Engaging students with discussion forums

Today I attended “Engaging students with discussion forums”, the second in a series of Education Innovation Workshops being run during February 2011, by the Educational Development Group, College of Engineering & Computer Science at the Australian National University. These are short, sharp hands-on sessions intended for those developing courses with ANU’s “Wattle” (Moodle based) LearningRead… Read more »

Iowa gov appoints transparency chief

Earlier this week, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad named Bill Monroe, one of the state’s prominent newsmen, as his administration’s special advisor for government transparency. In that capacity, Mr. Monroe will help craft and implement Iowa’s transparency agenda, the governor said. “I have taken steps to assure that my administration will be transparent,” Gov. Branstad saidRead… Read more »

Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry

Justice Catherine Holmes, Jim O’Sullivan AC and Phillip Cummins commenced the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry today. Their Terms of Reference include the adequacy of equipment and communications systems. Written submissions are invited by 5.00pm, 11 March 2011. The final report is due by January 2012. My postings on the January 2010 Australian Floods mayRead… Read more »

Drinks with Tony Barry, 25 February 2011

The Link Mailing List was established by Tony Barry and Eric Wainwright, in 1993. Link has provided a forum on the use of the Internet and for creating public policy for Australia for 17 years. Tony recently announced he was standing down as list administrator and Eric has invited “Linkers”, both old and new, toRead… Read more »

Talking #Transportation communication for local government tonight on #localgovchat. Join us at 9 EST

(Photo Credit http://transportgraphics.blogspot.com) Would love to have all communicators, technologists, planners or anyone else even marginally interested in government and it’s role in transportation come join #localgovchat tonight at 9 EST. We want to discuss how communications, visualizations and other data can help improve how residents get around from state to state, city to city,Read… Read more »

This Valentine’s Day, We Only Have Eyes for Crushing, Crippling, Awe-Inspiring Debt http://bit.ly/e1pbEr

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and like most of you, I’m planning to write a bad check for piles and piles of gifts. I’m not sure what, really. I won’t keep much track. Even after I buy them, I’ll probably be a little fuzzy on what exactly I paid for. And when theRead… Read more »

State governors target ‘redesigns’ in speeches, analysis finds

In an analysis of 2011 State of the State addresses, governors hit upon the subject of government redesigns – to address budgets, size of state governments and jobs. Among the key components of gubernatorial plans to redesign state government, “consolidation,” “streamlining,” and “pensions” rang the loudest and most persistent. The perennial list of topics, suchRead… Read more »