Patrick’s teaching us about student work with XML, and the examples range from medieval precedents (not for XML, but for modular writing) and current connections with online environments such as Second Life. It’s all imagination, and inspiration: what gets the students’ creative juices flowing. I do need to know, however, what’s up with the little cat running around what I assume is the Linux taskbar on Patrick’s tablet PC.

It’s all fascinating, but the playful aspect intrigues me most, at least this afternoon. Playful doesn’t mean frivolous, or trivial, or superficial–or at least, not necessarily. It can mean that quality of commitment and connectedness that takes us out of our habits and into new arenas of exploration and building. Cyprien’s talk underscores the need for educators and students to respond to opportunities for playfulness, and to create them.

Rachel’s moving through an overview of the topic, but that description does no justice to the rich exploration she’s conducting of topics and questions essential to any serious discussion of education. I’m reminded that among the many things technology augments, one crucial element is our self-awareness and sense of possiblities in the vocation we answer. Turns out that IT in education, like education itself, is a way for us to think about what we value about our experience as human beings.

So many things to love about Faculty Academy: hearing what all my colleagues are doing, sharing dreams and hatching plans for next year’s classes, blowing off steam after another long and successful academic year–but one of the most fun is watching the guest speakers arrive one by one. Last year it was Bryan Alexander, Brian Lamb, and Diana Oblinger. This year it’s Cyprien Lomas, Rachel Smith, and Jon Udell. It’s great to see old (and new) friends again, and bringing them in is like hiring a great band to play at our party. What’s even more exciting, however, is the knowledge that each of these guests will strike sparks in the audience as they speak, and will also be vital members of the audience for other speakers. I know my colleagues will benefit enormously from their presence among us. And I can’t wait to hear what Udell, Smith, and Lomas will say as the spark off each other during the “What is Web 2.0?” panel discussion.

It’s going to be an exciting two days.