The piece I was hoping for is that as creative human being,s we are not at the will or mercy of technology.

At the same time, we ought not to just cave in to any tool, and have to accept that choices of these tools have consequences.

Good foor for thought, amigo. The Revolution can be recast.

That said… I have a few issues with a statement like…

‘we should not feel bounded or limited by the technology tools at hands- it’s easy to yell “PowerPoint is Evil” or “The CMS is a tyrant” but technologies do not inflict their will on us…’

I think I get your point. But it is possible to make legitimate critiques of technologies, on the grounds that their features strongly influence certain practices. An assertion like this one is a little too close to “it’s all good” for my comfort.

Choosing a bicycle or a Hummer as your primary means of transportation is going to have effects. Of course, you can use a bike to smuggle biological weapons, or use a Hummer to transport food to homeless shelters. But the the characteristics of these technologies are not changed, and it is still possible to make distinctions.

And when a society chooses to orient itself around the needs/effects of cyclists or those of SUV drivers, the implications cascade quite widely. Similarly, the people you spoke with in Edmonton will make decisions on which technologies to support that will go beyond how some creative people will make the best of what they have.

I know good work can be done in an LMS. I work in a unit where great courses are developed every day using this technology, and I have nothing but respect for the people who do that work.

But does that mean that the technology they are expected to use is irrelevant?

You write: “I had hoped to find ways people were doing unusual things inside there– but did not come up with much…”

There’s a reason for that. Because the great work that gets done is not accessible, and that is a feature of the technology and the mindset that surrounds its use. Having teaching, learning and research activity happening in isolation (despite taking place on a network that should promote connection on an unprecedented scale) is very much a result of the technology choices we make. Just like urban sprawl, global warming, oil spills and perpetual war in the Middle East are results of favoring the automobile as our mode of transportation.

I applaud you telling people they can make a difference with the tools they have on hand, that even if they are not the ones calling the shots they can find a way to do great things. I bet that inspiring message resonated with people in the audience. But that doesn’t mean that those of us in a position to make judgments and have our voices heard should not make the case when we have the chance.

If we had more openness happening in the world of LMS-supported practice, I would have to revise my view. But I fear that the ‘secret’ nature of too much educational work means that the revolution we need will never happen.

That quarrel aside, this looks fantastic, I wish I had been in Edmonton for the full show…

Viva el perro! Viva la revolución!