DMA Awards video

My short video for DMA Awards can be downloaded here.

Crowdsourcing a crowdfunding campaign

I know… it’s a bit crowded isn’t it. But that’s what we’re doing, at MissionV.

In a few weeks time we’ll be running a Fundit campaign to raise funds for 48+ primary schools to run the MissionV programme next term. And in the meantime we’re actively inviting input from all supporters of the project to help us run the best possible campaign.

But here’s where it gets scary. The biggest amount raised so far on Fundit was a terrific €24,375.00 for the Solar Water Disinfection project. But MissionV will be looking to raise about twice that amount. Gulp!

Are we being ridiculously ambitious? I don’t think so. We have 48 primary schools already registered to participate in next term’s programme and the feedback from those who participated last year has been amazing. There’s a real passion for teaching and learning with MissionV and with your help we can translate that passion into a successful funding campaign.

MHL cable FTW

I love it when a cheap gadget adds a disproportionate amount of value to my life. And the FoneM8 – MHL to HDMI HD TV cable adaptor for my Samsung Galaxy S2 has certainly ticked that box.

I bought a 42″ plasma TV a few years ago but it has gone criminally under-used for lack of content worth watching. I’ve got it hooked up to FTA satellite but honestly find the output from British channels ever less interesting. Sherlock, Luther, The Apprentice and the odd Brian Cox or  Jim Al-Khalili science documentary – that’s about all I watch.

But now the large screen has received a new lease of life – streaming Netflix shows through my android smartphone via the MHL cable. Quality is far from HD but frankly I’m amazed at what a little mobile phone is able to crank out.

So I’m finally catching up on the Glenn Close drama Damages. What a brilliant show!

Import test

That should have imported my TypePad blog…… updating to test.

‘Virtual worlds, real learning’ webinar recording now available

We (MissionV) were honoured to be invited by Brian Mulligan to make a presentation for the IT Sligo / NDLR Teaching and Learning Webinar series yesterday. The recording of 'Virtual worlds, real learning' is now online.

For Profit: The Future Of Social Entrepreneurship

For Profit: The Future Of Social Entrepreneurship is an informal meetup taking place in Dublin next Tuesday December 20th –

"For-profit social entrepreneurs are changing the world. They create a new model for sustainable change, one which doesn't require constant funding campaigns. We will discuss what for-profit social entrepreneurs are doing to achieve their goals and look for best practices and limits of this models through concrete examples. From our show, we've selected Uber Shelter and InVenture Fund as examples of what can be done"

Evernote will buy Plendi

Yes, that's what I said. Evernote will buy Dublin headquartered Plendi. And that's my one and only prediction for 2012.

Science Week on MissionV (video)

We have been supported by Discover Science & Engineering to run a Science Week event where students from 20 schools around Ireland are exhibiting their 'Chemistry of Life' themed projects in a massive 80 acre virtual arena.

All week hundreds of students, teachers, parents and guests have been 'beaming in' to browse around and learn about chemistry from each other. The video below captures a small flavour of the activities. We think you'll enjoy seeing how they modelled the water cycle and the solar system, as well as programming an interactive quiz on the digestive system –

Electronics Bootcamp at miLKlabs Limerick

"The miLKlabs Electronics Bootcamp is an intense introduction to basic and not-so-basic electronics.

Run by members of miLKlabs – Limerick's makerspace – the bootcamp will emphasize hands-on experience and practical skills, but you'll learn enough theory to be dangerous.

Some of the things you'll learn: 

• What some electronic components look like and what they do 
• How to wire up some circuits 
• Some basic circuit theory 
• How useful a multimeter is 
• Some techniques for finding out why your circuit is broken

Other topics we'll touch on include semiconductors, analog vs digital electronics and controlling high-powered things from Arduinos. And some fundamental physics.

When:

The bootcamp will be held over the 4 Thursdays of November – Dates: 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th.   

Times:

7:00pm to 9.30pm

Where:

milklabs, Franciscan Friary, Lower Henry Street

Cost:

€40 euro, members go free. Limited to 8 places.

Requirements:

milklabs will let you borrow their equipment andcomponents forthis bootcamp. But you will need to bring:   

• Pen and paper   
• Knowledge of basic algebra   
• Calculator or smartphone

What is MissionV? 4 minute video explains

What is MissionV game-based learning? In this 4 minute video, produced by Conn Ó Muíneacháin of Edgecast Media as part of our application to the David Manley Awards 2011, I explain what our 20 school programme is all about and why we’re doing it. You’ll also see a vox pop with the kids from our pilot project in Gaelscoil Eoghain Ui Thuairisc in Carlow and their parents and teachers –