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Well, the grant proposal I wrote for EdTechTalk.com in the HASTAC / MacArthur Foundation Digital Media and Learning Competition wasn't accepted. No big surprise given that we had a 1.68% chance (17 awards given to 1,010 applicants). However, like all sore losers I am more than a bit let down, especially as I review the bios of some of the winners in our category. I believed that the Digital Media and Learning Competition's Knowledge Networking award category was there to throw a bone ($30,000 to $70,000) to grassroots upstarts like EdTechTalk.com who were outside the realm of big U.S. institutions. As the award description notes:

"Knowledge-networking is 'do-it-yourself' field building, collectively matchmaking across communities of those who have and those who seek information, so that each can teach and learn from each other ... Knowledge-Networking Awards will go to proven communicators. Applicants will already be networking with others and are dedicated to digital learning through blogs, social networking, social bookmarking, podcasting, world-building environments, or other online communities."

Gosh ... I actually think I might "borrow" that in the future to help describe EdTechTalk. Anyway ... we were up for $30,000 to pay for our annual server costs and web site maintenance ... a lot of money to us, but maybe not much in the greater edugrant world. Therefore, I just assumed (you know what happens when you ass-u-me) that funding at that level wouldn't entice "the big guns". Further, I really did believe from the award description that the spirit of the competition was to recognize the little guy out there trying crazy and new things with digital media to support teaching and learning. Unfortunately, I was naive and wrong to think that EdTechTalk's application (for an organically grown and thriving online community engaging in the latest media and technology to support learning) would hit the grant's bulls-eye.

On second thought ... I guess it did hit the mark, but where we differ from several of the winners is (a) we actually EXIST and (b) we aren't affiliated with a major U.S. University. One winner with a proof of concept that looks especially intriguing is from Howard Rheingold from Standford University who won $61,000 to support his vision for "an online community for teachers and students to collaborate and contribute ideas for teaching and learning." That is a fantastic vision of what could be possible! What looks even more impressive is the concept for his prospective web site which includes .jpg mockups of a chat room, discussion forums, and social bookmarks to help facilitate the online community. Wow ... toss in some audio ... heck, maybe even live interactive webcasts and he would really have a blockbuster proof of concept!

[Update: Even though I am disappointed, I should get beyond snarky comments and point out that some VERY interesting projects were selected. To that end, check out YouthActionNet.]