay Rosen of NYU on the Ethic of the Link
   • Chris Anderson on the Long Tail of Technology

6. Finally, figure out what you don't know, but are interested in, and learn it

   This one's up to you.

The New Media Complex is a strange and wonderous thing. It's constantly evolving, enabling us to create more with less, and challenging us to understand it's patterns, rhythms and flow. No one can be sure where, exactly, this digital river will take us. But I am certain that most of us will feel pressure to learn new skills as we try to adapt to it. With any luck, IT will be forced to adapt more to us. Keep on learning...


]]>The New Media Complex is simply my way of saying that new media is complex. All of the things that comprise it - social media, multimedia and mass media - are subjects you could spend your whole life learning about. The pace of technology is fast, though. And our educational system is slow to adapt. So I've put together an outline, or framework for your consumption, to (hopefully) make it easier for you to learn about some new aspect of new media. It's far from exhaustive, but I hope it helps. Steps to Understanding New Media First, learn a thing or two about the history of the webOne of the first posts I published on this blog was about The Web's 20th Anniversary. And although there are certainly more authoritative articles out there, I hope you'll consider reading it while you look for a more thorough accounting of its short, yet beloved, existence. Next, break it down into simpler topics and conceptsCommoncraft has a series of videos that are great at explaining complex concepts through simple language and metaphors. Commoncraft video on Social Media Commoncraft video on Social Networking Commoncraft video on Cloud Computing Commoncraft video on Augmented Realityhttp://newmediainfluence.com/2011/11/how-to-understand-the-new-media-complex.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NewMediaInfluence/~3/EfKhLEoWZpo/top-5-most-educational-short-must-see-videos.htmlEducationchris.collins.com@gmail.com (Chris Collins)Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:08:20 PDTtag:newmediainfluence.com,2011://4.160The Machine is Us/ing Us

Link to video

This short video by Dr. Michael Wesch explains a little of the history behind the web and reminds us all what happens when humans power hyperlinks. One of my favs from waaay back in the day (circa 2007). Yet still very relevant.

Social Media Revolution 3

Link to video

The latest in a series of videos by Erik Qualman, it's still one of my favorite videos for teaching clients about the relative influence social media has on society. High quality motion graphics give life to otherwise boring stats.

21st Century Education

Link to video

This video, produced by the New Brunswick Department of Education in Canada, speaks to teachers and demonstrates the importance of adapting classrooms to new media. Forward thinking and practical ideas for improving classrooms.

Changing Education Paradigms

Link to video

Another interesting video about the need to rethink our educational system from the Royal Society of Arts. This time, it's illustrated right before your eyes to make its point. While not exactly short (almost 12 minutes), it's on this list because it's so worth it.



The Inner Life of the Cell




Link to video

Created for Harvard biology students by XVIVO, this short video gives us an insightful view of the world, at the molecular level. Want to get kids excited about learning science? Try 3D, video-game-style animation for a change.


]]>The Machine is Us/ing Us Link to video This short video by Dr. Michael Wesch explains a little of the history behind the web and reminds us all what happens when humans power hyperlinks. One of my favs from waaay back in the day (circa 2007). Yet still very relevant. http://newmediainfluence.com/2011/11/top-5-most-educational-short-must-see-videos.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NewMediaInfluence/~3/x7jSkWYuEI4/the-new-economy.htmlInfluencechris.collins.com@gmail.com (Chris Collins)Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:36:22 PDTtag:newmediainfluence.com,2011://4.159In the economy of the past we relied on corporations to employ us, give us stability and provide us with healthcare.

In the economy of the future we are the corporation, relying on ourselves for employment. And just like the companies we used to populate, we will be forced to find stability through our human networks, dependent on the quality of our work and relationships, to sustain the health of our family and business.


]]>In the economy of the past we relied on corporations to employ us, give us stability and provide us with healthcare. In the economy of the future we are the corporation, relying on ourselves for employment. And just like the companies we used to populate, we will be forced to find stability through our human networks, dependent on the quality of our work and relationships, to sustain the health of our family and business.http://newmediainfluence.com/2011/11/the-new-economy.htmlShare and share alike. But give me credit wherever possible.Chris CollinsnonadultNew Media Influence