[senit] Web 2 Social Networking and new opportunties

Interesting links, thanks.

There is already a WIKI dedicated to this kind of stuff that everyone can
use:  

http://assistech.org.uk/doku.php (feedback welcome). 

Also, regarding sharing presentations etc, check out:
http://docs.google.com/ (only docs/spreadsheets at the moment, but quite
cool).

Cheers

Simon

Clinical Scientist
ACT
0121 627 1627 ex 53245 

-----Original Message-----
From: senit-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senit-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of Craig Mill
Assist-I.T.
Sent: 15 October 2006 21:12
To: senit at lists.becta.org.uk
Subject: [senit] Web 2 Social Networking and new opportunties

No doubt you are all too familiar with the development of social networking
websites such as MySpace, Bebo, Friendster etc, particularly if you have
teenage children.  

The services that host the social networking sites provide different ways
for people to communicate with one another, including blogging and instant
messaging features as well as video, podcasting etc. 

As many of you are aware these are the tools of the 'new web', otherwise
known as Web 2.

The reason I'm writing is that I believe social networking and/or Web 2
tools provide a great opportunity for teaching and learning, particularly
for those of us on the SENIT list. 

For example, Elgg.net (http://elgg.net/) is an online social network aimed
specifically at education, learning technology and new approaches to
teaching and learning. Access to Elgg is free and provides a range of social
networking tools such as creating blogs, file sharing, resources and the
ability to create communities, for example a SENIT community.  

In addition evolving Web 2 tools such as Slideshare - a type of YouTube
using PowerPoint - (http://slideshare.net/login) and ZohoShow
(http://www.zohoshow.com/jsp/zoho_login.jsp) allows teachers/lecturers to
view, upload, share and even edit PowerPoint slides/presentations.
PowerPoint presentations can even be embedded into blogs.  

I uploaded a trial PowerPoint presentation on 'Creating Switch Accessible
PowerPoint' to Slideshare and was impressed at the result. SENIT members
could easily edit uploaded slides to meet their specific needs using
Zohoshow. 

Coupled with the use of a Wiki, for example, Wikispaces
http://www.wikispaces.com/ Web 2 tools provide an excellent means of
increasing collaboration, sharing resources and creating compelling and
effective social interactions. 

Why should teenagers have all the fun?

Useful links:

http://elggspaces.com/
http://academia.nu/blog/2006/10/04/powerpoint-youtube-slideshare/
http://blog.slideshare.net/
http://www.rashmisinha.com/archives/06_10/slideshare%20techcrunch.html

Craig Mill
ICT & ASL Consultant / Trainer
Tel:         0771 704 2670
Email:      craig at assist-it.org.uk
Internet:  www.assist-it.org.uk
Skype:     craigmill

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