Author Archives: Jim Farmer

About Jim Farmer

Jim Farmer is an engineering economist at instructional media + magic inc. His interests include educational technology, academic research, and information standards. He also writes for Intellectual Property Magazine. For more information, see his profile page.

MOOCs: A slowly deflating “Bubble”?

Posted on June 16, 2013 by

According to Forbes’ John Tamny “Online education only offers learning that the markets don’t desire, and because it does, its presumed merits are greatly oversold. There’s your ‘bubble.’” He summarizes “Going to college is a status thing, not a learning … Continue reading →

Posted in Tools, Toys, and Technology (Oh my!) | 1 Comment

Asahi Net International Acquires the Sakai Division of rSmart

Posted on April 11, 2013 by

Today Asahi Net International acquired the Sakai Division of rSmart. rSmart CEO Chris Coppola will join the Ashai Net International Board creating interlocking boards. The financial arrangements are not known. rSmart is a well known contributor to Apereo Inc.’s Sakai … Continue reading →

Posted in Tools, Toys, and Technology (Oh my!) | 2 Comments

MOOCs: Student Motivation, Perspectives and Government Incentives

Posted on March 12, 2013 by

Analysis of the sketchy available data reveals two myths about MOOCs: First, MOOCs are subsidized, not free. Second, MOOCs have high completion rates for those who seek credit. To better understand MOOCs, discussions are emerging with classification schemes that provide … Continue reading →

Posted in Tools, Toys, and Technology (Oh my!) | 2 Comments

The World Conference on International Telecommunication (WCIT) and Richard O’Dwyer

Posted on December 6, 2012 by

On Monday, delegates from 193 countries began meeting in Dubai at the World Conference on International Telecommunications. The resulting International Telecommunications Regulations (ITR) could change the operation of the Internet. Russia Today summarized the event as “Free Internet=American Internet?” Intense … Continue reading →

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U.S. Copyright Infringement – U.S. Strikes in New Zealand

Posted on January 24, 2012 by

On Friday January 20, two helicopters and “76 police staff, including armed offenders squad members” raided the home of Kim Dotcom north of Auckland, New Zealand. He was sought by the U.S. for copyright infringement and racketeering under an indictment … Continue reading →

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