At one of the Learning Design Summer Camp meetings, one of the volunteers recommended having music playing when people come into Foster Auditorium for the first time. Music sets the tone. I'd like that tone to say that this event is supposed to be spontaneous and a little playful, but still adult. Sincere, but not somber.
The song that popped into my head this morning during my walk to work was Simon and Garfunkle's "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)". I'm not going to make a "mix tape" between now and the 12th, but I thought Pandora might be able to do the trick. The problem with Pandora is that it focuses on the sound and style of a song, not the message, so it created a station full of 1960's folk music, most of which I have never heard before and don't particularly care for.
But I also wondered what my music selection and these once-per-day blog posts will reveal about the inner workings of Allan's brain. The truth is that when I crack open my head and examine the contents, it's often "Doo It Doo Doo, Feelin' groovy".
Not everyone is like me though. I don't see a conflict between the idea of having fun and getting something of value out of the same experience. In fact, if I'm engaged in a conversation or an interesting challenge at work, that's "fun" for me. Granted, it can be stressful as well and I tend to want to do everything that comes down the road, but I would prefer that to predictability any day. I think that's why I like working with technology, students, faculty, and a community of bright people. There is always something new on the horizon and a potential educational application. So until science stops and/or I get to the end of the Internet, I'll be Feelin' Groovy.
The song that popped into my head this morning during my walk to work was Simon and Garfunkle's "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)". I'm not going to make a "mix tape" between now and the 12th, but I thought Pandora might be able to do the trick. The problem with Pandora is that it focuses on the sound and style of a song, not the message, so it created a station full of 1960's folk music, most of which I have never heard before and don't particularly care for.
But I also wondered what my music selection and these once-per-day blog posts will reveal about the inner workings of Allan's brain. The truth is that when I crack open my head and examine the contents, it's often "Doo It Doo Doo, Feelin' groovy".
Not everyone is like me though. I don't see a conflict between the idea of having fun and getting something of value out of the same experience. In fact, if I'm engaged in a conversation or an interesting challenge at work, that's "fun" for me. Granted, it can be stressful as well and I tend to want to do everything that comes down the road, but I would prefer that to predictability any day. I think that's why I like working with technology, students, faculty, and a community of bright people. There is always something new on the horizon and a potential educational application. So until science stops and/or I get to the end of the Internet, I'll be Feelin' Groovy.
How about Jack Johnson, On and On? Pandora spins up good mixes starting with Jack. Mellow, but optimistic.
Pandora is not a bad idea. We should try it out when you come over to Foster tomorrow.
Thanks Cole and Ellysa. I think I'll take your advice and play around with some starting points on Pandora. The first session we'll have is a half hour for a welcome, but I'd like to highlight how we have used some newer technologies and services to create the event: the planning wiki, stickers from moo.com, Twitter for updates, and the live question tool. Pandora would be a nice addition.