Skoolz Out!

Over the last few posts we have created our Google account and joined a bookmarking site such as Diigo. Hopefully you now have a few ‘friends’ and the concept of conversing and sharing resources with other educators all over the globe is not as daunting or creepy – because you are now about to take it to a whole other level!

So you have heard about Twitter, Facebook and MySpace, but who really cares what I, or any one else for that matter, had for breakfast? Well there is an element of this to these sites, but if you are smart and go about it the correct way, you can make some fantastic contacts and locate amazing resources over the Internet.

Getting Started

There is a wide range of social networking sites on the Internet, but I am only going to start you off with 2 sites that I think are an invaluable resource for teachers;

Twitter

Obviously the buzz at the moment, but there is a reason for it. Twitter is like ‘real-time’ email with more kick. The concise nature of the messaging (no more than 140 characters per message) suits a generation that wants to know all of the answers yesterday!  The ease of messaging via the Twitter website, applications such as Tweetdeck, or even your iPhone via Twitterfon means you can send an ‘update’ on what you are doing anytime, anywhere. But where Twitter really takes off is the ability to share weblinks, photos, ‘follow’ someone else or have ‘followers’ of your own.

When you ‘follow’ someone else, you receive their updates. Many people will share their resources and links that they think are useful. This is great if you can ‘find contacts’ that have similar interests to you. All of a sudden we sharing our resources. You will notice many people use http://www.tiny.cc/ to shorten their weblinks, due to only have 140 characters. I won’t go on forever about Twitter as there are many other pages where you can read all about the intricacies of it, but for educators it is an amazing way to share ideas, make contacts and even ask for help. Get on it! Let me know if you do. My details are http://twitter.com/adambrice

Ning

Ning is another type of social networking site. Here you can even setup your own social network if you are really keen! It alows you to make friends, create forums, share news, links and resources. This is a great way of making contact with other people that have a specific interest. By simply using your Google account information, sign up at Ning and start joining some groups that take your interest. You will soon find it is a great way to get some new ideas and a avenue to ask questions. Check out these Ning sites to get you started;

http://digistorytelling-actionstations.ning.com/ (The ‘Digital Storytelling’ Ning Site)

http://www.classroom20.com/

Hopefully you have found the last few posts interesting and informative in helping you get up and running. Only an informed teacher is able to ‘run’ with the lesson if it takes a turn in order to address the students queries or needs. Only an informed teacher is aware of the possible technological ‘tools’ at their disposal in order to promote engagement in their activities. We don’t need to know the ins and outs of every change in technology, but by being aware, and having the network and resources in place, we can track down the information we need, when the need arises. I hope you find this ‘ongoing’ professional development sparks an interest in the free resources available to support you in making exciting and relevant learning in your classroom.

Welcome to Part 3. My last few posts have been aimed at supporting teachers in making the transition from ‘tourist’ to ‘citizen’ – lookers-on to active participants in the use of technology. Before we become confident and proficient users of technology in the classroom, there is some work we need to do ourselves. If you have read my last few posts, you should have activated a Google Account and explored the variety of products available to you.

We are now going to put our Google account to work across the Internet. Our next step is to sign up for one of the amazing Web 2.0 applications available on the net.

What is Web 2.0?

We hear it all the time, but basically this term describes the next phase in the evolution of the Internet. The Internet started out as a way to share information. The next progression has been the advent of the immediate sharing of resources, the conversations relating to the information, and the creative use of it. As a result, we have seen everyday people become connected, sharing their own understandings and views through powerful mediums such as blogs, wikis, and social networking sites. We all have a voice – and now everyone can hear it.

In a way, after this post, you are going to have gone through your own Web 2.0 progression, as you move from consumer to collaborator of information.

So, let’s get started…

One of the most powerful, yet easiest ways to get started in Web 2.0 is to join a social bookmarking site such as Diigo or del.ici.ous. I am a massive fan of Diigo due to it’s features, ease of use and visual interface. Basically, these sites allow you to save the websites you find useful in a category or by ‘tagging’ them with relevant keywords, so that you can locate them again whenever you may need them.This information is stored in ‘the cloud’ and can be accessed via a login from any computer.

Why not just Bookmark in my Safari, Firefox or other Web Browser?

This is where the power of these applications really jump out. We don’t always have the time to look around for resources on the web. Sometimes, believe it or not, other people find or even create some really good stuff. By making ‘friends’ or joining specific ‘groups’ of interest, you will be able to share in the bookmarks other people (more specifically other educators) all over the world are making – and then bookmark them for yourself! Pretty simple – why reinvent the wheel all the time. If we are honest, we know deep down teachers are usually terrible when it comes to this.

Making ‘friends’ online

Not everyone on the net is a lunatic. Basically you are sharing resources, not private information about yourself. Diigo allows you to control the information that can be viewed by other people. Once you get past the fear of making a friend on Diigo, you may be surprised at how cool you think it is. You may be asked to be a friend, which you can accept or deny, or you can ‘request’ a friend. By making friends, you get to see the bookmarks that person is making. So, someone with similar interests to you becomes an amazing resource for you.

Join a ‘Group’

Another great way to gather resources and to make more friends is to join a ‘Group.’ For example, ‘Apples for Kids‘ is a group I created to share resources with other educators using Apple products in the classroom. Check it out and join the Group. Each day, week, month (you choose) you will be emailed an update of the additions posted to this group. So even if you have not been on the Diigo website for a while, you will still get the latest news. Pretty cool.

This is the tip of the iceberg with Diigo. You can use it to start conversations and create a forum. You can even use it with your class to share resources, new understandings, raise issues, have discussions….exciting and relevant skills for your students. But start slowly and get used to this new idea. You will soon be hooked!