055

**Bits and Pieces**

 * Manager:** Lindy Kemp – lindy.kemp [at] tafensw.edu.au
 * Facilitator:** Regan Harding – regan.harding [at] tafensw.edu.au


 * Sponsoring RTO:** Ballina TAFE – Nth Coast Institute


 * Target client groups:** indigenous; disengaged; youth

We are TAFE teachers working with Indigenous learners, disadvantaged and disengaged young people, and NESB clients at Ballina Campus NCI. Our project aims to develop our skills in using new technologies (MP3s, DSTs, podcasting, blogs and wikis, virtual classrooms, targeted interactive toolboxes etc). Our overarching goal is to provide a learning environment in which these learners can maintain control over and input into their own learning. When we gain these skills we hope to begin to apply our own learning to produce tailored meaningful interactive learning materials for our clients as part of our general teaching repertoire.
 * Project summary:**


 * Online presence:** (blogs, wikis, EdNA Group, websites, flickr tag, del.icio.us tag etc)


 * Discussing :**

http://digitales.wikispaces.com/

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/windows


 * Postcard from the Field due date:** week starting October 30


 * Proposed LearnScope visit/s:** Alex 31 August


 * Team events** (focus, date, time, availability to other teams)


 * Synchronous / Asynchronous Team Discussion**

Gabbly.com //* Just press your 'enter' key after you have typed in some discussion text//

media type="gabbly" key="http://nswlearnscope.wikispaces.com/055"


 * FURTHER DETAILS:**

§ We are doing this project to build on work and learning we have done in previous LearnScope projects and in our general work as TAFE teachers. We have explored Digital Stories and their teaching application and in fact we are already using these ideas in our delivery. § Many of our team have completed ItTO. § We are also keen to collaborate to develop more interactive, self access materials for our target learners studying in other faculties. § We feel that the emerging opportunities might allow us to deliver in ways we do not yet know about. We want to expand our skills and have further goals to incorporate and exploit these new technologies into our teaching, to build more of an anywhere anytime possibility for our learners.
 * Background to the project:**

§ develop skills and understandings in the use of technologies to develop learning materials for our clients. Specifically we will explore: o Podcasting o Creating MP3 files o Using MP3 files to enhance and/or create learning materials o Understanding and exploring virtual classrooms for our client group o Using video clips and MP3s to explore the ways we could use these to develop our own ‘virtual classrooms’ o Understanding and using blogs and wikis to discover how they might be used in our delivery o Learning how to set up our own blog/wiki for delivery use with the nominated client group(s) o Explore the use of online forums and chats using sites such as EdNa Groups or similar o Develop our understandings of toolboxes, their value and applicability for our client groups § The above exploration will enable us to build our capability to apply specific e-learning skills /tools to our general teaching repertoire. § Each team member will explore chosen technologies in developing a small ‘lesson’ which will incorporate selected elements from the above.
 * Proposed project outcomes:**

a) The project will effectively impact on the learners through increasing the teachers’ knowledge and experience, allowing us to create materials which will provide the target students with a greater variety of self paced and self access learning materials, thus enhancing their learning autonomy and enriching their learning experience. b) Our clients will gain a number of core employability skills through this project. These include increased competence in the general use of technology, computer navigation skills, mouse skills, presentation skills, skills in accessing, using and exploring the internet, as well as enhanced, written and spoken communication skills. c) Because the project is focused on building our capability as teachers to respond in more flexible ways to client needs it will : · Make it easier for our customers to access our services though innovative approaches to teaching and learning · Improve professional networks and support for staff and students · Establish a culture of empowerment as students gain increasing e-learning competence · Promote and support innovation, flexibility and continuous improvement for all students and our campus
 * Benefits to client group:**

We will develop small samples of learning materials using various new technologies and we will trial these with our students and gain feedback and suggestions from these students to support us in our further development
 * Evaluation strategies:**

We will capture our learning through the following IDEAS: Pre-project and post-project questionnaires · Initial skills audit of team members · Post project skills audit · Evaluation forms Facilitated reflection times at team meetings Email and online meeting discussion logs/recordings · Reflection and discussion built into all meetings and further facilitated by facilitator through additional contact eg team wiki, blog and individual contact · Group sharing of learning through tutorial either F2F or online · Use of collaborative learning in small interest groups · Skills and knowledge sharing within team Minutes and brainstorms · Built into all meetings and further supported by facilitator through additional contact eg team wiki, blog and individual contact Team digital stories · Final report done as a DS including images, anecdotes and quotes from team members Development of mini lessons using new technologies Use of EdNA Groups Input to network groups
 * We are capturing our learning via:**

· Active participation in NSW LearnScope EdNA Group · Active participation national Framework events · Active participation in named NSW LearnScope network groups · Final DS
 * We hope to share our learning via :**

