Where to Next?

I was reading OLDaily, the August 30th "issue", and came across Stephen Downes reflecting on several things. Reading it I was surprised to read that he is "daunted by the scale of it", with it being, "some work of significance and relevance" and "what needs doing". The first thought to go through my mind, besides being surprised, was that I would really like to get him involved in my effort. However, all I know of to effectively accomplish that is to post this. Most likely he'll read this, based on his scripts that look for "@Downes" and such.

Now, before going any further I will quote his post and the comment that I couldn't figure out how to make on his post.

"Reflecting
Home from camping, getting ready for Ars Electronica, and after that, a very busy fall spent mostly at home in Moncton, I'm thinking about projects and directions and my place in the world. It's all OK, but I do want to begin producing some work of significance and relevance - things I feel have escaped me thus far. I have a sense of what needs doing, but am daunted by the scale of it."
- Stephen Downes, August 30, 2009

And here's my comment/response.

"I know the feeling. However, I would point out something. At least you have reputation and some sway with people. As a college student half-way through a CS degree, with no relevant paid work experience and trying to tackle both the problems in education and educational video games, I offer up this bit of encouragement. With a group of determined, creative individuals with open minds, almost anything is possible.

If we could get a few of us together without the current responsibilities getting in the way too much, something seriously worth while could be created. That was actually part of the reason behind Edubacon. With the right kind of people gathered together, discussing how to take the next couple steps towards ours respective goals, the distance can be covered one day at a time. That's why I started blogging about combining learning science and game design in the first place and continue to due so. That's why I convinced Jim Groom to help me create Edubacon. That's why I have applied for The Mind Trust's Education Entrepreneur Fellowship twice, and intend to again when I get the chance despite being rejected twice. Maybe we should talk sometime about how to get this stuff to happen, and maybe we can help each other overcome the obstacles we face.

Sincerely,
Steven Egan"

I've posted before about being unable to attend the normal conferences, though I was able to watch some of the Open Education Conference and participated a little via Twitter. The more I think about the current state of my life, the less likely it seems that I can do anything, until I remember that I am regularly doing things in unlikely ways. However, getting the people that have been known for years in their fields to listen to a college student seems a little hard to believe at times. I haven't been researching, working or something else in the field for years to gain experience. Instead I'm coming out of the blue and asking. Who knows, maybe that will be enough with what I've posted over the last year.

What I do know is that I would love to have a conversation with Stephen Downes, David Wiley, Gardner Campbell and a bunch of the other people I hear about in the part of the edublogshere that I pay attention to. As usual I am looking into some ideas I have to accomplish my goals, but without cooperation they are not likely to succeed.

Have fun, spread the word and tell me what you think,
Igen Oukan

Where to Next?

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