//We will// § //Participate in ongoing involvement in national network groups// § //Connect with and collaborate with where possible the other NCI TAFE Learnscope project which has many similarities to our own// //Mini lessons for staff use and exploration and also included in our final portfolio//
 * We’ll connect with others via:**

We will produce a · Final digital story of our project And a · Project portfolio – including links, a wiki, discussion threads, stories, products, MP3 files, mindmaps, FlickR tag etcs
 * Proposed project products/outputs:**

=My Web Office Toolkit=


 * ONLINE - INTERNET / WEB**


 * 1.0 Communicating**

//Audio / Rendering / Podcasting Tools - Web//

[|Springdoo] - Audio and video emails [|Odeo] - audio / podcasting feeds / storage podcastingwith onboard personalisation features [|Podomatic] - audio / podcasting feeds / storage with onboard personalisation features [|Streamload] - audio / video storage with open web access [|Box] - Multi-media storage point

//Video Tools//

[|Niceshorts] - video upload / share / distribute [|Google Video] - video upload / share / distribute [ //open web links// ]


 * 2. Managing**

//Tracking / Searching / Social Bookmarking//

[|Bloglines] - feed reader used to keep track of who I'm reading on the web [ //RSS, XML// ] [|Del.icio.us] - social bookmarking tool with feedcast and personalisation features [ //tagging, RSS feeds// ] [|Technorati] - keeping track of who is reading me and a great blog search tool ( community )


 * 3. Publishing**

//Text / Imbedded Media - online//

[|Blogger] - blog that allows template hacking and multiple PLE functionality [ //PLE, commenting, trackbacks ]// Wikispaces - wiki pages that allow multiple authorship and imbedded media [ //versions, discussion, RSS feeds// ] [|Edublogs] - blog integrated with Wikispaces [ //PLE, commenting, trackbacks// ]

//Images / Imbedded media - online//

[|moblog.co.uk] - multi-media PC / moblogging gallery [ //tagging, rating, posting, commenting// ] [|flickr] - multi-media PC moblogging gallery [ //tagging, rating, posting, commenting// ] [|bubbleshare] - multi-media PC or moblogging / audio gallery [ //tagging, rating, posting, commenting// ]

//Calendar - online//

[|Google Calendar] - integrated web calendar [ //HTML, ICAL, XML// ] [|RSS Calendar] - integrated web calendar [ RSS, XML ]


 * 4. Syndication**

//Web feeds//

[|Feedburner] - Managing RSS feeds and multi-media syndication [ //tagging, RSS feeds, blends// ]

Start Pages

[|Protopage] - start page with personalisation features [ //RSS, webpage// ]


 * OFFLINE - PC / MOBILE / OTHER**


 * 1.0 Communicating**

//Audio / Rendering / Podcasting Tools - PC//

[|Audacity] - Audio recording tool for podcasting and general editing [|Erightsoft Super] - Simplified universal player encoder and renderer. [|Juice] - podcast reciever

//Internet Telephony / VOIP//

[|Skype] - Integrated desktop - VOIP communication - PC-to-PC, PC-to-phone etc. ( internet telephony ) [|Gizmo Project] - Integrated desktop - VOIP communication - PC-to-PC, PC-to-phone etc. ( internet telephony ) [|Google Talk] - Integrated desktop - VOIP communication - PC-to-PC, PC-to-phone etc. ( internet telephony ) [|Ineen] - Integrated desktop - VOIP communication - PC-to-PC, PC-to-phone etc. ( internet telephony )

=What is Web 2.0?=

My view of Web 2.0 for the **E-learning 1.0 vs. Elearning 2.0 Panel Session** as part of the E-learning Networks Project Online Event - [|Tapping into Social Networking for E-learning].

Introduction
Web 2.0 is a term that means many things to many people. Many even dispute it's validity. Some see it as nothing more than a buzzword surrounded by a lot of hype.

But it's still a useful term to describe certain changes that are occuring online and even in the world at large.

Defining Web 2.0
There is no consensus on what Web 2.0 is. There are many definitions.

Ironically this is very typically Web 2.0 - there is no single, clear, authorative definition of Web 2.0, nor will there ever be. Instead there is a multiplicity of subjective definitions which co-exist and //collaboratively// define what Web 2.0 is. And, like the tools of Web 2.0 itself, the definition will constantly evolve.

Kathy Sierra of the [|Creating Passionate Users blog] also points out in her post - [|The best thing about Web 2.0] - that the openness of the term Web 2.0 is a good thing as it stimulates thought and discussion.

Differing Perspectives
Differing views on what Web 2.0 is often result from whether they are coming from the perspective of:
 * The actual services and tools described as Web 2.0 such as blogs wikis, podcasts etc. and the underlying technologies - Ajax, RSS, APIs.
 * Business - shifting business models, changing relationships between businesses and clients, and new business opportunities (indicated by a lot of talk about start-ups, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs). The 'Post-Dot.com' era.
 * The sociological impact - a different philosophy, a paradigm shift, a changing mindset.

Definitions of Web 2.0
Notwithstanding the difficulties defining Web 2.0, here are two definitions...

> A second generation of web-based applications and services that make it easy to create, distribute and share content, often collaboratively, while helping users find and connect with like-minded people and form social networks based on common interests.
 * A definition of Web 2.0 focusing on the tools:**

> Web 2.0 is about greater communication, collaboration, sharing, building of communities and networks, collective intelligence and action, disintermedition and the decentralisation of power.
 * A definition focusing on the shift in philosophy and attitude and some of the consequences:**

Nothing New, but Everything is New
In a sense Web 2.0 is nothing new, but the fulfillment of Tim Berners-Lee's original vision of the Read/Write web (after a detour into high-end, read-only websites and the dot.com era and subsequent bust). But it has become a lot more than being able to edit web pages on the fly, which Tim Berners-Lee's original browser could do.

Characteristics of Web 2.0 Services

 * From a one-way broadcasting and publishing medium where content is passively consumed to a platform for participation where content is created.
 * Applications move from the desktop to the web and are offered as web-based services instead of a product. e.g. Webmail, Writerly, online calendars & spreadsheets.
 * Independent of platform and device - services available across multiple platforms and devices - accessed from anywhere at anytime on any OS or device, inc. mobile devices and embedded devices
 * From static to dynamic content - static web pages to interactive services, "The Perpetual Beta", RSS feeds. Content always up-to-date.
 * User-generated content - services provide the platform, the users add value by providing the data and content. e.g. Amazon, ebay, Flickr, YouTube, WebJay, Second Life
 * The "Network Effect" - services improve the more people who join - e.g del.icio.us
 * Users are in control of their own content/data - can add and modify at their convenience. They also have control over copyright (with some alarming exceptions - [|YouTube owns YourStuff]).
 * Increased and expected personalisation/customisation of tools and data.
 * "Architecture of participation" - tools encourage creation, collaboration (e.g. wikis, Wikipedia) and sharing (Creative Commons).
 * Harness collective intelligence/wisdom of the masses - e.g. Wikipedia, Amazon.com & eBay, digg
 * From "walled gardens" to open access of data - APIs.
 * Encouragement of interoperability - services loosely coupled - using RSS, syndication, APIs - leading to mashups which combine data from two or more sources to create a new content or web application e.g. Chicago Crime map - http://chicagocrime.org/
 * DIY ethos. High level of 'hackability'. New services provide tools that allow regular users to create mashups and customised Web 2.0 apps - http://zohocreator.com/ & http://www.ning.com/
 * Shift from centralised services and content (e.g. portals - Yahoo!) to distributed services ("Small pieces loosely joined") and content (microcontent).
 * User-based organisation - from taxonomy to folksonomy (via tagging) e.g. flickr, del.icio.us
 * Leveraging the power of the "Long Tail" - Niche/sliver/micro marketing and publishing

Impact/Consequences

 * Easy content creation, sharing, publishing and distribution encourages creativity, empowers individuals and groups by giving them a voice and lowers the barriers of participation & levels the playing field.
 * Peer-to-peer (P2P) nature of the tools allow 'disintermediation' - cutting out the middle man - e.g. citizen media, self-publishing of music, literature and art.
 * Increased openess and transparency - e.g. corporate blogging.
 * Businesses build relationships and have conversations with consumers/clients/customers/fans.
 * Businesses pay more attention to customer feedback, often asking for input at an early stage of development, e.g. R & D in products, beta-testing software.
 * Organisational structure shifts from hierarchical to peer-to-peer - from top-down to bottom-up
 * Decentralisation and distribution of power - no longer dependent on one source - provider or gatekeeper.
 * Blurring of distinction between amateur and professional. Pro-ams & prosumer. Bloggers and citizen journalists, astrology buffs.
 * Crowdsourcing.

Web 2.0 Resources

 * [|Wikipedia's entry on Web 2.0]
 * [|Video at Youtube introducing Web 2.0] by [|Jeff Utecht] - based on the text of the [|Wikipedia entry on Web 2.0] . An excellent example of one of the principles of Web 2.0 - rip/mix/feed - in action.
 * [|Sacred Cow Dung: All Things Web 2.0 - "THE LIST"] - a massive list of Web 2.0 services.


 * The last ten URLs saved at del.icio.us and tagged with "web2.0":**
 * [|web2logo.com]
 * [|web2logo.com]
 * [|Web2.0 Logo Creator by Alex P]
 * [|VideoJug: 视频上传分享社区，类似YouTube，但是主要提供教学和指南之类的视频]
 * [|web2logo.com]
 * [|Upload, Download and Share Files for Free. GigaSize the easiest one-click file hoster.]
 * [|Wridea]
 * [|MySpace]
 * [|Upload, Download and Share Files for Free. GigaSize the easiest one-click file hoster.]
 * [|Ajaxian]

Full list of URLs saved to del.icio.us and tagged with [|web2.0]